Breakfast links: Do your civic duty

VA party control in the balance today

Republicans take the Virginia Senate if they pick up 2 seats today. The 13th (primarily Loudoun) and the 39th (Fairfax/

Prince William) are competitive. Prince George’s and Montgomery also have elections. (Examiner, Loudoun Times, WAMU, Post)

Senate transpo bill has good and bad

A draft Senate transportation reauthorization bill moves dedicated ped/bike funds and Safe Routes to School into a smaller CMAQ. It also bans earmarks and improves a popular loan program. Another provision bans biking on roads where there’s any kind of path nearby. (Streetsblog, TheWashCycle)

Homeless Orleans on the ballot

Homeless man, but still undisputed Greenbelt resident, Bill Orleans is running for city council. The ACLU can’t recall any past homeless candidates. Orleans is also a fixture at many WMATA and COG meetings. (Patch)

Occupiers protest MPD

Occupy DC protestors say police didn’t adequately investigate the incidents where drivers hit protestors (like many other insufficiently investigated crashes). Cathy Lanier responds by promising even rougher tactics. (WAMU)

From food court to grand court?

6 redevelopment proposals for the Old Post Office include a Waldorf Astoria hotel and a Trump hotel. GSA will make a final selection by November 17. (Post)

Dutch kids get drivers’/cyclists’/peds’ ed.

Dutch children in Utrecht learn about car, cyclist, and pedestrian safety in a “traffic garden,” a miniature street network that simulates roadways, bike lanes, and sidewalks. (Streetfilms)

And…

A driver struck a cyclist in Arlington. (ARLnow) … Zimmerman explains induced demand. (WTOP) … How does removing parking meters close a deficit (and make a city “friendlier”)? (Detroit News) … A higher Maryland gas tax is very likely. (Baltimore Sun)