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I wrote in my last article about the new Council period and a number of my priorities, such as education, public safety, and affordable housing. One of the things these goals have in common is that they are substantially impacted by the budget decisions that the Mayor and the Council will make over the next several months. As Chairman of the Finance & Revenue Committee, this half of the year is often my busiest.
I am hopeful that the Mayor's budget will include funding for these items as well as for expanded library hours, and that it will include sensible tax relief now that we can afford it. This is a time when everyone is expecting hundreds of millions of dollars of "new" revenue to our government to be announced due to higher-than-expected tax collections as our economy improves. In light of that information, it simply doesn't make sense to continue our plan to begin to tax out-of-state municipal bonds this year, a tax which largely impacts seniors. I believe I have the Mayor's support on this issue, but it will help if he and my
colleagues on the Council hear from you prior to and during budget considerations.
I am also hopeful that the Mayor will finally sunset the supposedly temporary increase in the sales tax. In case you don't know the story, the government raised the sales tax from 5.75% to 6% several years ago with the promise that it would sunset by now. Unfortunately, when the government thought it needed the money, it simply repealed the sunset provision. Now that everyone knows we have the money, we should keep our promise to lower this tax. All my colleagues should be able to agree on this, as the sales tax is regressive, disproportionately impacting those who have the least disposable income.
Before the budget is released, we first go through the performance oversight process. Over the past two weeks, I have sent a number of questions to the agencies under my purview to collect data on agency structure and recent spending. After I review what has worked and what has not, I will be in a better position to make recommendations on adjustments to the agency budgets for next year. I am also pleased to welcome the Commission on Arts & Humanities and Destination DC as new additions to my committee oversight responsibility this year. Thanks for your support during this process, and please feel free to reach out to my office as well as to my colleagues to share your views.
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Evans Celebrates 22 Years...
"22 years ago I was elected in a Special Election to serve the residents of Ward 2 as their Councilmember. I'm still here, am grateful to the residents of Ward 2 for their on-going support and vote of confidence and look forward to continuing to serve Ward 2," said Evans.
Elected in a Special Election to fill the remainder of then Ward 2 Councilmember John Wilson, who advanced to the Chairmanship of the City Council, Evans was the victor in a very close election. Over the years the young Councilmember has developed into a seasoned leader, has chaired the Judiciary and Economic Development Committees and has graduated to the Chairmanship of the prestigious Committee on Finance and Revenue, of which he remains chair. Evans has been a stalwart leader through the city's bad financial times and the good financial times and remains adamant that the city remain
on a top tier financial standing with the NYC Bond agencies. "Washington, DC is the envy of every city in America," Evans is frequently quoted as saying.
As the city continues to grow, Evans continues to grow with it. "Schools, affordable housing and employment are the main challenges currently facing the city and I pledge to work just as hard and harder to make sure that Washington, DC is not only tops in economic development but in those important areas as well," said Evans.
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Spring Street Cleaning Begins!
It's a sure sign of spring! The 2013 residential street sweeping season will begin Friday, March 1. Signs are posted that identify the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be enforced so the sweepers can clean the streets effectively.
"Since DPW went to a fixed schedule for street sweeping, it's been so much easier for our residents to remember," said Councilmember Evans. "But we always want to take the opportunity to remind our constituents."
DPW established March 1 through October 31 as residential street sweeping season in 2012. They also caution that often a supervisor will follow behind the sweeper and may require the block to be swept again, so no one should park until the end of the posted sweeping period.
DPW street sweepers cover about 4,000 lane miles monthly, removing litter and pollutants!
Parking enforcement of residential sweeping violations will begin Monday, March 11, to give motorists a few days to get used to the parking restrictions. The fine is a $30 ticket, but violators also may be towed to a nearby street.
For more information about street sweeping, go to http://1.usa.gov/DPWstreetalley.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' liaison to DPW |
Dupont ANC Offers Two Internships
 ANC 2B (www.dupontcircleanc.net), serving the residents of Dupont Circle, is offering two paid internships in grassroots DC Government. Each is named for a former Evans staffer.
The Desi Deschaine Memorial Community Involvement Internship will include opportunities in the following areas: - Develop strategies for effective communication with residents, businesses, and other community stakeholders
- Design and implement press and social media outreach
- Enrich the neighborhood by working with community organizations, non-profits, residents, and businesses to support neighborhood events and activities
The Jeff Coudriet Memorial Public Policy Internship will focus on: - Assisting the Commission in making more informed public policy decisions
- Learning and reporting on best practices in city government and regulation - including transportation, zoning, historic preservation, alcohol control, public space usage, and other areas
- Providing input on new legislation, regulations, and other public policy initiatives in D.C.
"I am so pleased that ANC2B should choose to remember our friends in this way," said Councilmember Evans. "These were two very special people, and these internships are a fitting way to continue to honor their memory. I would encourage people to apply to gain significant skills in these areas." Interested candidates should contact Dupont Circle ANC Chairperson Will Stephens (will.stephens@dupontcircleanc.net) with a resume and statement of interest by March 1, 2013
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Logan Hardward Celebrates 10 years!
Logan Hardware, located at 1416 P Street, is about to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. They are holding an all day party on Saturday, March 2 with 20% off almost everything in the store, raffles through out the day and a VIP reception from 6pm to 8pm which will include food and beverages. They invite all of their loyal customers and fans to come and help them celebrate. If you plan to stop by the evening event, please rsvp to party@acehardwareDC.com
"Anyone who has lived in the Logan area for more than 10 years knows what a tremendous impact this business has had on the neighborhood," said Councilmember Jack Evans. "It's hard to remember when there wasn't a Logan Hardware!"
Over the past ten years they have:
- Employed more than 300 people
- Made 300,684 house keys
- Mixed over 42,000 gallons and quarts of paint
- Given away more than 50,000 cloth shopping bags
- Donated more than $50,000 in goods and services to our local favorite charities, and
- Served over 1 MILLION customers!
"I plan to stop by the reception to personally congratulate DC residents and owners Gina Schaefer and Marc Friedman for all they've done for the community," said Evans. "I hope to see many of my Logan constituents there."
For more information: Logan Anniversary_Reception
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' liaison to Logan Circle. |
Legislative Update
Budget performance and oversight hearings:
Performance and Budget Oversight hearings on Fiscal Year 2012 and 2013 have begun! The Committee on Finance and Revenue will be holding budget oversight hearings on the following dates:
February 28, 2013 at 9:00 AM in Room 500 (Council Chambers) on the following agencies:
- Washington Convention and Sports Authority/Events DC
- Destination DC
- Commission on Arts and Humanities
March 7, 2013 at 10:00 AM in Room 500 (Council Chambers) on the following agencies:
- Office of the Chief Financial Officer, to include:
- Office of Finance and Treasury
- Office of Financial Management
- Office of Financial Operations
- Office of Tax and Revenue
- District of Columbia Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board
- Real Property Tax Appeals Commission for the District of Columbia
Contact Sarina Loy to sign up to testify at either of these hearings. For a complete schedule of oversight hearings, and upcoming Fiscal Year 2014 budget hearings, visit www.dccouncil.us
Committee on Finance and Revenue Public Hearing:
The Committee on Finance and Revenue will be holding a public hearing on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004. The following bills are on the agenda:
- Bill 20-22, the "Residential Real Property Tax Relief Act of 2013", would amend Title 47 of the District of Columbia Code to lower the cap on real property assessment increases from 10% to 5% per year, and would abolish the requirement that residential real property be assessed at a minimum of 40% of the value of the home regardless of the cap.
- Bill 20-24, the "Major Real Property Assessments and Appeals Schedule Revision Act of 2013" would amend Title 47 of the District of Columbia Code to provide for extended assessment notice and first level appeal dates for large-valued real properties so that their final valuations may take into account the prior year's income and expense information and thus result in increased accuracy; would provide for a list defining which real properties are required to file income and expense information with the Office of Tax and Revenue; and would provide that large -valued real property owners shall file income and expense information electronically when directed by the Office of Tax and Revenue.
- Bill 20-54, the "Jubilee Housing Residential Rental Project Property tax Exemption and Equitable Real Property Tax Relief Act of 2013" would amend Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to exempt from taxation certain property owned by Jubilee Housing, Inc. and its affiliates, which is to be developed as extremely low-income housing, and would also provide for equitable real property tax relief.
- Bill 20-55, the "Gala Hispanic Theatre Real Property Tax Abatement Act of 2013" would amend Chapter 46 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to abate a portion of the real property taxes assessed against Lot 79, Square 2837, so long as a portion of the property is leased to GALA Hispanic Theatre.
- Bill 20-67, the "Washington Latin Public Charter School Campus Property Tax Exemption Act of 2013" would amend Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to exempt from taxation certain property owned or ground leased by Washington Latin Public Charter School or Latin Rudolph QALICAB, LLC, nonprofit corporations.
- Bill 20-80, the "Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Real Property Tax Exemption and Equitable Real Property Tax Relief Act of 2013" would amend Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to exempt from taxation certain property of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, a non-profit organization, and would provide equitable real property tax relief to the organization.
To view copies of the bills, please visit the Council website at www.dccouncil.us, click on Legislation and Laws, click on Legislation Information System (LIMS).
The Committee invites the public to testify at the hearing. Those who wish to testify should contact Sarina Loy, Committee Aide at (202) 724-8058 or sloy@dccouncil.us.
Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.
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Councilmember Evans is pleased to announce that he will be attending and speaking at several community events in February.
"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 March:
March 4 - 4:00pm
Cambria Suites Sky Breaking Celebration 899 O Street, NW March 4 - 6:30pm
ANC 2E Meeting March 14 - 7:00pm
LeDroit Senior Building, Community Room
2125 4th Street, NW
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Free DC Tax Assistance!
Throughout March, the DC Office of Tax and Revenue staff will be in your community to offer a full range of tax services.
For more information, contact OTR Customer Service Center at
(202) 727-4TAX
or
click here.
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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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