Deborah Simmons

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Give D.C. lawmakers a drug test

The D.C. Council made another wrong move Monday by discussing the pros and cons of the Prohibition of Pre-Employment Marijuana Testing Act, which would bar employers from drug testing job applicants and prospective employees.

February 9, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Don’t close Dorothy Height charter schools

By week's end, an estimated 1,600 children could be school-less because the D.C. Public Charter School Board might vote to close the Dorothy I. Height Community Academy Public Charter Schools, which has three D.C. campuses.

February 9, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Being Bobbi Kristina Brown

Can Bobbi Kristina Brown handle it?

February 5, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Level playing field, ‘all’ students mean vouchers, too

The president of the United States is fond of saying it.

February 3, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Gay housing projects Obama government priority

Coming to a neighborhood near you: Housing for lesbian, gay, bisexual. transgender and queer (LGBTQ) elders.

February 2, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Super Bowl and sex go together

Take down this phone number or punch it into your cellphone: 1-888-373-7888. It's a round-the-clock, toll-free hotline to the nonprofit group Polaris. It's Super Bowl time in Phoenix, which means be on the lookout for human traffickers, pedophiles, johns and prostitution.

January 29, 2015

Super Bowl bags, baskets made for sick kids, families

You probably haven't heard about the Super Bowl-related good deeds amid the hype around the New England Patriots' "DeflateGate" and the Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch, who prefers to let his fashion statements and on-field play speak on his behalf. But there are some super do-gooders in Arizona, too.

January 29, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Hey, Chris Christie, this is how to give parents a real break

This is National School Choice Week, and it is certainly appropriate to visit an issue that soon will be doing more than marking time on the 2016 presidential campaign trail.

January 26, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Genderless, clueless and, please, take a hike

Where are we now? It's time to revisit some familiar faces, places and issues. So check your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

January 22, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Mayors meet in D.C. to play police numbers game

About 300 U.S. mayors are expected to gather in the nation's capital on Wednesday to give a synopsis of their take on President Obama's State of the Union address. The timing is perfect.

January 19, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: D.C. Metro system’s inconvenient truths

The region's rail/subway/bus system is troubled, and not just because of the deadly problem that resulted from the smoky Yellow Line incident this week.

January 15, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Education reform has a black eye

It's not always clear whether Arne Duncan is pitching his own educational proposals, tooting union horns or being a political hack for President Obama. Perhaps he's a contrivance of all three.

January 12, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: The 2024 Summer Olympics game

We just can't get the Summer Olympics thingy right.

January 8, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Marion Barry back on the ballot

2015. A new year, new Congress, new lineup in the presidential races, new governors and mayors.

January 5, 2015

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Vincent Gray keeps fingers on triggers of 2 six shooters

Ready, aim, but don't fire? Vincent C. Gray, 72, has resigned, albeit unofficially. He gave his farewell address the other night, and media and supporters got a copy of his accomplishments.

December 18, 2014

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Nab D.C. campaign violators quickly

The folks who pushed the marijuana legalization issue onto the D.C. ballot are scofflaws.

December 15, 2014

DEBORAH SIMMONS: The Bible is a textbook, saving grace

Have you been to a funeral lately? A funeral where the assembled start reaching into their jacket pockets and purses? Grabbing their cellphones? Looking up and down the pews?

December 11, 2014

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Muriel Bowser, pull tight the reins

D.C. Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser is moving too fast.

December 8, 2014

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Post-Marion Barry: Who and what are next?

Several things will take place now that praise has been sung for Marion Barry, who died unexpectedly on Nov. 23.

December 4, 2014

DEBORAH SIMMONS: Racial differences are good, good character even better

Let's get something straight: Not all race agitators are black. The people agitating for comprehensive immigration reform and marijuana reform, a war against the Islamic State and against education reform are not all black. The people agitating for justice reform are not all black.

December 1, 2014