DISTRICT BRIEFING

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

SCHOOL TAKEOVER PLAN

Norton Introduces House Bill to Transfer Control

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) introduced a House bill yesterday that would alter the city's Home Rule Charter to transfer authority over the public school system from the Board of Education to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D). The D.C. Council approved the plan two weeks ago, but Fenty needs Congress to ratify the legislation before he takes complete control.

Also yesterday, Norton introduced a bill to increase the salary of Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi from $186,600 to $279,000. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is scheduled to mark up bills today.

-- David Nakamura

CAPITOL HILL PROTEST

Nearly 100 Arrested for Unlawful Assembly

Almost 100 protesters were arrested by U.S. Capitol Police yesterday for unlawful assembly after converging on several Capitol Hill offices to lobby for more funding for home-based services for disabled Medicaid recipients.

The disability activists want Congress to hold hearings on the Community Choice Act, which would provide funding so some disabled residents could move from nursing facilities back to their homes. The activists targeted the offices of Reps. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) and Joe L. Barton (R-Tex.), key members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which is considering the bill.

Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, spokesman for the police force, said 99 people were arrested and processed late yesterday afternoon. They were released after paying a fine, she said.

-- Elissa Silverman

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Firefighter Dismissed in Case of Slain Journalist

One of five D.C. firefighters involved in the case of slain New York Times journalist David E. Rosenbaum was dismissed from the department yesterday by D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and Acting D.C. Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin.

A fire department trial board called last week for a 252-hour suspension. But Rubin recommended dismissal, and Fenty "supported and approved" the decision, the mayor's office announced yesterday.

The suspension recommended by the board for a second firefighter was more than doubled to 192 hours from 84 hours. Rubin and Fenty also barred the firefighter from official contact with the public. The board's not guilty finding for three other firefighters was accepted. None of the firefighters was identified.

Rosenbaum's death after being attacked near his home last year by robbers exposed deficiencies in the city's emergency medical response system. Rosenbaum's family sued the city but decided in March not to seek damages from the District in exchange for Fenty's promise of improvements.

-- Martin Weil and Allison Klein