Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth and on Capitol Hill.

1. Gov. Hogan blasts delay of Maryland toll lane project
Federal transportation officials indicate more time is needed to review concerns about the project’s environmental impact. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Friday blasted federal transportation officials for delaying a decision that would have cleared the way for him to move forward with a plan to build toll lanes on Interstate 270 and part of the Capital Beltway, according to a letter he sent to the Biden administration.
Related: NVAR Members-Take Action and Tell Administration to Approve Maryland Traffic Relief Plan

2. Senate Passes Inflation Reduction Act with Slimmest Possible Margin
When one considers all the real estate tax increase proposals that were recommended over the past couple of years, the final bill is very good for the real estate industry. As was previously reported, the agreement between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) left out all but one relatively minor tax increase that would impact the real estate industry directly.

3. County Board to Host Community Conversations on Missing Middle Housing
The Arlington County Board will be hosting a series of community conversations and information sessions in September and October that will help to inform the County Board’s next steps on Missing Middle Housing. These conversations are part of the County’s Housing Arlington effort to explore opportunities that could potentially address Arlington's constrained housing supply.
Related: Read NVAR’s Statement on Missing Middle Framework

4. Pedestrian, bike and transit projects in D.C. area get $60m federal boost
A proposed bicycle and pedestrian crossing that would create a walkable connection from Northern Virginia’s growing Crystal City neighborhood to the District’s Southwest Waterfront area is getting a $20 million federal grant, officials announced Thursday. Among the biggest projects is the span over the Potomac River, which is expected to add a new connection in a busy corridor for pedestrian and bike traffic. It is part of the $2 billion Long Bridge project that also will add new rail tracks, doubling capacity for train traffic between D.C. and Virginia by 2030.

5. Virginia's COVID-19 rent relief program clearing backlog
Limited funds led the state to shut down its COVID-19 Rent Relief Program to new applications May 15 but officials expect to pay eligible requests that were pending when the program shut its doors. The state Housing and Community Development department has processed more than 30,000 applications that were in its system as of May 15, and there are about 7,000 still to complete. All of those remaining have gone through an initial review process.