Deborah Simmons
Articles by Deborah Simmons
The D.C. tipped-wage initiative
The initiative, approved 55 percent to 45 percent by voters nearly three months ago, calls for the city to mandate that the D.C. minimum wage is applied to all hourly workers, including waitresses, barkeeps and table bussers. Published September 13, 2018
Hurricane Florence preparations
Ladies rule. Hurricane Florence is projected to do what Tropical Storm Gordon did not when he rolled onto the Gulf Coast last week. Published September 10, 2018
Federal government giveth, D.C. government taketh away
Wouldn't you know? Just as low-income and middle-class residents began breathing the slightest sighs of relief thanks to federal tax cuts, the District's progressive pickpockets are raising taxes. Published September 6, 2018
Donna Brazile has something to teach the GOP
A true strategist, she spent decades inside and alongside the Democratic Party, and Miss Brazile took the reins of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as the battle for the White House heated up in the summer of 2016, when the burning question was, can Hillary Clinton take out Donald Trump, or will Donald Trump take out Hillary Clinton? Published September 3, 2018
Bring the Redskins home
The D.C. government is working on plans to get rid of the biggest elephant under the city's redevelopment tent and return the Washington Redskins to the nation's capital. Published August 30, 2018
What does Mayor Bowser want for Miranda Bowser?
Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted a most intriguing question on Monday: "What qualities do want in your @dcpublicschools Chancellor? Let us know at tomorrow's @OurSchoolsDC Chancellor Search Engagement Forum." Published August 27, 2018
Rep. Jim Clyburn: ‘I’m ready’ to challenge Nancy Pelosi
His is not a name that races to voters' tongues when they're asked who are America's top three black political leaders. Published August 20, 2018
Back-to-school blues
The first day of the 2018-19 school year in Prince George's County isn't until Sept. 4, and for parents, there's good news and bad news. Published August 16, 2018
The Roman Catholic Church is in trouble
"We are sick over all the crimes that will go unpunished and uncompensated," the Pennsylvania grand jurors wrote. "This report is our only recourse." Published August 15, 2018
Who’s minding NCAA student-athletes?
It's darn near impossible for a college or university head coach to know what his coaches and players are up to 24/7. That hardly offers a break, however, to University of Maryland football coach DJ Durkin. Published August 13, 2018
Dueling protests set for D.C.
Nobody is saying how many people are expected to show up between Friday and Monday. The best official estimates, or at least those given to the National Park Police, are 400 for the Unite the Righters and 1,000 for the Un-Haters. Published August 9, 2018
People need to take personal responsibility for their actions
It seems as though personal responsibility is becoming a thing of the past. We need to restore it lest we forget that faith and family are among the true common bounds of humanity and public safety. Published August 8, 2018
D.C. homeless kids bounce to the joys of summer
The smiling faces and joyful giggles of the scores upon scores upon scores of children Tuesday morning at Langdon Park and Recreation Center were contagious. Published August 7, 2018
Washington’s Redskins head home
The Redskins are off to Boston to help Bill, Tom and the Patriots kick off the second week of the NFL's preseason on Thursday night. Published August 6, 2018
WalletHub: D.C. schools among nation’s worst
Among the 50 states and the District, the D.C. Public Schools system ranked third worst -- a pitiful placing for the nation's capital. Published July 30, 2018
The homelessness continuum
Homelessness. No matter where you live in America, it's an issue. Always has been. Published July 26, 2018
Americans love parades, right?
President Trump wants a military parade, so Mr. Trump is staging a parade. Published July 23, 2018
Bad guys winning the drug war
Local and federal law enforcers must take the lead, wield their hammers like Thor and help Americans to avenge the scourge of the drug trade. Published July 19, 2018
Strike D.C. Metro where it hurts
Wise roosters know better than to fall prey to little transit chicks, such as Cocky Locky, Henny Penny or whatever that bird is called in this age of smartphones. Published July 16, 2018
Who’s going to pay for evicting tenants? D.C. taxpayers, of course
In May, the D.C. Council began pondering two questions: Who should pay for evicting tenants, and who is responsible for the tenants' personal property? Published July 9, 2018