Welcome to the second day of spring, Washington — and, if forecasters are right, to what might be the last snowy day of the season. That’s right: parts of the region are expected to get as much as three inches of snowfall beginning this morning and ending around midnight. It just a week ago that we were cheerfully reflecting on the pleasant weather and how it would probably never be cold again, ever. We were so young and naive back then.
Va.’s Bad Drivers May Face More Fines: The Virginia State Legislature is considering a bill that would introduce new fees for drivers with four or more points on their licenses, according to the Washington Times. The bill is patterned on a similar New Jersey program and is intended primarily as a revenue-generating measure. Fines would start at $300 paid over three consecutive years and escalate with the number of points and severity of the offense. Critics say that such fees would be regressive. In related news, Geico is facing allegations that it discriminates between its customers on the basis of education and occupation. Apparently it’s not a good time to be a poor driver — in any sense of the word.
Tysons Development Threatens Car Dealerships: The Post reports on the unknown future of Tysons Corner car dealerships. The businesses originally flourished in the out-of-the-way area, but the arrival of Metro in five years threatens to drive up density and drive out the auto retailers.
Utility Regulation Sub-Roundup: Electricity generation is in the news both north and south of the District today. First, Virginia’s ongoing pollution dispute with Mirant over their Alexandria plant has entered a new chapter. This time it’s over Mirant’s proposed pollution-reduction technology. The company says that it can clean the plant’s output using trona, a mineral. The only complication: they won’t say how it works, citing their desire to maintain an edge over competitors. That isn’t sitting well with Virginia lawmakers. Meanwhile, Maryland continues to grapple with its looming electricity rate increases. Public Service Commission chairman Kenneth Schisler has responded to calls for his resignation, calling them “character assassination.” We don’t know much about Schisler, but his claim that officials are preemptively looking for a scapegoat certainly sounds plausible. But perhaps it’ll be a non-issue: it’s being reported this morning that BGE, one of the two companies involved in the rate hike, has agreed to “significant concessions”.
Briefly Noted: Fairfax teacher arrested for marijuana distribution… Columbia Heights teachers struggle to find adequate parking… 51 protestors arrested for crossing fence at Pentagon rally… Md. Lt. Governor calls for state’s pension system to divest from Sudan-related securities…
Image by Flickr user obenson
