Breakfast links: Metro is scoping out private contractors to run the new Silver Line extension
Image by Rich Renomeron licensed under Creative Commons.
Metro is considering private contractors for the Silver Line extension
Metro issued a formal request for information for contractors who could operate and maintain the stretch of Silver Line track which will open in 2020. However, the system's union contract limits their ability to contract out work. (Martine Powers / Post)
Dockless bikeshare could help diversify cycling in DC
Dockless companies offer cheap rides and full mobile phone integration, in addition to allowing riders to drop the bikes in convenient locations. All of this could be convincing more of DC's young black residents to join the city's majority-white cycling culture. (Christina Sturdivant-Sani / CityLab)
Maryland proposes an individual mandate to fill the cut from the ACA
Maryland state legislators have proposed a version of the individual mandate to encourage uninsured residents to sign up. If you're uninsured, you pay a penalty to the state, or the same amount towards a health insurance plan. (Selena Simmons-Duffin / WAMU)
Finally, you can decorate your home with Metro architecture
A British wallpaper company is selling a print featuring the classic Metro “waffle” ceiling, so now design lovers can make their living rooms into a brutalist fantasy. (Benjamin Freed / Washingtonian)
Local utility companies will give customers a break with their tax cut
Pepco and Washington Gas will use the savings from the new corporate tax cuts to offset part of the rate increases for customers in 2018. DC and Maryland officials say that taxpaying utility companies are required to pass on those savings. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
Six thousand Virginians may be assigned the wrong voting district
The Post estimates that 6,000 Virginia voters were mistakenly registered by the state in the wrong district, leading to questions in at least one narrow House of Delegates race. About a quarter of Virginia's districts could have 30 or more people misregistered. (Post)
The Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee is in disarray
In the past two weeks, the Arlington BAC was locked out of its regular meeting place and had one longtime member resign after Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz announced changes to the committee's composition. (WashCycle)
The DC Council and the mayor are divided on public election funds
The Council unanimously passed a bill to give public funds to candidates for office in the city. However, Mayor Murial Bowser stated she will not fund the bill because the city's tax dollars would be better spent elsewhere. (Martin Austermuhle / WAMU)
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