Good morning, D.C. We’re all still recovering from yesterday’s lively debate on the House floor on the D.C. Voting Rights Act, which as you already know was successfully stalled by Republicans when they attempted to attach language repealing the District’s handgun ban to the bill. This morning tireless WaPo voting rights correspondent Mary Beth Sheridan brings us a full account, with word that “The bill’s supporters said they hope to return the D.C. vote legislation to the House floor in a matter of days — but with rules that would prohibit such maneuvers.” It was a strange turn of events to behold, to be sure, and we certainly do hope the bill returns to the floor as soon as they think. But thank goodness we had the forethought to schedule a Voting Rights Happy Hour.
Smithsonian Funding Freeze Approved: In an attempt to send a message to Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence M. Small about the size of his salary, the Senate on has approved freezing a proposed $17 million increase in funding for the Smithsonian Institution. Small is said to earning well over $900,000 a year. The Senate thinks it’s inappropriate for the Smithsonian head to earn more than the president of the United States.
First Wal-Mart Opens Inside Beltway: A new Wal-Mart has opened at Capital Plaza in Landover Hills, where a Montgomery Ward used to be. Wal-Mart has nearly 150 stores in Maryland and Virginia, but this is the closest one ever opened to the District. Given Target’s plans to open a store in Columbia Heights soon, we wonder about its retail rival’s intentions for targeting our metro area as well.
Briefly Noted: Metro hires first inspector general … Hair salon in southeast burns to the ground … Md. man killed in FBI standoff.
This Day in DCist: In 2006 we told you where you could go to debunk Metro myths, and it was in 2005 when we first began discussing the potential demise of the Whitehurst Freeway.
Photo by Eye Captain
