Jack's Newsletter

Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans

September 30, 2011

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Jack's Newsletter

jack

It is with great disappointment that I report to you that the DC Council voted last week to raise our income tax for the first time in thirty years. Last week, at our first meeting after the summer recess, Phil Mendelson and Mary Cheh led an effort to raise the income tax rate from 8.5% to 8.95% on incomes over $350,000. Cheh and Mendelson were joined by Councilmembers Jim Graham, Harry Thomas, Tommy Wells, Yvette Alexander, and Michael Brown in passing the measure, giving the District the fifth highest income tax rate in the country. I have been opposed to the idea to increase the income tax rate ever since it was first proposed by Mayor Vincent Gray earlier this year, and it was simply not necessary in light of the hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue already identified by the District's Chief Financial Officer this year.

Notwithstanding the facts, proponents argued that the income tax increase was necessary to undo the ill-advised municipal bond tax - in fact, this was a false choice - an amendment I offered would have obviated the need for both new tax proposals due to the most recent $89 million in projected new revenue. My amendment failed 7-6, however, after the seventh and deciding vote was cast by Mary Cheh to raise the income tax.

Another justification presented by those who want to gratuitously raise income taxes is that it will make the income tax more progressive - in response to that point, I asked why we didn't consider lowering the income tax rate for lower income taxpayers, which would make the income tax rate structure more progressive without stifling economic growth.

In the same way the recent irresponsible brinksmanship in Congress undermined the confidence of voters around the country, not to mention the bond rating agencies, the disingenuous debate over the District's finances will shake the confidence of District taxpayers who see their bills increase without justification. The District has also suffered an adverse action on its bond credit rating - while this was due to issues relating to federal government spending cuts, it could possibly have been avoided if the District had more money in its savings account.

I am very concerned as we go forward about the attitude of the Mayor and the majority of the Council with respect to our finances. The city must live with the revenue we have, and we need to bring the exponential growth in government spending back under control.

As fall approaches, there is much to do, and I look forward to facing the many challenges before us.

Jack

Evans Joins Thousands for

DC Car Free Day

Evans boards a Metro bus on his way to the

Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association meeting.

A record number of commuters in the DC area, including Councilmember Evans, ditched their cars as part of the 11th Annual World Car Free Day on September 22. Approximately 11,000 commuters biked, walked, or took public transportation to work. Evans took Metro bus and rail, as well as walked.

"One benefit of living in the city and in Ward 2 in particular is the ability to move around without a car," said Evans. "I was happy to join with the thousands of people who went car-free this year in raising awareness of alternative transportation and taking a car off the road for the day."

Car Free Day is an international event in which people are encouraged to get around without cars and instead ride a train, bus, bicycle, carpool, subway, vanpool, walk or telework. The event is organized in various cities throughout the world in different ways, with the common goal of taking cars off the streets.

World Car Free Day was started in 2000 and today more than 40 countries are participating in the effort.

Dupont Circle Mural

Nears Completion

Local artist Peter Waddell puts the finishing touches on the

mural at 1914 Sunderland Place, NW.

Residents and passersby are being treated to an unusual sight across from the Heurich Mansion in Dupont Circle. From 40-foot scaffolding, artist Peter Waddell and his team are in the process of painting a mural on the side of a brick townhouse at 1914 Sunderland Place, NW.

"It is already apparent that this mural will be an incredible addition to Dupont," said Evans. "I look forward to its completion and unveiling and thank Peter Waddell for bringing his vision to one of the city's greatest neighborhoods."

The mural, which Waddell has titled "The Toy Theater," is slowly taking shape. When finished, the mural will be a tribute to the first two great mansions of Dupont Circle - the British Legation on Connecticut Avenue and "Stewart's Castle" on the Circle itself.

Funded by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the project also involved consultation with local civic groups and the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission.

Other work by Peter Waddell can be seen at the White House Visitor Center through December. For additional information on the artist and his works, please click here.

Andrew Huff is Evans' Dupont Circle liaison.

Evans Helps Debut Improved Connecticut Avenue Median

Evans joins in cutting the ribbon on the new and improved Connecticut Avenue median.

Councilmember Evans recently joined city officials and representatives of the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) to cut the ribbon on the first phase of the Connecticut Avenue median project.

Conducted in partnership with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the project includes the stretch of Connecticut Avenue, NW between K and L Streets. Construction of the final portion of the project will commence in the spring of 2012 to extend the median to Jefferson Place, just south of Dupont Circle.

"The new median not only serves as a safe area for pedestrians when crossing Connecticut Avenue, it also beautifies one of the city's premier commercial corridors," said Evans. "The BID and DDOT did an excellent job and deserve many thanks."

In total, the median project will replace more than 3,000 square feet of impervious asphalt with more environmentally sensitive green space to beautify the neighborhood while reducing storm water runoff.

Sherri Kimbel is Evans' downtown liaison.

DC Public Schools Announces
Community Vision Meetings

The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) has announced a series of community vision meetings in an effort to bring the results of their Hopes and Dreams Campaign to the community for their response and feedback.

The community vision meetings are the next step in DCPS' strategic planning process taking place through the beginning of 2012. Each community vision meeting will be facilitated and ultimately result in the creation of vision statements by the community which will help inform the drafting of a Strategic Framework for DCPS.

"I encourage everyone, whether they have school aged children or not, to participate in this process," said Evans. "Our neighborhood schools are depending on the community's voice as we work to improve our system city wide."

Community vision meetings have been scheduled for:

Saturday October 1

10:00am-1:00pm

Patterson Elementary

4399 Capital Terrace, SW

Wednesday October 5

5:00pm-8:00pm

Garrison Elementary

1200 S Street, NW

For more information and to RSVP, please click here.

Sherri Kimbel is Evans' DCPS liaison.

Evans Co-Introduces Anti-Cyclist Harassment Bill

In an effort to continue to make the District America's most bicycle friendly city, Councilmember Evans last week co-introduced Bill 19-475, the "Assault of Bicyclists Prevention Act of 2011." The Bill would give cyclists the right to file a civil lawsuit against drivers and to be reimbursed for legal fees should they win.

"With our progress on projects like bike lanes and bike sharing, we find ourselves with an increasing number of cyclists on the roadway," said Evans. "This important law would give cyclists a way to defend themselves in court against those who choose to harass and possibly injure them."

The text of the legislation, which has been referred to the Council's Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, can be found here.

Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.

Dupont Circle House Tour
Issues Call for Volunteers

Participants gather at the annual Dupont Circle House Tour.

[Photo by DCCA on Flickr.]

In preparation for the 44th Annual Dupont Circle House Tour, the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) has issued a call for volunteers. Volunteers are needed as house captains and house monitors to work one 2½ hour shift on the day of the house tour, October 16.

"My entire office has been volunteering for the Dupont Circle House Tour for as long as I can remember," Evans said. "It is great way to meet your neighbors and see the inside of some of the most beautiful homes in the city."

All volunteers receive a free ticket which includes admission to all tour sites, the House Tour Tea, and the Volunteers' After-Party following the tour.

Those interested in volunteering should contact Debbie Schreiber at 202-321-8449.

For additional information on the Dupont Circle Citizens Association or the 44th Annual Dupont Circle House Tour, please click here.

Andrew Huff is Evans' Dupont Circle liaison.

Evans Cuts Ribbon on Renovated Garrison ES Library

Evans joins Garrison students and staff and representatives from Target to cut the ribbon on Garrison's new library.

Councilmember Evans recently joined Garrison Elementary School staff and students and representatives from Target and the Heart of American Foundation to cut the ribbon on the school's newly renovated library. Garrison Elementary, located at 1200 S Street, NW in Logan Circle was chosen as one of forty-one libraries nationwide to receive the makeover.

In addition to the renovation, the school received 2,000 new library books and several technology upgrades.

"Many thanks to Target and the Heart of America Foundation for making these important upgrades possible for the Garrison Wildcats," said Evans. "More important, the teachers and staff at Garrison deserve our thanks and support as we begin the new school year."

For additional information on Garrison Elementary School, please click here.

Sherri Kimbel is Evans' DCPS liaison.

Evans Presents Annual Award

at Living in Pink Event

Evans addresses attendees at the 2011 Living in Pink event.

Councilmember Evans last week presented the Noel Soderberg-Evans Award as part of the annual Living in Pink luncheon. The award is given every year in honor of the late Noel Soderberg-Evans. The 2011 award was given to Christine Teal, M.D., chief of breast surgery at the George Washington University hospital.

The mission of Living in Pink, founded in 2004 by two-time breast cancer survivor and mother of four, Michele Conley, is to help find a cure for breast cancer so that the next generation of women will not have to endure the emotional and physical pain of breast cancer surgery and treatment.

"It is an honor every year to present this award and this year was no exception," said Evans. "The Living in Pink event raises tens of thousands of dollars for breast cancer research and support and no one is more deserving of this award than Dr. Teal, who makes a difference every day in the fight to beat breast cancer."

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, except for non-melanoma skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 7. At this time there are slightly over 2 million women living in the US who have been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.

Legislative Update

The Committee on Finance and Revenue met on September 28 to consider and markup the following bills:

Bill 19-311, the "Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg Public Improvements Revenue Bonds Technical Amendment Act of 2011"

This Bill would amend the "PILOT Authorization Increase and Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg Public Improvements Revenue Bonds Approval Act of 2006," to include in the definition of Capper/Carrollsburg Public Improvements, the public facilities relocated from the Capper/Carrollsburg PILOT Area and permit the payment of the costs of construction off-site of Capper/Carrollsburg Public Improvements with proceeds of bonds issued.

Bill 19-208, the "Vault Tax Clarification Act of 2011"

This Bill would amend Chapter 11 of Title 10 of the District of Columbia Official Code to clarify the exemption of any vault that in whole or in part is serving real property exempt from taxation under section 47-1002(19) of the District of Columbia Code, shall be exempt from the vault rent. Section 47-1002(19) real property exemptions apply to buildings owned and occupied and used by legitimate theater, dance, or music purposes by a non-profit corporation.

B19-21, the "Washington Ballet Equitable Real Property Tax Relief Act of 2011"

This Bill would exempt the real property located at 3704 Porter Street, NW, and owned by the Washington Ballet, for the period of time when the exemption was rescinded because a Certificate of Occupancy was not on file. The property is currently exempt from real property tax, granted by the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) based on the property's use as an educational institution.

The Committee on Finance and Revenue will hold a hearing on the following legislation on October 12 in Room 412:

PR19-385, the "Options Public Charter School Revenue Bonds Project Approval Resolution of 2011"

This Bill would authorize and provide for the issuance, sale, and delivery in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $12.4 million of District of Columbia revenue bonds in one or more series, pursuant to a plan of finance, and to authorize and provide for the loan of the proceeds of such bonds to assist Options Public Charter School, in the financing, refinancing, or reimbursing of costs associated with an authorized project pursuant to section 490 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.

Bill 19-371, the "Recordation Tax on Refinances of Security Interest Instruments Clarification Act of 2011"

This Bill would amend the District of Columbia Deed Recordation Tax Act to clarify that refinances of security interest instruments shall be taxed only on the amount of new debt that exceeds existing debt so long that tax was paid on the existing debt or it was exempted from the recordation tax, and to provide that modifications shall be taxed as refinances unless otherwise exempt.

To sign up to testify, please contact Sarina Loy.

Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.

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