February 8, 20218

Ward 3 Update: Getting Back to Business

Dear Neighbors,

In the past month, we have experienced an insurrection, inauguration, a
challenging vaccine rollout, the region's first significant winter storm,
and the first day of in-person learning for thousands of local students.
Ward 3 newsletters of the past year have largely focused on coronavirus
resources and response efforts, but this update will focus on some of the
other regular government operations that residents should be aware of for
the upcoming year. One such operation has been the release of the
District's annual financial audit, the [1]Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report (CAFR), which presents a summary of the District's financial
standing and identifies current economic indicators that signal future
fiscal challenges.

The 2020 CAFR demonstrates that the District is, overall, and despite the
many setbacks of the pandemic, financially healthy. The District received
$133 million more in revenue last year than was anticipated (with the
majority of that amount coming from tax revenue) and maintained its AAA
bond rating. Combined with spending reductions across the government that
were made in anticipation of a financial setback, the District actually
ended Fiscal Year 2020 with over $550 million in surplus funds. While it is
good news that the District is in a strong economic position to recover
from the pandemic, it is undeniable that this significant surplus confirms
that more money could have gone toward enhancing essential services and
critical supports for our struggling residents and business community.

The other central conclusion of the 2020 CAFR is that the economic
recession has significantly exacerbated economic disparities between
District residents. While the income of our highest earners actually
increased in the past year (individual income tax revenue increased by 3.4%
and corporate franchise tax revenue increased by 13.3%), unemployment has
risen to 8.7% with unemployment claims rising by 309% in the past year.
During this time, the hospitality industry lost over 43% of the sector’s
jobs. Sales tax revenues have also decreased by 22%. And yet still the
District ended the fiscal year with the largest surplus of recent memory.
If the CAFR serves as a reflection of what's happening in the District's
economy, it is telling us that the disparity between our highest and lowest
earners is vast and that our highest earners are doing very well, such that
they are able to offset the tax revenue losses of multiple sectors, even
during a recession.

Ultimately, the reality of the District's strong finances is at odds with
the projections made by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)
last year. At the time, and without knowledge of how much the District
would receive in federal assistance, it would have been impossible to
accurately project the financial outcome of the past year. However, we
depend on these projections when allocating the District's budget, and
surplus funds should never sit idle when we have great needs to be met. The
results of the 2020 CAFR will help influence the District's budget
priorities for the upcoming year, and I will keep residents updated as that
process moves forward and the District moves toward true economic
recovery—for everyone.

Regards,

Mary

CAFR Note: Please click [2]here for the full report, [3]here for the
Council's hearing footage, and [4]here for CFO DeWitt's
testimony/presentation at the CAFR hearing.

Please see [5]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

The Public Health Emergency has been extended through March 31st, 2021

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [6]marycheh.com

Performance Oversight Season has Begun

Performance Oversight - The Council's Performance Oversight season will
begin this week. This weeks-long oversight process offers members of the
Council and the public to directly question and comment on agency
performance over the past year and offer recommendations for improvements
ahead of the budget process.

The full performance oversight hearing schedule is available here:
[7]2020-2021 Performance Oversight Schedule. The schedule link also
provides guidance for the public on how to testify at this year's virtual
public oversight hearings and/or submit written testimony to the
appropriate committee.

2021 DC Food Policy Council Priorities

Fighting Hunger & Food Insecurity - The DC Food Policy Council has
identified three top priorities to help make the District's food system
more equitable, healthy, and sustainable in 2021. The Food Policy Council's
working groups have created specific strategies to help accomplish each
priority and invite all who care about the DC food system to [8]join them
in their work!

A broad outline of these priorities is listed in the the following report:
[9]2021 Food Policy Council Priorities.

A Regional Food Focus - A new food and agriculture committee [10]launched
by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of
Directors last fall has identified its priorities, which include:
addressing food insecurity, supporting small farmers, and building on
previous work to strengthen the region's food system.

The Food and Agricultural Regional Member Ad Hoc (FARM) Committee, Chaired
by Councilmember Cheh, outlined these priorities and provided feedback on
federal nutrition programs in a [11]letter to the USDA transition team.

New Tool to Help Visualize the District's Crash Data

Visualizing Vision Zero - The District Department of Transportation (DDOT)
has created a 'Fatal and Injury Crashes' dashboard that maps local crashes
that result in an injury or fatality. The database offers information back
to 2017 and can be adjusted by Ward, ANC boundary, severity of the crash,
and the mode of transportation involved in the crash (i.e. driver,
bicyclist, pedestrian, and passenger).
* To access the database, please see:[12] Vision Zero Traffic Fatalities
& Injury Crashes

FONZ Membership News

FONZ - Sadly, after 63 years of service, the Friends of the National Zoo
(FONZ) organization is dissolving due to financial strain caused by the
pandemic.

FONZ members have provided incredible support to the National Zoo and are
often the Zoo's best champions. And, to continue that good work, the
National Zoo is creating its own membership program and will help
transition FONZ members to this new platform:
[13][link removed].

Thank you to the over 30,000 FONZ members who have supported the National
Zoo all these years!

In Case You Missed It in Local News:
* [14]The Capitol fence meant D.C. couldn’t enact laws. Vice President
Harris’s office stepped in. (The Washington Post)
* [15]D.C. To Begin Long-Awaited Revamp Of Rock Creek Park Bike Path
(DCist)
* [16]Thousands Of National Guard Troops To Remain In D.C. Through
March[17] (DCist)
* [18]D.C. police sent 850 officers to the Capitol during insurrection,
spent $8.8 million during week of Jan. 6 (The Washington Post)
* [19]One Mask Is Good. Would Two Be Better? (The New York Times)
* [20]Here’s the deal with Alice Deal and the middle school named in her
honor (The Washington Post)
* [21]Here are the Democrats who haven’t co-sponsored the DC statehood
bill (Washingtonian)

Finding Strength Through the Pandemic with Girls on the Run

[22]

From the Forest Hills Connection - Girls on the Run has kept girls running
for fun and for their health throughout the pandemic

“We’ve been on computers a lot lately, but Girls on the Run is one thing I
look forward to most during the week. I’ve met new people, made memories,
and learned strategies that I’ll use in everyday life for a long time. The
thing from Girls on the Run I use most is when we learned about pressing
pause and how pressing pause can help change an outlook for the better.”

[23]Read the Full Story

Help GOTR Provide Safe Practices this Spring - Girls on the Run is offering
virtual and in-person program options this spring. In order to have a safe
and fun season, GOTR provides coaches with extra PPE and sanitation
materials. Residents can help provide extra PPE to Girls on the Run through
their Amazon Wish List: [24]Helping Provide a Safe & Fun Season!

Resident Input Wanted: 4 Surveys to Help Improve DC

[25]

Outdoor Dining Survey - The Office of Planning (OP) is looking to assess
the outdoor dining program launched last year to determine whether the
program should continue once the public health emergency is over.

Restaurants participating in the outdoor dining program (or "streateries")
repurposed street and sidewalk space to expand outdoor dining options as a
safer alternative to indoor dining.

To share your input on the program, please take the following survey
(available until February 14th) : [26]Outdoor Dinning Survey.

[27]

Ready2Play Survey - Share your vision for the future of the Department of
Parks and Recreation (DPR) through the Ready2Play Citywide Survey.

[28]Ready2Play is DPR's strategic master plan and its goals and priorities
are informed by resident feedback. This could mean calling for more
accessible play equipment, additional dog parks, increasing field space,
more senior programming —the Ready2Play plan is built by and for District
residents.

The survey will remain open until March 1st: [29]Ready2Play.

[30]

Carbon Free DC Survey - The District has long been a leader in progressive
planning around [31]sustainability, [32]climate, and [33]energy, and has
recently committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

This [34]2050 carbon neutrality target is the next critical step toward
creating a green, vibrant, and resilient city for future generations.

To share your environmental priorities and vision for 2050, please take
the [35]Carbon Free DC Survey.

[36]

MoveDC Survey - MoveDC is the District's long-range transportation plan
that establishes goals, policies, strategies, and metrics for District
Department of Transportation (DDOT). DDOT is seeking input from all
residents to ensure that the agency's long-term plan reflects the needs and
priorities of District residents. To take the survey, please see:
[37]MoveDC.

Virtual Town Halls - DDOT is hosting two virtual town halls (details
[38]here) to present the current MoveDC plan:

Tuesday, February 9, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Thursday, February 11, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Applications Now Open - Summer Youth Employment Program

Telework this Summer - Applications are now open for the 2021 Mayor Marion
S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP). District youth between
the ages of 14 and 24 are encouraged to apply online at
[39]summerjobs.dc.gov. Applications will be accepted until Saturday,
February 27, 2021.
* In 2020, MBSYEP was able to continue during the pandemic by going
online and providing six weeks of telework experience for approximately
9,000 youth

Employers who are interested in supporting young people through the Summer
Youth Employment Program can learn more at [40]summerjobs.dc.gov.

Reminder: 2020 Visitor Parking Passes are extended into 2021

2021 Visitor Parking Passes - Due to the operational challenges of the
pandemic, residents will be able to use their 2020 Visitor Parking Pass
(VPP) into 2021. DDOT is planning to launch a streamlined digital parking
permit program later this year.

Residents who are new to the District or need a replacement VPP (due to
damage or loss) should visit their local Police Department precinct to
request a temporary parking pass.

Preventing Financial Exploitation & Abuse in Long-Term Care

Join AAPRP - On February 10th at 11:00 am, learn the warning signs of
financial abuse and exploitation, how and when to report, and how local
agencies can work together to prevent and address the issue, with experts
from the [41]Legal Counsel for the Elderly’s Office of the DC Long-Term
Care Ombudsman, [42]DC Department of Aging and Community Living, and local
prosecutors.

Register here: [43][link removed].

Here 2 Help DC Campaign

Utility Support - In the wake of COVID-19, four District agencies charged
with serving DC utility consumers joined forces to create Here2HelpDC, a
public awareness campaign to inform District residents and businesses about
energy and money-saving initiatives that can help minimize negative
financial impacts of the pandemic.

Here2HelpDC is a combined initiative of the District Department of Energy &
Environment, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, the
DC Sustainable Energy Utility and the Office of the People’s Counsel for
the District of Columbia.
* For information on how this effort may be of help to your family or
business, please see: [44]Here2HelpDC

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Feeding Children & Celebrating African American Women's History

[45]

Celebrating Women of Color All Year Long - The [46]Woman's National
Democratic Club Educational Foundation has produced a 2021 calendar
entitled, Women of Color and The Fight for the Vote, inspired by the
historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris and the many women who
preceded her.

Funds from the sale of these calendars support the [47]Food*4*DC*Kids
program that the Foundation has been supporting with around 150 nutritious
meals per week (over 11,000 meals so far) during the pandemic.

The 2021 calendar may be purchased through Amazon ([48]here) or through the
WNDC Educational Foundation ([49]here). More information about the
calendars and other programs is available at:
[50]wndceducationalfoundation.org[51].

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 reach us via phone through our main line at (202)
724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services
requests.

[52]Facebook [53]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

References

1. [link removed] 2020 DC CAFR_Full Report.pdf
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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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