Good morning, Washington. Chilly and rainy, huh? So that’s how nature wants to play it? Fine. You know what? We’re glad that Al Gore’s stupid eco-concert series isn’t coming to D.C. And that MTBE leak in Frederick? We were going to provide an environmentally-minded link, but now we’re thinking better of it. Your free ride is over, Mother Nature! No more PageRank-boosting blog mentions until you cut this crap out.
P.G. Hospital Set To Close: It was just yesterday that the Washington Times brought word of the sorry conditions at St. Elizabeth’s. Now another area hospital is facing serious problems, as Prince George’s Hospital’s long-standing financial problems seem to finally be coming to a head. A last-minute deal brokered by Governor O’Malley and County Executive Jack Johnson was rejected by the the county council, and with bankruptcy not looking feasible, the system may be shuttered by June. The Post has all the details. You might also want to check out WJLA’s video coverage of the situation, if only for the bystander who declares the situation “almost like a genocide.”
Virginia Anti-Smoking Measure Vetoed: Yesterday Governor Kaine vetoed a number of bills — WJLA has a rundown of the most interesting ones. Kaine had offered amendments to the bills, but the legislature had rejected them. The most noteworthy would have banned lighting up in restaurants. However, when it came back from the legislature that provision had been removed and the bill would have actually loosened smoking restrictions in eateries.
Md. Opts Out Of Electoral College: Potentially, anyway. Maryland has become the first state in the nation to sign on to the National Popular Vote movement. As the AP reports (via WTOP), Governor O’Malley has just signed a bill that will award the state’s electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote — if a majority of other states adopt similar measures, that is. The effort is designed to force candidates to campaign in non-swing states.
Briefly Noted: Efforts to get dedicated funding for Metro waiting on Maryland… Virginians’ electricity bills may be going up $3.41, on average… Arrest made in local music producer’s year-old murder… Eighth-graders warn family, help them escape burning house…
This Day In DCist: One year ago we complained about CVS locking up their prophylactics and about 11th Street residents throwing rocks at cyclists. Two years ago the Post’s staff was revolting and we were preparing supervolcano countermeasures.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user hey-helen
