Vacant building in Lanier Heights by Adam Fagen licensed under Creative Commons.

DC Councilmember proposes bill to restrict business licenses of landlords with dangerous housing code violations

DC Councilmember Janeese Lewis George introduced a bill to restrict landlords with more than five dangerous housing code violations from obtaining new business licenses in order to prevent them from renting out new buildings prior to correcting violations in current properties.  (Morgan Baskin / DCist)  

One year post the Silver Line’s extension opening, ridership steadily grows

One year after the long-anticipated Silver Line extension opened, ridership has increased 80% on weekdays and 70% on weekends since its modest opening month. Aside from the connection to Dulles Airport, the ridership of other stations remains low, with some averaging only a few dozen riders during peak times. The extension’s long-term success depends on increased mixed-use transit-oriented development.  (Margaret Barthel / DCist)  

Arlington County Board seeks more authority to install speed cameras

Arlington County unveiled a slate of priorities that they are asking state legislators to push for in the 2024 General Assembly session. Among them, the County would like the state to grant it the authority to install speed cameras in more places. A state law passed in 2020 enabled localities to install speed cameras but limited that authority to school and work zones.  (Jo DeVoe / ARLNow)  

Baltimore County’s bike infrastructure plan is comprehensive—but largely unfunded

Baltimore County has laid out a comprehensive plan for an additional 70 miles of on-street bike lanes, 100 miles of mixed-used paths, and the redesign of 33 miles of streets for safer bike design. However, at current funding levels, it would take 22 to 38 years to complete fewer than 10 miles of high-priority infrastructure. Baltimore County is holding a public forum to solicit feedback on the plan November 16 at 4 pm at 105 W. Chesapeake Avenue, Room 104 in Towson. (This article is behind a paywall).  (Daniel Zawodny / Baltimore Banner)  

Over 275,000 Baltimore water pipes require lead inspection; residents are asked to help

Baltimore City Department of Public Works faces the monumental task of inspecting 275,000 public and private water pipes for potential lead content. The “Baltimore Service Line Partnership” plans to engage residents in surveying and testing their pipes to identify and replace lead pipes statewide. Maryland expects to receive $150 million over the next five years from the federal infrastructure law to help replace lead water pipes.  (Tolly Taylor / WBAL)  

Congress passes temporary funding bill, avoiding government shutdown in 2023

Congress has approved a short-term government funding package, preventing risk of a shutdown until next year. The bill maintains current funding levels for two months while negotiations for a long-term package continue. The two-step approach sets deadlines for January 19 and February 2, dividing appropriations decisions for federal agencies between the two dates.  (WTOP)  

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