This includes staff positions that are redundant or “no longer deemed critical to Metro’s business interests,” Paul Wiedefeld says.

The National Park Service may cut hours at bathrooms and ranger stations, though the cuts would be unrelated to sequestration.

I know, I know, we’re tired of taking budget surveys, too. But since next week is WMATA budget hearing week, and Metro is suggesting cutting increasing weekend headways and bus service, its probably worth taking a few minutes out to let them know what you think about the proposed fiscal year 2012 budget.

Mayor Vince Gray admitted that its construction was affected by the “perception of government spending more than it should.” It includes an increase on income taxes for those making $200,000 (which a little less than five percent of the District would have to pay and sounds a lot like one that failed to pass the Council last year), plus a whole bunch of other cuts and taxes. Jack Evans (who called it “one of the worst [budgets] I’ve seen in my time here”) really doesn’t like it, Kwame Brown probably won’t vote for it, and other councilmembers and stakeholders are none too pleased. On the other hand, service advocates and fans of a progressive income tax increase are happy. It didn’t mess with streetcars or teachers. It’s been certified by the District’s Chief Financial Officer, though it obviously wouldn’t be complete without some question of some questionable accounting.

This morning, Mayor Vince Gray presented his budget to the D.C. Council inside a packed room of Councilmembers, staff and press. At first glance, the District will solve its $322 million budget gap with $187 million in cuts, $127.2 million in revenue increases and $7.9 million in added “leasing, sales and advertising”.

You probably already have at least one good reason to care about the D.C. budget deficit debate which will soon be upon the D.C. Council: higher taxes, cuts to social services, and so on. But even if you were still in need of a reason to care, it’s worth noting that the city’s financial issues are already having a manifest effect on things that most of us take for granted — like garbage cans and recycling bins, both of which the city has run out of.

The Post’s Rick Maese went on a tweeting spree this afternoon to let us know that the Redskins have kicked off an impressive personnel purge, beginning with three veterans: wide receiver/returner Antwaan Randle El, tailback Rock Cartwright, and guard Randy Thomas. Fred Smoot, Cornelius Griffin and Ladell Betts are also hitting the chopping block. Such large-scale moves might mean a big splash as free agency opens at 12:01 a.m. The moves will save the…