DCentric

Good morning, DCentric readers! Here are your breakfast links:

Panhandlers and guilt: Dealing with uncomfortable truths and lies “Every study around says that cash handouts don’t help, she said. “The top uses when they get cash are always alcohol, tobacco and drugs.” And there are so many food programs throughout the city, no one in Washington should be going hungry, she told me. If she’s got the time, Kaufman tries to engage with the person and help them with a no-cash solution. But she’s honest. “It’s a crapshoot; I don’t always have that kind of time,” she said.” (The Washington Post)

Should DC dump the sales tax? “DC should consider getting rid of the bottom tier of the sales tax and replacing it with a higher income tax. This could stimulate business, help the working poor by removing a regressive tax, and retain more money within the District by taking advantage of federal deduction rules…This would return as much as $341 million dollars to the District’s residents, serve as a tax break on the lower and middle class, and give DC businesses a competitive advantage over Maryland and Virginia, all while saving the District money.” (Greater Greater Washington)

DCPS sends letter to Dunbar parents after 6 accused of rape in school “Six juvenile males who are accused of sexually assaulting another teenager have been removed from classes and extra security measures are in place at Dunbar Senior High School, a DCPS spokeswoman said in a statement Monday. In a letter sent to students’ families, DCPS interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson said security has been increased in and around Dunbar, where a girl said she was assaulted last week. The victim turned 15 on Monday.” (tbd.com)

Howard Arenstein, CBS Radio Reporter Accused of Growing Pot in Georgetown, Gets Probation “It’ll be awkward for the award-winning reporter, but it’s definitely better than doing time for something as benign as weed. And in D.C., that’s still possible. Marijuana possession charges can earn you up to a year behind bars. One wonders if Arenstein, who has pretty much been outed as pot-head, will feel inspired to speak out for the decriminalization of marijuana after being run through the system like this. His notoriety and status would help that sensible cause along.” (Washington City Paper)

Mayor Sam Adams: White People ‘Produce Many Crimes Daily’ “But this is the first time Adams has ever been so curt toward Oregon’s would-be white bigots, saying, basically, “Chill out white people, because if we’re pointing fingers, we’re not so great.” Adams is white himself, so presumably he’ll be less vulnerable to the manufactured outrage to be leveled at him momentarily. In the meantime, try and think of a time any other white politician was so bracingly direct when speaking to his mostly white constituency about anti-Muslim hysteria.” (The Root)

Calif. city’s ID card would double as debit card “A Northern California city is moving forward with plans for a municipal identification card that is being touted as the first in the nation that would double as a full-fledged debit card…The goal is to help any city residents, including illegal immigrants, who may have difficulty obtaining a state-issued ID. Card holders would also be able to load money onto their cards and use them wherever ATM cards are welcome. Oakland officials say that would allow people without bank accounts to avoid high check-cashing fees or the need to walk around with large amounts of cash.” (The Washington Post)