Elissa Silverman is an at-large member of the D.C. Council. Find out more about her work in the District, and stay up to date.

50+ Messages / Page

  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
December 21, 2022 at 9:29 PM

Thank you

Thank you It has been an honor. View this email in your browser Friends: It has been my honor to advocate for those D.C. residents and local small businesses who can’t hire high-priced lobbyists to persuade and sway vo…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
December 14, 2022 at 9:29 PM

FOR IMMED. RELEASE: Pinto, Silverman Propose Comprehensive D.C. Housing Authority Reform

FOR IMMED. RELEASE: Pinto, Silverman Propose Comprehensive D.C. Housing Authority Reform Refocus DCHA mission on lowest-income renters, strengthen expertise of board View this email in your browser Pinto, Silverman Prop…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
November 22, 2022 at 9:12 PM

What We Did

What We Did Economic security, new workers’ rights, expanded year-round youth employment, and critical career pipelines into healthcare, IT, and infrastructure. View this email in your browser In just a few weeks Counci…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
November 4, 2022 at 7:38 PM

November 4, 2022 Newsletter

November 4, 2022 Newsletter View this email in your browser Five Days Left to Vote! Election Day is this Tuesday, November. 8! It is going to be a consequential election for the District of Columbia, both in terms of nat…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
October 26, 2022 at 3:49 PM

Three Big Topics

Three Big Topics Housing Authority reform, domestic worker rights, and sports betting cronyism View this email in your browser Topic No. 1: Reforming Our Housing Authority Urgent reform of the D.C. Housing Authority sta…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
October 11, 2022 at 8:33 PM

DC Housing Authority is in shambles.

DC Housing Authority is in shambles. The HUD report is a wake-up call for urgent action. Even before the story broke last week, my staff and I were working on a major reform bill.  View this email in your browser You migh…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
September 22, 2022 at 8:38 PM

Back at it!

NationBuilder The D.C. Council is back in action, and we had our first legislative meeting of the fall on Tuesday. As we approach the end of the two-year Council session, we are racing to finish a few major pieces of legislation before the end of December. One of those major…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
September 6, 2022 at 1:02 PM

Back at it!

NationBuilder This week begins the transition from summer to fall routines, as well as the return of our newsletter! First: Back to School! Along with many DCPS students and parents, I headed back to school last week by visiting Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in C…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
July 8, 2021 at 7:28 PM

How to Spend $17 Billion

NationBuilder Good Afternoon Friend! All day today, my colleagues on the D.C. Council and I will be discussing the budget for the next fiscal year. This is certainly the most consequential budget in my seven years on the Council, and might possibly be the most momentous for y…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
June 8, 2021 at 6:52 PM

How To Stay Cool During Budget Season!

NationBuilder Good Afternoon Friend! Our city has an incredible opportunity to strategically invest in ourselves and make the District of Columbia a more egalitarian, equitable city. What am I talking about? Over the next two months, my D.C. Council colleagues and I will make…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
May 12, 2021 at 5:43 PM

Only 1 out of 2 DC Residents Are Vaccinated

NationBuilder Good Afternoon Friend! Only half of District residents have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control. Even if you take out all the kids who have not been eligible for the vaccine (emerg…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
April 27, 2021 at 7:59 PM

Let's All Take Our Shot, the New Normal, and Q & A

NationBuilder Good Afternoon Friend! We’ve all come up with coping mechanisms to deal with the challenges of this very difficult 13 months. One of mine has been a weekly Saturday morning bicycle ride with friends. It’s been a great way to get exercise, visit safely with frien…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
April 12, 2021 at 5:19 PM

Your Questions on Vaccines, Rent Assistance, Unemployment - Answered!

NationBuilder Good Afternoon Friend! Today, April 12, D.C. opens up eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to everyone ages 16 and older. If you are 16 and older, I encourage you to get vaccinated, and if you have concerns about taking the shot, feel free to write to me. I can …
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
March 29, 2021 at 4:41 PM

Your Questions on Schools, Unemployment - Answered!

NationBuilder Good Afternoon Friend! I’m continuing with the question and answer format. Here’s this week’s Top 10: Schools Reopening The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released guidance saying it is safe for students to socially distance three-feet instead of six-feet. Wi…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
March 19, 2021 at 6:48 PM

Your questions answered on vaccines, taxes, UI and more!

NationBuilder Good Afternoon Friend! This week marked the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, and DC declaring a public health emergency. While we need to remain vigilant to curb the virus -- wearing our masks, keeping our soci…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
February 26, 2021 at 1:47 AM

Vaccine Update: Today, Tomorrow, and Saturday

NationBuilder Good Evening Friend -- COVID-19 Vaccine: What Went Wrong Today and What Will Happen Tomorrow, Saturday, and Next Week Update I usually don't send emails in the evening or three in one day, but I felt that today's snafu with COVID-19 vaccination registration meri…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
February 25, 2021 at 2:58 PM

Trouble Registering for Vaccine

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- COVID-19 Vaccine Update ***I just sent the below email, and I know many of you are tearing your hair out right now because you cannot schedule appointments. My understanding is that both the web and phone system have not been updated for Phase 1C.…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
February 25, 2021 at 2:31 PM

Important Vaccine Update!

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- COVID-19 Vaccine Update A quick email to update you on vaccine prioritization: DC Health has announced the expansion of vaccination to Phase 1C, beginning with DC residents who have qualifying medical conditions. It is a bit confusing, so I hope t…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
January 16, 2021 at 3:17 PM

Vaccine & Inauguration News

NationBuilder Friend -- ***Breaking COVID-19 vaccine news: DC seniors 65+ can sign up for vaccination appointments today and Monday. Today, seniors in Wards 1, 4, 5, 7, 8 can call 1-855-363-0333 or visit vaccinate.dc.gov. On Monday, seniors all across the city, including in W…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
January 7, 2021 at 10:16 PM

Yesterday's Violent Insurrection

NationBuilder Dear Friend, Many of us are still processing feelings of anger and horror after witnessing yesterday’s violent insurrection by Trump extremists in the U.S. Capitol. These were acts of domestic terrorism, designed to overturn fair and democratic elections and the…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
December 17, 2020 at 8:13 PM

The Highs and Lows This Past Week

NationBuilder Friend, This has been a week of highs and lows. It was so hopeful and affirming to see the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine arrive at DC hospitals! Per our Vaccination Plan, thousands of essential healthcare workers will receive the first of two vaccine shots…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
November 24, 2020 at 7:52 PM

A Year of Difficult Decisions, Including Thanksgiving

NationBuilder Friend, I wish you a happy and COVID-safe Thanksgiving celebration! For me, that means not hosting my extended family’s annual get-together given advice from our public health professionals to be indoors only with those in your immediate household. I will also m…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
October 27, 2020 at 7:58 PM

Tough And Responsible Decisions

NationBuilder Friend, Today is the first day of in-person, early voting in DC! I was at Sherwood Rec near my home in Ward 6 when polls opened at 8:30 a.m., and though there was a line, it moved quite efficiently! Two reminders: You can vote at any early voting center across t…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
October 21, 2020 at 7:45 PM

In-Person (Socially Distanced) Office Hours Tomorrow at the Wilson Building!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Because of the pandemic, Councilmember offices inside the Wilson Building have been closed physically to the public. While we’ve successfully transitioned to remote work and we have been helping many residents online and over the phone, som…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
October 14, 2020 at 8:54 PM

Let's Vote!

NationBuilder Dear Friend, Election Month is here, and we are 20 days from Election Day! Let’s vote! If you are registered to vote in DC, you should have received your ballot at the address listed with the Board of Elections. If you have not received your ballot, first check …
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
October 5, 2020 at 1:00 PM

Voting, DCPS Reopening, and the Budget

NationBuilder Dear Friend, We are on Day 209 of the COVID-19 public health emergency in DC. I want to quickly cover ground on three big topics of interest: voting, DCPS re-opening, and DC’s budget. First, many of you have received General Election ballots in the mail. Today, …
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
August 28, 2020 at 1:00 PM

End of Summer for DCPS and DC Council

NationBuilder Dear Friend, I’m not sure if it’s “Back to School” or, more aptly, “Back to School, But Still at Home,” but for those who might not be aware, our DCPS students start school this Monday. As Mayor Bowser and DCPS Chancellor Louis Ferebee announced a few weeks ago,…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
August 13, 2020 at 4:51 PM

Two Important Topics: Unemployment Assistance and Voting!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, I want to talk about two very important items right up front: Unemployment Assistance and Voting. UNEMPLOYMENT My Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will be holding a hearing on DC’s unemployment assistance programs on September 1…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
July 30, 2020 at 10:03 PM

Good Trouble

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, On Tuesday, I engaged in some “good trouble,” as John Lewis might have called it. While some of you waited in line to honor the civil rights warrior and American hero at the U.S. Capitol, my DC Council colleagues and I made final (for now) …
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
July 15, 2020 at 1:00 PM

Pivotal Moments

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Bonne Fête Nationale! Francophile or not, we are facing our own pivotal point in history both with coronavirus and our economy, as well as with the fight for a more equitable city and country.  First, I’m starting a little schoolmarmish: Th…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
July 1, 2020 at 6:55 PM

DC Paid Family Leave Begins Today!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, DC Paid Family Leave fully launches today! That’s right, DC workers will no longer have to choose between caring for a loved one or themselves and bringing home a paycheck. Longtime readers of this newsletter are very familiar with the prog…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
June 19, 2020 at 3:47 PM

Celebrating Juneteenth, Preparing for Phase 2 Reopening

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Today is Juneteenth, the commemoration of the day (June 19, 1865) Black slaves in Texas learned of their freedom. For many, it is a day to celebrate freedom, the African-American community, and Black culture. This year, given the galvanizin…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
June 6, 2020 at 3:49 PM

Important Information on Protests and Voting Rights

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, It’s Saturday, and I usually don’t bug you on the weekend, but there are three urgent items that I feel are so important that I wanted to communicate with you today: the protests condemning police brutality around the country, and, specific…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
June 2, 2020 at 4:44 PM

Important Information About Curfew and Absentee Ballots

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Last night was chilling. It was downright frightening to hear and see the almost totalitarian words and actions of Trump, and then experience its impact, by sitting in our homes listening to the whirring of combat helicopters and watching c…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
May 28, 2020 at 8:06 PM

Phase 1 of #ReOpenDC Begins This Friday

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Yesterday, Mayor Bowser announced that she issued a mayoral order to begin Phase 1 of #ReOpenDC tomorrow, May 29.  What does this mean? Some nonessential businesses such as barbers and hair salons can serve customers by appointment only, an…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
May 23, 2020 at 3:11 PM

Vote DC! Ballot Requests End May 26!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, There are only a few more days left to request your absentee ballot if you plan to vote by mail! The deadline to request your absentee ballot is Tuesday, May 26 at 5pm. Luckily, it couldn't be easier to request your absentee ballot and vote…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
May 21, 2020 at 4:35 PM

Vote! Testify on DC’s Budget! Read the ReOpen DC Recommendations!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, I want to highlight at the very top three very important events that have a major impact on the future of our city: Election Day, Budget Season, and the release of Mayor Bowser’s Re-Open Recommendations! First, Election Day! Are you a regis…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
May 14, 2020 at 8:05 PM

Next Week Will Be a Big One

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, This is hard. It’s hard to keep this Groundhog Day pace, and it’s so hard to keep up with all the news around COVID-19. And it just got harder, as Mayor Bowser, Governor Hogan of Maryland, and Governor Northam of Virginia all made different…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
May 5, 2020 at 7:51 PM

Why This Budget Will Be Different and Important COVID-19 Updates!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Usually at this time of year, my colleagues and I are in the thick of budget season, figuring out how to leverage your taxpayer dollars to meet our goals of creating a prosperous, equitable city.  This year is different. And because of the …
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
April 23, 2020 at 9:42 PM

Legislative Updates, New COVID-19 Resources, and Virtual Town Hall Opportunities

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Groundhog Day, that 1993 Bill Murray classic, used to be one of my favorite movies. Now I feel I am living it, and the consequences are much higher than determining if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow and Murray’s beleaguered weatherman en…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
April 7, 2020 at 7:30 PM

NEW INFO! Updated Guide to Federal & Local COVID-19 Help

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, I know many of you, like me, are experiencing some struggles going into Week 4 of #StayHomeDC. I am having to make significant adjustments to my daily routine, and I know that those taking care of children or sharing confined spaces with fa…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
March 25, 2020 at 8:09 PM

STAY HOME, DC! New COVID-19 Guidance for DC Workers & Businesses

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, STAY HOME, DC! I know many of you have gotten that message loud and clear, and you are staying home. You are following the proper six-feet social distancing practices, washing hands thoroughly, and leaving your home only for outdoor walks a…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
March 17, 2020 at 9:37 PM

COVID-19 Help for D.C. Workers and Businesses

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, This morning, the D.C. Council took emergency action to put immediate measures into place to assist District residents, workers, and businesses with the coronavirus public health emergency. Decisions that we have taken and will be taking as…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
March 13, 2020 at 8:45 PM

COVID-19 UPDATES

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend,  This morning, Mayor Bowser announced more proactive measures for D.C. government to help our community contain the spread of COVID-19, the novel strain of coronavirus. These are hard decisions, and I agree with the mayor’s actions. They ar…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
February 22, 2020 at 4:17 PM

Popcorn is Ready! See You Tomorrow

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, The popcorn is ready! This year, my office partnered with D.C. Public Library and Naval Lodge No. 4 to continue Black History Month celebrations with a free showing of an Academy Award-nominated film about the life of Harriet Tubman.  I hop…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
February 18, 2020 at 8:28 PM

Join Me on 2/23 to Celebrate Black History Month!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, In celebration of Black History Month, I invite you to join me and my staff for a free screening of HARRIET on Sunday, February 23, at 2:00pm at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library (1630 7th St. NW)!  Special thanks to Pat Joseph …
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
January 29, 2020 at 5:43 PM

Open House This Friday!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, January is coming to a close, performance oversight hearings are scheduled, and we're on the heels of budget season. The time is now for me and my?staff to hear from you about ways to better invest your taxpayer dollars! I hope you will joi…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
January 17, 2020 at 6:32 PM

Happy New Year! Open House & New Hires!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Happy New Year! Best wishes to you and your family for a joyous and healthy new year. Almost all of us are back to our work and school schedules, and my staff and I are excited to hit the ground running this year to represent you on the cri…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
December 12, 2019 at 8:15 PM

What a Week. See You in 2020!

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Expulsion is an ethics insurance policy; a legislative body has it in place and hopes to never use it. Unfortunately, this week, the D.C. Council needed to exercise that authority. The Council’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating Ward 2 Council…
  Councilmember Elissa Silverman · [email protected]
November 14, 2019 at 5:24 PM

Impeachment and Expulsion

Councilmember Elissa Silverman Dear Friend, Like many of you, I went about the business of yesterday with one eye on the impeachment hearing that took place on Capitol Hill. The proceedings are of pivotal importance to the health of our democracy, and the issues that brought us to th…