County Teachers Union Responds To Scathing Editorial — Doug Prouty, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, said the Washington Post editorial board’s characterization of his union in a previous column was “outrageous.” Prouty said MCEA does not accept political donations in exchange for its endorsement and a spot on its influential “apple ballot.” Prouty said the group has run “coordinated campaigns for local candidates,” in which candidates have been asked to donate after endorsements have been made. [Washington Post]
Transit Group Calls For New Purple Line Public Hearing — The Action Committee for Transit on Monday called for the Town of Chevy Chase to hold another public hearing on its plans to finance a legal fund t0 fight the light rail. ACT, ardent Purple Line supporters, says the Town is in the wrong for revealing the money would be used for lobbying only after public testimony in a Jan. 8 hearing. In that hearing, Town Councilmembers said the precise legal strategy had not been decided. The Town Council is set to vote Wednesday on whether to devote $360,000 over the next 18 months to a legal fund. [Action Committee for Transit]
State Bill Could Bring $20 Vehicle Registration Surcharge — A bill from State Sen. Rich Madaleno (Dist. 18) would allow counties to impose a $20 annual vehicle registration surcharge of up to $20. The bill comes out of a transportation task force that suggested more revenue sources to build transportation projects in the state, even after last year’s gas tax increase. [The Gazette]
Range To Have New Italian Eatery — It appears chef Bryan Voltaggio’s year-old Range in Friendship Heights will soon have a new addition. Voltaggio has been teasing a new Italian concept within the 5355 Wisconsin Ave. restaurant with dishes for $30 and under. Aggio opens Friday. [Bethesda Magazine]
Flickr photo by Michael Hyman
