Weekend links: The culture war comes here

Gay rights take step forward

The Maryland House passed a same-sex marriage bill. But no marriages will take place until a referendum, assuming opponents successfully petition for one. (Post)

Women’s rights take step backward

Virginia will require an intrusive and medically unnecessary procedure to try to deter women who want or need legal abortions. (Slate)

Put gentrifiers, not football players, at Res. 13

Besides the policy advantages of mixed-use over a Redskins practice facility at Reservation 13, it’s better on gentrification, by creating places to live that don’t involve displacing anyone. (City Paper)

Simmer down now, DC Council

The DC Council will consider requiring civility from its members. Chairman Brown introduced the bill after a heated exchange between David Catania and Marion Barry upset voters. (Post)

Council beefs up transportation expertise

Will Handsfield, who worked on the Capital Bikeshare launch with DDOT and comments regularly on Greater Greater Washington, will be working for Mary Cheh as a transportation policy advisor. (Twitter)

Charter schools on the trigger

DC charter schools were quick to expel or suspend students, dumping around four percent of their enrollment through expulsion.  Critics contend the expulsions dump poorly-performing students onto public schools. (Post)

NO TAGS? $20,000 in tickets

One driver got the DC vanity plate “NO TAGS,” but that’s led the DMV to mail him $20,000 in tickets, since when they write a ticket for a car without plates, they fill in the field with “NO TAGS.” (NBC via Consumerist)

The Tide rolls in

Norfolk’s The Tide light rail has crushed ridership projections, exceeding expectations after only six months of service, by changing how people live and work in the city. (The Virginian-Pilot)

And…

Despite setbacks, the Senate transportation bill is far from dead. (The Hill) … To accommodate massive population growth, Arlington will add 7,000 seats to its schools. (Post)… A new distillery has obtained federal approval to operate in the District. (DCist)