Breakfast links: Votes and non-votes
DC Council votes
The DC Council approved bills to reduce traffic fines and deregulate Uber, and passed the tax break for Howard Town Center, but narrowly voted down red-top parking meters for drivers with disabilities. (Post, Examiner)
Tysons tax vote pushed back
Fairfax Supervisors delayed a vote on raising Tysons real estate taxes to fund transportation upgrades. Supervisors have supported the proposal, but are again considering adding an exemption for residential landowners. (Post)
Olson “too Arlington” for PG?
The Prince George’s County Council unexpectedly denied Eric Olson the chairmanship and reelected Andrea Harrison. Olson had clashed with Rushern Baker, and a zoning lawyer said some think he’s “too Arlington.” (Post)
Gray not into autonomy vote
The efforts for DC budget autonomy might be “set back many years” if Congressmembers “bristle at this attempt to circumvent their authority” by putting a referendum on the April special election ballot, Mayor Gray argued in a letter to the DC Council. It approved the referendum anyway. (Post)
L Street lane opens, M is next
The L Street cycle track has officially opened. (DCist) … Mayor Gray says DC the M Street counterpart is coming in 2013.
A “bike beltway” for Towson?
Towson, Maryland is considering a 5-mile “bike beltway” around the downtown area. The plan would ring the Baltimore suburb with a mix of painted bike lanes and sharrows. (Baltimore Brew)
Court hears psychic’s zoning challenge
A Virginia psychic is challenging zoning which prevents her from sharing a work space with licensed psychologists. (WAMU)
Not throwing stones
Residents in a few cities are building glass houses, even where passersby can often see in. They like the light and don’t mind being visible. (WSJ)
More infrastructure $?
President Obama wants more infrastructure spending as part of a budget deal. It’s not clear how much of any new stimulus will go to transit, repairing roads and bridges, or new sprawl projects. (Streetsblog)
And…
Amtrak service in Virginia has steadily increased lately. (BeyondDC) … LA voters approved a tax district to build a streetcar. (LA Downtown News) … How about a trampoline bridge or trampoline road in DC? (Huffington Post, Ken Archer)