Breakfast Links: Congress may fund the Purple Line as Marylanders rally

Congress’s proposed budget would keep Metro and Purple Line funding

The proposed federal budget would include full federal funding for Metro and $125 million dollars for the Purple Line, if the project can get a funding agreement signed by the end of the fiscal year in September.  (Max Smith / WTOP)

Marylanders call for action on the Purple Line at rally

A pro-Purple Line rally in Silver Spring, featuring labor unions, Montgomery and Prince George's county executives, and Congressman Jamie Raskin, called to start construction on the rail line now, and asked why the federal judge whose ruling had stalled the plans had missed the deadline to update the critical decision.  (Andrew Metcalf / Bethesda Beat)

Metro workers fired after derailment are suing for discrimination

Five former Metro employees, fired after Metro discovered falsified inspection records following the derailment near East Falls Church last July, are suing Metro for racial discrimination and a hostile work environment. They say senior officials used them as scapegoats.  (Martine Powers / Post)

Fairfax’s 2018 budget keeps property tax rate and funding gaps

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a proposed budget which left property tax rates alone, but also failed to meet funding needs for the county's schools or to fund salary increases for county workers.   (Antonio Olivo / Post)

The effectiveness of a DC housing program for homeless families is in question

The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless claims that a DC government program intended to find and partially fund housing for homeless families has failed to help many people secure permanent housing and has put them into unclean units. DC defends the program as a temporary solution while people get back on their feet.  (Andrew Giambrone / City Paper)

Montgomery will hike vacant property fines

The Montgomery County Council voted to adopt a series of escalating, noncontestible fees for homeowners who do not repair code violations on their vacant properties, hoping to spur them into renovating, living in, or selling homes rather than letting them sit empty.  (Bill Turque / Post)

Public transportation polls well across the country

Eighty-eight percent of Americans think public transportation systems are beneficial to communities, according to a survey from transportation company HNTB. Respondents also rated funding priorities for types of transportation, explained the variety of benefits they saw in forms of transit, and evaluated their own access to public transportation.  (Metro Magazine)

DC Council confirmed a new police chief

The DC Council confirmed Peter Newsham as the head of the city's police force in a 12-1 vote yesterday, with Councilmember Grosso opposing. Newsham has been serving as the interim head since the previous chief stepped down in September.  (Martin Austermuhle / WAMU)

No foul play suspected in the College Park conflagration

The fire that gutted under-construction apartments near the University of Maryland on Monday started by accident, according to Prince George's fire department. The building's wood frame caught fire and sprinklers had not yet been installed.  (Diamondback)

A snapshot of streetcars past

Take a look at a high quality image of a DC streetcar from the 1890s. With the train-like look and the routes painted on the sides, it's a long way from the red cruisers on H street today.  (Ghosts of DC)