Via Shutterstock.On Tuesday, the federal government could possibly shut down and so may D.C.’s, if one of the strategies being worked on by elected officials doesn’t pan out. But it’s not all doom and gloom! The first of October will also usher in some welcome changes, although one is contingent on Congress’ ability to get its act together.
Sales Tax: D.C.’s sales tax will fall from 6 percent to 5.75 percent on Tuesday. The D.C. Council voted 12-1 in June to make this change, after the chief financial officer projected higher than expected revenues for 2013 and 2014. D.C.’s sales tax will be lower than Virginia’s and Maryland’s.
Libraries: If District’s government doesn’t shut down, D.C. Public Libraries will have more hours and will again be open on Sunday. From an earlier DCist post: “In 2009, Sunday hours at all libraries, except the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library downtown, were cut due to budget restraints. Hours were reduced at all locations. Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) led the charge to restore the hours, proposing legislation last year to do so which was eventually adopted by Mayor Vincent Gray in the city budget. The accomplishment also belongs to chief librarian Ginnie Cooper, who will retire later this year.”
“Expanded hours are a win-win for those who rely on the library being open when they need it and for the 117 people who are now our newest colleagues,” Cooper said in a new release. “The leadership of Mayor Gray and the City Council has ensured that your library has the people in place to support the new hours. Their commitment means more time to read, do homework, use a computer and attend community meetings at your library.”
Here are the new hours.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.Neighborhood libraries
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.Co-located libraries [Deanwood, Northwest One and Rosedale]
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Metro: The price of a Metro SmarTrip card will drop to $2. From an earlier post:
When SmarTrip cards are currently purchased at Metrorail station dispensers, they cost $10: $5 for the card with $5 worth of fare money preloaded. When cards are registered online, the buyer is eligible for a $3 rebate.
The process will be simplified in October, and the rebate will disappear, according to a press release. Instead, SmarTrip cards purchased at a Metro sales office or commuter store will cost $2. Cards purchased at CVS stores, through station dispensers or online will cost $10, with $8 of preloaded fare money.
Because of the lower cost, Metro says riders won’t be able to exit the system with a negative balance on their SmarTrip card lower than $1.50. Reminder: Exitfare machines only accept cash, so those with credit or debit cards and a high negative balance will be trapped for all time.
