Breakfast links: Metro’s huge pension obligations could imperil future service
Image by mosley.brian used with permission.
Metro has nearly $3 billion in unfunded pension and health care liabilities
Metro's pension obligations are increasing rapidly, and its $4.7 billion pension costs are now about 6.5 times what it spends on salaries each year. A new report expresses concern that an unfavorable financial market could force the agency to reduce service or ask for more funding. (Faiz Siddiqui and Robert McCartney / Post)
DC Council candidate S. Kathryn Allen was booted from the ballot
Incumbent At-large Councilmember Elissa Silverman successfully challenged S. Kathryn Allen's bid to be on the ballot. Late Monday night, DC's Board of Elections ruled that Allen's petition signatures contained fakes and errors and didn't meet the 3,000-name threshold. (Tom Sherwood / City Paper)
Coworking spaces continue to boom
Coworking spaces have been growing exponentially in the District. There have been new deals signed nearly every month so far this year, and the boom shows no signs of slumping. (Jon Banister / Bisnow)
Someone keeps opening up fire hydrants around NE DC
Someone (or some people) has illegally opened up six fire hydrants around the District so far, all on different streets in Northeast DC. (Natalie Delgadillo / DCist)
The FTA okays Metro’s new timeline to install barriers to protect blind riders
The Federal Transit Agency approved Metro's plan to install safety barriers that protect blind riders between the 7000-series trains by May 2019. While this is five months later than the original deadline, the FTA says it won't withhold funding. (Martine Powers / Post)
This Twitter bot finds DC’s worst drivers
This Twitter bot created by area resident Daniel Schep searches unpaid traffic and parking violations from the DC DMV's online payment system to find the license plates with the highest amount of unpaid fines. The current record: $10,700. (Emma Sarappo / Washingtonian)
Where is the District not missing “missing middle” homes?
Missing Middle refers to the type of housing that bridges the gap between single-family houses and mid-rise multi-family buildings. Here's where you can find these high-demand homes. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
Cities’ attempts to squash the scooter boom are misguided, Yglesias says
Cities that talk about improving walkability, getting people out of cars, and promoting sustainability should embrace electric scooters rather than fighting against them, Matthew Yglesias writes. (Matthew Yglesias / Vox)
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