Mayor Adrian Fenty’s plan to take personal control of D.C. Public Schools took one important step forward today, and may yet take another. In a 9-2 vote that took the proposal out of committee, the Washington Post reports the Council gave the takeover its first official blessing, paving the way for a first reading vote that could still happen in an extended session today.

The committee vote took place after Lisa Comfort Bradford, a candidate for the vacant Ward 4 Council seat, requested a temporary injunction against the vote, saying the decision should be delayed until after the special elections for wards 4 and 7. Senior Judge Bruce S. Mencher denied the request, explaining that no action could be taken until the law had been passed. If the council votes affirmatively on first reading, Bradford could file for a preliminary injunction to delay the final vote.

The results of the vote itself are no big surprise. Fenty has long been thought to have the votes he needs to pass this legislation, with traditional political foes Carol Schwartz (R-At Large) and Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) the only dissenters. We’ll have more updates on all the controversial measures taken up by the D.C. Council today for you in the morning, including the school takeover plan, a mandatory HPV vaccine for girls to attend 6th grade, the $50 million to gift to Abe Pollin to update the Verizon Center, and confirmations of Acting Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier and Acting Attorney General Linda Singer.

Photo by krwaltondc

Filed Under: abe pollin, adrian fenty, at-large, atlarge, attorney general, Attorney General Linda Singer, carol schwartz, carolschwartz, d.c. council, education, law, legislation, Linda Singer, mayor, mayor adrian fenty, phil mendelson, photos, police, police chief, Police Chief Cathy L, public schools, schools, verizon center, washington, washington post,