Breakfast links: After the smoke clears

Questions remain for Metro

Local officials sought more details about Monday’s Metro fatality. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) sent a particularly strong letter demanding answers about why passengers could be left in a smoky tunnel for an hour. Friends and fellow passengers remembered Carol Glover, who died of smoke inhalation.  (Post)

Pot goes up the hill

The DC Council submitted the law legalizing marijuana possession for a 30-day congressional review. Congress prohibited DC from “enacting” such a measure, but officials argue that voters had already enacted it when they passed the ballot initiative. (WAMU)

Spare a dime?

The Washington region will need $58 billion over the next 15 years to build and maintain its infrastructure, including transportation and utility services, according to a new report from MWCOG. Metro alone will need $16 billion. (WBJ)

Hogan taps Rahn

Maryland Governor-elect Larry Hogan stressed highway construction as he introduced Pete Rahn as his choice for transportation secretary, calling him “the best highway builder in the entire country.”  (Post)

Transit center almost done

The Silver Spring Transit Center, four years behind schedule, could be done in May. But to get there, it will take another $21 million, which Montgomery County just authorized. (Gazette)

Fix New York’s housing

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio would like to solve the affordable housing problem. Can he? One element: The city’s housing authority has to evolve to meet the needs of public housing in the modern day. (Next City)

Arts to the country?

With city rents sky-high, artists are decamping for the suburbs or rural areas along with other poor people. Is this the last chance for cities to save their arts scenes? (artnet)

And…

Activists continue the fight for Istanbul’s Gezi Park. (Next City) … British celebrities want to “save” London’s Soho neighborhood. (CityLab) … A Seattle dog learned to ride the bus to the dog park by herself. (KOMO)