Posts tagged Government
-
TPB: VPL + BRT = A-OK?
A few months ago, the Transportation Policy Board of MWCOG proposed “Variably Priced Lanes” on major highways throughout the region. A cross between congestion pricing and HOT lanes (depending on whether the entire road or part of the road would be “variably priced”), this would generate considerable revenue and speed commutes, imposing the cost of… Keep reading…
-
Housing and a sense of place for the West End
Not all neighborhoods oppose any creation of new housing. In the West End/Foggy Bottom area, the old row house neighborhood has largely disappeared, replaced with large office buildings and hotels. Being right near downtown, greater density makes sense, but creating a commercial monoculture does not. Keep reading…
-
Roll call vote on Amtrak
Here’s the roll call vote on the Amtrak bill. All House Democrats voted for it (except ten not present), as did 87 Republicans. From Virginia, the Democrats (Moran, Boucher, and Scott) were joined by NoVA Republicans Tom Davis and Frank Wolf, as well as Cantor, Drake, Goode, and Goodlatte, while Forbes and Wittman voted no. Maryland’s Democrats (Ruppersberger, Sarbanes,… Keep reading…
-
House passes Amtrak bill (for real this time)
The House really did pass the Amtrak bill, this time by a healthy margin of 311 to 104. If almost everyone sticks to their votes, that’s more than enough to override the potential veto. Thanks to commenter Ryan for the tip. Keep reading…
-
Bush threatening veto of Amtrak funding
President Bush is threatening to veto an Amtrak funding bill because it doesn’t provide accountability. That’s a little ironic, coming from him, but we already know Bush is completely and unalterably opposed to rail transit as a viable mode of travel in the United States. Sadly, so is John McCain. Keep reading…
-
Carper: “Public transportation has saved Americans”
OK, that headline might be a tiny bit out of context, but Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) gave a strong defense of transit on the floor of the Senate: Keep reading…
-
Labor successfully waters down noise bill
The DC Council just passed a revised version of the much-debated bill on non-commercial noise. Since I don’t know all the arguments well enough to have a strong opinion, I’ll just report the arguments that were made at the hearing. Keep reading…
-
Union Station latest photo flashpoint
The conflict between photographers and overzealous security guards has reached great heights, both of comedy and now power, as Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton jumps into the issue. Keep reading…
-
Where do DC’s at-large Councilmembers live?
I’m listening to the entertaining debate in the DC Council on the noise bill, broadcast on the local cable Channel 13. Harry Thomas (ward 5) introduced an amendment to restrict the proposed legislation to only residentially zoned districts, as opposed to mixed-use districts. Muriel Bowser (ward 4), Jim Graham (1) and Yvette Alexander (7) so far have spoken in favor of this… Keep reading…
-
National Permanent Building not so permanent
The Historic Preservation Review Board has rejected the landmark application for the National Permanent Building at 1775 Pennsylvania Ave NW, according to Dupont ANC Commissioner Jack Jacobson. In doing so, they have gone against their staff recommendation and sided with the Dupont ANC, which passed a resolution opposing the landmarking. Keep reading…