Photo by bomble

Good morning, Washington. We’ve finally got something of a storm on the horizon, and while weather forecasters are still trying to determine how big a punch it might pack, the Capital Weather Gang ruled late last night that there’s a pretty sold chance of at least an inch of snow. Sweet, right? For you federal government workers, any amount of snowfall would be bittersweet, though — Monday is President’s Day, so any potential snow day seems less exciting.

Debate on Same-Sex Marriage in Maryland Delayed: A debate over a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the Maryland House was delayed yesterday amidst rumors that supporters don’t have the votes to move it forward, reports the Post. Making the situation more difficult is the fact that two pro-marriage equality lawmakers won’t be present for the legislative session today, further leaving the bill’s chances of passage in doubt. Despite picking up two Republican supporters, same-sex marriage remains a tough sell in Maryland, with some Democrats from Prince George’s County remaining opposed. A same-sex marriage bill passed the Maryland Senate last year, but died in the House. There’s still hope, though — the Washington Times reports that some lawmakers may be swayed to support the bill since a referendum on its passage would be likely.

Lack of Oversight to Blame for D.C. Scandals: The District’s Inspector General told a D.C. Council committee yesterday that a lack of oversight is to blame for recent fraud scandals in the government, writes the Examiner. Charles Willoughby said that while he can investigate instances of fraud and corruption after they happen, D.C. agencies are mostly left to police themselves to ensure that neither take place. Willoughy also said that since his office has no power to enforce recommendations he makes, fraud can occur at agencies where vulnerabilities and issues were already identified.

Mandatory SAT Bill Debated: Proponents and opponents of a bill that would mandate the SAT and at least one college application for all graduating D.C. public school students pleaded their cases at a D.C. Council hearing yesterday, reports the Washington Times. The bill, which was introduced by D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown, has drawn support from those who claim that it would raise expectations on students and opposition from those who argue that it would impose unnecessary costs on students and parents and serve no real evident purpose. Neither the District’s public schools nor its charter schools have given Brown’s bill their unqualified support; charter school leaders fear that it would impose upon their autonomy.

Briefly Noted: United Medical Center seeks $15 million for Southeast D.C. hospital … Jury selected for 2010 South Capitol Street shootings … D.C. mental health system freed from court oversight … Secure Communities federal immigration program to start in Montgomery County next week … Maryland ethics committee recommends that Sen. Ulysses Currie be censured … Three Virginia parkways to be renamed … Note to drug traffickers: don’t fly into President Obama’s airspace … Climate change to blame for extreme D.C. weather, some argue.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, D.C. voting rights activists woke Speaker of the House John Boehner at his Capitol Hill home and WMATA Chief Richard Sarles said that Metro riders should not be drunk. In 2010, an area genius used a blowtorch to melt snow (and consequently set his house on fire) and we picked out the best parts of a report that looked into Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) ethics violations.