After a brief hiatus, Phil in the News is back!  Here are some news stories from the past week involving Chairman Mendelson:

DC Responds to Marijuana Investigation – Council Chairman Phil Mendelson laid out the argument that the roundtable did not violate the law, including a memo from Racine, in his response, which was obtained by CQ Roll Call. Mendelson noted that the Oversight staff agreed to consider limiting the employee disclosure to council members, rather than council employees who participated in the discussion.  “We are concerned that the disclosure of Council staffers’ names may cause them or their families to feel intimidated,” Mendelson wrote in the letter. Mendelson also said he would be happy to meet with Chaffetz and Meadows, writing, “Indeed, a meeting might be more useful to you.”   [Roll Call]

Mayor Changes Course in Budget Autonomy Fight in the District – Mendelson (D) said he knew the mayor had been considering the move for several weeks and said he hoped the judge would weigh seriously the new mayor’s position.  “We believe strongly in the correctness of our position, and the mayor’s position now shares that view,” Mendelson said. “The obvious part is that we are pleased with her decision but, in the end, what’s important is the merits of the case: The overwhelming vote of citizens was a legitimate process for amending the Home Rule Act.”  [The Washington Post]

DC Jail Medical Contract Sparks City Council Criticism – DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, at-large Democrat, also has expressed skepticism about the Corizon award, having noted that the number of lawsuits filed against the District regarding inmate health care and the value of losses paid out in those cases have “plummeted” in the time Unity has held the contract.  [The Washington Times]