Breakfast links: Bag fee blockage
PG bag fee loses vote
A bill to let Prince George’s levy a 5¢ bag fee is likely dead after 2 county delegates voted against it. One, Carolyn Howard, touts a League of Conservation Voters 100% rating on her home page; not for long? (Post)
Don’t live free
New Hampshire’s state House voted down a resolution supporting DC statehood on a largely party-line vote. DC officials had hoped the call to freedom would resonate in the state. Florida is also considering the resolution. (DCist)
Hard to drive 55?
2 Montgomery state senators want to raise the speed limit on the ICC. One, Nancy King, says she’s having a hard time driving only 55. (Post)
More camera controversies
One Ward 7 Council candidate attacked speed cameras on Pennsylvania Avenue, but many residents say they make the neighborhood safer. Various other restauranteurs and radio producers are wringing hands over speed cameras, but MPD stands by their value. (Fox5, HCCA, DCist)
Bite your tongue
A DCFEMS spokesman has been placed on administrative leave with pay after asserting that criticisms of the department’s leadership were racist. The comments were made on his personal social media accounts. (Washington Times)
Defaulting Thomas
Harry Thomas, Jr., has defaulted on his latest $50,000 payment to reimburse DC for funds that he stole. It’s unclear what the District can do about it, as his house is solely in his wife’s name. (WTOP)
New plans for NoVa
Development plans near the Potomac Yard metro station have been announced. The project, called The Exchange, will be oriented around the unbuilt station and BRT line, but will begin construction by middle of this year. (DCMud)
Unaffordable affordable housing
The DC Housing Protection Trust Fund is too short on funds—hardly one-seventh the needed amount—to fill its mandate, leaving demand for affordable housing largely unmet. (City Paper)
People want walkable
In a new survey, 58% of Americans said they’d prefer a walkable neighborhood and would even live in a smaller house to get it. (GOOD)
And…
Foreign investors like DC because of the height limit. (City Paper) … LA’s mayor says they can’t keep building freeways. (NPR) … Paris legalizes the Idaho Stop (or as they call it, “griller les feux”). (Telegraph) … The Post will shrink its news staff. (Reuters)