Breakfast links: A new state of… Washington, DC
Statehood rebranded
One potential route to DC statehood is to petition Congress after adopting a state constitution. On Tuesday, the DC Council approved a final draft for voters to consider. It calls for a 21-member legislature and for the official name to be the State of Washington, DC rather than New Columbia. (DCist)
Redlining resurfaces
In trials where DC and Northern Virginia landlords received inquiries from both white and black women with identical criminal records, white women received unfair preference nearly half the time. (WCP)
What Wiedefeld wants
Metro GM Paul Wiedefeld says that of the options his agency has put forward, he prefers ending late-night weekend service at 1 am and weeknight service at 11:30. We’re still unconvinced Metro needs to close early at all. (WTOP)
No love for Purple
The Purple Line opponents behind the federal suit to block construction are now lobbying to stop the project from receiving environmental approval. Officials say the project will still break ground this year. (Bethesda Beat)
Check your registration
A civil rights group is suing to have Virginia to keep voter registration open for longer, something the state claims it can’t do, after problems with online registration caused some voters to miss this Monday’s cutoff. (Post)
To live and die in DC
Most of the DC Council supports a bill that would let doctors provide life-ending drugs to terminally-ill patients, but even if it approves it, it’s unclear whether Mayor Bowser will sign it or if Congress will veto it. (Post)
Improper club improperly zoned
The difference between naked dancing and “sexually-oriented” performances is at the root of a fight over whether DC’s zoning laws permit a well-known strip club in Ward 5 to be there. (WAMU)
Passing the self-driving test
A coalition of transportation and technology groups are going to help sixteen American cities, including DC, study and prepare for next generation transportation, like driverless cars. (DC Inno)
Snapshot of transportation futures
You can comment on the region’s long term transportation plan, which includes sections on a VRE extension, new bus and bike lanes in DC, express toll lanes on 395, and a new BRT route in Virginia. (TPB)