By Topher Mathews (Contributor) • April 20, 2021
The Washington Post recently reported that as part of his final effort to close the city’s budget gap, Adrian Fenty is considering doubling the fee for residential parking passes. This is not a bad idea, but a better one would be to raise RPP fees for the 2nd and 3rd car. We charge a laughably small fee for street parking: $15 a year. Only in the world of cars is it considered…
By Doug Knight (Guest Contributor) • April 20, 2021
Lincoln Road NE is a crucial connection between Edgewood and the center of the city, but its current design encourages speeding and dangerous driving. Recently announced plans to repave the road offer a tremendous opportunity to add pedestrian and cycling improvements that would make the street safer for all users, a change many residents support.
The Montgomery County Council has unanimously passed the Housing Justice Act, a bill that prevents landlords from denying people housing based on low-level crimes such as marijuana possession.  (Ally Schweitzer / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
The Metro board is likely to approve a $4.7 billion budget this week that will push the opening of Silver Line Phase II from this summer to January 2022 at the earliest. The budget includes federal recovery money allowing Metro to avoid major service cuts proposed last year.  (Matt Blitz / Reston Now)
As DC Council considers changes to the Comprehensive Plan, a document that guides zoning decisions, the newly formed Council’s Office of Racial Equity issued a report saying that the changes fail to address racism.  (DCist)
The White House issued a policy statement strongly supporting the bill moving through Congress that would make DC into the 51st state. The major hurdle to statehood is getting enough votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster.  (Stacy Brown / Washington Informer)
DC’s business district is facing high office vacancy rates as companies consider extending work from home policies, downsizing, or moving to cheaper locations. Officials are considering ways to attract businesses but are concerned about revenue impacts and lost customers for downtown restaurants.  (Post)
Federal judge David Carter ruled that Los Angeles city and county must offer all unhoused people on skid row a place to stay by October 18. While some activists note that the short time frame likely means people will go to temporary, not permanent, housing, most are welcoming the major push towards housing residents.  (LA Times)
The Maryland Department of Health hired an adviser, Katina Rojas Nazario-Joy, specifically to work on getting COVID-19 vaccinations to unserserved and undervaccinated communities in Prince George’s County. Only 19.6% of the county was fully vaccinated as of this week.  (Brenda Wintrode / Maryland Matters)
People gathered at Black Lives Matter Plaza to express relief and mixed emotions after police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd in Minneapolis.  (Post)
