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On April 1, Mayor Gray submitted his Fiscal Year 2012 budget proposal to the City Council.
The total budget for the District is $9.6 billion. Of that amount, 58% or $5.5 billion are locally raised funds, 27% or $2.6 billion are federal grants, and the remainder are enterprise funds raised and spent by entities such as the Convention Center and Water Authority. The federal money is the same amount proportionally that the states receive. I must stress that the federal government does not make any separate contribution to the District. This federal payment was eliminated in 1996.
The unique problem with the Mayor's budget is that it calls for $300 million more in spending than the FY 2011 budget. The budget has grown by over 3% when budgets of cities and states nationwide are shrinking. The Mayor then intends to pay for this increase by cutting spending by $187 million and by raising taxes $127 million. The spending cuts are modest and do not have any measurable effect. It is interesting to note that the DCPS budget actually increases, the only school budget in the nation to do so.
The proposed tax increases are problematic. The budget increases the income tax on persons making over $200,000 from 8.5% to 8.9%, the sales tax from 5.75% to 6%, and the parking tax from 12% to 19%. It also extends the sales tax to live theatre events, implements combined reporting on corporations, and doubles the Circulator bus fee from $1 to $2.
This budget marks the first time the City has proposed raising the income tax in thirty years and will once again make the District the highest taxed in the region and the fifth highest in the nation. The other tax increases are also anti-business and not competitive. None of these tax increases are necessary.
If the Mayor wants to increase spending in certain areas, he should offset those increases by making hard decisions to spend less elsewhere. This has not happened.
Absent from the budget are any funds to increase the size of our police force to 4,000 sworn officers. Because of reductions in the public safety budget, the police force is in danger of falling below 3,800 officers that Chief Lanier believes to be necessary. The City needs at least $40 million to get back to the 4,000 officer level.
I will be working with my colleagues on the Council to eliminate these tax increases and to fund our police department. Last year for the first time, I voted no on the FY 2011 budget. We cannot afford to move forward another budget in which we don't live within our means.
Jack
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Reminder:
Special Election April 26
The District of Columbia will hold a special election for the vacant At-Large Council seat on April 26. All Ward 2 polling locations will be open for this special election. A full list of polling places can be found here .
Those residents who vote at Precinct 18 in the eastern part of Ward 2 have a new permanent polling location, Kennedy Recreation Center (1401 7th Street, NW). Additionally, residents who normally vote at Precinct 5 in Georgetown will vote at the Georgetown Community Library (3260 R Street, NW) for the special election only.
There are three ways to cast your vote in the April 26 special election:
1) At your regular polling place from 7:00am until 8:00pm on April 26.
2) By mail (must be postmarked by April 19) via Absentee Ballot.
3) At the Board's office.
For additional information on your voting options, please click here.
All registered voters in the District, regardless of party affiliation, may cast a ballot in the special election.
More information about the election, can be found at the Board of Elections and Ethics website. Should you need an absentee ballot, you can download an Absentee Ballot Request form at that site.
If you are not registered to vote, you can register at the polls and cast a regular ballot using the voting equipment if you prove your residence using a current, valid DMV-issued driver's license or identification card. If you show other proof of residence, you will need to cast a special ballot subject to verification of your District residence.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Director of Constituent Services.
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Evans Celebrates 10th Street Community Park Opening
Evans with LCCA President Bob Maffin, Mary Whitaker, &
Jan VanHoose at the memorial dedication.
A "rags to riches" tale comes full circle this week with the opening of Tenth Street Community Park.
Once a vacant lot full of abandoned cars and illegal activity, the park was the brainchild of a group of residents from surrounding condo buildings and members of the Blagden Alley/Naylor Court Association. These individuals approached Councilmember Evans and then Mayor Adrian Fenty about transforming the parking lot into a green space amidst several large residential buildings.
The small park includes a play area, picnic tables, a fountain, and a tribute to community service in the form of a memorial to long time resident and neighborhood activist Connie Maffin. Evans joined residents at the dedication of the Constance Maffin Memorial inside Tenth Street Community Park Thursday morning.
"Connie was well known and loved by so many in Logan Circle and throughout Ward 2 and the District," said Evans. "The fact that a community has come together to honor those who get involved in their neighborhood as a way to remember Connie, is perfect. The park itself demonstrates community involvement - it's the result of many residents working on something together. I'm very happy to be involved with this effort."
An egg hunt to "Celebrate Spring" and officially kick off the opening of Tenth Street Community Park will take place this Saturday, from noon until 2:00pm. Residents are invited to bring their children to hunt for eggs and other prizes with a visit from a special bunny guest! The event will be hosted by "Friends of Tenth Street Park," the official non-profit "friends" group for the park.
After Saturday, the park will be open from 10:00am until dusk daily. More information about the park and upcoming events can be found here .
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Logan Circle and Blagden Alley liaison.
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Public Hearings on
Redistricting Scheduled
Councilmember Evans and Councilmember Michael Brown, Co-Chairpersons of the Subcommittee on Redistricting, recently announced two public hearings on B19-219, the "Ward Redistricting Amendment Act of 2011."
The first public hearing will be held on April 25 at 6:00 pm, in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW).
The second public hearing will be held on April 27 at 10:00 am in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW).
Those who wish to testify should contact Carol Sadler at 724-8198 or csadler@dccouncil.us, and provide your name, organizational affiliation, and title of organization by 5:00pm on Friday, April 22 (for the April 25 hearing) and by 5:00pm on Monday, April 25 (for the April 27 hearing). Witnesses should bring 20 copies of their written testimony to the hearing. Additional written statements are encouraged and will be made part of the official record. The official record will close ten days following the conclusion of the hearing.
"I encourage everyone to participate in the redistricting process," said Evans. "As we redraw our Ward boundaries to comply with the 2010 Census, it is important that the community being engaged during the process.
Ward redistricting must occur, by federal law, not later than 90 days after the Council's receipt of the census report, or July 14. After the Ward redistricting is complete, the Council will review and make adjustments to the boundaries of the ANCs and SMDs. The ANC and SMD redistricting is expected to occur in the fall of 2011, with the entire redistricting process completed by the end of 2011.
The Subcommittee on Redistricting has set up a website with additional information about the redistricting process, which will also include a feedback feature for residents to provide comments on redistricting.
Kevin Stogner is Evans' General Counsel.
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Major Work Underway on
Constitution Avenue
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Photo by blazinwolf on Flickr
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A major reconstruction of Constitution Avenue is underway between 15th and 23rd Streets, NW.
The mile-long rehabilitation, undertaken by the National Park Service (NPS), will include re-constructing sections of roadway, replacement of the storm drainage system, granite curb installation, lighting replacement, and new sidewalks on both sides of Constitution Avenue.
Reconstruction work will take place overnight, on weekends, but also during daytime, weekday hours. As a result, traffic delays are expected. Plans are for construction to proceed starting at 23rd Street, NW moving toward 15th Street, NW with an anticipated completion in early 2012.
"This is the first major reconstruction of Constitution Avenue in over sixty years," said Evans. "While it's sure to be a painful process for many, the end result will be a great benefit for the District and will improve pedestrian and road safety on one of our busiest thoroughfares."
The $10.26 million project has been awarded to Fort Myer Construction Company of Washington, D.C.
For additional information on the project, please click here .
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Director of Constituent Services.
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Evans Encourages Participation in DC Emancipation Day
The Government of the District of Columbia will be hosting several events on Friday, April 15 in observation of DC Emancipation Day. On this day in 1862, President Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act for the release of slaves in the District of Columbia. This freed approximately 3,100 enslaved people in the District just nine months before the President delivered his famous Emancipation Proclamation.
"Emancipation Day is bittersweet for residents of the District," said Evans. "While we celebrate the freedom of slaves, we are also reminded every year that we remain the only U.S. citizens who pay federal taxes, fight and die in wars, and serve on juries without full congressional representation and full control over local matters."
Planned DC Emancipation Day activities include speakers, exhibits, lectures, an essay contest, singing, reenactments, poetry, jazz, films, forums, and more.
"I encourage all residents to take time on Friday to celebrate the history of DC and learn about the first freed slaves," Evans said. "This day also serves as a call to action for all of the District's residents to get involved in the statehood movement and help put an end to taxation without representation."
For a full listing of events celebrating DC Emancipation Day, please click here.
For more information on DC Vote and their efforts please click here.
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MPD Announces Camp Brown
Dates & Online Application
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) recently announced the dates for the 2011 Camp Brown, as well as the availability of an on-line application. This year, camp will run from June 27 - August 8.
For 73 years, Camp Brown has been a place for school-aged youth between the ages of 7 and 13 to escape the busy city for a week-long vacation. Campers stay in wooden cabins on 168 acres alongside the Potomac River where they enjoy swimming, biking, fishing, nature hikes, arts & crafts, karaoke, basketball, and more. In addition, workshops on personal development and team building will be conducted.
Camp Brown is located in Scotland, Maryland, about 90 miles south of Washington, DC and is open to children in the metro area. The camp is managed by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington in partnership with trained camp counselors and school resource officers from the Metropolitan Police Department.
"Camp Brown has long provided opportunities for our young people to not only escape the city, but also to build self-esteem and character, and learn how to make healthy life choices," said Evans.
The camp is named after former police chief and camp co-founder Ernest W. Brown.
To access the online application for Camp Brown, please click here.
Windy Abdul-Rahim is Evans' MPD liaison.
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Metro Accessibility Advisory Committee Seeks Members
Metro is looking for local riders with disabilities and senior citizens to fill 14 available positions on their volunteer Accessibility Advisory Committee.
The 20-member committee consists of six individuals each from Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and two at-large members and advises Metro on ways to improve Metrobus, Metrorail, and MetroAccess services.
Committee members are people who are seniors or have the ability to give personal perspectives on a diverse representation of disabilities, such as blindness or low-vision, mobility disability, deafness or hard of hearing, audio-sensory disability, speech disability, neurological disability, cognitive or other disability. The committee is also made up of individuals with different riding patterns, people who are transit-dependent, people who travel short distances, and others who travel long distances.
Interested applicants should be Metrobus, Metrorail or MetroAccess riders and not Metro employees, contractors, or elected officials. All positions are unpaid.
Applications can be found online or picked up in person at Metro Headquarters, 600 5th Street, NW, and at Metro Sales Centers at Pentagon, Anacostia, and Metro Center stations, or by calling 202-962-6060. The deadline to apply is 5:00pm on Thursday, April 21.
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DPW to Observe
Emancipation Day on Friday
The Department of Public Works (DPW) will observe Emancipation Day, Friday, April 15, which will affect how certain sanitation and parking enforcement services will be delivered.
Friday's trash and recycling collections will be made Saturday, April 16.
Street sweeping will be suspended Friday and resume Monday, April 18.
Parking enforcement, including ticket writing for residential parking, expired meters, street sweeping, and rush-hour violations will be suspended Friday and resume Saturday, April 16.
Ft. Totten Transfer Station will be open both Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16. The transfer station is open to District residents Friday between 1:00pm and 5:00pm and on Saturday it is open to residents between 8:00am and 3:00pm.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Director of Constituent Services.
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Legislative Update
Budget season is upon us! Mayor Gray transmitted his Fiscal Year 2012 proposed Budget and Financial Plan, and hearings are well underway. For a complete schedule of hearings, click here.
To view the Mayor's Budget, including agency chapters, operating appendices, and capital improvements plan click here and here.
To view the Budget Support Act and Budget Request Act, please click here. The Committee on Finance and Revenue will be holding its Fiscal Year 2012 hearing on Thursday, April 21 in the Council Chamber (Room 500) beginning at 9:30am. The following agencies will provide testimony: - Washington Convention and Sports Authority - Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals/Real Property Tax Appeals Commission - Office of the Chief Financial Officer, to include: - Office of Tax and Revenue, - Office of Integrity and Oversight, - Office of Finance Resource Management, - Office of Finance and Treasury, and - Office of Revenue Analysis To sign up to testify, please contact Sarina Loy. Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director. |
Councilmember Evans is pleased to announce that he will be speaking to several civic organizations and attending several community events in April.
"I always look forward to the opportunity to hear directly from residents about what's working and what could be improved in the District," said Evans. "Attending these meetings and events on a regular basis allows me to do just that."
Evans will attend the following meetings and events in April:
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N Street Village
Client Art Show
Thursday, April 21 6:00pm - 8:00pm Fathom Creative Gallery 1333 14th Street, NW View amazing pieces of art by our homeless and low-income neighbors at N Street Village!
For additional information, please click here.
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Councilmember Jack Evans
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite 106
Washington, DC 20004
202-724-8085
jevans@dccouncil.us
www.jackevans.org |
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