Morning Roundup: Va. Layoffs, Md. Laid Up Edition
Good morning, Washington. Yesterday President Obama headed to Wakefield High in Arlington to address the nation's schoolchildren. In a cunning last-minute switch he refrained from urging them to overthrow the landed bourgeoisie through violent revolution, and instead delivered a surprisingly banal message about the merits of education. You win this one, Mr. President. But don't think that we aren't on to Secretary Napolitano's plan to construct a Marxist fifth column of deadly female assassins. Tonight the president will address the country in a speech about healthcare reform, but it seems unlikely that anyone will get upset over that.
Kaine Announces Cuts: The Examiner reports on Gov. Tim Kaine's plan to close Virginia's remaining $1.35 billion budget shortfall. It looks like higher education is being hit the hardest, though state government employees will also be dealing with almost 600 laid-off positions, 336 unfilled positions and a furlough day. Two state prisons and a juvenile facility will also be closed.
Swine Flu Infection Numbers Climb at UMD: The outbreak of the H1N1 virus in College Park continues to get worse. WJLA reports that there are now 172 suspected cases at Maryland, and the number is likely to continue to rise. University health officials say that everything's well in hand, but it sounds like it may be a somewhat weird semester for students — for one thing, the clinic has started to hand hand out flu kits that include surgical masks.
Briefly Noted: Urban chicken enthusiasts busted by the city, vow to get law changed... McDonnell draws fire for 2003 remarks that questioned whether homosexuality could disqualify a judge... Baltimore pushes ahead with slots; Anne Arundel County slows things down... Woman found shot to death in Silver Spring... Jack Evans says that if the White House gets its farmer's market, E Street ought to be reopened... Water taxi service to Nats games begins...