Photo by ekelly80

Good morning, Washington, and happy new (fiscal) year’s eve! Tomorrow the 2012 Fiscal Year kicks off in the District, which means a few noticeable changes — no more Sunday hours at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, higher DMV fees, expanded hours of operation for liquor stores, higher taxes for some, advertising at local parks and possibly the start of the end for the Lincoln Theater. Just about all of the changes we’ll see — and these are but a few of the many — were part of the tough budget negotiations to close a $322 million gap. So enjoy your last day of the 2011 Fiscal Year, and here’s to hoping that our elected officials make some good resolutions for 2012.

New Maryland Texting Law Goes Into Effect: If you’re a driver in Maryland and haven’t already learned that texting while in the car is a bad idea, a stricter law goes into effect this weekend that may make you think twice about. WJLA reports that the new Maryland law makes it illegal to text or read a text in a car for just about any reason or in any situation; being seen texting will also become reason enough to be stopped by police and fined.

Today in Cycling-Related News: WAMU reports that Alexandria is considering installing six Capital Bikeshare stations with 54 bikes in Old Town, while the Post reports that a the D.C. Police Complaints Board has advised that local cops be better trained on the ins and outs of cycling laws in the city.

Arlington Republicans Have It Worse Than D.C. Counterparts: The District may be one of the most Democratic jurisdictions in the country, but its local Republican Party should feel happy its not in Arlington. The Post writes that the Arlington County Republican Party only raised $4 in the first 28 days of September. Party officials say that fundraising throughout the year tends to be uneven, and that they have a fundraiser with senatorial candidates George Allen in October.

Nothing to See Here, People: Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) tells The Washington Times that the recent firing and arrest of an employee that stole over $400,000 from the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue means that security reforms implemented since the last theft from the office — in 2007 Harriette Walters was arrested for stealing close to $50 million — are working. Of course, that’s one way to look at it — since the employee was caught in time. But there’s reason to think that security protocols in the office are still lacking, wrote the Post’s Mike DeBonis earlier this week.

Briefly Noted: Michelle Obama tried to sneak into the Potomac Yards Target … Prince George’s County Metro board member says no one should use the Largo Town Center station … Real World casting call this weekend in Adams Morgan … Police warn of Craigslist robberies in Fairfax County.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2010, we learned a few things about Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and wondered why a mayoral candidate would use a New York-themed song for his campaign. In 2009, the District’s sales tax increased and U2 played FedEx Field.