Breakfast links: Sober new laws
Limits on liquor protests draw protest
A comprehensive liquor license reform bill could limit who can protest a license, but is running into protests over the change. Other changes legalize Sunday takeout sales and “growlers.” (Post)
McDonnell might raise VA gas tax
Govenor Bob McDonnell said Virginia might start adjusting its gas tax for inflation. A similar plan died earlier this year without the support of McDonnell and Virginia House Republicans. (Examiner)
Height limit defense
Kaid Benfield votes not to change the height limit, largely because he feels DC is fine as it is, there are existing opportunities for infill development, and it could be a slippery slope toward less livable super high rises. (Switchboard)
Residents don’t want bus lot
A group of southern Fairfax residents is suing to stop WMATA from moving a bus lot from Old Town to their neighborhood. They say it’s a conflict of interest that 2 members of the Board of Supervisors, which approved the change, sit on the WMATA Board. (Patch)
The toll not paid
Nearly 1/3 of ICC motorists without an E-ZPass never pay their toll, adding up to $670,000 in six months. Maryland may have to start using more aggressive methods used by other states to get the tolls paid. (Post)
NYC riders get allied
A new grassroots rider advocacy group, called Riders Alliance, is launching in New York. (Streetsblog) … Do we need one here?
Trolls beware
The Justice Department and FTC might start going after patent trolls who sue over patents but don’t make anything. This could be very good news for transit agencies whose real-time arrival information was often the target of such suits. (WBJ)
And…
Four Mile Run will get a better connection to Potomac Yard. (ARLnow) … More cyclists wear cameras to record collisions and close calls. (WJLA) … Performance parking comes to H Street. (Hill Rag) … Chevy Chase may get a shuttle to Bethesda. (Gazette)