Breakfast links: Funding surge

Paying teachers

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker is proposing to increase taxes and furlough public workers to raise teachers’ salaries. The higher pay would match salaries in Montgomery County. Meanwhile, DC is proposing administrative cuts to hire more teachers. (Post)

Surge!

Uber prices are surging more in DC, possibly due to the base fare falling or drivers manipulating the system. A new app is available to show how to walk a short distance to avoid the surge pricing. (PoPville)

More biking

More people are riding bikes in DC thanks to the many protected bike lanes. Yet this year DDOT is only planning to add a few miles to fill network gaps. Advocates want more infrastructure to seize on the current trend. (WAMU)

Stepping down

Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan is stepping down. Donnellan was a major supporter of the Columbia Pike streetcar even when public opinion shifted away from the project. (WAMU)

Metro tunnel shooting

A Metro transit police officer shot a man in a tunnel near the Potomac Avenue station in DC after he allegedly attacked her with a tree branch. The investigation continues. (Post)

Tragic walking

A driver struck and killed a two-year-old child who was crossing the street with her grandmother in Bowie. A man in Baltimore County was walking along the rails when a MARC train struck and killed him. (Post)

Watching the tracks

After recent rail crashes, Congress lauded the acting administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration for her quick responses. Sarah Feinberg did not have rail experience and was an unlikely choice to head the agency. (Post)

Biking means profit

Businesses often worry about losing street parking to bike lanes. However, numerous studies have found that people biking spend more, helping retailers and restaurants. (CityLab)

And…

Some Maryland state senators are proposing to raise taxes on casinos in the state. (Post) … Bald eagles have made a nest at the National Arboretum for the first time in almost 70 years. (Post) … Vehicle miles driven have increased for the first time in a decade due to an improved economy and falling gas prices. (Streetsblog)