Some news stories from the past week involving Chairman Mendelson:

Marion Barry University — and Free Tuition?  DC Lawmaker Proposes Overhaul of UDC – Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) joined Orange in co-introducing the measure. But Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), who controls the committee dealing with UDC, called the proposal to rename the university after Barry “premature.”  Mendelson said he expects a commission to be formed to consider the appropriate way to honor Barry’s legacy.  [The Washington Post]

In 11th-hour Move, DC Finds More Hotel Rooms for Homeless Families – Before the filing was withdrawn, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) said he was “troubled” by the breadth of the city’s request in court. “I suspect that the city lawyers felt somehow that strategically it was better to go for more than is needed,” he said. “But politically, it’s a poor choice.”  [The Washington Post]

Boom or Bust?  DC Lawmakers Try to Make Sense of Budget Contradictions – Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) lectured City Administrator Rashad M. Young on Bowser’s handling of budgetary matters, arguing that the hiring freeze, routine underspending and an expected $21 million court settlement made the program cuts unnecessary.  “There’s an excess of caution, an unnecessary level of caution,” Mendelson said. “You have it within your control to control spending and ensure the budget that was balanced remains balanced. The freeze has been really obnoxious to the council.”   [The Washington Post]