The Wilson Building, viewed from Freedom Plaza
The Wilson Building, viewed from Freedom Plaza Credit: Darrow Montgomery

This week in the wacky world of D.C. politico speak:

  • “If somebody tells you that crime is down in the District of Columbia, tell them that people are dying in our streets—tell them that people are still using guns to solve their problems.” —Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie at an “emergency meeting” in Ward 8 on Memorial Day. [WCP]
  • “You think Ted Leonsis went home, do you think he went home and said, ‘You know what, they got the better of me?'” —D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine at that meeting, arguing that the taxpayer-subsidized Wizards practice facility being built in Southeast is a “bad deal” for D.C. [ibid]
  • “The overall response from the Bowser Administration on this issue remains, too little, too late.” —Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White on the demotion of Seventh Police District Commander Regis Bryant, whom White says is a “scapegoat.” [WCP]
  • “I do not think more policing is the answer at all. The District already has a lot of police in the community and it has not solved the problem of police brutality.” —Candidate for D.C. Council Chairman Ed Lazere, at an election forum on criminal justice. [Twitter]
  •  “BREAKING: A new candidate in the race for Council Chair.” —@councilofDC being @councilofDC. [Twitter]
  • “Sexual harassment in no way should be tolerated. But I think it exists because of the nature of the relationship between the asshole patron and the server, not because of the tips.” —D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson at City Paper‘s debate on Initiative 77, the ballot measure that would phase out the tipped minimum wage for restaurant servers and other workers, which Mendelson opposes. [Twitter, Post]
  • “The meatloaf at Cheesecake Factory in San Francisco, for example, is just 50 cents more than in their DC restaurant.” —Lazere in a statement after City Paper‘s forum. He supports Initiative 77, citing states that have scraped the tipped credit but still have robust food scenes. [Twitter, Twitter]
  • “I’m listening to the workers, are you?” —At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds, who opposes Initiative 77 and is running for re-election. [Twitter]
  • “Having ice cream (and some serious discussion) with my seniors!” —Bonds at a community event. [Twitter]