Breakfast links: The rent is (still) too damn high
Image by ep_jhu used with permission.
DC residents are feeling the weight of expensive rents
A recent analysis found that almost half of DC renters pay at least 30% of their monthly income towards rent, while nearly a quarter of tenant households reported spending over 50% of their income on rent. (Tom Acitelli / Curbed)
DCPS doesn’t have enough SmarTrip cards for students
Starting Monday, DC students will no longer be able to use their DC One Cards to ride the bus or train for free, and must use Kids Ride Free SmarTrip cards instead. Officials have underestimated the demand, and many kids could be stranded next week. (Jenny Abamu / WAMU)
Metro is ending its Riders’ Advisory Council
Metro’s board has decided to eliminate its Riders’ Advisory Council (RAC) in favor of promoting its Amplify system, an online community where users can give its feedback. The decision comes as a surprise to some RAC members who were assured the council would stay intact. (Faiz Siddiqui / Post)
Metro will decide on GM Wiedefeld’s contract renewal and raise
On Thursday, Metro's board of directors will vote on a resolution to extend Paul Wiedefeld’s contract as General Manager for an additional two years (with automatic one-year renewals) as well as a pay increase. Wiedefeld’s contract is set to expire November 30, 2019. (Rick Massimo / WTOP)
Bowser celebrates opening a shelter in Ward 4
The first of seven shelters that will replace DC General will open to families as early as next week. The Kennedy features 45 units with amenities such as armories, refrigerators, and private bathrooms. (Fenit Nirappil / Post)
MoCo residents voice concerns over small antenna towers
Montgomery County residents expressed concerns over potential radiation exposure from small antenna towers during a county council hearing. The council is considering allowing the antennas in residential areas to enable wireless service providers to install faster 5G service. (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat)
The management company will investigate the cause of a senior housing fire
The company responsible for managing Arthur Capper Senior Public Housing is working with DC officials to determine the cause of the September 19 fire. The management company will launch an internal investigation after residents reported numerous safety lapses. (Post)
A new report shows the positive impact of preschool in DC
A recent report is making a case for universal preschool. In DC, the maternal labor force increased by 12%, and 10% of that increase is attributed to preschool expansion. (Rasheed Malik / Center for American Progress)
An opportunity to advocate from the inside: Apply for the Legislative Counsel
Want to advocate on the inside for better land use policies including more homes and more affordable homes? DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson is hiring a new Legislative Counsel or Senior Legislative Assistant who will work on legislative issues including “land use, streets and alleys, regional cooperation, …” and more. (Council of the District of Columbia)
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