Deborah Simmons

D.C. lawmakers seek more cash to spend

While fiscal conservatism has been espoused on occasion by D.C. lawmakers, profligate spending has been the rule of thumb for occupants of City Hall. 2010 is shaping up to be more of the same as eight of the 13 members of the D.C. Council — all but one Democrats — face election battles. Published May 30, 2010

SIMMONS: Programs aid ineligible as residents suffer

These are tough times for Americans living on the edge, and the long lines and growing waiting lists of families seeking government handouts reflect as much. Published May 27, 2010

Soda, sweet drinks tax passes in D.C.

D.C. lawmakers on Wednesday approved a controversial soda tax, trimmed funding for the H Street/Benning Road Northeast streetcar plan, funded a statehood initiative and approved legislation for a commuter tax Published May 26, 2010

Bill seeks financial lift from D.C. commuters

The D.C. Council is poised to take up a change to the city charter that would clear the way to impose a commuter tax on most city government workers — including teachers and principals, public safety personnel and administrative and blue-collar workers — who do not live in the city. Published May 24, 2010

Rhee seeking to revamp D.C. rules on teacher tenure

Before the fall of 2009, D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee followed the common practice of using a seniority-based method to lay off teachers. Her hands, like those of her counterparts across America, were tied by last-hired-first-fired rules. Now D.C., along with New York, Colorado and other states, are revamping those rules. Published May 24, 2010

Rhee seeking to revamp D.C. rules on teacher tenure

Before the fall of 2009, D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee followed the common practice of using a seniority-based method to lay off teachers. Her hands, like those of her counterparts across America, were tied by last-hired-first-fired rules. Now D.C., along with New York, Colorado and other states, are revamping those rules. Published May 23, 2010

SIMMONS: Don’t leave home without papers

There's little chance that the encounter first ladies Michelle Obama and Margarita Zavala had with a second-grader on Wednesday was coincidental. Published May 20, 2010

D.C. Council airs priorities for taxes, spending

D.C. Council members televised their behind-the-scenes budget discussion for the first time Wednesday, giving the Washington public a clear view of their election-year spending intentions as the city faces an estimated $535 million deficit. Published May 20, 2010

D.C. Council airs priorities for taxes, spending

D.C. Council members televised their behind-the-scenes budget discussion for the first time Wednesday, giving the Washington public a clear view of their election-year spending intentions as the city faces an estimated $535 million deficit. Published May 19, 2010

SIMMONS: Kids need exercise, not bureaucrats

First lady Michelle Obama's decision to fight childhood obesity is a courageous battle of good intentions. There's no need to cite the overwhelming statistics that prove America's couch potatoes are breeding overweight spuds. And there's no need to recite the growing list of corporations and nonprofits that are lining up to partake in the new Fight Fat Movement. Published May 14, 2010

Fenty budget omits statehood-bid funds

Two D.C. Council members want to know why Mayor Adrian M. Fenty failed to put funds in his fiscal 2011 budget for the push for statehood - an issue he supports and that would give D.C. residents the congressional voting rights that have been repeatedly thwarted. Published May 14, 2010

Kids need exercise, not bureaucrats

First lady Michelle Obama's decision to fight childhood obesity is a courageous battle of good intentions. There's no need to cite the overwhelming statistics that prove America's couch potatoes are breeding overweight spuds. And there's no need to recite the growing list of corporations and nonprofits that are lining up to partake in the new Fight Fat Movement. Published May 14, 2010

Fenty budget omits D.C. statehood-bid funds

Two D.C. Council members want to know why Mayor Adrian M. Fenty failed to put funds in his fiscal 2011 budget for the push for statehood - an issue he supports and that would give D.C. residents the congressional voting rights that have been repeatedly thwarted. Published May 14, 2010