Good morning, D.C. In today’s newsletter: A consequential tax code vote, continued weather woes and the dismantling of the D.C. streatery.
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THE LATEST
The House is set to vote tomorrow on a bill that would prevent the D.C. Council from making changes to the city tax code without explicit congressional approval.
Trending
House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Kentucky) said he introduced the measure because he wants to prevent city lawmakers from raising taxes, a step D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson has said they may take to confront a budget crunch in the coming year, Jenny reports.
The twist? The bill could also prevent the city from decreasing existing taxes or fees. If it passes, any change to Title 47 of the D.C. code could go into effect only if both chambers of Congress approve.
Comer said in a statement that tax increases are the true target of the policy.
“Congress must have stronger oversight tools to prevent these job-killing tax hikes, which will drive employers, investment, and residents out of the city,” he told NOTUS. “And if pigs ever fly and the DC Council approves tax cuts instead, I’ll be the first to lead the charge for Congress to approve them immediately.”
The bill would face an uphill battle to overcome the filibuster if it makes it to the Senate. It’s the latest in a series of attempts by Republicans to undermine the D.C. government’s ability to dictate local policy — and it underscores just how much some watchful eyes on Capitol Hill are scrutinizing the D.C. Council.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said “the entire Committee, Republicans included, should be offended by this reckless waste of their time.”
FROM THE DISTRICT
D.C.’s weather woes continue this afternoon, with severe storms likely and “a tornado or two” possible, Capital Weather reports.
The city is ordering restaurants to dismantle their streateries, Axios D.C. reports. These outdoor dining areas were a lifeline for restaurants during COVID, but an onerous permitting process to make them permanent has spelled their doom.
FROM VIRGINIA
Ratepayers would be on the hook for a proposed 115-mile transmission line traversing rural Virginia, WTOP reports. It would power the northern part of the state, which is home to the world’s densest concentration of data centers.
FROM MARYLAND
National Harbor’s “Sphere” will be taller than the U.S. Capitol and almost exactly the height of the Washington National Cathedral — or 45 AJ Dybantsas, per City Cast DC.
GUESS THE LISTING
Listed for $1,095,000, this three-bedroom brick Cape Cod is a party in the back with a stone patio, in-ground pool and custom-built pool house.
Where is this house listed? Click on your guess to see the answer:
We’ll let you know tomorrow how many of you got it right.
SPORTS
With the battle over the future of college sports heating up in the Senate, a major question is whether senators pushing the Protect College Sports Act can get the SEC and Big Ten conferences on board.
As NOTUS’ Jesse Dougherty reports, one potential tweak to the bill has to do with conference realignment and expansion, as the initial text would have halted any future expansion for leagues making more than $700 million (which includes the SEC and Big Ten). The change the various factions are kicking around: capping conferences at 19 programs instead and making it so any school that wants to jump from one power league to another has to first go independent for five years.
Nationals infielder Luis García Jr., a surprise slugger this season, has received interest from multiple teams on the trade market, The Athletic reports. The MLB trade deadline is Aug. 3.
What to Watch Today
MLB: Nationals at Rockies, 8:40 p.m. (MLB.TV)
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The newsletter was produced by Jaden Amos, Michael Errigo and Nikie Johnson. Photo by Garland Gay. Finally, yesterday’s trivia answer was B) John Quincy Adams. A special shout-out to Susan Stonesifer, who answered first.
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