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The Council held a legislative meeting on February 6th. The legislative meeting largely focused on the Restaurant and Revitalization and Dram Shop Clarification Amendment Act of 2024 (DRAM ACT), introduced by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, and the Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act (Secure DC), introduced by Councilmember Brooke Pinto. Both measures were greeted with proposed amendments and concerns by councilmembers.
The Dram Act is intended to support local restaurants by excluding service charges from restaurant sales to calculate rent (in some restaurant leases, the landlord of a restaurant agrees to accept a percentage of sales instead of a flat monthly fee) and defines service charges as charges related to the provision of alcohol. Because of this change in definition and departure from the common understanding of what a service charge is in the restaurant context, restaurants would be permitted to assess a flat fee (usually 20%)to each bill which would be described as a service charge but is not a gratuity. Customers would then pay both a service charge and a gratuity fee, and restaurants would be incentivized to refrain from distributing the “service charges” among restaurant workers. Many of the Councilmembers and various workers rights entities are concerned about enacting policies that may undermine the wages and compensation of restaurant workers, confuse customers regarding “service fees” and where they go, and possibly conflict with a proposed federal rule that may soon be approved which would ban such fees.
The Council's Secure DC bill seeks to crack down on illegal gun possession, lower the bar for retail theft crimes, implement drug-free zones, expand pretrial detention for those who are charged with violent crimes, expansion of DNA collection from suspects, and enhance sentencing among other provisions. Several amendments have been pushed, led by Councilmember McDuffie to eliminate or limit the pretrial detention and the DNA collection provisions. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George introduced an amendment to expedite an expansion of criminal records that are allowed to be expunged. After the accepted amendments, the Secure DC bill passed with vote of 12-0-1 given way for a second vote at the next legislative meeting. Councilmember Trayon White voted present as he had concerns about how this bill will affect the Ward 8 Community.
The Council is still in performance oversight. This week and next week, there will be daily hearings by the various committees to learn more about the agencies under their purview. You can find the calendar here.
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On February 6th, the DC Council voted to advance Secure DC, with Councilmember Trayon White voting "present."The issue of public safety has been at the forefront of our city's concerns for far too long.
The following is a statement from Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.:
"When crime was contained in certain areas of our city, many did not hear our calls for action. We can no longer afford to ignore the issue of crime.
Despite many uncertainties surrounding its effectiveness, the Secure DC legislation is a potential solution. Resorting to mass incarceration has not yielded positive outcomes for our community. Thus, we must strive for a balance where people are held accountable for their actions but with a focus on enhancing prevention efforts and preserving valuable programs, agencies, and non-profit organizations that infuse resources to the community to curb the appetite for crime.
"We have to provide access to jobs and generate wealth opportunities for residents! These are crucial elements for addressing the root causes of crime. The Secure DC legislation is not the only solution to public safety.
"I pledge to work collaboratively with Councilmember Brooke Pinto before the final vote to find a balanced approach to pave the way for a safer and more prosperous future for all residents of our great city," closed Councilmember White.
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PR 25-507, “District of Columbia Sentencing Commission Joel Caston Appointment Resolution of 2024”
On Feburary 6th, Councilmember Trayon White supported Joel Caston's appointment to the District of Columbia Sentencing Commission. The resolution was approved unanimously by the DC Council.
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[Click to Watch]
February 15, 2024
The Committee on Recreation, Libraries & Youth Affairs held a Performance Oversight Hearing on the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.
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February 7, 2024
The Committee on Recreation, Libraries & Youth Affairs held a Performance Oversight Hearing on the DC Public Library.
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Councilmember Trayon White Hosts a Valentine’s Day Social for hundreds of Ward 8 Seniors.
The Ward 8 seniors showed up and showed out at the Ward 8 Senior Valentine’s Social. The event was held at Bald Eagle Recreation Center. It was an unforgettable celebration. From dancing and delicious food to barbers and braiders, hair styling, a resource fair, and hand dancing, it was a day filled with joy and good times. The Office of Councilmember White truly appreciated the presence of our seasoned citizens and looks forward to creating more beautiful memories together.
Special thank you to the following organizations for their support of the event:
- Therme US
- MCN Build
- National Service Contractors
- Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR)
- DPR Director Thennie Freeman
- Margie & Marc at Bald Eagle Recreation Center
- BOAZ Lodge 515
- Father Factor - Cure the Streets
- National Hand Dancing Association
- Capetown DMV
- DC Lottery
- Bluerock Primary Care
- Capital Area Food Bank
- Community of Hope Dental
- D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center
- DC Healthcare Ombudsman and Bill of Rights
- Department of Health Care Finance
- Dept. of Energy and Environment
- Edenbridge PACE
- Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative
- GW Cancer Center
- Martha’s Table
- MedStar Health-CCPN Program
- Office of the Student Advocate
- Preventive Measures
- UnitedHealthcare
- United Planning Organization
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February 1, 2024
Councilmember Trayon White held a special meeting for returning citizens to talk about the next steps in record-sealing policies. All voices matters, and together we can make a difference in our community.
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The Mystery Readers Program at KIPP Elementary School is a fun way to promote a love for reading.
February 15, 2024
Councilmember White's staff had the wonderful opportunity to join Kipp Elementary School as Mystery Readers. Throughout the day, they visited several classrooms and read engaging books to the students. This interactive experience allowed them to connect with the students and foster their imaginations.
The Mystery Reader program at KIPP Elementary School is designed to have one reader per student talent class/teacher. In this format, readers are paired with a student talent teacher from various disciplines such as Art, Computer Science, Physical Education, or Exploration. Students rotate during their scheduled student talent class time, and the readers are provided with the book prior to the day of reading. To make it even more exciting, teachers give students three clues, provided by the mystery reader, to guess their identity before transitioning into the student talent class.
This initiative not only promotes a love for reading but also encourages community engagement within the school.
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Constituent Services Team heads to Hendley Elementary School due to calls of Gas Leak
February 9, 2024
Councilmember White’s Constituent Service team received calls about a gas leak and emergency evacuation at Hendley Elementary School. After speaking with representatives from Washington Gas it was determined that the gas leak was coming from a broken meter outside of the school.
All parents were called to pick up their children on the opposite side of the school. No injuries occurred, and Washington Gas has since replaced the broken meter. Hendley is open and children are safely back in school.
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Updates on the Alabama Avenue SE Corridor Safety Improvements
January 31, 2024
Councilmember White's Constituent Services team met with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) about plans to present preliminary designs aimed at enhancing intersections and ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers within the Alabama Avenue corridor. DDOT is also thrilled to introduce a new interactive website and provide comprehensive details on the Study's public engagement initiatives.
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DC Public School students are considered at risk for human trafficking
January 31, 2024
Constituent Services Specialist Louise Thorne attended a virtual meeting with the Justice Department and Truckers Against Trafficking. The information that was provided is detrimental to everyday living and survival. Forty percent of trafficking victims in the United States are Black. Here are some facts below:
1. 60% of US children trafficked are from low-income families.
2. 63% of labor trafficking victims in the United States identified as Hispanic.
3. 47% of students enrolled in DC Public Schools are considered at risk due to their use of public transportation.
Please Be Mindful of Your Surroundings.
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In First Vote, the Council Approves Secure D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act
Hours before the D.C. Council’s first vote on the Secure D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act, residents, clergypeople, and organizers flooded the fifth floor of the John A. Wilson Building.
Many of them secured their seats as council members, at their monthly breakfast, debated over the comprehensive public safety bill. Once Room 500 reached capacity, several others were directed to Room 412, which served as an overflow room.
Tuesday’s council breakfast opened the door for discussion about DNA collection, pre-trial detention, and drug-free zones. Hours later, the D.C. Council, on its first vote, unanimously approved the bill, with D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) voting present.
The latest version of the bill includes a unanimously approved amendment in the nature of the substitute (ANS) that D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), chairperson of the council’s Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, submitted earlier this week.
Read full article here: https://www.washingtoninformer.com/the-collins-council-report-2/
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[Click to Listen]
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