Dinner links: Budget spectacular

Examiner pays price for bad reporting

The Examiner runs a front page article by Brian Hughes sure to make this year’s 10 worst articles. The headline blares, “Drivers pay price for blown budgets,” even though many other groups are paying steep prices; the piece complains about increasing fines for already-illegal behavior filled out almost entirely with AAA talking points. BeyondDC, Richard Layman, and even Mike DeBonis (about 2/3 of the way down) object to the sudden return to “war on drivers” rhetoric.

Meter increases under fire

Jack Evans pushes back on meter hikes (DC Wire) … Michael Neibauer, who just moved to the WBJ (perhaps explaining the Examiner’s sudden quality drop?) picks up on the $3 meters and has quotes from the mayor about tweaking the parking policies to meet demand.

Md. phone ban passes, 3-foot passing not yet

The Maryland House passed the Senate’s bill banning hand-held phone use, but the weak law won’t allow officers to pull drivers over even if they’re visibly holding a phone (Post) … Cyclists are rallying to get a 3-foot passing bill through today, the last day of the session. (Getting There)

Group calls for regional cooperation

The new developer-backed 2030 Group launched Friday and called for more regional planning around growth, including regional funding for transportation. They specifically want to prevent “let[ting] the antis control the world.” Update: Stewart Schwartz says this is more from the Outer Beltway, suburban sprawl-driving developers, not the Smart Growth infill folks.

Whither Virginia Avenue?

CSX’s plans to increase capacity in its Virginia Avenue rail line could require closing the road for a while east of 6th Street. They are offering some new pedestrian walkways across the tracks, and even suggested leaving the road segment closed and making it into a park. (ANC Norm)

Graham for transit, taxes

From the Council’s budget session, Mike DeBonis tweets that Graham again made the case for more money for WMATA. How will Graham try to do it? He also proposed a tax increase on those making $500K and up, but hasn’t yet advocated spending some of that on transit if he can get it through.

Stopping would be FABBulous

Bruce Wright rode in Virginia’s Cricial Mass and thinks the cyclists ought to stop at more stop signs and stop acting like drivers who don’t obey. (FABB)

Congrats

The Washington Post won some round medallion thingies. (DCist)