Greetings Ward 8 Residents,

I have worked tirelessly with my Council colleagues to fund the priorities of our city and residents. I would like to thank all the Councilmembers and staff for their diligent work throughout this budget season. The Council will continue its investments in housing by allocating $50 million in the capital budget to continue performing critical and long-overdue repairs to DCHA’s public housing complexes.

To view the complete FY 2021 Local Budget Act of 2020 visit: [link removed]

The funded budget highlights are as follows:

Health
* New $383.7 million capital project to build a state-of-the-art community hospital and ambulatory care facility on the St. Elizabeths campus. This health system will help eliminate health access disparities that pervade Wards 7 and 8.

* Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. added $300,000 for the Department of Behavioral Health to enhance Mobile Mental Health Community Outreach response to critical incidents.

Housing
* $88 million in FY21 to subsidize the creation of over 600 new units of affordable housing projects.
* $50 million in the capital budget to continue performing critical and long-overdue repairs to DCHA’s public housing complexes.
* $6.05 million to create approximately 301 new units of housing for extremely low-income families and individuals through the DC Housing Authority (DCHA)’s Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP).
* $1.07 million in the Housing Preservation Fund at DHCD for flexible acquisition and predevelopment financing for projects that preserve existing affordable housing in the District.
* $1.05 million to DCHA to create 43 new LRSP Tenant-Based vouchers. This enhancement includes 18 vouchers for returning citizens, 15 vouchers for seniors, and 10 vouchers for seniors who identify as LGBTQ.
* $1 million to support the transition for returning citizens for a reentry housing pilot program at OVSJG and $468,009 to the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) for 18 units of Local Rent Supplement (LRSP) Tenant-Based vouchers for returning citizens. The Council also provides $300,000 for community-based reentry grants and $10,000 to the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen Affairs for public engagement.

Public Safety
* $3.5 million to fill the D.C. SAFE Space Crisis shelter’s financing gap for a new emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their families.
* $1.25 million to ONSE for violence prevention and intervention contracts. The Council also adds $200,000 for the Cure the Streets program at OAG.
* $568,000 restored for the successful Paralegal Fellowship pilot program. The program places returning citizen students in a university-based paralegal certification program.
* $225,992 for services for incarcerated persons who are either District residents in federal custody or individuals imprisoned under the District’s custody. This enhancement includes $145,992 and 2 FTEs to the Corrections Information Council.
* The Council provides $500,000 for the Police Reform Commission, as established in the “Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2020.”

Education
* In FY 2021, the at-risk weight will provide over $100 million for targeted support to vulnerable students.
* Bard High School Early College DC plans to move to Ward 8 and $80.2 million is allocated for the new modernization for the school.
* A 3 percent increase to the Uniform Per-Student Funding Formula which results in an increase of $76.9 million for D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and $35.8 million for charter schools is occurring in FY21.
* $6.3 million to begin design for the modernization of Ketcham Elementary School
* The Council directs $300,000 to increase the at-risk weight to provide greater support to students in need in both DCPS and the charter sector.

Seniors
* $8.9 million to complete the Ward 8 Senior Wellness Center project

Recreation and Community
* $18.7 million to design, develop, and construct a new Douglas Recreation Center to serve the immediate community needs.
* $13 million to continue commitment to expand and renovate the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center



Regards,

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8



** Quick Links
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* Learn more about COVID-19 testing sites available in the District. ([link removed])
* COVID-19 Specimen Submission Guidelines ([link removed])
* What's Open in Phase II? : [link removed]
* See Plans for New Hospital ([link removed])

Announcements ()
COVID-19 TESTING CLOSED FOR FORECASTED WEATHER
All Firehouse is canceled due to forecasted weather conditions.
And all testing locations will be closed on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

Term One for DCPS students will begin on Monday, August 31st, and will be held virtually for all students

Term 1: Monday, August 31 – Friday, November 6, 2020
Visit DCPSReopenStrong.com ([link removed][0]=AT1tlqV6NKktFtTmBprIBug8UTBJyMHBaIMHlaGIyDk07PlW8IBSChr_TAvDqUVcxsJREga7cCFCBCcYg-mCISywVmHVEMsrYFTl3tSbX93zKWV09bhn8Ae1cBS25ojyhZfXcI9dthPgacXNuxOU7Q) to learn more.
READ EVERY SLIDE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
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Are You Worried About Housing? ()
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Around the Council ()

Council Wraps Up Budget Season, Expands Voting Options for November Election

With a unanimous second of two necessary votes in support of the Budget Support Act (BSA) at its most recent Legislative Meeting, the Council wrapped up this year’s annual (though shortened, and first-of-its-kind virtual) budget season.

However, during these uncertain COVID times more than ever, it is important to remember that each quarter, when the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) releases revised revenue estimates, this can impact previously-balanced budgets. In recent years, revenue estimates often underestimated revenue, which then allowed for additional spending or savings. But, given the impact of COVID on our local economy, a revised revenue estimate could lead to a shortfall that needs to be addressed through budget cuts, new replacement revenue, or a combination of the two. Revised revenue estimates are released by the CFO in late February, June, September, and December. Because of the onset of the COVID pandemic this year, a special revenue estimate was released in late April instead of in June. With the next estimate expected in late August, there will be a four-month interval between estimates instead of the usual three.

The BSA, which passed the Council on the first vote, July 7, is designed to include legislative changes embodied in the more dollars-and-cents Local Budget Act. That bill received its second and final approval at the Council’s prior Legislative Meeting. Included in the final version of the BSA were provisions to:
* Extend the current rent control law for ten more years (though discussions continue for further reform).
* Provide tax incentives for the construction of affordable housing in neighborhoods where it is particularly unaffordable.
* Expand eligibility for a COVID-era cash grant measure, administered via Events DC, so that it covers other informal/cash economy workers who are excluded from receiving Unemployment Insurance and other government benefits.
* Permanently rename the October holiday previously known as “Columbus Day” as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day”.
* Require (with limited exceptions) charter school meetings to comply with the Open Meetings Act.
* Create an expiring, but renewable, term of office for the Chief of Police.
* Ban any expenditures by Events DC to persuade the Washington Football Team to return to RFK Stadium or to purchase the stadium site.

In other actions at the most recent Legislative Meeting, the Council unanimously supported an expansion of voting for the upcoming November election. The bill requires the Board of Elections to open a minimum of 80 polling places (up from the 40 that were open during the primaries). Additionally, the bill requires that a vote-by-mail ballot be sent to every registered voter, along with a postage-paid return envelope. Finally, the bill requires the Board of Elections to open a voting center for incarcerated individuals, who were re-enfranchised by recent Council actions.

Another measure that passed at the most recent meeting provides local businesses with economies-of-scale access to Personal Protective Equipment for their employees, helping to bring down costs as they meet the terms of the Mayor’s Orders on COVID. The bill also protects workers from COVID-related retaliation by employers.

The Council’s next Legislative Meeting is scheduled for September 22.
In Case You Missed It ()
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[WATCH] Final FY21 Budget Session

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CLICK TO WATCH

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A conversation with DOES on clarity on the process of DC Unemployment Claims and their response to questions raised by residents.

Metrobus Service Changes Starting August ()
Click this link to see route operating schedule:
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Please Sign Up To Testify At DC Water's Rates Public Hearing 2020 ()
Written testimony should be emailed to: [email protected]
Watching The Curve ()


** Coronavirus Data for August 2, 2020
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Monday, August 3, 2020

(Washington, DC) - The District’s reported data for Sunday, August 2, 2020 includes 39 new positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, bringing the District’s overall positive case total to 12,313.

The District reported no additional COVID-19 related deaths.

Tragically, 586 District residents have lost their lives due to COVID-19.

Visit coronavirus.dc.gov/data ([link removed]) for interactive data dashboards or to download COVID-19 data.
Click here to find a testing site in your area ([link removed])


Are you thinking about getting tested for COVID-19? The District is hosting several free testing sites – no appointment needed! Learn more and find a testing site near you, needatestgetatest.com ([link removed])
Who To Contact In Constituent Services ()
Constituent Services Team Areas of Responsibility
Ward 8 residents experiencing issues or have related concerns with a particular government agency should email the Constituent Service representative that manages that government agency.For additional questions or concerns please call our office at 202-724-8045.
Louise Thorne: [email protected]
DC Public Schools
DC Housing Authority/ Department of Human Services
Utilities: Pepco, DC Water, Washington Gas
Office of the State Superintendent of Education

Eric Cleckley: [email protected]
District Department of Transportation
Department of Public Works
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Department of Energy and Environment

Wendy Glenn: [email protected]
Department of Employment Services
Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
DCACL
ERCPCP/ACC Faith Leaders

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