Weekend links: The American Revolution lives on

DC gains a GOP friend

235 years ago, Americans rejected the notion of taxation without representation.  Yet today the 600,000 Americans who live in America’s capital suffer this same situation.  Even Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman came out in favor of DC voting rights. (Post)

Walter Reed could affect Embassy Row

A new chancery enclave at Walter Reed could be a bunker isolated from the surrounding neighborhood, but some of the buildings on Embassy Row could become more public uses. (City Paper)

States must return federal money

The Federal Highway Administration is asking states to return unspent federal transportation money: $10.5M from DC, $39.7M from Maryland, and $62.5M from Virginia.  Since states have flexibility in choosing which programs to cut, ask your state to treat bike and pedestrian facilities fairly. (WABA)

Challenge to the jobs mantra

Officials often tout the jobs created by transportation projects.  However, job creation is not enough to justify a project; even boondoggles create jobs. (Streetsblog)

Transit is a tool of economic development

DC should focus on transit expansion and development as a tool for economic development.  Short travel distances and easier commutes enhance the city’s residential and commercial appeal. (RPUS)

Maybe our AAA isn’t the worst

California’s AAA chapter lobbied against a bill requiring passing cyclists with 3 feet of space. In other places AAA has been supportive or neutral. (Streetsblog)

Virginia ratifies bevy of laws

Virginians on motorcycles, mopeds, and bikes may now treat red lights as stop signs after waiting 2 minutes.  The commonwealth also inaugurated its infrastructure bank. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Australia literally paying for sprawl

Following decades of a housing supply unable to meet demand, Sydney has thrown in the beach towel and will pay residents $7,500 to move to the exurbs.  No joke. (Guardian, Andrew S.)  (Tip: Andrew S.)

And…

An article from 1965 laments the effects of transportation on life in suburban Long Island. (Modern Mechanix, Neil) … São Paulo will connect its airport to its transit system with a monorail. (SmartPlanet) … Narrowing LA streets in Photoshop makes them more inviting. (Magical Urbanism)