Breakfast links: Budget day

Soda, maybe; meters, no

The DC Council will make final budget decisions today. Current drafts do tax soda, but just by extending existing sales taxes to soda (which are currently exempt as food). (Post) … The budget won’t raise meter rates to $3 an hour (which I opposed). Alan Suderman writes another lazy article by only interviewing (you guessed it) AAA. (Examiner)

Commuter tax? Just for government work

Councilmember Thomas wants to amend the District’s charter to create a commuter tax. But it wouldn’t tax all out of state income, like other states do; it would only apply to DC government workers who live outside the District. (Washington Times)

How high will your fare be?

The Post created a calculator to compute what your Metrorail fare might become under the most likely fare increase proposals to be considered tomorrow. (Michael P.)  (Tip: michaelperkins)

11th-hour transit operating aid?

8 Senate Democrats introduced a bill to give $2 billion in operating aid to transit agencies. It would need to pass as part of an emergency measure and then get the funds actually appropriated before anything changes. If it did pass, it could stave off WMATA fare hikes. (Streetsblog, Examiner)

Parking cap for BRAC?

Rep. Jim Moran has proposed amendment to the defense spending bill to cap parking at the Mark Center to 1,000 cars. BRAC moves from Crystal City to the Mark Center would have to wait until the military implements its TDM programs or otherwise reduces traffic impacts. (Post, Joey)

I-66 getting slightly wider

VDOT has approved contracts for the first new merge lane on I-66 in Arlington. Reporter Kali Schumitz does a a nice job getting balance by interviewing Stewart Schwartz of CSG about why widening I-66 is not the way to relieve congestion while also quoting Virginia road booster Bob Chase. (Fairfax Times)

Shoup@NBM again

Professor Donald Shoup will be speaking at the National Building Museum tomorrow evening. Tickets are $20 ($12 for members), free for students.

Why Smart Growth is smart

CSG’s Stewart Schwartz explains how transportation-efficient developments are more affordable and sustainable than sprawl. (WBJ)