Good morning, Washington. Predictions of a cold front that will bring in spring-like conditions tomorrow have us a little bit giddy this morning, so we hope you’ll forgive us for putting up a slightly hurried morning roundup so we can seize the opportunity to dance around our office with glee. You know want to do the same, so go on, we won’t tell.

Post Starts Beating Examiner’s Drum: A front page story this morning in the Washington Post details the large increase in overtime costs at Metro. After examining documents from WMATA, the Post reports that over the past five years, overtime payments have increased by about 56 percent, topping out at nearly $91 million last year. The story, which does include new details and figures, comes about two months after the Examiner first broke the story about Metro’s overtime gluttony.

Needle Ban May Be Lifted: The congressional ban that prohibits the District from spending its own funds to provide clean syringes to addicts could soon disappear. A key House subcommittee takes up the appropriations bill today that includes D.C.’s spending plan. The Post reports that the Democratically-controlled House looks set to lift the ban. The District has one of the worst HIV-AIDS rates in the country.

Briefly Noted: Fenty opposes new Economic Development Authority … Unifest driver Bell has long history of addiction… Scooter Libby to be sentenced today … D.C. Schools comptroller quits.

This Day in DCist: In 2006 we wondered if less counter-terrorism funding could actually spell a safer District and reminded you that uncut grass could cost you $500.

Photo by yonas1