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>> A D.C. deputy fire chief took an early retirement after submitting incorrect data about the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services to the D.C. Council for a recent oversight hearing. The Washington Post reports that the deputy chief compiled inaccurate data relating to the size and readiness of the fire department’s fleet of emergency response vehicles. Among other squabbles, the department and rank-and-file firefighters are currently feuding over the status of more than a dozen ladder trucks.
>> Lots of people want to get rid of the Height Act and open D.C.’s skylines to buildings that reach more than a dozen or so stories. But Washington City Paper argues that few have contemplated what a Height Act-free city would look like. One possible solution? Getting rid of the height limit in some parts of the city, but simply raising it a little downtown, so nobody’s view of the U.S. Capitol is blocked by a skyscraper.
>> With so many suburbs depending on the federal government’s workers for tax revenue, local governments around the area are trying to deal with the expected loss of revenue from sequestration, WAMU reports. Fairfax and Arlington counties are slashing their own budgets, while Alexandria officials are contemplating a tax hike.
Briefly Noted: Baltimore Archbishop Lori surprised by new pope … Final vote on Maryland death penalty repeal set for Friday … Put your jorts on, CPAC is here … Sally Jenkins answers readers’ questions—on Deadspin.