Breakfast links: State of the union’s infrastructure

Obama for more infrastructure, clean energy

In his State of the Union, President Obama called for building more infrastructure, especially high-speed rail, but shifted away from climate change as an issue, focusing instead on green energy. (Streetsblog Capitol Hill, Transportation Nation, The Hill)

Cantor wants infrastructure but not to pay for it

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) rejected spending more as an approach, but also thinks infrastructure is insufficient, which seems contradictory (Transportation Nation, TPM)

Who doesn’t the GOP care about transit?

As this graph of Congressional district population density against vote share of the Democratic party makes abundantly clear: Republicans don’t represent dense areas. (Transport Politic)

Smith to students: Don’t participate in our democracy

When he’s not pushing anti-bike lane resolutions or anti-Tregoning/Klein letters, ANC 3D Chair Tom Smith is trying to discourage students from registering to vote. (DC Students Speak)

Many DCPS teachers turn down bonuses

40 percent of DC Public School teachers offered performance bonuses turned down the awards primarily because they were unwilling to agree to the terms of the money, including some loss of job security. The lower the bonus, the more recipients refused them. (WAMU)

Sarles brings stability, but…

Dr. Gridlock praises many of Richard Sarles’ moves but notes that he hasn’t (yet, at least) done much to work together with riders and improve poor communication. (Post)

Silver Line costs on the rise

Fairfax County auditors are concerned about rising costs of Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail extension. As costs projections have risen by more that $1 billion, the chances that the Dulles Station location will be chosen for anything except lowest cost are dwindling. (WTOP)

More subways, not that kind

Subway wants to add 100 new locations in DC. Is this fairly unexciting sandwich chain a good or bad thing for DC? The franchises are owned by local entrepreneurs, at least. (Housing Complex)

NoMa Summer Screen with trains!

This year’s NoMa Summer Screen will feature movies with trains in honor of NoMa’s location next to the railroad. They have a survey to choose the movies. (Taking of Pelham 123!) Go vote, and perhaps vote for those movies where the trains play a significant part in the story.

And…

An Alexandria cyclist got a speeding ticket (Gazette Packet) … Arlington Library is playing catch-up with technology (TBD) … DC accidentally listed some homes as vacant, potentially raising their taxes (We Love DC) … There’s a new neighborhood organization in Dupont and Logan. (Borderstan)