Breakfast links: Raising eyebrows, expectations and rates

New PG officials take office

Rushern Baker was sworn in yesterday as the new County Executive in Prince George’s, replacing recently indicted Jack Johnson. Johnson’s wife, Leslie became the county’s 6th District representative despite being under investigation for destruction of evidence in the case against her husband.  (WTOP)

Loudoun getting a bit more bikeable, walkable

Loudoun County just approved new bike and pedestrian facilities, and Supervisor Andrea McGimsey says she wants a lot more bike- and ped-friendly design in other corridors. (Loudoun News)

Pepco will raise rates

Only days after an evisceration by the Post, Pepco has announced it will raise rates in order pay for infrastructure upgrades, in hopes of improving reliability. The company says it cannot make the upgrades and remain financially viable without raising additional funds. (WAMU)

Tax the food trucks

The DC Council may soon consider legislation to cap the number of food trucks and require them to levy 10% sales tax on their products. It can’t be part of the immediate budget gap closing, though. (Housing Complex)

DCPS creates dashboard

Following the open data examples of DDOT and WMATA last week, DCPS unveiled a new tool, School Profiles, that displays school data and compares different schools in a user-friendly format. (via Post)

Give DC control over its budget

Democrats should give DC budget autonomy during their lame-duck budget session in Congress, argues a Post editorial.

Listen to the track signals

Metro is spending $60 million to replace track signal equipment, but what does that mean? Sure, Matt has a great article explaining Metro’s track circuits, but now you can hear the signals and how they work. (WAMU)  (Tip: Michael Perkins)

DC development developments

Louis Dreyfus, developer of a the project to deck over the I-395 “center leg” in downtown DC, presented its proposal to the DC Zoning Commission last night. Meanwhile, the Southwest Waterfront redevelopment plan continues to take shape. The developers intend to seek a PUD approval soon. (DCmud)

And…

VDOT has approved $1.1 billion in new road construction and maintenance projects for next year. (Dr. Gridlock) … The opening of the first section of the ICC will be pushed back again to early 2011 for weather reasons, despite a remarkably mild fall. (WTOP) … Washington area gas prices are likely to reach record highs this year. The price in DC already tops $3. (WTOP)