See CM McDuffie's thoughts on the FY22 budget and updates from our team

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Neighbor,

Yesterday, the Mayor released her proposed $17.5B budget, which invests in affordable housing, education, infrastructure and a safe COVID recovery. Notably, the Mayor's budget includes $20M to fund a community and recreation center at the old Crummell School in Ivy City after decades of tireless advocacy from residents, and I'm proud to have stood alongside them in the call for a new rec center with no strings attached. The proposed budget also includes $24.5M for a new library in the Eckington/Edgewood/Stronghold area, $19M to renovate the Harry Thomas Recreation Center and more than $50M in public safety investments that significantly expand our violence interruption program, behavioral health services and wrap-around services for residents at high-risk of experiencing gun violence.

We must also take this opportunity to take bold steps to eliminate the District’s stark racial wealth gap; given the unprecedented level of federal stimulus dollars at our disposal, the time is now. As I said in a press release ([link removed]) yesterday, our City has one of the worst racial wealth gaps in the country; not funding programs that intentionally address this disparity defers the dream of real racial equity for another year. I will continue fighting to fund my Child Wealth Building Act that codifies economic opportunity for all District residents and breaks the cycle of generational poverty.

In service,

Kenyan
In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:

* Committee on Business and Economic Development 2021 Budget Hearing Schedule
* Kenyan in The News
* Reopening Guidance
* Kenyan in the Community
* CM McDuffie Holds Committee Hearing
on Wealth Equity & Tax Policy
* CM McDuffie Moderates Panel on Urban Agriculture
* Racial Equity In DC Event
* Parking Enforcement, Ticket Amnesty Updates
* DDOT Installs New Speed Cameras in Ward 5
* Small Business Spotlight
* Celebrating DC Natives Day
* COVID-19 Vaccine & Mask Policy Updates



** Committee on Business and Economic Development 2021 Budget Hearing Schedule
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The Committee on Business and Economic Development has released its budget hearing schedule. We encourage the public to testify or submit written testimony for June 3rd and tune in to watch the rest of the budget hearings with government witnesses. If you are interested in testifying as a public witness, email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) by 5 PM on June 2nd. You can also submit verbal testimony for the record by calling the Committee's phone number at

Hearings can be viewed live at www.kenyanmcduffieward5.com/live ([link removed]) and you will have until 5 PM on Wednesday, June 5th to submit written or voice testimony for the record.


** Kenyan in The News
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‘Baby Bonds’ Legislation Introduced as Tool in Closing Racial Wealth Gap (Washington Informer ([link removed]) )

Brookland Manor residents planned to watch a film on gentrification. Some said they got a firsthand look at how it works (Washington Post ([link removed]) )

Private redevelopment of Ivy City's Crummell School in peril as community center plans come together (Washington Business Journal ([link removed]) )

‘You Have To Be That Voice’: Ivy City Teen Celebrates Funding For Long-Awaited Crummell School Development (The DCist ([link removed]) )

After decades of waiting, D.C.’s Ivy City to get community center at Crummell School (The Washington Post ([link removed]) )

Is DC contracting marked by disparities or deliberate violations of the law? (Jonetta Rose Barras ([link removed]) )

Bowser’s budget, flush with federal dollars, boosts spending on housing, mental health, violence prevention (The Washington Post ([link removed]) )

Bowser pitches business tax cuts, new housing spending in stimulus-juiced 2022 budget (Washington Business Journal ([link removed]) )

DC Council approves amended Comprehensive Plan (WUSA9 ([link removed]) )

The harsh spotlight on Black women leading big cities (Politico ([link removed]) )

Struggling DC hotel owners push for hundreds of millions in Covid relief ahead of Bowser Budget (Washington Business Journal ([link removed]) )

Mothers rally to pass police reform in George Floyd’s name (Street Sense Media ([link removed]) )


** Reopening Guidance
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** Kenyan in the Community
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Last week, Councilmember McDuffie toured the rooftop garden at the Edgewood Recreation Center to see the space and continue promoting urban agriculture in communities across Ward 5.


** CM McDuffie Holds Committee Hearing
on Wealth Equity & Tax Policy
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On Tuesday, May 25th, Councilmember McDuffie convened a Committee on Business and Economic Development hearing to further develop his Child Wealth Building Act ([link removed]) , discuss the benefits of a guaranteed basic income pilot program, explore tax policy proposals and understand the long term impacts of the COVID-19 induced recession on our economic landscape.

You can watch the full hearing featuring four panels of expert witness testimony here ([link removed]) .


** CM McDuffie Moderates Panel on Urban Agriculture
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Two weeks ago, Councilmember McDuffie moderated a panel conversation on how urban agriculture can address gaps in access to healthy foods and create entrepreneurial opportunities in Black communities. You can watch the full discussion here ([link removed]) .


** Racial Equity In DC Event
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On Thursday June 17th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Councilmember McDuffie will participate in a panel conversation hosted by the Racial Equity Cohort about his landmark legislation the REACH Act, how this bill is being implemented and what the impacts are.

You can register for the event here ([link removed]) .


** Parking Enforcement, Ticket Amnesty Updates
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Starting June 1st, District government will resume normal parking enforcement, vehicle towing, vehicle registrations, and inspection requirements. Additional enforcement measures till start on July 1st.
Starting June 1st, the annual fee for an RPP sticker will increase from $35 to $50 for the 1st vehicle registered in a household. An exemption exists for one resident age 65+ per household. Additional fees will apply to other vehicles in a household. More information here ([link removed]) .
The Mayor also announced a new ticket amnesty program. From June 1 until September 1, drivers will be able to pay outstanding tickets without paying any penalties w/ new ticket amnesty program.


** DDOT Installs New Speed Cameras in Ward 5
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Today, the District Department of Transportation completed construction of a new red-light camera at the I-695 off-ramp at 11st St NE as well a number of new speed cameras in Ward 5. The locations include cameras at the 500 block of Florida Ave NE, 2300 block of North Capitol, 4700 block of Eastern Ave, and 3500 Block of Commodore Joshua Barney Drive NE. Learn more at ddot.dc.gov/page/dc-streetsafe-automated-traffic-enforcement ([link removed]) .[link removed]


** Small Business Spotlight
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On Friday, June 4th, City-State Brewing Tap House will open its doors in Edgewood. This recession has been incredibly challenging for workers and operators, so let's do our part and support Ward 5 businesses!


** Celebrating DC Natives Day
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To celebrate DC Natives Day, Councilmember McDuffie discussed raising his daughters in the same home his grandparents bought in 1952, playing basketball with the Boys and Girls Club growing up and his starting 5 from the people he grew up with.

You can watch the full video here ([link removed])


** COVID-19 Vaccine & Mask Policy Updates
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Starting on June 1st, any District resident 12 years and older can get vaccinated at four different schools. Notably, Luke C Moore High School in Ward 5, will be accepting walk-ins from 9 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM - 7 PM on Mondays through Thursdays.

On May 17th, Mayor Bowser updated the District's mask policy. Now, fully vaccinated people (14 days after receiving your last vaccine dose) only need to wear masks or social distance in places where it's required. You can see a full list below.

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You can find the full slides from Mayor Bowser's May 17th situational update ** here ([link removed])
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