Incoming D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray will take charge of the Legislature’s public schools agenda by placing authority over all things education in the one committee served by all council members, Gray announced Thursday.
Gray, who chairs the Committee of the Whole, said the move will smooth the way for the council to take up an aggressive education agenda, as well as Mayor-elect Adrian Fenty’s expected schools takeover plan. Control of the education committee was sought by a majority of council members; now all 13 will have an opportunity to directly participate in schools reform, Gray said.
“You know what?” Gray said. “It takes a layer out of this process, too.”
Gray did as he promised in laying out committee assignments, handing a chairmanship to every sitting member of the council and shaking up the existing structure. The system is no longer based on seniority as it had been under Chair Linda Cropp.
Much like a state or federal legislature, all bills introduced to the D.C. Council must first go through committee.
Council Member Kwame Brown, D-at large, will control the economic development committee while Marion Barry, D-Ward 8, will chair a new “housing and urban affairs” panel. Incoming Council Member Tommy Wells, D-Ward 6, will chair the human services committee; Mary Cheh, D-Ward 3, will oversee public services and consumer affairs; and Harry Thomas Jr., D-Ward 5, will chair libraries, parks and recreation.
Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham will take oversight of public works. Independent David Catania will continue to chair the health committee, Phil Mendelson the public safety committee and Jack Evans the finance and revenue committee. Republican Carol Schwartz will take over as chair of workforce and government operations.
“I wish I could say it was easy,” Gray said of making the assignments.
“This is one of those things where you want to be everything to everybody.”
