July 8, 2020

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

Please see [1]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [2]marycheh.com or by
emailing [3][email protected]

Alice Deal Alumna wins #iMask4DC Competition

[4]

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 [5]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: [6][link removed].

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 [7]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 [8]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 [9]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 [10]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

[11]

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 [12]“Imagining the Indian” by Aviva Kempner..."

[13]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:

[14]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:

[15]Woodley Park's Indoor Shops

[16]Woodley Park Patio Round-Up

The Van Ness Main Street

New businesses are opening in Forest Hills, such as the [17]Rosemary Bistro
Cafe that opens today! For more on the neighborhood's new bistro and other
open restaurants, please see:

[18]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:

[19]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 [20]Shelter Hotline and [21]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: [22]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."

[23]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 [24]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:
[25]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..."

[26]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."

[27]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 [28]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.

[29]Facebook [30]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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