Two weeks ago, the D.C. Council engaged in a knock-down fight over anti-crime legislation---in particular, over so-called 'civil gang injunctions.' They were at it again today, rehashing the debate regarding the permanent version of the bill. But the outcome was much the same.

A compromise of sorts was in the works today: Councilmembers Jim Graham, Jack Evans, and Muriel Bowser, all supporters of the gang injunctions, proposed allowing the measures for six months in their own wards---1, 2, and 4, respectively.

That proposal didn't get very far with their colleagues.

Read More "Civil Gang Injunctions Again Foiled by D.C. Council" »

The fishy fire truck testimony delivered last Thursday by Peaceoholics co-founder Ronald Moten before the D.C. Council was plenty dramatic, but the drama apparently did not end with the pound of the gavel.

Since then, a classic council-executive scuffle has broken out over broadcasts of the proceeding on city cable, with allegations flying that Mayor Adrian M. Fenty himself has become personally involved.

Because Thursday's proceeding was considered a "public deposition" rather than a council hearing (it was supposed to be behind closed doors until Moten demanded otherwise), the councilmembers heading up the fire truck investigation---Mary Cheh and Phil Mendelson---determined that its contents should not be disseminated. That's in keeping with the usual council practice on depositions, which are kept under wraps, so other witnesses won't change their testimony to make their stories consistent (Never mind that LL and other reporters already did plenty of disseminating.)

Read More "D.C. Council Riled Over TV Airing of Fire Truck Testimony" »

The D.C. Council saw one of the livelier proceedings in recent memory this morning, when Peaceoholics co-founder Ronald Moten appeared before councilmembers Mary Cheh and Phil Mendelson in connection with their investigation into the donation of used city emergency equipment to the Dominican Republic.

The proceeding wasn't hearing, exactly, but an open deposition. Moten had originally been scheduled to give his deposition behind closed doors on Friday, but he declined to testify, citing the council's political motivations. Council staff agreed to let him say his piece in public today, in what Mendelson called a "very unusual" proceeding.

Moten set the tone early, with a combative opening statement decrying a "political smear campaign" targeting his organization. He accused councilmembers and media of "attacking the mayor at my organization's expense" and engaging in a "political charade" that has affected his business and his family. "We hold the council directly responsible for creating an atmosphere where such stories could flourish," he said of media accounts questioning his organization's role in the shadowy transfer. The questions will remain, he says, until the "thirst for political blood is quenched."

Read More "Mayoral Official, Friend Implicated at Council Fire Truck Proceeding" »

WaPo's Dr. Gridlock blogged the identities of seven of the nine who died in yesterday's Red Line crash:

• Jeanice McMillan, 42, of Springfield (train operator)

• Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., former commanding general, Joint Force Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard, and his wife Ann, both 62
• Lavonda King, 23
• Dennis Hawkins, 64
• Mary Doolittle, 59
• Anna Fernandez, 40

Per Cherkis, per WTOP, as well, with more on where they lived and one alternate spelling (Lavanda King).

Councilmember Phil Mendelson put out a statement about the Wherleys:

Read More "Seven Metro Crash Victims Identified" »

Wee bit of Friday drama down at the John A. Wilson Building.

Today, three players in the fishy fire truck scandal---Deputy Fire Chief Ronald Gill, Robin Booth of the Office of Property Management Contracting and Procurement, and Peaceoholics chief Ronald Moten---are scheduled to give private testimony in a D.C. Council probe being jointly led by Councilmembers Mary Cheh and Phil Mendelson. Leading up to today's depositions, there had been much posturing in both side over whether the city would allow the witnesses to testify; pro bono counsel from top law firm was found to represent Booth and Gill.

This morning, other lawyers showed up, too---two from the Office of the Attorney General. Cheh and Mendelson were not happy to see them, and an hour-and-a-half long standoff ensued. At one point, the councilmembers threatened to call security to have the city lawyers removed.

Read More "City Lawyers Ejected From Fishy Fire Truck Depositions" »

The big news in Washington this morning was already shared with City Desk readers early yesterday evening: Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) admitted to having an affair with a campaign staffer.  There's no word on whether Ensign plans on resigning but he wishes he could take it all back.  Obviously.  He was a member of the Promise Keepers, for Pete's sake.  There's a lot to be said about Ensign's contradictory behavior but at least he came public without the help of the fine journalists at the National Enquirer.

Drug recalls, crime bills, and a double dose of foreign policy after the jump. Read More "Our Morning Roundup: Truth Telling Edition" »

Today, the various crime bills are being debated as I write this item. You can read the complete and competing bills here. The Post has gathered up the pro and con surrounding the controversial proposal to take gangs or gang members to civil court. The Post writes:

The provision -- drafted by the administration of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) -- would allow authorities to target alleged gang members in civil proceedings. A prosecutor could obtain an injunction barring an alleged gang member from engaging in a range of activities, including such nuisance offenses as harassing passersby on the street.

Loose Lips is liveblogging the big crime bill debate. This afternoon, I talked to a veteran D.C. Police official who has vast experience with drug and gang cases. I wanted to know their thoughts on the crime bills and the civil-court provisions.

They basically thought the crime bill(s) were a waste of time.

Read More "One Veteran Cop on the Crime Bill Grandstanding" »

First off, here's what's already happened today in the D.C. Council chamber: The bag tax has been approved and is ready for mayoral signature, the Public Employee Relations Board now has a quorum, and councilmembers hiked the limit on their constituent services funds from $40,000 to $60,000. Not bad for a day's work.

But not quite enough: Debate is about to begin in the D.C. Council on a competing pair of anti-crime bills. One, introduced by Councilmember Jack Evans and supported by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, takes a hard-line approach, notably toward "civil gang injunctions," which makes it easier for police to keep alleged gang members out of specific neighborhoods. LL calls this the "jackboot reactionary" version. The other, introduced by Phil Mendelson, addresses most of the same issues, but amended to address civil rights concerns raised by the ACLU, NAACP, and other organizations---such as, How do you determine someone's a gang member? and What defines a neighborhood? LL calls this the "liberal weenie" version.

Both need nine votes to pass. Neither Evans nor Mendelson claimed earlier today to have the requisite number of votes in pocket.

Live from the John A. Wilson Building: Let the grandstanding commence!

12:47 P.M.: Evans, no surprise, says he's voting against the Mendo bill (the emergency declaration, to be precise). "I thought we spent a lot of time negotiating and were prepared to go forward," he says, then says that Mendo pulled key portions of compromise legislation. But he does strike a conciliar note, nothing the "hard work" put in by all parties.

12:50 P.M.: Marion Barry: "For the last 25, 30 years, we've had a public safety problem. During my administration, we have a crack cocaine epidemic...I was very naive about how to handle it." Calls the Fenty/Evans bill a "Band-Aid approach, a shotgun approach." Says he's supporting the Mendo version. "I don't condone criminal activity," he notes. You can't make this stuff up.

Read More "D.C. Crime Bill(s) Liveblog: Grandstand City!" »

The next local election day might be some 15 months off, but Saturday's Capital Pride parade still had a political charge---mostly due to the recent heat on gay marriage, but also thanks to a mayoral campaign kicking into full gear and possible council challenger in the mix.

LL was there with camera. Behold!

Read More "LL’s 2009 Capital Pride Reviewing Stand" »

Well, it's out in the open now.

A draft committee that was possibly the worst-kept secret in local politics in recent weeks has revealed itself today, in a press release and Web site urging Clark E. Ray, recently fired Department of Parks and Recreation director, to run for an at-large council seat.

"We believe that Clark Ray as a member of the DC Council will serve based on his dynamic VISION for what our City can become," the release reads. "He is someone who has proven that he is a man of ACTION and that he can get RESULTS."

The author of the release is Peter Rosenstein, the longtime gay activist who was once Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's most vocal supporter in the GLBT community. The draft committee list of more than 80 names includes a number of folks active in gay-and-lesbian politics (Darrin Glymph, Lane Hudson, Sheila Alexander Reid), some neighborhood activist types (Cary Silverman, Jack Jacobson, Laurie Collins), and a few political wild cards (Adam Clampitt, Neil Richardson, Judith Terra, Jacque Patterson, Cora Masters Barry).

Also notable: The list includes at least two of Ray's former employees at parks-and-rec---John Stokes, the agency's communications director, and Michele Molotsky, the former aide to Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans who runs senior programs for the agency.

Unmentioned in the release is whether they want Ray, who is gay, to run as a Democrat (i.e., against Phil Mendelson) or as an independent (i.e., against David A. Catania, or someone else should Catania decide not to run). The former possibility is widely considered to be more likely. But in either case, having a significant element of the gay political community going out on a limb against either of those sitting members---two of the council's most GLBT-friendly---is notable.

As for Ray, he's playing coy. LL first asked him about the rumors, and last week the Blade's Lou Chibbaro Jr. further pressed him. "I would think it would be foolish to rule out anything," Ray told Chibbaro. "I am flattered that there are those that think I am a viable individual to consider for Council at some point in time in the next two years or whatever. D.C. is my home. I’m going to be here forever. I think I’m young at 45. I plan on being around for a while. So I certainly wouldn’t rule anything out."

UPDATE, 9:45 A.M.: LL got Rosenstein on the horn; "Clark is a Democrat and will run when he announces as a Democrat," he confirms. So why go after Mendo? "I personally want to thank Phil Mendelson for all he has done for our city and for introducing GLBT legislation. But I personally...believe these are not lifetime positions, that you need new blood, new ideas, and need someone who is ready to re-energize the council. While I personal want to thank Phil for all he's done, it think it's time for someone new." He adds, "This is not totally about GLBT issues. I think there are a broad spectrum of issues that need to be dealt with in this city," naming "crime initiatives, education reform initiatives."

Full release after jump.

Read More "Clark Ray for D.C. Council Draft Committee Reveals Itself" »

Last Thursday, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Attorney General Peter Nickles held a press conference and made a big show about how the D.C. Council---especially Councilmember Phil Mendelson---needed to move a sprawling anti-crime bill now pending in Mendelson's committee.

Well, before that can happen, Mendelson has made it clear the bill will be subject to a full round of hearings. Today, dozens are expected to testify on the legislation, including top executive officials.

Make that some were expected to testify.

If you tune into Channel 13 at the moment, you'll see the cameras focused on the District seal above the council dais---Mendelson recessed the hearing after a top legal official, Senior Assistant Attorney General David Rosenthal, didn't show for his testimony on key components of the crime bill.

Mendelson, LL is told, is now walking the John A. Wilson Building, trying to track down Nickles to find out what is going on.

UPDATE, 12 P.M.: Mendelson has restarted the hearing. Rosenthal still hasn't shown. Mendelson says that he spoke to Nickles, and that he indicated that AG's office will only testify once, at the end of the hearing, rather the participate in individual panels devoted to each issue contained in the bill. "He will be coming at the end of the hearing," Mendelson says, noting that Nickles has decided "not to participate in this panel format, which is issue-focused."

UPDATE, 1:05 P.M.: Mendelson's sent a letter [PDF] to Fenty: "When I called for executive branch testimony regarding the first issue on this morning's hearing agenda there was nobody---nobody---from your administration in the Chamber...It is extremely disappointing that the Executive is withholding witnesses. I trust you understand that Council process cannot be dictated by the Executive. This unwillingness to cooperate is an affront---to the Council as well as the importance of this legislation."

Not too often these days that you see overt displays of executive-legislative interbranch friendship. Yet, this was one of those days, with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Attorney General Peter J. Nickles, police Chief Cathy L. Lanier, and two members of the MPD brass joining legislators Muriel Bowser, Jack Evans, and Jim Graham on a Ward 1 street corner this afternoon.

The ostensible purpose was to urge passing of a sprawling anti-crime bill before the start of the traditional summer crime season. The clear subtext, however, was that the parties were taking a shot across the bow of At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson, who as chair of the public safety and judiciary committee holds the legislative fate of the bill in his hands.

Each of the parties urged that the 56-page bill, encompassing a number of crimefighting proposals, be passed on an emergency basis (meaning the bill goes into effect immediately for 90 days upon mayoral signature, bypassing congressional review) at the Council's June 2 legislative meeting. Mendelson has committed to getting an emergency bill through by the council's summer recess, which kicks off in early July.

"We need the new tools in this legislation," said Graham, citing recent shooting on the 1400 block of W Street NW (full disclosure: also LL's home block). "We need the tougher approach."

Evans was even more strident: "If we do not act...this bill going through the regular process next March. Next March!...That is unacceptable!" Later he added, in a swipe at Mendelson's meticulous ways, "What's process? It's the enemy of progress!" and "I want this thing moved pronto!"

OK, "pronto." Question is, where was Mendo?

Read More "Fenty & Friends Take a Shot at Phil Mendelson" »

I'm pretty sure that this blog post's headline could be written every single day for weeks, maybe months. I wrote essentially the same headline for a blog post dated March 16 on the subject of DeOnte Rawlings. And another post a few weeks ago mentioning the issue. Back in early March, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier and other police officials testified before Councilmember Phil Mendelson's Judiciary Committee. During their testimony, they assured Mendo that they would be giving him its case report on the Rawlings shooting.

Here's what I wrote back then:

"Last Monday, At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson held one of his Judiciary Committee’s oversight hearings on the D.C. Police Department. For the most part, the hearing was routine: right down to the councilmember asking for the investigative materials related to the DeOnte Rawlings shootings. By Mendo’s own count, he has asked for the Rawlings report at least three times.

At Monday’s hearing, D.C.Police Chief Cathy Lanier and her top brass assured Mendelson that he would have the Rawlings case report on his desk very soon. The expectation was for a Friday deadline"

Well, it's almost May. And according to Mendo's office, the Councilmember has yet to receive the Rawlings investigative reports. How long is this going to take? How many more cheap blog posts am I going to have to write before Lanier makes good on her promise?

As mentioned by LL in an exhaustive budget rundown, At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson kept funding in the city budget for a program that helps the poor pay for attorneys. Today, Bread for the City cheered the news on its blog ("Beyond Bread"):

"Yesterday, the DC Council Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to maintain funding for civil legal services for low income DC residents.

Under the approved budget, more than $3.5 million will be allocated for civil legal services (including loan repayment for eligible lawyers). This is essentially the same amount of funding that was allocated to legal services for the poor in the FY 2009 budget. Considering the fact that this funding stream is just barely older than the economic downturn, and given the scale of DC's current budget crisis, it is no small beans to see the funding maintained."

Beyond Bread shares some stunning statistics on just how deep the need is for representation.

Read More "More Should Be Done For Legal Aid Funding" »

Phil Mendelson has been an at-large councilmember since 1998.

Favorite Restaurant: American City Diner. LL pointed out this is a political pick; ACD owner Jeffrey Gildenhorn is active in local politics. Replied Mendo, "It's a diner! You don't have an appreciation for diners!"

Power Lunch Locale: M&S Grill, at 13th and F. He gets the blue plate special. For power breakfasts, though, it's Old Ebbitt.

Legislative Agenda: Mendelson is a noted legislator on gustatory issues. He passed legislation to get rid of a $100 fee to have candles in restaurants. And he, for the third time, is about to introduce a bill to require mandatory nutritional labeling on restaurant menus. "You can go to Starbucks and have a day's worth of calories in one drink but you wouldn't know it here."

Romantic Dinner Spot: "The Loose Lips will have to sleuth it out."

Neighborhood Joint: "I don't have time to be hanging out in neighborhood joints!" He went on to namecheck Colonel Brooks' Tavern, Tune Inn, and Georgena's.

Home Cookery: "I make a pretty good catfish. I'm not going to tell the secret ingredients....broil it with some parmesan cheese, nuts, and other secret ingredients."

Family Heirloom: Corn pudding. Again, he's protective: "It's got secret ingredients."

Coffee Preference: Mendelson's an inveterate home-brewer. He brings a silver Thermos of Quartermaine's, half French roast, half decaf house.

Dais Munching: "You will never see me with a Subway sandwich or an Au Bon Pain sandwich, really. Something like a snack---nuts, recently I've been big on granola bars."

Breakfast Politics: "When I worked for Jim Nathanson, he'd tell me about the difference between Dave Clarke and John Wilson['s council breakfasts]...Dave Clarke would serve, really, burnt donuts, and John Wilson had this spread with a cotton tablecloth and a silver platter. Made everyone so fat and happy that the council followed their chairman."

Favorite Breakfast Item: "Everything!" chimes in top aide Jason Shedlock. Says Mendo, "I'm afraid Jason's got that right."