January 2020

Staff Contacts

Jonathan Willingham

Chief of Staff

[1][email protected]

Michael Porcello

Legislative Director

[2][email protected]

Dee Smith

Deputy Chief of Staff and Constituent Services Director

[3][email protected]

Kelly Whittier

Communications Director

[4][email protected]

Abigail McLean

Special Assistant and Scheduler

[5][email protected]

[6]Submit a Constituent Services Request

Dear Neighbors,

I hope that everyone enjoyed a warm holiday and a happy new year. Tuesday
marked the Council's first Legislative Meeting and Committee of the Whole
Public Hearing of 2020. After which, as I'm sure many of you have already
heard, Councilmember Jack Evans announced his impending [7]resignation from
the Council. As the Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee tasked with investigating
the allegations of his ethical violations and as a member prepared to vote
in favor of his expulsion from the body, it was right of Mr. Evans to
resign. As we have done in the past, while the Board of Elections prepares
for a special election to fill his vacant seat, my and other Council
offices will make ourselves specially available for Ward 2 residents
seeking constituent services and representation on Council matters. This
has been an especially painful and difficult time on the Council, and it is
time for stability to be returned and the public's trust in the integrity
of the body restored.

While these past few months have been busy with the investigation, the
Council's regular business continues and my office has been hard at work
drafting and advancing legislation, reviewing the Mayor's Comprehensive
Plan, fighting to prevent cuts to vital bus routes in Ward 3, and,
importantly, preparing for the upcoming performance oversight season on the
Council. This newsletter briefly touches on the items listed above,
including additional Council work. As always, I hope that you'll remain
engaged with the Council during the upcoming months of [8]performance
oversight so that we may properly evaluate what our agencies are doing
well, what needs to be improved, and how our programs and policies can
better serve our residents.

Regards,

Mary

Comprehensive Plan Update

The Comprehensive Plan, referred to as the Comp Plan, is a 20-year
framework that guides future growth and local development by outlining the
District's vision for land use by taking into account topics such as
economic development, housing, educational facilities, environmental
protection, historic preservation, and transportation. The Comp Plan is
used to guide public services, infrastructure, and capital investments as
well as guiding the use, density, and design of buildings in the District.
Originally adopted in 2006 and amended in 2011, the DC Office of Planning
is conducting an additional revision of the Comp Plan so that it better
reflects the District's current needs and priorities.

In October 2019, the Draft Comp Plan was released for public review and
unfortunately provided a narrow window for feedback. After strong public
push and a letter from Councilmember Cheh requesting an extension to the
public comment period, the period for feedback was extended. Individual
residents will now have until January 10th and Advisory Neighborhood
Commissions (ANCs) will have until February 14th to submit comments on the
Draft Comp Plan. As the deadline for individual feedback is tomorrow, if
you feel as though you do not have time to prepare a submission, please
share your comments with your local [9]ANC representative.

Next Steps:
* Once the comment period has ended, the DC Office on Planning will
conduct a thorough review of the submissions and will release a final
version of its Comp Plan proposal.
* That version of the Comp Plan will be submitted to the Council as a
bill.
* As with any legislation, the Council will follow the normal legislative
process with public hearings, a markup, and the opportunity to make
amendments to the Comp Plan. This hearing process will provide residents
with an additional opportunity to provide feedback, voice concerns, and
make suggestions on the Comp Plan.
* The Council will make any necessary amendments to the plan, vote on it,
and then submit the final plan to the Mayor for adoption.

For more information on the Draft Comp Plan and access to maps detailing
proposed changes, please see: [10]PLANDC.DC.GOV.

Strong Community Partners

Above: (Left) For her work in solar energy policy, GRID Alternatives
Mid-Atlantic presented Councilmember Cheh with an Environmental Champion
Award. GRID Mid-Atlantic works to provide solar energy to low-income
residents and leads the District's solar installation workforce training
program. (Center) Councilmember Cheh had a great discussion with the
District's Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alumnae Chapter on their legislative
priorities and the Councilmember's efforts to reduce discriminatory dress
code policies within the education system. (Left) Councilmember Cheh and
staff joined a cycling site visit with the Washington Area Bicyclist
Association to discuss safety issues along the 14th Street Streetscape
Project.

Legislative Update: A Focus on Health

Expanding Health Insurance Access for Pregnant Women: Councilmember Cheh
introduced legislation 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.

“If we are to address the District’s significant disparities in maternal
and infant health, then we need to eliminate the barriers women face in
accessing early and consistent prenatal care—and access to health insurance
is critical. By eliminating this health care gap, this legislation will
help reduce pregnancy-related health risks and improve birth outcomes in
the District,” said Councilmember Cheh.

A copy of the "Pregnancy as a Qualifying Event Act of 2019" is available:
[11]Here.

Public Hearing on Vaping: On January 2nd, the Judiciary Committee held a
hearing on a number of bills aimed at curbing youth vaping and addiction to
electronic tobacco products. Of the bills considered was Councilmember
Cheh's legislation to prohibit the sale or distribution of any flavored
electronic smoking devices, such as flavored e-cigarettes, flavored
e-liquids, and flavored e-cigars. To watch the hearing and debate, please
use the following link: [12]Judiciary Committee Hearing, January 2, 2020.

For news coverage on hearing, see [13]The Washington Post and [14]WTOP.

In the News:

Waste Dive- New Zero Waste Bill Would Have Major Implications for
Composting and Recycling

"Waste generation has harmful effects on our environment, health, and
safety, Cheh said...In D.C., our waste is often just hauled away, leaving
residents free to avoid worrying about it. She hopes her bill will change
that by "improving our waste management system from multiple angles" and by
dramatically shifting the District's handling of waste...

[15]Read the Full Story

Legislative Update: Protecting the District's Animals

Animal Care and Control Omnibus Act: Joined by Councilmembers Todd and
Bonds, Councilmember Cheh recently introduced legislation that will make
several important changes to the manner in which the District cares for and
protects domestic animals and pets, how the District supports the animal
control agency, the Humane Rescue Alliance, as well as enhancing the way
that the Humane Rescue Alliance is able to respond to life-threatening
animal-related emergencies.

“This omnibus legislation responds to multiple issues—including how family
pets are dealt with in a contentious divorce and the need to codify the
practice that local pet stores only sell cats and dogs that come from
rescue organizations or local shelters. And, perhaps most importantly, it
re-introduces language to classify animal control vehicles as emergency
response vehicles. Being one of the most prosperous and progressive
communities in the country, the District of Columbia should embrace any and
every opportunity to adopt a compassion-based approach to animal management
and care, and I’m eager to see this legislation passed,” said Councilmember
Cheh.

For more on the bill's specific provisions, please see: [16]Animal Care and
Control Omnibus.

An Honor from Friendship Place

Above: Friendship Place's President/CEO Jean-Michel Giraud presented
Councilmember Cheh with the Community Leadership Award at the 22nd Annual
Benjamin E. Cooper Awards Ceremony. [17]Friendship Place is a beloved Ward
3 organization dedicated to ending homelessness. In addition to providing
vital services and innovative programming that empowers participants to
rebuild their lives, reconnect with the community, and find employment,
Friendship Place has secured housing for 1,640 residents, including 572
children and 355 veterans.

In the News:

WTOP- DC is expected to expand ban on plastic foam-type products

..."This polystyrene foam, or Styrofoam, is a very, very awful product for
the environment. It gets into the waterways; it adversely affects wildlife.
And once if gets in the food chain...is a risk to human health as well,"
said D.C, Councilmember Mary Cheh...

[18]Read the Full Story

Recognizing Community Health, Wellness, and Safety

Above: (Top Row) (Left) Councilmember Cheh cheered on the [19]Girls on the
Run athletes as they completed their fall 5k race. (Center) The Major
League Baseball World Series trophy visited the Wilson Building last week
in celebration of of the Washington Nationals becoming the 2019 World
Series Champions. (Right) Councilmember Cheh met with the [20]DC Food
Project to discuss increasing access to healthy foods and reducing waste in
DCPS schools. (Bottom Row) (Left) Councilmember Cheh joined her colleagues
David Grosso and Charles Allen to announce the two year window for victims
of sexual abuse to file civil claims even if they were previously
time-barred under a previous statute of limitations. For more on this
reporting window, please see the following [21]Press Release. (Left Center)
Councilmember Cheh with Leona Agouridis after the ribbon cutting of the
[22]Golden Triangle BID's latest urban rain garden. (Center Right)
Councilmember Cheh speaking at the press conference with [23]Stop Buyin' It
activists on the local effort to reduce sugary drink consumption. (Right)
After holding a hearing on the District's Snow Readiness Plan,
Councilmember Cheh inspects agency snow removal equipment. The machine
pictured clears snow and ice from sidewalks and bike lanes.

Introducing the

Glover Park Main Street

Ward 3's newest Main Street has officially launched! As the 5th Main Street
Program established by funding secured by Councilmember Cheh, the
[24]Glover Park Main Street will coordinate with local businesses to
support, revitalize, and enhance the Glover Park commercial corridor.
Follow the Main Street on social media to learn more about the organization
and its efforts to revitalize the neighborhood:
* Twitter: [25]@gloverparkmain
* Instagram: [26]@welovegloverpk
* Facebook: [27]@gloverparkmain

[28]Glover Park Main Street

Help Councilmember Cheh fight WMATA's proposed bus cuts in Ward 3

The recently released Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
(WMATA) fiscal year 2021 budget proposal includes thirteen recommendations
to eliminate bus routes in the District, seven of which would directly
affect Ward 3.

Specifically, the draft budget recommends eliminating the 30N, 30S, 37, D1,
D2, D5, E6, and M4 bus routes.

Councilmember Cheh has already met with Paul Wiedefeld, WMATA's General
Manager, to express her objection to the changes and is working with the
District's representative on the WMATA Board, Stephanie Gidigbi.

While the schedule has not yet been released, WMATA will hold hearings and
receive public testimony on its budget in the upcoming weeks. Councilmember
Cheh will testify in defense of these bus routes before the board and
encourages residents to begin drafting testimony detailing how these
service cuts harm public transportation options for residents. While not
all may be able to testify in person, a robust written record will
demonstrate the need to maintain these routes in the Ward.

For the complete draft budget, please see: [29]WMATA FY2021 Budget

In the News:

Agritecture- DC set to become 3rd major US city to hire a Director of Urban
Agriculture

...It was Councilmember Mary Cheh -a strong local food system advocate- who
successfully led efforts earlier this spring to identify funding and pass
new legislation for the creation of an Office of Urban Agriculture...

[30]Read the Full Story

[31]Facebook [32]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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