The city council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill that attempts to define tougher rules on ethical matters. No need to go into the urgency for these new rules. Suffice it to say three sitting members are under investigation by federal prosecutors, and two others have had a hard time paying taxes. A few wags have called the new legislation toothless, and some council members have been working behind the scenes to weaken its rules. In my book, this signals the bill’s author, Ward 4 Council Member Muriel Bowser, must have done something right.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for last minute improvement. I suggest a special Marion Barry section, based on the former mayor’s assorted brushes with the law and his ability to talk his way out of inappropriate acts. Here’s are the Barry Rules and consequences that end with expulsion.