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Jake Blumgart.jpg

Jake Blumgart

Senior Staff Writer

Jake Blumgart is a senior writer for Governing and covers transportation and infrastructure. He lives in Philadelphia. Follow him on Twitter at @jblumgart.

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State and Local Politics and Policy
Raleigh Pushes for Permanent Fare-Free Transit
The state capital has a modest-sized transit system, so taking out the farebox during the pandemic was easy and so far everyone likes the outcome. But making free bus service financially sustainable could be harder.
July 20, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
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State and Local Politics and Policy
What’s the Best Way to Reduce Crime on Transit Systems?
Ridership on trains and buses has plunged, yet crime is on the rise. Transit advocates say now is the time to change how to handle fare evaders and illegal behavior. But will the riding population feel safer?
July 13, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
Loretta Weinberg
State and Local Politics and Policy
Legendary New Jersey Legislator Bids Farewell to Politics
Loretta Weinberg, the “Jewish grandmother” of the Garden State’s political arena, has battled with Chris Christie and Andrew Cuomo to get better transit for the common worker. Now, it’s time to say goodbye.
July 6, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
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State and Local Politics and Policy
Transit-Commuting Workers in Steady Decline: Study
While wealthy cities have managed to grow transit ridership, overall numbers have dropped by nearly 50 percent since 1970. The decrease in riders makes it harder for officials to support future transit investments.
June 25, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
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Finance
Small Cities Can’t Manage the High Cost of Old Infrastructure
Without federal help, cities in the Northeast and Midwest face heavy cost burdens to upgrade aging roads, bridges and water systems. Younger municipalities in the South and West are beginning to have similar problems.
June 24, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
New York subway train at a platform.
State and Local Politics and Policy
Why Doesn’t New York City Have Full Control of Its Subways?
North America’s largest subway system is run by a board that’s disproportionately controlled by state government. A city-run system has merits, but so far only one mayoral candidate is interested in changing the status quo.
June 18, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
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Housing and Urban Issues
How Will the Next Mayor of New York Deal With Transit and Traffic?
America’s largest city has a transit system under stress, and an ongoing battle between cars, bikes and pedestrians for control of the streets. Yet mayoral candidates are saying little about the transportation problems.
June 17, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
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State and Local Politics and Policy
Cities Say Infrastructure Is Top Priority in 2021
Housing and crime round out top urban concerns and mayors are scrambling to use much-needed federal funding as austerity issues recede, according to the latest State of the Cities report from the National League of Cities.
June 15, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
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State and Local Politics and Policy
Are City Residents Saying Goodbye to Urban Living?
Thanks to more hybrid and remote work, some people are moving out of New York and San Francisco, but so far, there has been no exodus to Oklahoma City or Peoria, no revival of rural America or the Rust Belt.
June 7, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
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The Future in Context
What Lessons Can Biden Learn from Roosevelt’s New Deal?
The Great Depression crushed the economy. The New Deal saved it. Can an analogy be made with today’s economic situation? Professor Jason Scott Smith talks about what happened in the 1930s and what might happen today.
May 28, 2021
 · Jake Blumgart
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