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Taking note . . .

Observations about public affairs in the nation’s capital
by the editor of The Common Denominator

BUTT OUT: That’s the message Mayor Anthony A. Williams delivered to Congress during a live broadcast of WAMU’s "D.C. Politics Hour" on April 2 when asked if he thinks Capitol Hill politicians should intervene to resolve the District’s school governance debate.

"I really don’t think Congress should intervene," the mayor told radio listeners. "I think they intervene every time there’s a problem in the District, so they’re gonna act as what? The safety valve or something?

"I don’t think that’s responsible," the mayor continued. "It doesn’t encourage responsibility here in the city."

The mayor’s comments came after Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., the ranking Democrat on the Senate’s D.C. appropriations subcommittee, delivered what sounded like a veiled threat of intervention earlier on the same broadcast.

"There’s a sense across party lines in Congress that we would be open to bold and decisive action," Landrieu said. "Governance is an important issue ... There’s got to be one person in charge or one entity in charge [of D.C. Public Schools] ...Clear accountability is very important and, hopefully, the District can get there. If they don’t Congress, you know, may step in. ...I’m hoping the District can come up with a bold plan."

When questioned, Landrieu slightly backpedaled but maintained essentially the same position. "Congress would be inclined — Congress may be interested in stepping in if we don’t see some bold and decisive action," she said.

The mayor’s definitive opposition to congressional intervention surprised some listeners, considering that the mayor’s aides have been lobbying members of Congress to support Williams’ proposal to convert the public school system into a subordinate agency of his cabinet — in the face of opposition from D.C. City Council members.

Copyright 2004, The Common Denominator