Breakfast links: Give me a break

Metro making progress

The federal government should give WMATA a break, says DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. She says the Federal Transit Administration should make it easier for the agency to spend federal grant money. (WAMU)

Money for Metro

Learn how WMATA creates its budget and gets its funding. DC, Maryland, and Virginia have to hammer out several agreements between them in order maintain equipment and stations, and the process repeats every year. (PlanItMetro)

Rebuild in Bethesda

A real estate company wants to rebuild the Bethesda Metro station’s bus bay and escalator area. The company also says a new high-rise it is planning will need a better station. (Bethesda Beat)

Help me, Prince William

Prince William County’s bus agency lost $1.5 million when new HOT lanes opened on I-95, because of a change in federal funding for commuter buses. The agency needs local money to close a budget gap. (Potomac Local)

Board changes in VA

In Arlington, Libby Garvey, who opposed the Columbia Pike streetcar, is now the County Board chair. One of her priorities is finding a transit replacement for the streetcar. In Loudoun, Phyllis Randall is the first African-American woman to chair a county board of supervisors in Virginia. (ARLnow, Washingtonian)

Criminally slow

Mayor Bowser says the DC Council is stalling on her legislation to fight crime in DC. But one councilmember says he and his colleagues have been working hard to improve public safety. (Post)

The Beach under Dupont

Underneath Dupont Circle, the Dupont Underground will get the Building Museum’s “Beach” ball installation. The organization is looking for design ideas from artists, and will open the new installation in the spring. (WBJ)

Streetcar to ATL

After a year of free rides, Atlanta’s streetcar will start charging a $1 fare. Ridership has fallen short of initial estimates, but supporters say the streetcar has brought $1.5 billion in economic development. (The New York Times)