Opinion

Living in our nation’s capital provides a unique perspective — we’re constantly exposed to policy and societal issues happening on a national scale, while also focused on improving our communities here in DC. From Takoma to Anacostia, H…

In truth, the signs of danger and harbingers of the assault on sanity, truth, democracy and the U.S. Constitution were glaringly present on Jan. 22, 2017 — two days after Donald J. Trump was officially sworn in as the 45th president of the…

DC elected officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and council Chairman Phil Mendelson, seemed roused by revenue estimates recently released by Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt. The city had enough money in December to instigate an…

In 2020, 180 District residents passed away while homeless, a 53% increase from 2019. Twenty-three of them died of COVID-19. On Dec. 21, the annual Homeless Memorial Vigil — organized each year by the People for Fairness Coalition —…

DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson may have outdone himself this time around with his proposed organization for the legislature as it enters its 24th session. Every two years, with the arrival of newly elected members and what is supposed…

With the end of DC Council Period 23, it’s time to consider the first votes legislators will take as Council Period 24 begins. On Day One, those votes will include adoption of the council’s own Code of Conduct, which needs real…

I have been a Catholic all my life. As far back as I can remember, the church has played an active role in my development, from my own first communion to preparing for my now 6-year-old son’s entrance into the community. During all this…

DC Council member Charles Allen’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety held a public roundtable with advocates and experts last week to explore alternatives to traditional policing. It was an interesting conversation; as many as 30…

No one should be surprised that the DC Contract Appeals Board (CAB) has found that Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration violated city “procurement laws and regulations as well as the terms of the solicitation” in awarding the…

For nearly two years, at-large DC Council member David Grosso loved to criticize — some might say hate — fellow Council member Jack Evans. Grosso lambasted the Ward 2 representative for his constituent services fund, for his close…

She hasn’t said it out loud. I can’t help thinking, however, that on more than a few nights, at-large DC Council member Anita Bonds probably has whispered to herself, “Be careful what you wish for.” Two years ago, at the start of…

Billie Shepperd’s voice is cracking every now and then. Her words are laden heavily with emotion. She is straining to contain her anger. Her pain is palpable as she tells me about the death of her daughter Sheila. I am at one with…

In the middle of a pandemic that shattered the national and local economy, DC’s elected and finance officials decided to press ahead with several newly launched initiatives that tapped critical resources, including public funding for…

There were protests and counterprotests. One candidate was accused of being bought by out-of-town super-rich people. Another was labeled a pawn of big developers. There also were accusations of campaign finance violations. At one point,…

In the days before this year’s general election, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson asserted that the city’s so-called political progressives were out of touch with the majority of the District’s electorate. Reviewing the unofficial…

With today’s deadline looming, the clock is ticking on the public’s opportunity to put forward suggestions to replace the name of racist President Woodrow Wilson on the largest, most diverse school in the District. Judith Ingram is a…

Not much has shocked me during my years of reporting and opining on District affairs. I admit, however, that I have been flabbergasted by the response of the government and of elected officials to the suicide of Stormiyah Denson-Jackson.…

Approximately 25% of women and 14% of men in the United States — and a staggering 39% of women in DC — will face domestic violence within their lifetimes. This pernicious problem finds its way into all corners of the country and can be…

For its size, DC has an extraordinarily small legislature. Despite supporting a government with $13.3 billion in total annual expenditures as of 2019, DC’s 700,000-plus residents are represented by just 13 members of the DC Council,…

That is the question political operatives and election watchers are asking as DC begins in-person voting next Tuesday. Many of them seem to be waiting for the other shoe to drop. There remains little confidence in the DC Board of Elections…