Slow Roads Save Lives

Slow Roads Save Lives

@districtaters.bsky.social

District resident who impatiently wants things to be better

103 followers65 following287 posts

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Love RCV but this is obviously dumb. I get that i83 proponents were wary of council meddling but this wasn't it. It probably won't change the outcome but a multi pass vote is probably the simplest fix here.

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

To elect at-large council members, for decades D.C. voters have selected two candidates on their ballot. But ranked-choice voting has changed that, prompting confusion, criticism and changes for candidates in how they campaign. From @washingtonsun.com: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/dc-ran...

washingtonsun.comD.C. Voters Face a New Math Problem Under Ranked-Choice VotingApplying ranked-choice voting to a two-seat general election for the first time has shifted campaign strategies.
Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

💯 This project is supposed to be moving towards construction shortly but there has been zero movement as of late.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social

For the DC Week Without Driving, @janeese4dc.bsky.social joined @ggwash.org organizers (and @elissasilverman.bsky.social) for a bus ride from Petworth to downtown. JLG emphasized her desire to get projects like the Georgia Ave dedicated lane done quickly: “We don’t need to study the study.”

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

I may like a Councilmember, but some votes are make or break it. Any one that votes for this has lost my vote.

Alex Taliadoros@alexctaliadoros.bsky.social

The FAIR Act is primarily a backlash to Initiative 83, which overwhelmingly approved ranked-choice voting and semi-open primaries in DC. I don't support every initiative that has been proposed in DC, but sabotaging the process for all initiatives and referenda is anti-democratic and anti-Home Rule.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

💯 This.... It's crazy that this is a thing. Decide what water we want to preserve and charge a market rate for water. Get rid of this antiquated water rights system. The biggest thing is all the politicians worrying about alfalfa farms are missing out on so much more revenue from alternative uses.

mtsw@mtsw.bsky.social

STOP GROWING FUCKING LETTUCE IN THE DESERT THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY EASY PROBLEM TO SOLVE

Slow Roads Save Lives reposted

McSweeney's
@mcsweeneys.net

"You were riding in the morning, or at night, or on a quiet road, or a main road. The only time and place to ride a bike is a time beyond time and a place beyond place, where the space-time continuum is bent so strangely that you are both everywhere and nowhere." buff.ly/bSa1Wm5

mcsweeneys.netYou’re a Cyclist Who Was Just Struck by a Car Driver. Here’s Why It Was Your FaultYou were riding during rush hour Why were you riding then? There are way too many cars on the road. If you were commuting, you should have contacted your bos...
Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Accountability at every level of government employment. Requesting a bribe should lead to an immediate termination (once verified), the fine is almost irrelevant.

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

Interesting: A D.C. liquor license inspector has been fined $6,000 for refusing to pay his tab at a local lounge and threatening to have the place inspected and fined if his bill wasn't reduced or forgiven. When a complaint was lodged with ABCA, he inspected and cited the lounge.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Republican gerrymandering is an unjust partisan power grab that disenfranchises voters, but the very small silver lining is getting rid of this horrible human.

Keith Ivey@kcivey.bsky.social

Andy Ogles, House sponsor of the BOWSER Act to abolish DC home rule, has lost his primary thanks to Tennessee's gerrymander giving him too many new constituents not used to his antics. His replacement will surely not be a friend of DC, but at least he won't be Ogles. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/u...

nytimes.comIn Upset, Andy Ogles Loses to a Republican Challenger in Tennessee (Gift Article)Mr. Ogles, a two-term congressman, had held off primary threats before, despite controversy. But on Thursday, Charlie Hatcher, a former state agriculture commissioner, delivered an upset.

Slow Roads Save Lives reposted

Martin Austermuhle
@maustermuhle.bsky.social

The "Fee D.C." movement is born. (I'll see myself out now.) But for real, DoorDash can't be happy that Rep. James Comer publicly unveiled that the platform supported the Republican bill to restrict D.C.'s ability to increase taxes or fees. It's a PR challenge, to say the least.

Josh Jacobson@districtjosh.bsky.social

Fine to disagree on tax policy, but not fine to work with GOP to significantly limit DC home rule. If DoorDash thinks DC will accept them intervening in our tax code, they don't deserve our business. I've deleted my DoorDash account and encourage others to do the same.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Ding ding ding

Nick Sementelli@nsementelli.bsky.social

The real lesson is once you open the free money spigot to one rich owner, the rest will flock like moths to a flame for their cut. And when you've already spouted economically debunked nonsense to justify the first, you have no factual ground to stand on anymore to say no

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

This stuff is great, I get they don't want to sell it because of fraud issues. But I'd really love that wind breaker...

Metro@wmata.com

New uniforms rolling out today across the system! 🤩 Employees shared feedback during the design process, which led to clothing with better breathability, more useful pockets, & greater range of motion. It's a new chapter for Metro’s frontline teams as we celebrate 50 years of serving the DMV! 😎

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

This is good for DC voters and democracy, kind of curious that it is coming literally right after the most important primary DC has had in years.

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

NEWS: The D.C. Council just voted to fund and implement the semi-open primaries portion of Initiative 83, which also brought ranked-choice voting to D.C. That means that in 2028 independent voters will be able to choose whether to vote in a partisan primary election.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

💯 If Bowser's admin had been a model of moderate efficacy instead of incompetence, "brought to you by Mayor Bowser" on a green platter, the climb would have been much harder for JLG.

Bill Rubin@mwrubin.bsky.social

Bowser deserves a lot of the blame but mostly because, through a combination of incompetence, cronyism and corruption, she has discredited the moderate governance model among the DC electorate.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Yes, bring on the jungle primaries in DC please. That said, the end result is likely to cause more moderate politicians given that the progressive voters are more prominent in primaries.

Brad Johnson@climatebrad.hillheat.com

In other words, expect semi-open primaries to come to DC in 2028. Some of the newly elected DC Dems are supporters of jungle primaries, a much more aggressive rejection of partisan politics.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

I've seen enough. There was a massive progressive stomp this election. Congratulations to mayor @janeese4dc.bsky.social. Campaign is (hopefully) soon over and I want to see those promises kept for hiring compent managers, building more housing, improving our walking and transit options, etc.

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

Here's the precinct map of D.C., and you can see that @janeese4dc.bsky.social has so far cleaned up in almost all central parts of D.C., which includes Ward 1 and Ward 6, much of wards 4 and 5, and most of east of the river. This is an impressive showing by any measure.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

While it was annoying to wait past 10:30pm for the votes, the fact that the DCBOE was counting while making us wait is appreciated. It seems like the final nightly result is almost in.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social

Here’s your breakdown of the total number of votes and how they were cast: can’t tell yet exactly how many in-person votes were early vs. on E-Day. Notable that 21% of the city is in: in ‘22 about a third of voters cast their ballots. So best guess this is most of the votes.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

No one is enthusiastic about @kenyanmcduffie.bsky.social, even those backing him. I somehow doubt vote for me or the orange man gets you is a great selling point.

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

While some centrist national Dems have endorsed @kenyanmcduffie.bsky.social, no prominent progressives have come out for @janeese4dc.bsky.social. Generally, Washington's political class isn't very engaged in the mayoral race happening in its own backyard: www.notus.org/metro/congre...

notus.orgCongressional Democrats Are Checked Out of D.C.’s Mayoral Race“I'm seeing all their ads, but I don't really know anything about it,” said Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia.
Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

That the bad faith charges by McDuffie's campaign were thrown out two years ago should be the front sentance of every article on this farce.

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

The OCF report has also reminded plenty of people of similarly-timed accusations and fines against @elissasilverman.bsky.social in 2022, in a race against McDuffie she ended up losing. Months after the election, the charges and fines against her were tossed out.

Slow Roads Save Lives reposted

Martin Austermuhle
@maustermuhle.bsky.social

You have gotten them: Election mailers supporting four incumbent D.C. Council members. They seem innocuous enough, with talk of affordability and education. But they are an insight into something bigger: an expensive push to legalize online casinos in D.C. www.notus.org/metro/igamin...

notus.orgThe Quiet Lobbying Effort to Legalize Online Casinos in D.C.Despite election mailers paid for by the nation’s largest sports-betting companies, some lawmakers remain unconvinced.
Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Great skill on McDuffie's part - get the OCF to investigate, plaster the town with it, and who cares when it gets revoked afterwards....

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

There have been plenty of complaints about if/how/whether OCF starts investigations in the past, as well as how they are conducted and when/how the results of those investigations are released. Recall: dcist.com/story/23/03/...

dcist.comD.C. Campaign Office Throws Out Last Complaint Against Former Councilmember Over Polling | DCistFormer D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman was accused of campaign finance violations less than a week before the November election, accusations that have since been dismissed.

Slow Roads Save Lives reposted

Mark Joseph Stern
@mjsdc.bsky.social

Replying to @mjsdc.bsky.social

“Are you so scared of Trump’s wrath that you’ll obey him in advance and vote for the mayoral candidate who’s less likely to make him angry and more likely to appease him? Then Kenyan McDuffie is your man!” Incredible closing pitch to the overwhelmingly liberal, Trump-hating, Democratic voters of DC.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

McDuffie would be a continuation of problematic DC's spoils system, DC deserves better.

Alex Taliadoros@alexctaliadoros.bsky.social

McDuffie was the deciding vote to approve DC's disastrous no-bid sports betting contract. All these years later, DC is still trying to disentangle the mess. Now, the Maryland businessman who made millions on the deal is returning the favor by spending $45,000 to try to make McDuffie Mayor.

axios.comAfter years of controversy, D.C.'s lottery operator wants "fresh start"Bally's Intralot is severing ties with a local businessman and announcing a new partnership.
Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

As a parent of DCPS kids, I appreciate @chenderson.bsky.social's push to kill iReady. I've seen how 3 different schools use it. iReady is regularly abused as a crutch to fill time.

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

"Parents have reported that the platform is frequently used beyond its intended purpose, resulting in excessive student screen time and reducing opportunities for direct instruction, and meaningful engagement with educators," writes Henderson in a memo to her colleagues.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

I mean, if McDuffie stopped changing his position every few weeks he might be seen as a bit more honest....

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

Other interesting outtakes: Lewis George is seen as more honest than McDuffie by plenty of respondents, while McDuffie is seen as having more experience. And 71 percent of respondents support teen curfews, which Lewis George opposes.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

I really appreciate the poll, but can't they ask a question about the at large race?

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

A new Washington Post poll has @janeese4dc.bsky.social ahead of @kenyanmcduffie.bsky.social in the D.C. mayoral race by 11 points, and also ahead when ranked-choice voting is factored in. Respondents view her as better in affordability and education, while McDuffie is leading on public safety.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

💯 This 311 fiasco is an indictment of Bowser and a good indication of how McDuffie as mini Bowser will run the show.....

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

That the 311 app is broken right before a D.C. election where the provision of basic services has become a main issue is, well, something.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

McDuffie, supporters you today but uses you tomorrow as an attack ad. We already have flake as president. Do we need one as mayor?

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

A D.C. mayoral race tidbit 🧵: Recently opponents of @janeese4dc.bsky.social have criticized her for saying in a questionnaire that she supports safe-injection sites as a response to the opioid crisis. @kenyanmcduffie.bsky.social has slammed her, calling them part of "ideological wish lists."

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Anyone know when @kenyanmcduffie.bsky.social flip flopped on congestion pricing or does he just like to tell people what they want to hear....

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social

The Post's voter guide is always helpful in getting the candidates on the record on big issues: Among other things, I noted McDuffie says he now doesn't support congestion pricing. He told @ggwash.org earlier this year that he did. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/int...

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

This is why we need @janeese4dc.bsky.social, who will get us where we need to be to implement. Instead of the candidate literally backed by parking garages....

Rebecca Saltzman@rebeccaforec.bsky.social

Every metropolitan area in the US should be studying congestion pricing now to be ready to implement with a new administration. There is no other tool that so quickly and effectively decreases traffic, increase bus speeds, increases transit ridership, and reduces emissions.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Take metro people!

Metro@wmata.com

How much are you spending at the pump? 🚗⛽️ We crunched the numbers to determine the monthly cost comparison between taking Metro or driving from West Falls Church to Washington, D.C. Here are the monthly expense totals we found: 🚗 $1,100 for car, 🚇🚌 $236 for Metro. More below. ⬇️

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

McDuffie voted twice to overturn tipped minimum wage (i77 and i82). He sided with owners over workers despite the overwhelming direction from DC voters. He doesn't care what the voters want, just what his friends (such as at RAMW) think. That's how he'll be as mayor.

LeftEx@leftex99.bsky.social

Incase you missed it: Highlights from yesterdays Washington D.C. Mayor debate 🧵 Kenyan McDuffie explains why he betrayed his working class roots to ‘side with the owners over DC voters and workers’ with his repeal of I-82, which would have raised wages for working people.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Appreciate getting some polling in the race but they couldn't have asked a question about the at large race?

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social

NEWS: In the first public poll of the D.C. mayoral race, @citycastdc.bsky.social finds that @janeese4dc.bsky.social has a five-point lead over @kenyanmcduffie.bsky.social, , just outside the margin of error. But: Ranked-choice voting could help McDuffie more; he's ahead voters' second rankings.

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

70% of folks not paying for the bus is bad. I suppose that having the bus driver quote the fare won't hurt, but will it actually help? @wmatagm.bsky.social, why not have random roving fare checkers? Isn't it a global best practice? www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/t...

nbcwashington.comNearly 70% of Metrobus riders evading fare, WMATA saysMetro says nearly seven out of every 10 bus riders are still not paying the fare to ride the bus. Now, a new crackdown is coming that will involve bus operators and transit police. Metrobus operators ...
Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

Seems like there is a clear tier 1 in the race with Oye, Raymond, and Jackson in the lead. I'm excited by Raymond, much less so with Oye and Jackson.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social

Checking in on the Dem at-large race: @repoyedc.bsky.social still has the cash lead, raising $13.2k last month with $230k in the bank -Greg Jackson raised 8.6k/116k on hand -Lisa Raymond raised 6.9k/162k on hand -Candace Nelson raised 3.2k/45k on hand -Kevin Chavous raised 2k/75k on hand

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

I like BRT, but the city failed to get dedicated lanes on H street for the street car, what basis does wmata have for believing the city will approve this?

Edward Russell@byerussell.com

WMATA is recommending against a new station to serve the northern side of the RFK redevelopment. Instead a new "Gold Line" BRT could connect RFK to Union Station along the former DC Streetcar corridor. #washingtondc

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

McDuffie is the clear choice for conservatives in DC, not sure that'll help him much in the democratic primary....

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social

One interesting name among McDuffie's donors: Jeff Wall, Trump's former solicitor general and personal lawyer. JLG has been hitting McDuffie in debates over taking money from Trump donors: her allies found 22 have given his campaign about $4k (and given Trump about $193k)

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

It is not ageism to say that elected officials should retire and that age 72 is a more than reasonable retirement age. Spend some time with friends, family, or your hobbies. You've earned it! There isn't a shortage of people who can serve and run for elected office.

Sam@samd.bsky.social

I do not think it is ageism to point out that a slim congressional majority will be at risk if we nominate a bunch of representatives in their 80s and 90s

Slow Roads Save Lives reposted

Christina Henderson
@chenderson.bsky.social

I agree about this. It’s hard to give a quality answer to a nuanced policy question in only 60 seconds. My first campaign had 24! candidates. 🥴

Rudi "Cooler Weather = Better" Riet@randomduck.bsky.social

I'd advocate for forums where each candidate gets a 10-15 minute sit-down with a moderator who asks some questions: a few standard, a few tailor-made for the specific candidate. This gives the candidates a chance to speak in something more natural and nuanced than focus-grouped word salad. 4/

Slow Roads Save Lives
@districtaters.bsky.social

See below for the slate for those seeking status quo politicians with no vision. Also, gah I forgot that I'll need to vote on the Dem state committee....

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social

The DC Realtors are out with ‘26 endorsements: they picked McDuffie for mayor and made picks in everything but Ward 5. Interestingly they also backed the establishment friendly slate for the Democratic State Committee: they could pick a replacement for Robert White if he wins.