Deborah Simmons

Audit finds funding questions in Brown campaign

The D.C. Office of Campaign Finance recommended Tuesday that the agency's general counsel take "whatever action deemed appropriate" against D.C. Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown's 2008 re-election committee after an audit uncovered substantial financial-reporting inconsistencies. Published April 5, 2011

Source: No missing funds in Kwame Brown campaign

Funds from the 2008 Kwame Brown campaign have been accounted for, but the D.C. Council chairman could face fines because of filing irregularities in his finance report, according to a source involved in an audit expected to be released Tuesday by the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance (OCF). Published April 5, 2011

Gray tries to turn tide of negative publicity

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray should have been more prepared for the waves of bad publicity that overtook his young administration and been able to turn the public's attention to his achievements and goals over the next four years, political analysts say. Published April 4, 2011

SIMMONS: More of the same, no steps toward reform in Gray budget

Like most progressives who say they want to help the disadvantaged, Mayor Vincent C. Gray hasn't delivered a budget that spells reform. Indeed, his policies mimic those of his predecessor and raises taxes to pay for them. Published April 3, 2011

SIMMONS: Devil’s in details regarding Gray’s 2012 D.C. budget

When the mayor delivers his 2012 spending plan to the D.C. Council on Friday, don't expect any tax increases from him, but lawmakers are drumming their fingers. Published March 30, 2011

School funding puts Gray under fire

As funding for D.C. students and schools hang in the balance on Capitol Hill and City Hall, school choice proponents are criticizing Mayor Vincent C. Gray for planning to renege on a promise to put charter school funding on par with traditional schools. Published March 29, 2011

SIMMONS: Junior ROTC would boost sorry state of D.C.’s youth

Stick 'em in Junior ROTC. Published March 27, 2011

D.C. renames street for former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown

It has been nearly 15 years since Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and 34 other persons died in a plane crash in Croatia during a trade mission. On Friday, D.C. and federal officials dedicated a stretch of the street that runs alongside the Commerce Building in his honor. Published March 25, 2011

SIMMONS: D.C. scholarship winners are bright spot in grim picture

It's easy to get the impression that D.C. kids are a bunch of hopeless misfits. Then along come exceptional teens who paint a brighter picture. Published March 23, 2011

D.C. to sue online firms for unpaid taxes

D.C. officials on Tuesday announced plans to sue popular online hotel-booking firms such as Travelocity, Expedia and Priceline in order to recoup millions of dollars in unpaid taxes. Published March 22, 2011

SIMMONS: Should Gray be looking for a new welcome mat?

Mayor Vincent C. Gray fired his gatekeeper, Gerri Mason Hall, last week and could announce her replacement by week's end. Before then, he needs to replace his front-door mat, too, which has been soiled by questionable footprints. Published March 20, 2011

SIMMONS: Paying the cost of dropping out

When it comes to throwing resources at the dropout problem, the D.C. government, like most bureaucracies, is as splintered and resourceful as they come. Published March 17, 2011

Gray fires staff chief in debate on hiring

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray fired his chief of staff on Wednesday — the first major ouster of his young administration, increasingly under fire for missteps in hiring political appointees. Published March 16, 2011

Schwartz nixes D.C. elections board seat

One of the District's most popular Republicans has rejected an offer from Mayor Vincent C. Gray to serve on the city's elections board. Published March 15, 2011

Jobs coming to D.C.; now push is on to train workers

City Hall has a plan: Plug D.C. residents into jobs and careers that will be provided by major economic development projects, and money will again begin to flow into the city's shallow coffers. Published March 13, 2011

SIMMONS: Sheen watchers enable sick man

Through a glass, briefly, Charlie Sheen. I know, I know. Some of you aren't interested, and I can dig it. But here's a guy who is tossing his blessings into the toilet — and his illness is hiding that fact. Published March 10, 2011

Gray’s pick for D.C. schools chief upsets union

D.C. parents and students may never know whether interim schools chief Kaya Henderson faced stiff competition to permanently succeed Michelle A. Rhee as chancellor, but Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced Wednesday that she now holds the $275,000-per-year job and the title. Published March 9, 2011

Gray responsible for filling 8 seats on UDC board

Mayor Vincent C. Gray, who has to fill eight seats on the 15-member University of the District of Columbia board, is expected to begin filling those vacancies Friday — a move that could redirect the spotlight off university system president Allen Sessoms, who is under fire for questionable travel expenses. Published March 8, 2011

Gray seeks $76 million in D.C. education budget

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray proposed $76 million in new public school spending for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, but future budget cuts are still in the picture. Published March 7, 2011

Separate probes for Gray campaign allegations

Within hours of D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray's saying he takes full responsibility for any administration missteps, D.C. Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown said Sunday night that he is referring allegations of Gray campaign improprieties to the D.C. Office of the Inspector General. Published March 6, 2011