Breakfast links: Transit around the Beltway

Maryland big dogs stick up for transit

Both Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Senator Ben Cardin defended transit spending, saying, “it saves us road money” by reducing sprawl and wear and tear on the existing roads. (WAMU)

Loudoun waffles on Silver Line

Some Loudoun County politicians are having qualms about Phase II of the Silver Line.  If MWAA doesn’t choose the cheapest station alignment at Dulles, the county will seriously reconsider its funding commitment. (WAMU)

DC gets more of Walter Reed

DC will get a greater portion of Walter Reed than previously planned, including all of the George Avenue frontage. (Housing Complex) … Some residents are afraid that “towering” 5-story buildings on Georgia Avenue will ruin the “leafy” neighborhood (Examiner) even though leafy 5-story buildings already exist.

Will MPD respond to bike/ped concerns?

Although the Pedestrian Advisory Council got a few answers, is Councilmember Phil Mendelson pushing MPD hard enough to answer questions raised in February about bike and pedestrian safety? (WABA)

Drivers ignore school bus stops

More than 1600 drivers per day pass stopped school buses in Montgomery County, the second highest in Maryland. I wonder how many of those passing drivers are driving their children to school? (Examiner)

Smith spent thousands against student

ANC 3D chair Tom Smith, who has launched efforts against student participation in voting, bike lanes, Harriet Tregoning and more, spent over $3,000 of his own money on a lawyer to try to get his AU student challenger off the ballot. (DC Students Speak)

House will probe Gray campaign

Staffers for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said they will investigate of Vincent Gray’s mayoral campaign. (Post) … This, of course, has Jack Evans worried about a new Control Board. (Examiner) … Alan Suderman says Issa is unintentionally doing Gray a favor. (Loose Lips)

And…

Sometimes we take the utility and entertainment our local bus routes offer for granted. (Hill is Home) … Is smart growth racist? No, says Richard Layman, it’s simply about economics. Commercial district revitalization might be a different story, though. (RPUS) … Or maybe that story is just bad journalism. (Frozen Tropics)