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Any of you who have heard me speak recently have probably heard me talk about the fact that the District of Columbia is in a better financial position than any other city, county, or state in the country. Our finances remain strong and the development projects in our city are the envy of our neighbors.
I have the firm belief, however, that we would be doing even better if we had a more straightforward business regulatory structure and took steps to roll back some of the substantial disincentives to those who consider relocating to the District to start a business and raise a family, or who consider moving out of our city when they reach retirement age. Therefore, in our next budget, I am recommending a number of specific proposals that I hope you will support.
First, our corporate income tax is a tremendous burden at 9.975%, much higher than the 6% Virginia charges and even the 8.25% levied by Maryland. Particularly when times are tight, how can we expect a business to choose to sacrifice an extra 2-4% of their already slim profit for the privilege of doing business in our city? I propose lowering this tax to 6%. Secondly, on a similar note, the District charges a tax of 9.975% on unincorporated businesses, while our neighbors do not. We should phase out this tax entirely.
Third, our income tax is too high and is based on bad policy. As I have said before, a member of the Council cannot claim to be in favor of small business and also of an increase in the income tax, which falls heavily on many small businesses. I propose to create a more progressive income tax structure by lowering them - those earning above $350,000 would pay 8.5% rather than 8.95%; those earning between $100,000 and $350,000 would pay 8.0% rather than 8.5%; those earning between $40,000 and $100,000 would be placed in a new bracket and pay 7.5% rather than 8%; and those earning between $10,000 and $40,000 would be taxed at 5.5% rather than 6%.
Fourth, the District made a mistake by decoupling our local estate tax from the federal estate tax. We should eliminate the District's estate tax to encourage our retirees to remain residents of the District, investing in our local economy and contributing to our civic and cultural life.
Fifth, we need to repeal the wrongheaded tax on formerly tax-free municipal bonds. As predicted, the implementation of this tax appears to be resulting in an administrative nightmare. For example, it is unclear whether taxpayers have enough information to determine whether a share held in an ostensibly grandfathered municipal bond mutual fund nevertheless has become partially taxable as the fund manager executes future trades. This unfortunately may be just the first onslaught of many where the supposed grandfathering provision could be chipped away.
Sixth, we must sunset the sales tax increase as promised and lower it from 6% back to 5.75%. Part of why I was so skeptical of the deal to grandfather current holdings of municipal bonds while taxing new purchases is that I have been in the government long enough to see promises like this made, and promises broken. The city promised it would sunset the sales tax increase this year, then broke this promise when the city decided it needed the money in order to pass the largest budget in our history. We are only a quarter of the way through fiscal year 2012, and the mayor is already projecting $45 million in government overspending despite having raised every tax on the books. This has to stop.
Jack
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Evans Celebrates
Grand Opening of
Downtown's Hamilton
Councilmember Evans last week joined Mayor Vincent Gray, Chairman Kwame Brown, Clyde's Group CEO John Laytham, and others to cut the ribbon on Ward 2's newest dining and entertainment venue, the Hamilton.
Developed by the owners of Clyde's Restaurant Group, the Hamilton is a 24-hour venue, located downtown on the corner of 14th and F Streets, NW (the former Garfinckel's department store and more recently a Borders bookstore) and features three floors of dining and entertainment.
Local and national entertainment will be featured in the Hamilton's state of the art music hall, where patrons can dine and drink while enjoying music of all types and the occasional sporting event broadcast. Over 200 District residents are employed at the Hamilton.
"Establishments like the Hamilton are just what we need downtown," said Evans. "A 24-hour restaurant, in addition to the live music venue, makes it a destination all its own and adds to the overall liveliness of our downtown core."
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Director of Constituent Services.
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DDOT to Implement
Reserved Parking Meters for Persons with Disabilities
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) recently announced that it will implement a new program designed to improve access for persons with disabilities in commercial areas of the District. Starting later this month the District will provide reserved metered parking spaces for persons with disabilities at distinctive "red top" meters. This new program sets aside curbside parking spaces for the exclusive use by persons with disabilities and eliminates the free parking in metered spaces that has become a prime incentive behind the fraudulent use of disabled parking placards and license plates.
DDOT has identified locations in the Central Business District as well as the Federal corridors in the southwest quadrant of the District where these special "red top" meters will initially be installed.
"DDOT is aware that drivers with disabilities suffer because handicapped placards and plates are frequently abused by drivers who do not qualify and want to park for free," said Evans. "I am pleased that they are addressing the issue and providing dedicated metered spaces for persons with disabilities."
For ease of use all "red top" meters will be ADA accessible. Payment may be made by cell phone, wireless devices with access to DDOT's web application, or at the designated meter with coin or credit card.
Persons with disabilities will be assured exclusive use of reserved "red top" metered parking spaces during regular hours of meter operation. Motorists without valid disabled placards or license plates will be prohibited from parking at the reserved "red top" metered spaces during regular hours of meter operation, and are subject to ticketing or towing.
The District will continue to recognize reciprocal parking privileges for qualified persons with disabilities with valid placards or license plates issued by other jurisdictions and will evaluate additional "red top" meter requests for any metered block.
Additional information about DDOT's parking services and programs can be found here.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' DDOT liaison.
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DMV Ticket Amnesty
Ends January 27
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Photo by maxedaperture
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The District's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will end its ticket amnesty program on January 27. As part of the program, penalties for overdue tickets are waived as a way to get people to pay their outstanding tickets.
All open parking tickets, citations for moving violations, and photo enforcement tickets issued before January 1, 2010, qualify under the program
You can pay your ticket online here, over the phone at 866-893-5023, or in person at DMV Adjudication Services (301 C Street, NW), Monday through Friday from 8:15am-4:00pm.
Andrew Huff is Evans' DMV liaison.
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Dupont Circle Village Announces January
Live & Learn Seminar
Dupont Circle Village, a non-profit neighborhood organization that connects aging residents to services and activities, is holding a seminar on women's heart disease as part of its Live and Learn series. The seminar will be held on Monday, January 23 from 3:30pm-5:00pm at Firefly Restaurant (1310 New Hampshire Avenue, NW).
At the event, Debra Cruz will explain current findings in women's heart disease. Ms. Cruz, a heart attack survivor herself, is a Life Skills Coach specializing in Patient Advocacy and Self-Esteem Recovery. She is currently working on a book titled, "Never Give Up on Yourself: A Medical Self-Advocacy Guide for your Health."
For reservations, please contact Linda Harsh at 202-234-2567. The talk is free for Village members and $10 for others.
The Dupont Circle Village is a nonprofit membership organization, formed in 2008, as a supportive network to enable residents, aged 50 or more, to remain in their homes and community as they grow older. The Dupont Circle Village strives to enhance social engagement, facilitate independence, and promote healthy living and is part of a national movement to help aging neighbors remain independent and in their homes.
More information on the work of Dupont Circle Village can be found here.
Andrew Huff is Evans' Dupont Circle liaison.
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Logan Circle Resident Named
"Outstanding DC Activist"
DC School Reform Now, founded in 2008 to support new education reforms in the District, has announced Logan Circle resident Evelyn Boyd Simmons as their January "Outstanding DC Activist."
Simmons, who lives in Logan Circle with her husband and two children, has been a catalyst for getting the community more involved with their local DCPS schools. She is active with both the Logan Circle Community Association (LCCA) and Advisory Neighborhood Association 2F, where she serves as each group's Education Committee Chair. Simmons also serves as the Vice President of the Garrison Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization.
"Evelyn has been a great resource for parents interested in getting involved in our schools," said Evans. "We are very lucky to have dedicated parents like her working to make our public education system world class."
Click here to read DC School Reform Now's full profile.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Logan Circle liaison.
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Attention all high school students!
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is hosting a College Choice EXPO on Saturday, March 10 from 10:00am-3:00pm at Trinity Washington University (125 Michigan Avenue, NE). The top 40 DC Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) institutions will be on site, where students can get one-on-one time with college representatives. There will also be college prep workshops on financial literacy, college survival, financial aid, and how to select the right school for you. High school students, as well as parents, are welcome to attend. For additional information, call 202-727-2824.
In other education news, Shaw at Garnet-Patterson is hosting "Shaw Shadow Day" during the week of January 23 to provide prospective students with exposure to Shaw Middle School. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with students and faculty and learn about programs and activities offered by the school.
The tour begins with a welcome and information session presented by Principal Kimberly Douglas, which includes information about the school and extra-curricular activities. Following the presentation, there will be a walking tour conducted by a student ambassador. In addition, visiting students will sit in on classes, participate in a student and faculty round table, and be treated to a special lunch. This is a great way to get a close look at one of the middle schools that serves Ward 2 students.
To schedule a visit, please contact Byron Jackson at 703-231-7481.
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January 26 Hearing on i-Gaming Councilmember Evans recently announced a public oversight hearing on the matter of i-Gaming, as well as a public hearing on Bill 19-474, the "Lottery Amendment Repeal Act of 2011" on Thursday, January 26 at 10:00am in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). The hearing will continue until all witnesses have testified or 1:00pm and will recess. The hearing will then resume at 6:00pm. As a follow up to the June 29 Public Oversight Roundtable on the matter of i-Gaming, the committee is providing another opportunity for the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board to provide an update on the series of community meetings held in the Fall of 2011, as well as implementation efforts of i-Gaming in the District of Columbia. This measure was included in Title VII, Subtitle G of Bill 18-1100, the "Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act of 2010," which is now Law 18-370. Bill 19-474, the "Lottery Amendment Repeal Act of 2011" would amend the Law to legalize Lotteries, Daily Numbers Games, and Bingo and Raffles for Charitable Purposes (DC Law 3-172) to eliminate online gambling. For additional information or to sign up to testify, please contact Sarina Loy. Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.
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Councilmember Evans is pleased to announce that he will be speaking to several civic organizations and attending several community events in January.
"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 January:
January 19 - 5:00pmWashington Convention Center Advisory Committee Walter E. Washington Convention Center 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW January 29 - 11:00amChinese New Year CelebrationChinatown between 6th & 7th Streets, NW |
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Ward 2
Youth Town Hall Meeting
Saturday, January 21
2:30pm-4:00pm
Charles Sumner School
1201 17th Street, NW
Join Mayor Gray and others to share your ideas on issues that affect District youth.
All participants will receive community service hours.
For additional information, email dcyac@dc.gov or call 202-727-7966.
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Councilmember Jack Evans
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite 106
Washington, DC 20004
202-724-8058
jevans@dccouncil.us
www.jackevans.org |
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