Photo by davereid2 on Flickr.

Court voids DC’s taxi smart meter contract

A panel of judges overturned DC’s contract to install smart meters in all taxis, citing “pervasive improprieties.” This could significantly delay smart meters if DC has to restart the procurement. (Post)  

Maryland to run out of transportation money?

State Assembly budget analysts warn that Maryland may not have enough money to maintain its transportation infrastructure past 2018. Will Maryland find a way to pay for the transportation it needs? (Examiner)  

Virginia grounds its speed-enforcing planes

Virginia is no longer using airplanes to catch speeding drivers. Virginia hasn’t canceled the program, but throughout 2012 it has ordered no missions, citing high costs. (DCist)  

Structured vs. informal on sports fields

Organized sports leagues, often mostly white residents displace informal pick-up games, often with mostly Latino residents. Should DPR schedule pick-up times or just have more fields? (Post, RPUS)  

Democrats will fill Phil’s old spot

Democrats will choose an interim at-large councilmember on December 10th to fill Phil Mendelson’s old seat. Anita Bonds and Michael Brown are considered possible candidates, either to fill the interim position or to run in next year’s special election. (DCist, Post, City Paper)  

Washington Post’s editor to step down

The Washington Post’s editor Marcus Brauchli is stepping down as editor. The Boston Globe’s Marty Baron will replace him. Maybe Baron will encourage more local reporting? (WBJ, Post)  

Where do Uber riders go?

Uber created visualizations of which neighborhoods riders travel between most often. Capitol Hill had the most trips within the neighborhood; second were neighborhoods near downtown in Northwest. (City Paper)  

Cities beat GOP

The national Republican pattern of demonizing cities isn’t a recipe for electoral success any more. Is there an alternative? Yes, like Ed Glaeser’s anti-zoning, anti-road subsidy urban libertarian credo. But can the party move that way? (TNR)  

And…

Closing Spingarn doesn’t really affect the streetcar barn plans. (City Paper) … Special events influence weekend ridership on Metro. (PlanItMetro) … The Four Mile Run trail will connect directly to Potomac Yard. (ArlNow)