D.C. Council

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Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (shown) and D.C. Council member David A. Catania are spearheading efforts in their respective legislative bodies to protect the privacy of personal email accounts. (Associated Press)

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Sen. Patrick J. Leahy and D.C. Council member David A. Catania (shown) are spearheading efforts in their respective legislative bodies to protect the privacy of personal email accounts. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, a Democrat, showed resistance to a proposal to cap money-order contributions to campaigns at $25, saying the cap seemed too low and that money orders do leave some record of the purchase. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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D.C. Council member Tommy Wells, Ward 6 Democrat, speaks Tuesday during the final legislative meeting of the year, a marathon session that still ended without sweeping campaign finance reforms. “I don’t believe the council recognizes there’s a crisis in ethics,” Mr. Wells said. “But I think the voters do.” (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Marion Barry, current D.C. Council member and former mayor, says he will try to pass his measure protecting ex-offenders from discrimination at the council’s final legislative session on Tuesday. He has openly criticized other council members and called out a prominent business leader over the issue. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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“I’m considered the most strategic, brilliant political strategist around — you’ve heard that,” D.C. Council member Marion Barry said in an interview. “And I’ve done that because I know how to say certain things when I say them, don’t say them.” (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Barbara B. Lang, President and CEO, D.C. Chamber of Commerce talks about the future of the D.C. Council in the halls of the John A. Wilson Building in Washington, D.C., Thursday, June 7, 2012, a day after D.C. Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown resigned after federal prosecutors accused him of lying on a loan application. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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“I have strong reservations, as does [DYRS Director Neil A. Stanley], on the effectiveness and sustainability of any rehabilitation services provided through the [out-of-state residential treatment centers.]” — D.C. Council member Jim Graham

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The D.C. Council is calling for a ban on the sale of synthetic cannabinoids — sold as incense under names including Spice, K2 and Yucatan Fire — because of their easy availability and danger. (Associated Press)

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Committee on Government Operations Chairman Muriel Bowser, Ward 4 Democrat, asks a question of D.C. Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan on ways to improve campaign finance rules during a meeting Tuesday with other D.C. Council members. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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D.C. Council member Mary M. Cheh, Ward 3 Democrat, says the legislation that passed a first reading Thursday hits a “sweet spot” in reconciling the city’s oversight of taxis, sedans and limousines. Many D.C. taxi drivers think the upstart companies should play by the same rules as the city’s cab fleet. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)