Photo by jennyboh

Good morning, Washington. Another gorgeous mid-March day ahead of us, which in most normal years would mean temperatures in the mid-60s. But this being the non-winter that it is—yeah, how about that, Potomac Phil?—we’re looking at afternoon highs in the 80s.

Metro Chief Makes More Than New York Counterpart: As Metro struggles to justify why it wants to raise fares again, it probably doesn’t want the emphasis shifted on how it spends some of the money. But the Post does just that today, reporting that WMATA General Manager Richard Sarles brings in $350,000 a year, more than the $332,500 earned by the head of New York’s transit agency. All told, Metro executives bring in $3.1 million a year, the Post found. Metro also points out that Sarles turned down a performance bonus recently offered by the system’s Board of Directors, and that the budget the includes the proposed fare increases does not raise salaries for him or other Metro executives.

O’Malley Pushes for Increase in Gas Tax: Pushing an increase in the gas tax when gas prices are on the rise probably isn’t the best political move, but Gov. Martin O’Malley is going for it anyways. The Washington Times reports that O’Malley will be promoting the idea to the Maryland State House and Senate today, advocating for phasing in the use of the six percent sales tax on gas instead of the current 23.5-cents-per-gallon that motorists get charged. Some fellow Democrats say they’d rather wait until gas prices fall before considering O’Malley’s proposal.

MoCo Murder Victim Dumped on Connecticut Avenue: Residents of Kensington, Maryland are shocked the day after a 36-year-old woman’s dead body was dumped on Connecticut Avenue during the morning rush, writes the Examiner. According to witnesses at the scene, Heather Lynn McGuire was shot in a car and her body pushed out by 51-year-old Philip J. Gilberti, who she was in a relationship with. McGuire had a stay-away order against Gilberti, and he had recently been arrested for violating it. NBC4 reports that Gilberti was found dead this morning of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Briefly Noted: Two D.C. environmental inspectors plead guilty for taking bribes … Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) doesn’t get much of his money from Ward 8 … Virginia’s falling unemployment rate is good news for Gov. Bob McDonnell … Despite not liking the law, Virginia prepares for Obamacare … Albrecht Muth due in court today for mental health assessment … MoCo officials fight over whether to fund road projects or mass transit.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, Mayor Adrian Fenty was cleared of wrongdoing in the parks and rec contracting scandal (Sinclair Skinner wasn’t, though he did send out a pretty epic press release), Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) proposed removing a sales tax exemption for food trucks and WaPo’s website got a redesign. In 2010, the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs unveiled a new web resource for homeowners who want to rent out their basements.