Breakfast links: Tax deals
Save the trust fund
Congress is working to save the federal transportation trust fund by encouraging companies to bring back money currently stashed in offshore accounts. They would raise money without increasing the gas tax. (Post)
Tax stadiums
President Obama’s budget would prevent sports teams from using tax-free bonds to finance stadiums, based on a consensus that they provide little societal benefit. This would make stadiums costlier to build. (Union Tribune)
Black History and urban planning
February is Black History Month. African-American history is closely tied to the history of land use and transportation. In the District, the DC Historical Society explored the era of urban renewal in Southwest. (RPUS)
Homeowners demand help
Prince George’s lost more wealth than neighboring counties from the real estate collapse. Now, homeowners are asking the county to help buoy prices by reviewing low assessments and stopping new construction. (Post)
Fairfax cold to charter plan
Fairfax County is blocking a teacher’s plan to start a charter school. The school could provide innovative teaching strategies, but the county fears a charter school sends the wrong message. (Post)
High driving
The number of drivers using drugs, especially marijuana, is rising, A recent survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found 20% of weekend nighttime drivers on drugs, compared to 8% with alcohol. (Post)
Intersection of doom
Arlington’s “intersection of doom” has a temporary no turns on red sign but it only illuminates occasionally, potentially confusing drivers. Meanwhile, residents are waiting for a permanent solution to improve safety. (ArlNow)
Portland and DC changing
Portland was the only city to surpass DC in the number of census tracts to gentrify from 2000 to 2013. Meanwhile, gentrification may be masking a broader trend: “youthification.” (Post, City Lab)
And…
Watch the number of mega-cities grow over time. (The Economist) … DC triples its South by Southwest budget to attract more tech firms. (Post) … Virginia ethics bills are a step forward, but hardly enough. (Post) … It’s funny when reporters say something happened “blocks from the White House.” (City Paper)