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Coronavirus Update: the Budget, 4th of July, & Summer Bridge
Dear Neighbors,
On Monday the full Council engaged in a virtual budget work session to discuss our individual committee budgets, concerns, and ideas for further improvements to the District's Fiscal Year 2021 Budget. While you are welcome to watch the work session's recording (be forewarned, the meeting lasted over 8 hours), one great resource from the budget work session is the Council Committee Budget Review Power Point presentation that provides succinct account of what the Council is funding and modified in this year's budget. From my committee, I would like to highlight our restoration of funding cuts made to a number of healthy food access programs for vulnerable children, including restoring reimbursements to the free school breakfast program, the Healthy Schools Act fund, and the Healthy Tots Program. It is unconscionable to me that the Executive's budget would cut these vital food resources in the middle of a pandemic, but it is important to note that they will continue due to Council intervention. We were also able to restore the funding for City Wildlife and Humane Rescue Alliance services, fund environmental literacy programs for children, support urban farming efforts, and, of course, maintain funding for local road repair and infrastructure maintenance. I'm also greatly looking forward to the creation of a new Chevy Chase Main Street to help revitalize the Chevy Chase commercial corridor and support the neighborhood's small business community. In the meantime, the Council will continue to further fine-tune the budget over the next week and will hold our first budget vote on Tuesday, July 7th.
We are now in July, and I wanted to note some important Pride Month milestones that occurred in June. Last month saw a Supreme Court ruling in support of LGBTQ+ workers, worldwide virtual celebrations amid the pandemic, and greater recognition of our country's LGBTQ+ leaders of color. At the local level, the Council is poised to create one of the nation's first workforce development programs for transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming District residents. And there is perhaps no better way to continue the celebration of Pride than to show love and appreciation for our LGBTQ+ community throughout the year, and to continue our support of the local organizations who are working so hard to keep moving the dial towards equality, safety, and acceptance.
Regards,
Mary
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Above: The finishing touches are being added to the District's first permanent Progress Pride crosswalk. For more on this art installation, please scroll to the 'Happy News' section at the end of this newsletter. |
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Summer Bridge Program for Grades 3, 6, & 9 |
Summer Bridge - Summer Bridge 2020 is an opportunity for students to attend their school ahead of the new year and re-acclimate to learning in the classroom after learning at home this past spring. Students entering 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades will engage in a variety of academic and social-emotional learning activities designed to prepare them for success as they transition to a new grade level or school building. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day. Students will be introduced to new health protocols, including social distancing, and masks will be provided daily.
Summer Bridge will take place in-person at schools for two weeks as long as health conditions permit from 9 am to 1 pm:
- Monday, August 10th to Thursday, August 13th
- Monday, August 17th to Thursday, August 20th
The deadline to sign-up for the optional Summer Bridge program is July 6th. Students who are entering grades 3, 6, or 9 in 2020-2021 can register for Summer Bridge at this link. If you have questions, please contact your school principal or email [email protected].
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Historic Advancement of DC Statehood |
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From The Washington Post -
D.C. statehood approved by U.S. House for first time in history
"For the first time since the establishment of the District of Columbia 230 years ago, the House of Representatives voted to declare the city to be the nation’s 51st state, a legislative milestone that supporters say begins to right historical wrongs."
Read the Full Story
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Great News from the DC Green Bank |
Environmentalism in Action - The DC Green Bank, the independent District authority created to accelerate deployment of affordable private and public capital for the clean energy economy, has officially partnered with the leading sustainable and DC-based firm Flywheel Development to fund its Solar For All installations in 2020 – a re-roofing and solar development effort focused on Wards 7 and 8 and backed by $3.2 million in solar assets.
“By funding these projects we will not only help save DC residents millions in utility bills through the construction of nearly 1 megawatt of solar energy, reducing emissions by 1,100 tons of carbon dioxide annually, we are also creating jobs for residents and collaborative partnerships to help the District thrive,“ Hopson said.
Read the Full Story
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Small Businesses Resources: Legal Advice & a $5,000 Tax Credit |
Apply for Property Tax Relief - The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) has reported that 2,500 small businesses have not filed a District franchise tax return to claim the Small Retailer Property Tax Relief Credit. The credit, of up to $5,000, is available for tax years 2018 and 2019 to eligible small retailers who had a sales tax account with OTR and federal gross receipts of $2.5 million or less during those years and are current on all District tax obligations.
If an eligible small retailer did not claim the credit on its 2018 District franchise tax return, it is not too late to file a return claiming the credit. For 2019, the deadline to file a return is July 15th, 2020.
Small Business Legal Advice Available - On July 2nd, the DC Bar Pro Bono Center will provide free legal advice to entrepreneurs and small business owners. These remote and brief legal consultations will last up to 45 minutes. To register for this clinic, please click: here. If you need legal assistance but are unavailable on the 2nd, you may request legal assistance through the DC Bar's Pro Bono Center. The Pro Bono Center may ask for additional information about your small business's legal needs to ensure that you are connected with the most appropriate attorney.
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Paid Family Leave Program Launches Today! |
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From DCist - D.C.’s Paid Family Leave Program Gets Final Go-Ahead To Launch July 1
"The city’s chief financial officer has certified that the program, which would give employees of D.C. businesses up to eight weeks of paid parental leave, has enough funding to move forward on July 1...In addition to the eight weeks of paid leave for a parent of a new child, the program provides six weeks of paid leave for individuals caring for a sick family member and two weeks for personal medical issues."
Read the Full Story
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Celebrating the 4th of July Safely |
Virtual Palisades Parade - This Independence Day will simply not be the same without the Palisades Citizens' Association's (PCA) 4th of July Parade & Picnic. However, the PCA will continue to celebrate the holiday and Palisades community with a virtual parade featuring photos and memories of past parades and community events. Please keep an eye out on the PCA website and social media page for the virtual celebration.
A Socially Distanced Independence Day - This 4th of July, the Mayor is asking residents to celebrate the holiday at home, or close to home, and in small groups. Large gatherings remain a high risk activity and, as with other holidays, we will have more 4th of Julys, but we only have one opportunity to respond to this pandemic. All of us share a special responsibility to protect one another and our most vulnerable neighbors:
- Please wear a mask when outside of your home
- Maintain six feet of space between you and others
- Choose activities wisely
- If you are hosting an event or party, keep a list of your guests in the event that it is needed for contact tracing
District Agency Operations - On Friday, July 3rd, the District Government will observe the 4th of July holiday. While some services will be affected, many District employees will continue serving to maintain essential District operations or modified operations:
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Low-barrier shelters will remain open and families or individuals seeking access to homeless services should call 311 or the DC Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093
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The District’s COVID-19 testing sites and call center will be closed on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th
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The Department of Employment Services Navigation Call Center will be closed. Residents are encouraged to file unemployment insurance claims online
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School Meal Sites and Grocery Distribution Sites will be closed and reopen on Monday, July 6th
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All Department of Motor Vehicles locations will be closed on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th. Online DMV services remain available, and customers are encouraged to use online options by visiting dmv.dc.gov
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All DC Public Libraries will be closed on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th
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The DC Department of Public Works will observe the July 4th holiday (Saturday) and trash and recycling collections will be made on Friday, July 3rd. Please note: collection schedules will not slide
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The Circulator will operate from 6 am – 9 pm (riders are required to wear masks or face coverings) and service on the National Mall route is suspended
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Public Murals for DC Statehood |
From WJLA - D.C. commissions 51 murals in a week in lead-up to statehood vote
Mayor Bowser commissioned #MuralsDC51, a project to create 51 murals across all eight wards. The art represents motifs ranging from statehood, to social justice to Black history. This project was coordinated through the popular Murals D.C. program that is part of the Department of Public Works.
Read the Full Story
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PPE & Wipes Are Clogging Local Pipes |
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From WUSA9 -
PPE, disinfectant wipes are clogging up D.C. toilets. Stop flushing them.
"In the last couple of months, workers have also seen PPE, such as gloves and masks, coming into the water treatment facilities...WSSC Water has seen a 17-ton increase in wipes coming into water treatment facilities during March and April this year compared to the same time in 2019."
Watch the Full Story
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Safety Measures at the DMV |
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Safely Visiting the DMV - Many residents are in need of Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) services, but many are concerned about safely accessing the DMV during the pandemic. DMV Director Gabriel Robinson has provided the following information on the agency's safety measures for the public and DMV staff:
During Phase II, we are not operating as usual. With the changes below, everyone that comes to the DMV will be served in an environment that is suitable for a senior. Here are some of the changes:
- No one can visit the DMV without an appointment
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Since we are on an appointment based system, we do not have a waiting room. Meaning no crowd at all
- We allow the public inside the building only at their appointment time. So as soon as you walk in, you’ll go straight to a window to be processed
- We are only allowing the person receiving the DMV service inside the building. No additional people are allowed unless someone is disabled or a senior in need of an escort
- All customers and employees must wear a mask or facial covering inside the building
- DMV has installed a sneeze guard between our employees and all customers
- The DMV disinfects clipboards and pens after every use
- We ensure social distancing with floor markers
- We’ve installed hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the service area for customer and employee use
Again, everyone that visits the DMV will use an environment built with a senior in mind. I hope this information helps as you make you decision to make an appointment or not. Stay Safe.
-Gabriel Robinson
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How to Safely Exercise During the Pandemic |
From NPR - Masks & The Outdoor Exerciser: Advice For Runners, Bikers, Walkers, Hikers
"The experts I spoke to all said wearing a mask is a good thing. Now you probably don't think you have the coronavirus if you feel good enough to exercise. But some people are asymptomatic – they never show symptoms – or presymptomatic – sick but not yet feeling it. A mask will protect others by blocking respiratory droplets you breathe out that can carry viral particles. A mask with a tight weave (i.e., you can't see the sunlight through the fabric) and multiple layers may give you a measure of protection as well by preventing you from inhaling viral particles expelled by someone who's infectious.
The exception for mask-wearing might be if you're 100% certain you won't come within 12 feet of any human, my sources did note..."
Read the Full Story
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AARP: Seniors Matter in the Census |
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Metro Operations on the 4th of July |
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Metro Extends Service - The Mayor encourages everyone to celebrate the 4th of July at home. Should you nevertheless be downtown, the Metro will extend service at selected stations following the Salute to America fireworks display on the National Mall. For the safety of Metro's workforce and riders, Metro requires the wearing of cloth face coverings or masks while on the system, including all stations, platforms, trains, and buses.
On the 4th of July:
- Metrorail will open at 8 am with a "Covid-19 weekend schedule" during daytime hours
- More frequent service will begin on all lines at approximately 4 pm to accommodate the Salute to America event on the National Mall
- Certain stations near the National Mall will remain open for "entry only" for 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fireworks display
- After 9 pm, most other stations will only be available for "exit only"
- Metro will continue to run trains on all lines, in both directions until all customers have been accommodated
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
The District's Progress Pride Crosswalk
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From LGBTQ Nation -
Trans & POC inclusive rainbow crosswalk installed in D.C.
"The nation’s capital has installed a rainbow crosswalk that uses the colors of the transgender flag and black and brown stripes in time for Pride month.
A rainbow was lain down at the crosswalk of 17th and P Streets NW in D.C. At one end of the rainbow was a rainbow made up of pink, light blue, white, brown, and black stripes, representing the transgender flag and people of color."
Read the Full Story
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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.
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