Breakfast links: Budget breakthroughs
Photo by Paul Falardeau on Flickr.
Stamp of approval
The DC Council unanimously approved Mayor Bowser’s $13 billion budgetmillion
Almost free
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia dismissed the case against the Budget Autonomy Act. The act separates DC’s budget review from the federal appropriations process. (Roll Call)
Safety first
Infrastructure, emergency response, and organizational culture, is on the agenda for the NTSB’s June meeting about the Metro smoke incident. The board will also look at federal safety oversight of the transit agency. (Post)
Outside consult
Metro is considering hiring a private consultant to review the entirety of the agency’s finances and management. The Board hopes such a study would guide the path to fixing Metro’s financial and managerial problems. (Post)
How to pay
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker has backed off of his plan to raise property taxes by 15%. Instead, he is now seeking $65 million in additional funding to improve schools. (Post)
People for parks
Deanwood’s residents spent years transforming Watts Branch Park, a drug haven, into Marvin Gaye Park, a community hub with a farm, and playgrounds. They modeled their efforts on the lessons from Malcolm X Park. (City Paper)
Unfairly fired
A local union representing Metro and Streetcar workers has filed a complaint against DC Streetcar, arguing that workers were fired for unionizing. The union is also fighting for a transparent timeline for the streetcar’s opening. (DCist)
Floating
Planners have long been aware of the leapfrog-esque problem facing cyclists when buses make stops in bike lanes. Floating bus stops, which redirect bike traffic around the bus, have proved to be a successful solution across the globe. (CityLab)
Walk this way
Distracted walking injured 11,000 people between 2000 and 2011killed