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A deliberative roundup of one city’s local politics. Send your tips, releases, stories, events, etc. to lips@washingtoncitypaper.com. And get LL Daily sent straight to your inbox every morning!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Mary Cheh: It’s Tommy’s Fault
Ward 5 Politicos Quietly Position Selves for Special Election OCF Clears Yvette Alexander
Good morning sweet readers! It’s Thursday, the happiest day of the week for people who like reading new editions of Washington City Paper. This week’s cover story is a fun oral history of Fort Reno. LL’s column looks at how some Ward 5 politicos are treading softly to line up support in the event of a special election should embattled Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. leave his seat. LL also briefly reports that some young, bright, not necessarily political types who were hired during the Fenty administration and decided to give the Gray administration a chance say District government work is not as sexy anymore. LL’s not sure he’s had any jobs he’d describe as “sexy.” News time:
Don’t Do Me Like That: Mayor Vince Gray has kicked up a hornet’s nest with his pocket veto of the D.C. Council’s plans to delay imposing a tax on out-of-the District municipal bonds. With the veto, Gray has revived the debate about raising the income tax rate on the city’s rich folk. Council Chairman Kwame “Fully Loaded” Brown, who has been touting his ability to get the budget passed without an income tax hike, ain’t happy. Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh is super unhappy, telling reporters that the mayor has “ambushed” the council and given reasons for the veto that are “nonsense.” (Gray says he vetoed the delay to protect the District’s reserves and preserve its good standing among the bong rating agencies.) Cheh also says Ward 6 Councilmartyr Tommy Wells is at fault in this mess.
AFTER THE JUMP: Lotto Emails; Alexander Cleared (Mostly); Wone settlement …
Our Nupe: TWT‘s Jeffrey Anderson uncovers emails that “outline a bruising fight” for the D.C. Lottery contract. The emails show Emmanuel Bailey, who eventually wound up on the winning side of the lottery contract, warning Warren Williams Jr., who wound up on the losing side, about trouble ahead. TWT and the emails imply that Bailey doublecrossed Williams. Also, in the emails, Bailey refers to former Mayor Adrian Fenty as “our Nupe” a reference to the fact that both Fenty and Bailey are members of the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi.
Alexander Mostly Cleared: Scratch Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander‘s name off the list of elected officials with ethics clouds hanging over them. The Office of Campaign Finance released a report yesterday that clears Alexander of any serious wrongdoing (though it does fine her $4,000 for minor infractions, which Alexander says she plans to appeal). “It gives me relief that I no longer have to explain I did nothing wrong,” says Alexander. Geraldine Washington, who filed the complaint against Alexander, says she’s not surprised by OCF’s report because she doesn’t have faith in the agency: “We think there is some substance to what we were alleging.”
In other news:
- Deborah Simmons rails against old campaign signs, talks H Street transformation.
- D.C. putting student transit subsidies on One Cards.
- Fred Cooke Jr. is all for the District prosecuting its own criminals.
- Michelle Rhee-era teaching star jumps ship, heads to P.G.’s Suitland High School.
- Wone family settles $20 million lawsuit against former roommates.
- Two current, former Metro employees charged with theft.
- D.C. summer youth employment supervisor pleads guilty to sex abuse charges.
Gray sked: Safe Surrender Program Announcement at 9:30 a.m., Moultrie Courthouse Plaza.
Council sked: Recess.