 |
Ward 3 Update: 1st Budget Vote & Coronavirus Resources
Dear Neighbors,
Yesterday the Council held the first of two votes on the District's Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget. As mentioned previously, this has been a particularly challenging budget year as the coronavirus' economic disruption has resulted in a reduction of spending by over $1.5 billion in he FY20 and FY 21 budget years. Meanwhile, needs of District residents, many of whom were already living on the margins, have only grown. And while there were some disappointing cuts made, the budget largely balances the need for reductions while ensuring that the District is able to provide essential supports for residents in regard to housing, human services, education, transportation, and infrastructure.
Although the budget won't be finalized until the second vote toward the end of the month, I'd like to note three important items from yesterday's meeting:
-
The Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) budget - The agency’s budget, as put forth by the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, makes responsible and necessary reinvestments in violence interruption and restorative justice programs. Reimagining public safety requires a thoughtful and comprehensive approach, and this budget represents a much-needed first step. It continues the work the Council has already done to address systemic racism in our public safety agencies and our criminal justice system. We must fundamentally reimagine policing and public safety in the District by investing in what we know works: violence prevention, workforce development and good jobs, access to high-quality education, and behavioral health interventions.
-
The New Foxhall Elementary School - Right now, the majority of Ward 3 schools are at 100% capacity, if not far higher. A new elementary school in the Foxhall neighborhood is slated to add 500 new seats to Ward 3, which will significantly help reduce overcrowding in the neighboring elementary schools. The Foxhall school project is in part funded with capital dollars that were previously slated for additions at Key and Stoddert Elementary Schools. As this new school is intended to alleviate crowding at schools like Stoddert (that is currently enrolled at 137% capacity), I advanced the funding to enable construction of the new school to begin in 2021.
-
Taxes - A measure before the Council to raise income taxes failed, but the Council did vote and pass a proposal to cut certain business tax breaks as well as raise the gas tax. The District’s new rate of $0.338 per gallon will be lower than Maryland’s rate ($0.367 per gallon) and equivalent to Northern Virginia’s 2021 rate. An additional tax measure that was changed by yesterday's vote was the lowering of the threshold for the estate tax from $5.6 million to $4 million. These efforts raised over $60 million dollars for critical needs such as aid for undocumented workers, mental health supports, and housing assistance.
Regards,
Mary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alice Deal Alumna wins #iMask4DC Competition |
Student Excellence - Jayden Settles, 14, won a District-wide video competition on the importance of engaging one's community and taking immediate action to help stem the spread of coronavirus. Jayden recently graduated from Alice Deal Middle School and will be heading to Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in the fall. Click here or the video above to watch Jayden's incredible project on the importance of wearing a mask.
To learn more about the #iMask4DC competition and watch other competition entries online, please see: https://blackcoalitionagainstcovid.org/.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legislative Meeting Highlights |
Important Bills Advance - In addition to the budget vote on Tuesday, the Council held a Legislative Meeting where a number of Councilmember Cheh's bills advanced through the legislative process. Below are some legislative highlights:
Commercial Insurance Claim Tolling Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2020 - Unfortunately, many insurance carriers are denying claims for business interruption losses across the board; where businesses have a valid claim, they will need to formally appeal those decisions. These policies include specific deadlines and requirements for filing claims in their fine print, as well as deadlines for notice, proof of loss forms, and responses to requests for information and documents, as they relate to appeals. Councilmember Cheh's emergency legislation will toll all commercial insurance policy deadlines as they relate to claims or appeals of decisions for business interruption losses for the length of the public emergency plus 90 days. This measure will help ensure that arbitrary deadlines do not prohibit the District’s struggling businesses from filing or appealing claims for losses stemming from the public health emergency. Please note: the bill does not expand coverage of existing policies, it tolls the timing requirements of policies.
- It is essential that our struggling businesses are not denied relief because of deadlines or other restrictions tucked into their insurance policy’s fine print; this emergency will ensure that is not the case.
Pregnancy as a Qualifying Event Act - (passed 1st reading) Councilmember Cheh introduced this legislation in 2019 to enable pregnant women to enroll in health insurance outside of the open enrollment period. Currently, individuals may only enroll in private health insurance programs during the open enrollment period or during what is considered to be a “special enrollment period” that follows a qualifying life event. In the District, qualifying life events include major milestones such as marriage, the loss of insurance, and childbirth. However, this list does not include pregnancy.
- By adding pregnancy as a qualifying life event and eliminating this health care gap, this legislation will help reduce pregnancy-related health risks and improve birth outcomes in the District.
Access to Biosimilars Amendment Act - (passed 1st reading) In nearly every state except the District, pharmacists can substitute a biosimilar for a brand name biologic. Biologic drugs are increasingly prescribed in the United States and across the world to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including various cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and diabetes. These advanced biologic therapies have expanded treatment options for conditions where traditional drugs are ineffective. This legislation allows a pharmacist to substitute a biosimilar for a brand name biologic, therefore providing District residents with improved access to life-saving medication and reducing the overall costs associated with biologics by increasing competition. Councilmember Cheh introduced this legislation last September with a majority of the Council signing on to the bill in support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyone with information on the murder of Davon McNeal, 11, should call the DC Police at: (202) 727-9099. Anonymous information can also be sent to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by texting the number: 50411. |
|
|
|
|
|
New Documentary by Ward 3 Filmmaker Aviva Kempner |
From WTOP - New documentary urges Redskins name change
"Over the Fourth of July weekend, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder announced that the team is undergoing a “formal review” over whether to change the team’s name. It was a stunning reversal for Snyder, who said he would “never” change it...The name change is tackled in the upcoming documentary “Imagining the Indian” by Aviva Kempner..."
Read the Full Story
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Week's COVID-19 Testing Sites & Hours |
|
|
|
|
|
Summer with the Ward 3 Main Streets |
Support Small Businesses - Our Main Streets are an excellent resource for residents looking to support the small business community—an effort that will be especially important as businesses look to recovery from the pandemic's economic downturn. Below are some highlights from our own Ward 3 Main Street network: |
|
The Cleveland Park Main Street
Looking for a spot to dine outdoors? See the Cleveland Park Main Street's round-up of restaurants open for patio service:
Cleveland Park Patio Round-Up
|
|
|
|
|
The Woodley Park Main Street
Woodley Park Main Street businesses are expanding and reopening under Phase Two. Check out our round-up of shops and restaurants that are open indoors as well as an outdoor patio round-up:
Woodley Park's Indoor Shops
Woodley Park Patio Round-Up
|
|
|
|
|
The Van Ness Main Street
New businesses are opening in Forest Hills, such as the Rosemary Bistro Cafe that opens today! For more on the neighborhood's new bistro and other open restaurants, please see:
Van Ness News
|
|
|
|
|
The Tenleytown Main Street
Many businesses in Tenleytown are offering special discounts, offers, and promotions for customers during the month of July:
Tenleytown Special Offers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heat Emergency Resources
Heat emergencies are declared when the District's heat index reaches 92 degrees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numbers to Keep on Hand - We've entered the season where extreme heat will pose a danger to seniors, those in our community who are vulnerable, our neighbors experiencing homelessness, and domestic animals left unattended outdoors or in locked cars.
If you haven't done so already, please add the District's 24/hour Shelter Hotline and Humane Rescue Alliance numbers to your phone so that you are prepared to respond if or when you see a neighbor or an animal in need of immediate assistance:
- Shelter Hotline - (202) 399-7093
- Humane Rescue Alliance - (202) 576-6664
Cooling Sites - Select libraries, recreation centers, and public schools open as cooling sites for residents when a heat emergency is declared in the District. Masks must be worn.
-
The District's Cooling Center Map is available: here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What to Expect as Public Libraries Reopen |
From WJLA -
Midday cleaning closures & quarantined books: What D.C. libraries look like now
"When you return your book to the library that book is not going back on the shelf immediately," said Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the DC Public Library. "It is actually sitting alone for three days."
Visitors are expected to wear a mask and practice social distancing. As for hours, on weekdays libraries are open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Facilities are closed from 2 to 3 p.m. for cleaning."
Read the Full Story
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming DC Bar Event:
What Marriage Story Left Out - Disputes Over Pet Custody
|
A Discussion on Pet Custody - In most households, pets are part of the family. But if a family splits in two, what happens to the dogs, cats, and other beloved animals who lived with the couple?
Councilmember Cheh and other panelists will answer that question in this evolving area of law at an upcoming DC Bar webcast. The panel will discuss pet visitation privileges, the interplay between child and pet custody, drafting a settlement agreement to protect the welfare of family pets, and even creating a “pet-nuptial agreement.” The discussion will also examine the consequences that occur based on the status a state bestows on pets. Given the number of legal and practical challenges, this will be a lively discussion of these fraught, high-stakes proceedings.
DC Bar Webcast Panel Discussion
July 23rd, from 12:00 - 1:30 pm
While DC Bar membership is not required to attend this event, preregistration is. To register, please see the DC Bar's event page: What Marriage Story Left Out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good News: Protests Not Linked with Coronavirus Infections |
|
From DCist -
No Coronavirus Spikes Have Been Linked To D.C. Protests, City Says
"Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt said at a press conference that, so far, no observable coronavirus peak or spike can be attributed to the widespread protests that have been happening across the region (and country) since the end of May...Nesbitt said it can take up to 20 days for changes in community conditions to be accurately reflected in the data. It’s now been about 30 days..."
Read the Full Story
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
The science behind the District's spectacular summer sunsets
|
From the Capital Weather Gang -
Washington’s sunsets lately have been stunning. Here are a few reasons why.
"It’s the time of year when the atmosphere cooperates to produce memorable evening hues: "The D.C. area may see more than its fair share of sublime sunsets, thanks in part to a collection of atmospheric processes that feed off a perfectly sculpted landscape. The orientation of the Blue Ridge, proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and topography of the surrounding land also play a role."
Read the Full Story
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Office is Open!
Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.
You may continue to email the office directly or reach us via phone through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services requests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
