Breakfast Links: How many members should the WMATA Board have?
Metro’s jurisdictions do not agree on changing the board
The recent Metro reform plan called for shrinking the board to a 5-member “reform board,” but while Virginia’s Governor McAuliffe is on board, officials in Maryland and the US Department of Transportation think that it would require renegotiating the Metro Compact to do so legally. (Martin Di Caro / WAMU)
DC changes course and reinstates a subsidized taxi program
DC has partially restored the Transport DC program after protests. The program offers a $5 cab ride to people with disabilities who are going to jobs or a doctor’s appointment, and was cut in October. Now, it allow rides anywhere in the first 15 days of the month. (Martin Di Caro / WAMU)
The new DC schools chancellor’s spending at a previous district raises eyebrows
Antwan Wilson, the new DC school chancellor, came from Oakland, which recently cut millions from its school budget. Educators in Oakland say that as Superintendent, Wilson overspent and he and his schools lost control of the budget. (Valerie Strauss / Post)
A Maryland State Senator wants to help businesses during the Purple Line’s construction
Purple Line construction in Silver Spring will shut down or restrict access to parts of some streets, concerning business owners. Maryland State Senator Will Smith is proposing tax breaks, bridge grants, or reimbursement for profit losses to help businesses weather the construction. (Andrew Metcalf / Bethesda Beat)
Howard University plans to redevelop a campus building and add housing
Howard will renovate the Howard Center building, which houses its bookstore, and is seeking zoning approval to put housing units on the newly refurbished upper floors of the building. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
Federal spending cuts could hit a DC college aid program
Proposed spending bills in the House and Senate would cut $10 million from the DC Tuition Assistance Grant program. It offers college aid money to graduating DC high school students. (Danielle Douglas-Gabriel / Post)
Almost no one commutes between Baltimore and DC
Though Baltimore and DC are neighboring cities, there are very few people who live in one and commute to the other. Only 1% of people who work in DC live in Baltimore city, and 1% of Baltimore workers live in the District. (Simone Roy / DC Policy Center)
The DC Council may offer bonuses to conscientious landlords
DC Councilmember Robert White proposed a bill to establish a fund that would Compensate tenants who were harmed by code violations in their units, and provide money for repairs and award landlords who fix or prevent those violations in their properties. (Andrew Giambrone / WCP)
The Thanskgiving holiday means Thanksgiving travel
Leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday? Roads and airports will be crowded. Metro rail and buses will also be running a holiday schedule, and the Red Line will be closing a segment around Takoma Park Station. (Michelle Goldchain / Curbed)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.