By Canaan Merchant (Elections Committee) • January 24, 2020
Virginia Delegate Dave LaRock (R-Loudoun) made headlines when he suggested returning portions of Arlington and Alexandria back to the District of Columbia. Even if this idea were to gain any serious traction with other legislators, it would not help LaRock or Republicans in Virginia hold on to a majority in the legislature. There are two recent maps that explain why.
Paris’s mayor offers an ambitious plan for the city. Why are so many luxury condos in NYC empty? US mayors struggle over reducing car usage, a survey reveals and more in this week’s National links.
By Alex Baca (Housing Program Organizer) • January 24, 2020
A committee of the Virginia legislature held a hearing Thursday about three bills from Delegate Ibraheem Samirah (D-Fairfax): HB 150, 151, and 152. I testified for 151 and 152, which would have legalized across the state accessory apartments and duplexes, respectively. The committee tabled both bills, which means they won’t pass this year but can be reworked and heard again during next year’s legislative session.
Over the next few months, the District will be installing parking corrals for electric scooters in all eight wards. The corrals will be placed off sidewalks in no-parking zones near intersections to avoid obstructing pedestrians. (Natalie Delgadillo / DCist)
The City of Baltimore has missed out on $2.1 million in tax revenue each year since 2015 for failing to collect taxes on Uber and Lyft rides. The City Council is working on legislation to address the problem. (Colin Campbell / Post)
As demand for passenger rail transportation grows nationwide Virginia’s $3.7 billion investment in rail operations and Amtrak’s plans to expand services are making the state a model for intercity passenger rail. (Luz Lazo / Post)
A 76-unit development with all apartments deemed affordable was just broke ground near Audi Field in Southwest DC. The units will range from studios to four bedrooms, and the ground floor will include 3,000 square feet for retail. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
In Montgomery County, bus ridership among individuals 18 and younger grew almost 60% in the second half of 2019 thanks to a new program in the county that allows young people to ride Metro and Ride On buses free of charge. (Caitlynn Peetz / Bethesda Beat)
After years of struggling with a less than stellar reputation, Anacostia in Southeast DC its starting to slowly attract the amenities it has long-lacked such as sit-down restaurants and grocery stores. But with change comes new challenges as housing prices begin to climb. (Zak Salih / UrbanTurf)
Red line trains briefly bypassed Union Station on Sunday morning after a man was fatally stabbed on the mezzanine level of the Metro station. Police arrested two men following the incident. (Fredrick Kunkle / Post)
Now that Democrats are in control of the Virginia General Assembly, many are pushing for an increase in the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to up to $15. Republicans and business groups worry that the move could damage the state’s business-friendly reputation. (Ally Schweitzer / WAMU)
