Breakfast links: Trump’s State of the Union was big on infrastructure talk, but light on detail
Infrastructure spending got a shoutout at the State of the Union
President Trump highlighted the need for investment in American infrastructure and called on Congress to spend more to address it in his State of the Union. However, his actual policies would lean on private and local funding, resulting in an inequitable distribution of repairs to areas that can pay more. (Laura Bliss / CityLab)
Maryland is addressing its own public school graduation scandal
The State Board of Education is questioning Prince George's County officials about changes they had made to address the number of students graduating from county schools with insufficient credits or too many absences. (Donna St. George / Post)
The FBI may not move out of its DC offices
After talk of moving the FBI to a site in Springfield, Greenbelt, or Landover, the agency may stay in the brutalist office on Pennsylvania Avenue after all. The GSA missed the deadline to submit plans for a new FBI HQ to the Senate. (Jon Banister / Bisnow)
Can blockchain technology improve the dockless bikeshare experience?
Spin wants to launch a new cryptocurrency (and maybe cash in on the new Initial Coin Offering, or ICO, craze). People would earn the currency by using Spin bikes and parking them responsibly, and can redeem currency for more Spin rides. (Kate Clark / PitchBook)
Montgomery County trims its budget
The County Council took over $50 million from the budget, cutting from schools, fire and EMS, and health and human services. The cuts were necessary after the county found a $120 million shortfall, mostly from lower tax revenue. (Rachel Siegel / Post)
Cities in the Amazon HQ2 race won’t reveal their incentives
The 20 cities on the HQ2 “shortlist” have signed non disclosure agreements about the selection process and the packages of incentives offered to Amazon. Residents of those cites would like to know just what is on the table for the tech giant. (Martin Austermuhle / WAMU)
Virgina could undo a rate freeze for utility companies
A 2015 Virginia law froze the base rate power companies charged their customers, but also stopped requiring refunds of profits to those customers. Now state legislators and Governor Ralph Northam are trying to craft a new utility policy. (Gregory Schneider / Post)
Zoning for visual interest on Columbia Pike
The Arlington County Board voted in December to amend the Form-Based Code, which developers have used to fast-track buildings that conform to certain standards. New guidelines can accept buildings on Columbia Pike that look less cookie-cutter. (Scott McCaffrey / Inside NoVA)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.