Good morning, Washington. Now that the Roe v. Wade protests and street closures have calmed down, your commute to work may be a little more worry-free. Here’s is a look at today’s news in the region.
Is it a Bird, a Plane?: If you hear or see some low-flying jets this morning, don’t fret; it’s not time to evacuate the District just yet. WTOP reports that NORAD is conducting Exercise Falcon Virgo as a way to test “intercept and identification operations.” Departing from Andrews Air Force Base, the jets will be all around the Washington area, including over the Potomac. As noted in the WTOP article, NORAD says its fighters have “responded to more than 2,000 possible air threats in the U.S. and Canada since the 2001 attacks.” That’s a lot of, er, threats warded off. So, if you hear some jets, just go look at the cool planes.
District Looks to Maryland and Virginia on Metro Funding: In what is seeming more like a never-ending game of chess, the District is now tossing the issue of Metrorail funding to Virginia and Maryland. The D.C. Council has said that they’re ready to put a half-cent of current sales revenue towards funding Metrorail — but only if Virginia and Maryland do the same. As noted in the Examiner, “the proposal would raise $50 million a year and provide the city’s share of the money needed to match the $1.5 billion federal funding proposal introduced by Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va.” Though certain council-members talk about the uncertainty of finalizing a plan anytime in the near future, the aging Metrorail is looking at budget shortfalls of $2.4 billion over the next 10 years. Gladys Mack, chair of the Metro board, is quoted as saying, “the need to address this shortcoming is urgent.” We, too, think finalizing funding is pretty important. We thought that last year, and the year before, and the year before that…
Virginia Moves on Internet and Dogs: Two updates on the Virginia laws front — internet and dogs. In what would replace an “antiquated mix of service levies”, the Post is reporting that Virginia is considering a statewide flat tax for internet services and satellite TV. Del. Samuel A. Nixon (R-Chesterfield), the bill’s chief sponsor, is quoted in the article as saying, “Technology has evolved, but our taxing policies have not.” A Virginia Senate committee also unanimously approved a bill that would result in stricter penalties for owners of dogs that attack people.
Briefly Noted: In broad daylight, carjackers steal elderly woman’s car in Bethesda … With appraisal value lowered, U Street’s Ben’s Chili Bowl to stay open … Maryland gives felons the right to vote … Time is ticking on D.C. stadium deal … Fire at University of Maryland off-campus apartment kills one … Parents fret over camp, vacation plans if D.C. schools start earlier.
Picture snapped by wageslaves.
