Breakfast Links: Changes for Metro’s charter?

How to fix Metro? Go back to the charter

Congressional representatives Barbara Comstock (Virginia) and John Delaney (Maryland) are drawing up bills that would require Maryland, Virginia, and DC to update Metro's compact. Changes could include overhauling the makeup of the WMATA Board and the way labor costs are negotiated.  (Post)

The Fight for 15 comes to Montgomery

The Montgomery County Council passed a bill raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2020, but the bill still needs approval from County Executive Ike Leggett, who could veto it.  (WAMU)

Transportation tolls are widely disliked in the US

Two thirds of Americans oppose transportation projects that result in new tolls on roads or bridges, according to a survey. This suggests that there would be limited public support for President-elect Trump's plans for rebuilding infrastructure.  (Post)

Wearable safety tech will alert Metro trackworkers

Thanks to a federal grant, Metro trackworkers will soon get armbands that alert them when a train is approaching in low-visibility situations. The new safety measure comes after a train narrowly missed hitting two federal inspectors in October.  (Post)

A short week in DC is trouble for construction

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration in the same week, DDOT originally planned to put a freeze on city construction projects for the whole week. After pushback from contractors, DDOT updated their plan to allow midweek construction and some weekend exceptions.  (Bisnow)

Seattle’s bikeshare slams on the brakes

The city of Seattle will shut down Pronto, its bikeshare program, this March. The city will rededicate the funds used to run the system to safety and infrastructure projects for cyclists and pedestrians.   (Next City)

Where could GOP housing policy take America?

A group of conservative housing finance leaders agree that the new administration should focus on reforming the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, as well as tackling the surging costs of rental housing nationwide.  (Urban Institute. Tip: Test)