Frick, Others Want To Make Uber Legal In Maryland — District 16 Del. Bill Frick and other state lawmakers are pushing bills in both chambers to give Uber and other app-based ride services temporary or permanent legal status in Maryland. The bill would institute background check policies and requirements for insurance and non-discrimination toward passengers with disabilities and service animals. It would put Maryland in line with Virginia and D.C., which over the objection of taxi cab companies have passed similar agreements. It could also preempt the County Council’s work on so called Transportation Network Companies on the county level. [Washington Post]
Man Gets 5 Years For Trying To Break Into ATM — A homeless man was sentenced to five years in prison on Wednesday for trying to pry open a downtown Bethesda ATM. An alarm company monitoring a live security camera called 911. Michael Cooper, the man caught in the incident, was on probation at the time of the arrest. He must also pay Bank of America $600, the cost to fix the ATM. [ABC7]
Parks Gets To Work Plowing Capital Crescent Trail — Despite initial plowing efforts yesterday, the Capital Crescent Trail from Bethesda Avenue to the D.C. line is still covered in a layer of ice this morning. Montgomery Parks, which is plowing the trail for the first time this winter, said it will provide updates throughout the day. [Montgomery Parks via Twitter]
Capital Bikeshare Raising Rates — Effective May 1, Capital Bikeshare will raise its rates for all customers in the D.C. area, including in Montgomery County. It’s the first rate increases for the program since it started in 2010. The cost of an annual passes will increase by $10, from $75 to $85. [Capital Bikeshare]
Attorney General Opposes Pepco-Exelon Merger — Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh is opposed to the proposed merger between Exelon and Pepco. Frosh and his office made a filing with the state’s Public Service Commission detailing the opposition. The Commission is expected to rule on whether to approve the merger, and if so under what conditions, by April 8. [Baltimore Sun]
Flickr pool photo by John R Whitaker
