Breakfast links: DC Council hopes to “STEER” dangerous drivers off the road with new bill
Cars parked next to bike lane with two of the three cars blocking the bike lane by Joe Flood licensed under Creative Commons.
DC dangerous driving bill passes first vote unanimously
The DC Council voted 12-0 on its first reading on the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility (“STEER”) Amendment Act. The act would allow more aggressive driving and parking enforcement, including increased vehicle booting and towing. Under the amendment, the DC Attorney General is empowered to sue offenders for unpaid tickets and to suspend their driving privileges. (Dick Uliano / WTOP)
Three housing bills to come before Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is set to review three major housing bills spearheaded by the Moore-Miller Administration. The Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024 and the Housing and Community Development Financing Act of 2024 are focused on building and financing housing statewide and the Renters Rights and Housing Stabilization Act of 2024. (Hallie Miller / Baltimore Banner)
Micromobility company Veo will exit Arlington and Alexandria
App-based scooter and e-bike rental company Veo announced that it will not renew its permits to operate in Arlington and Alexandria. This comes as other companies in the field have declared bankruptcy and exited markets. Superpedestrian, a similar scooter operator in Arlington, announced it would suspend operations nationwide last month. (Jo DeVoe / ARLnow)
Housing services face budget cuts from District government in wake of SNAP battle
The Bowser administration’s Department of Human Services is demanding cuts from contracted nonprofits doing work in housing and homelessness due to city-wide budgetary constraints. The move has sparked concerns among nonprofit leaders, who fear layoffs and program cuts could severly impact the vulnerable communities they serve. (Alex Koma / City Paper)
Maryland bill honors cyclist killed by driver
Maryland Delegate Sara Love is introducing a bill to impose stricter penalties on drivers who hit cyclists, aligning them with those for hitting pedestrians, including potential jail time and fines. The bill, titled The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Memorial Act, is named after a Bethesda woman who was killed by a truck driver while biking in August 2022. (Ginny Bixby / MoCo360)
Fairfax County Schools receives $16 million electric bus grant
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) was awarded a $16 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Clean School Bus Program. The funding will enable FCPS to purchase 42 electric buses and helps the school bus program in its goal for carbon-neutral student transportation by 2035. (Angela Woolsey / FFXnow)
Housing nonprofit acquires West Falls Church apartments
Enterprise Community Development, a national nonprofit, announced the purchase last week of the Coralain Gardens Apartments complex, consisting of 106 units reserved for residents earning below 60% of the area median income. The nonprofit has a comprehensive rehabilitation of the building planned and has committed to maintaining its income restrictions through 2087. (Angela Woolsey / FFXnow)
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