Breakfast links: Bowser makes choices
Maybe just two miles
The Bowser administration will not commit to building more streetcar tracks beyond the two miles on H Street. Private sector bids to build a larger system are also in limbo. Councilmember Mary Cheh also says the streetcar is “possibly not going to happen.” (WAMU, WBJ)
DC trashes recycling
After trash piled up in icy alleys, Mayor Bowser pushed city crews to work overtime to catch up. However, crews wlll also mix recycling and trash, which sets a bad sustainability example. (RPUS)
A step toward zero
Mayor Bowser will set a “Vision Zero” goal of zero traffic deaths in the District, accepting a challenge from US DOT Secretary Foxx. But it will take many more specific actions to actually make streets safe. (WABA)
School boundaries tweaked
Mayor Bowser will move forward with changes to school boundaries that the Gray Administration devised, with two small tweaks: to let parts of Ward 4 still go to Deal Middle School and Ward 7 to Eastern High. (Post)
Skate to work day
Sleet and freezing rain on Sunday led to dangerous sidewalks. Today, several schools and the federal government opened with a delay. (Post)
Can you hear me now?
The company that was installing cell service in Metro tunnels has gone bankrupt. Neither cell phone carriers nor WMATA have an updated schedule for the work, which was delayed following the 2009 Red Line crash. (WAMU, Jason R) (Tip: Jason R.)
Hard times in Maryland
Despite the state having the highest median income in the nation, many in Maryland cannot make ends meet following the recession. Will Governor Hogan be able to bring back growth? (Post)
Poor students
As cities become more affluent, suburban schools are having difficulty meeting the needs of a growing population of poor children. (Post)
Transportation discrimination
America’s transportation decisions often hurt poor and minority communities. Civil rights laws prohibit this, but it’s very hard to prove. (Slate)