May 27, 2021

Ward 3 Update: A First Look at the Budget

Dear Neighbors,

Earlier today, Mayor Bowser released her proposed Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22)
Annual Operating Budget & Capital Plan and provided a [1]presentation on
it's contents to the Council. This will be the first of two presentations
by the Executive on the FY22 Budget, with a more in-depth Council briefing
set for next [2]Wednesday, June 2nd. As the Council begins the careful
evaluation of the many budget items before us, I would like to share my
initial thoughts on some major District initiatives and budget items
relevant to Ward 3:

Schools - I am very pleased to share that the Executive agreed with my
request to restore funding for an addition at Stoddert Elementary School.
Full funding was also maintained for two new schools in Ward 3 and an
addition at Deal Middle School. These measures represent significant
investments in Ward 3 schools and aim to address overcrowding, but
outstanding issues remain (including the funding cut for an addition at Key
Elementary School). I'm also seeking clarity as to whether and to what
extent the proposed school budgets account for federal dollars or not,
because, although all but one Ward 3 school is slated to see increased
funding in the next school year, it appears that DC Public Schools has
reduced the projected funding from the initial school budgets released
earlier this year—changes that have resulted in the loss of Deal and
Wilson's two full-time librarians.

Health - This year's budget also provides the final funding needed for
the[3] Childhood Lead Prevention Amendment Act and offers a significant
investment in [4]Produce Rx, an outstanding program that adopts a 'food as
medicine' approach for diet-related illness. Looking at mental health
supports, the proposed budget offers an $8 million investment in expanding
school-based mental health services and a $13 million investment in
services for those experiencing a mental health crisis or substance abuse
issues. The District's Paid Family Leave Program will also see a
significant enhancement to enable prenatal medical leave and domestic
violence/stalking/sexual abuse recovery leave. Unfortunately, one element
that was drastically underfunded in the proposed budget was a measure that
would reduce exposure to lead in drinking water by strengthening DC Water's
lead water service line replacement program.
* A quick note on food access - Unfortunately, the [5]WIC Expansion Act,
the [6]Save Good Food Act, and the COVID-19-related provisions of the
[7]Zero Waste Omnibus Act were not funded in the proposed budget. However,
there were significant gains made in terms of food access, including a $58
million investment to expand access to grocery stores and sit-down
restaurants in Wards 7 and 8.

Neighborhood Revitalization - Three Small Area Plans have been funded in
the current budget for the Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, and the
Cleveland Park/Woodley Park neighborhoods. Small Area Plans use a community
engagement process to prioritize and address neighborhood needs through the
Office of Planning, playing an important role in supplementing the
Comprehensive Plan (for more on this program, please click here: [8]Small
Area Plan 101).

Policing & Public Safety - Two notable investments in public safety in the
proposed budget include the dedication of $7.8 million for additional
community violence interrupters and $6.8 million for an alternative
response model for non-emergency 911 calls. Under the alternative response
model, mental health specialists and agency staff are deployed in response
to non-emergency situations, such as those 911 calls relating to mental
distress, minor traffic crashes, and parking complaints (for more on this
effort, please see: [9]"DC begins final testing in shifting 911 calls to
mental health counselors").

Vision Zero & Road Safety - While there are significant financial
investments in the District's streetscapes and bus lane/bike lane/trail
infrastructure (including allocating $25 million/per Ward for road repair
and repaving), it is not yet clear to what degree the Executive was able to
fund the Vision Zero Enhancement Omnibus Act. I will share more on this as
we're able to take a closer look into the FY22 Budget documents.

Of course, this is simply a first look at the current budget proposal, and
it will only be upon closer analysis that we'll be able to determine what
changes and additional enhancements must be made. But, upon a first look,
there are many promising financial investments in the Mayor's proposed
budget (such as a $400 million contribution to the Housing Production Trust
Fund and $325 million for rent/utility assistance through [10]STAY DC) that
will well-position the District for a strong economic recovery.

Regards,

Mary

[11]

To view Mayor Bowser's FY22 Budget Presentation to the Council, please
[12]click here or on the video above.

For anyone who would like to parse through the budget documents first
hand, all are available online: [13]here.

Please see [14]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

The Public Health Emergency is currently in place through July 24th, 2021

Get vaccinated TODAY at any of the District's walk-up vaccination sites
[15](click here for site locations and hours of operation)

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.

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References

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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