Breakfast links: Let’s play politics
GOP would privatize Northeast Corridor
House Transportation chair John Mica (R-FL) and fellow Republicans are proposing to privatize Amtrak’s Northeast corridor, having a private company operate it and upgrade to high-speed service.
Mica thinks upgrades can happen in a third the time Amtrak is proposing, and also thinks this would reduce federal subsidies by drawing private investment. But is it realistic for private industry to do all that with less money? Democrats point out that all transportation systems need government support. (Post)
House committee would halt St. E’s
The House Appropriations Committee would halt construction of the DHS complex at St. Elizabeths, according to the Homeland Security budget they passed out of committee yesterday. (CQ, Gavin) (Tip: Gavin)
Bill has a few BRAC fixes
A defense bill passed by the House would limit parking at the Mark Center in Alexandria, where Virginia officials fear BRAC moves will overwhelm the transit-poor area with traffic. It will also let DoD delay some moves and spend some of its money on transportation improvements outside the bases. (Post)
Gas tax holiday for holidays?
Maryland’s elected comptroller wants to eliminate the gas tax on holiday weekends. The move would cost the state $2 million a day. (WTOP)
Bulova wants GMU precinct
Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova wants a voting precinct for George Mason University, citing current difficultly for on-campus students to vote. County Republicans accuse her of partisan gerrymandering. (Examiner)
Barry, Brown tussle
Marion Barry tried to talk over the objections of committee co-chair Michael Brown at yesterday’s redistricting hearing. There’s video of a long and hilarious verbal battle for the microphone. Barry is also threatening a lawsuit if he doesn’t get Near Southeast. (DCist, Examiner)
Carjackings raise questions
A pair of recent carjackings at Metro stations, one of which resulted in the non-fatal shooting of a victim, has some questioning the safety of WMATA’s parking garages. (WAMU) … Perhaps more alarming, Metro Transit police failed to mention the incidents for nearly a week. (WUSA)
CaBi opens eyes
Riding Capital Bikeshare recently made New Yorker Sarah Goodyear “see [DC] in a whole new way,” seeing connections between neighborhoods as never before. Veronica Davis talks about a client who had a similar experience. (Grist)
And…
If you thought 7th & H or M & Wisconsin are busy pedestrian intersections, check out Tokyo’s Shibuya district. (Atlantic) … 4 Orange/Blue stations on Capitol Hill will close for the weekend. (Post) … With new spokesperson Dan Stessel, WMATA is now Tweeting back to customers @metroopensdoors.