Ward 1 Update: Performance Oversight & Budget Season is Here
NEWSLETTER
As chair of the Committee on Public Works & Operations I try to learn about how our agencies work. Gotta admit, this one was a lot of fun.
Hello Neighbors:
We are entering one of the busiest and most important times of the legislative cycle: performance oversight season, followed immediately by budget oversight season. It’s a time for the Council and residents to ask agencies about the work they are doing, what’s going well, what the challenges are, and how they plan to address those challenges.
Residents are a key part of this process and I really hope that many of you will choose to participate. Residents know best how the work of agencies is affecting them and their communities. You navigate the agencies, fill out the forms, try to get permits and licenses and trash picked up. You also have thoughts about how we take care of our neighbors in need, fixing up parks and adding programs. Your testimony carries more weight than you might think. I and other councilmembers take notice when even one or two residents speak up on an issue, and we will often ask agencies to respond to your comments and concerns and propose adjustments to legislation and the budget based on your input.
You can testify before committees, submit written testimony, and contact your councilmembers. Don’t forget – in addition to me, your Ward 1 councilmember, you have five others! The four at-large councilmembers and the Chairman of the Council, all of whom represent all residents of the District.
Read more about the oversight process, upcoming hearing dates, and how to testify.
We are preparing for the February 6 vote on the Secure DC Omnibus public safety bill, which brings together dozens of provisions in legislative proposals from the past few months. I support much of it, anticipate some adjustments that will address concerns I and some of my colleagues have, and I will propose amendments, including one to help police close more homicide cases. Read more about the omnibus bill below. 👇
Congratulations to Jaspal Bhatia, the newest Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in ANC 1A – Columbia Heights! Swearing in new ANC members is one of my favorite duties as a councilmember.
Finally, please join me for Brianne on Your Block tomorrow night, Monday, January 22, at Dukem Ethiopian, 1114 U St NW from 6 to 8 pm. These are my monthly office hours where you can sit with me to talk about whatever is on your mind. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
COUNCIL UPDATE |
Omnibus Public Safety Legislation
Since before the passage last July of the Prioritizing Public Safety bill, my fellow councilmembers and I have been devoting much of our time to finding ways to address the increase in crime with legislation, oversight of executive branch agencies such as the failing 911 call center and the partially-accredited crime lab, and trying to push the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute more crimes.
At our February 6 Council Legislative Meeting, we will likely take up the Secure DC Omnibus – a collection of measures from multiple sources, including Councilmember Robert White’s Whole of Government Response to Crime bill, the Mayor’s ACT Now Act, and other pieces of legislation that have been moving through Council. I intend to propose my own amendments, including one to incorporate my homicide case closure bill.
There’s a lot to like in the omnibus. It takes a smart approach to retail theft, going after individuals who organize others to shoplift and then resell items. It also broadens the definition of carjacking to include when a car is stolen in the vicinity of the owner. I also have concerns over civil liberties and unintended consequences. For example, the bill calls for allowing MPD to designate temporary “drug free zones” as a way to discourage illicit activity. People with substance use disorder could easily get scooped up in enforcement – that's not only damaging to them, it breaks trust with the government, making it even harder to get these folks the services they need, and securing our community.
I’m confident that we can take some commonsense steps to make inroads on crime and still protect the rights of citizens. This comprehensive bill is part of that solution. I’ve introduced bills to increase police recruitment by expanding the Cadet Academy program, and to fix 911 by diverting fire/EMS calls to the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
My staff and I continue to review the 93-page bill and work with colleagues to come up with a final version of the bill.
Read my initial take on the Secure DC Omnibus from last week.
Taking Aim at Dangerous Drivers
Repeat dangerous drivers threaten the safety of all of us in the District, and the inability of District government to hold many of them accountable is unacceptable. The Council passed legislation earlier this month that will strengthen enforcement action against drivers who are repeatedly documented exceeding the speed limit by automated traffic cameras, often with little consequence.
The Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility Act, which I co-introduced will allow for booting vehicles that rack up points for speeding and other traffic offenses, even if they are caught by traffic cameras, not police, and even if the owners of those vehicles pay the fines. It closes loopholes for drunk drivers and it allows D.C.’s Attorney General to sue repeat offenders, even if they live outside D.C. As chair of the committee that oversees parking enforcement and booting and towing, I have a strong interest in this legislation. I’ve also introduced legislation of my own to take action on vehicles with fake tags. A final Council vote will likely come on February 6.
Read more about the bill and how it will help with traffic safety.
Shoplifting and Resale of Stolen Goods
Our community is understandably concerned about the rise in retail theft over the past year, how this crime is being addressed, and the impact it has on our sense of safety and community. I take shoplifting and the reselling of stolen goods very seriously and have worked together with police, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, and business owners to address these issues.
In light of recent news coverage – some of it inaccurate – it’s important to explain that the street vending law passed by the Council last year is not contributing to the problem and the law did not take away the ability of police to enforce laws against theft and resale of stolen goods by any group, including street vendors.
Street vending was and is legal; resale of stolen goods was and is illegal.
The law transferred enforcement responsibility for vending laws only from MPD to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, which enforces other business licenses. Read more in this FAQ.
I have spoken with the Mayor and I plan to provide support to the Metropolitan Police Department to ensure that officers are aware that the street vending law passed last year does not prohibit MPD from addressing illegal activity.
Read more about who enforces what with regard to street vending and a more detailed Frequently Asked Questions document.
Council Approves Home Visiting Medicaid Coverage
Home visiting programs give new moms services critical to their health and the health and development of their children. This month the Council passed my Home Visiting Services Reimbursement Act, which gives access to these services to families receiving Medicaid benefits. The new law, passed unanimously by the Council, supports evidence-based home visiting programs that provide parental coaching and critical health services. Research shows that these are among the most effective interventions available to alleviate the stressors of poverty, which have detrimental impacts on child development and leads to lifelong health disparities.
Read more about the legislation.
Traffic Control Officers Now in place at 14th & Irving
Last year I allocated funding for two traffic control officer positions in Columbia Heights, dedicated to the intersection of 14th and Irving streets. The TCOs are necessary to keep bus and bike lanes clear and traffic moving along, safely – for everyone.
My team and I paid a visit recently and they were doing a great job! Thank you to them and the DDOT team for their commitment to making this improvement to traffic safety.
Giving Students the Support They Deserve
When schools, educators & students don’t receive the tailored support they need, teacher and principal turnover rates rise, student attendance declines, and we fall short in preparing our youth for adulthood, causing ripple effects and far-reaching consequences across our city.
The School Improvement Amendment Act, passed on January 9, holds agencies accountable for supporting schools and students, creates a school support office, requires implementation of a new school support framework, and ensures better communication among agencies and stakeholders.
Wage Transparency
Wage disparities for people of color and women are pervasive across the US and persist throughout entire careers. The Council recently passed the Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act to address pay disparities by requiring employers to include salary ranges on job postings and provide perspective employees with information on benefits prior to the first interview. It also bars employers from asking candidates about their previous compensation or screening candidates based on salary history.
Pay transparency is one of the leading tools for closing the wage gap because it reduces salary secrecy and supports negotiation efforts. It also provides an opportunity for already-employed staff to advocate for better pay and benefits for employers, who experience reduced recruiting costs, higher-quality candidates, and better retention.
SNAP Raise Almost Snapped Away, Then Saved
After pressure from the Council and advocates, the Mayor agreed to restore funding for the local supplement to the SNAP program. SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal program to provide food assistance to low-income families. Nearly 83,000 residents were expecting an increase in benefits on January 1, only to hear at the last minute that the Department of Human Services would not make the increase available because they wanted to use the funds elsewhere.
That’s not how it works, though – the budget is a law, like all other laws, and must be followed.
In December 2022, the Committee on Human Services, which I chaired at the time, advanced Councilmember Henderson’s bill to supplement federal SNAP funds with local funds. The Council allocated $39 million to the program in the District budget that started October 1, 2023.
I’m glad the Mayor did the right thing and DHS pledged to make initial payments in late February, including for benefits not received in January and February, and then include the SNAP “raise” in weekly payments after that, as required in the law.
The provision also restores the $20 million in payments that were allocated to excluded workers – undocumented and other residents who were not able to benefit from federal pandemic stimulus payments that nearly every other resident received. Events DC confirmed this past week that it has transferred the appropriate funds and is disbursing them.
Thank you to Councilmember Henderson for her SNAP bill and her doggedness in fighting to restore the funds, and to her and Councilmember Lewis-George for pushing successfully to include funds for SNAP and my excluded workers allocation in the current budget.
IN THE NEWS |
ABC 7
DC crime lab get partial accreditation 2 years after it was revoked; can process evidence again
"Being able to prosecute higher-level drug offenses, like the sale of drugs, the intent to sell, the people higher up who are pushing these drugs to our street - to our residents, who are becoming addicted to them - that's huge."
DC NEWS NOW
DC Forensic Lab regains accreditation
“Now the challenge is really pushing forward to figuring out if they’re going to go ahead with that ballistics lab, which is one of the key pieces of addressing the crimes that we’re seeing still here in the District of Columbia.”
FOX 5
DC crime lab partially reaccredited after past failures
DCIST
D.C. Council Could Sue Mayor Bowser For Refusing SNAP Increase
INFORMER
Majority of D.C. Council Supports Plan to Sue Mayor Bowser for SNAP Funds
Council member Brianne Nadeau released a statement in support of Mendelson’s resolution, calling Bowser’s decision not to allocate the excess funds toward SNAP a “slap in the face” to low-income residents who were expecting the benefits increase.
FOX 5
'It’s going to make people safer:' DC Councilmember Pinto introduces crime legislation
COMMUNITY UPDATES |
Free e-recycling in Ward 1
Drop off unwanted electronics for recycling at the Dept of Energy & Environment-approved e-recycling event, January 27, 10 am to 2 pm. The collection vehicle will be on V St. NW, between 13th and 14th streets (near Harrison playground).
Consumer Rights for Renters
Consumer Alert from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General: DC has strong tenant protection laws, starting from the application process. Know your rights.
Apply for a Youth Violence Grant
The D.C. Office of the Attorney General is launching the “Leaders of Tomorrow” violence prevention grant program - providing up to $250,000 to nonprofits dedicated to preventive interventions with kids. Grant applications are due February 2. More information.
Regional Fair Housing
D.C. and seven other area governments finalized a regional fair housing plan
I’m proud to be an active member of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and have brought a focus to housing and homeless in my leadership roles over the years.
This recently announced plan is the first in a generation aimed at reducing housing discrimination, reversing patters of racial segregation, and ensuring more inclusive communities.
Apply for humanities grants
HumanitiesDC grant funding supports individuals, groups and organizations who use the humanities to explore the people, cultures, histories, and connections that make DC a vibrant place to be. Cycle I applications are open and due February 20. Cycle II applications open on March 4 and are due by May 1. Register for our upcoming info sessions here.
CALENDAR |
Brianne on Your Block
Meet with Councilmember Nadeau one-on-one.
Monday, January 22, 6-8 pm | Dukem Ethiopian, 1114 U St. NW
Committee on Public Works & Operations – Performance Oversight Hearing
Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (9:30 am); Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (est. 1 pm)
Wednesday, January 24, 9:30 am | Online
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Performance Oversight Hearing
Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants
Wednesday, January 24, 9:30 am | Online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E
Monthly meeting
Wednesday, January 24, 7 pm | Online
3rd District MPD Citizens Advisory Council Public Safety Community Meeting
Thursday, January 25, 7 pm | 1620 V St NW
Monthly meeting
Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing
Department of For-Hire Vehicles
Tuesday, January 30, 2 pm | Online
Committee on Public Health – Performance Oversight Hearing
Department of Behavioral Health
Wednesday, January 31, 9:30 am
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B
Monthly meeting
Thursday, February 1, 6:30 pm | Online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1C
Monthly meeting
Wednesday, February 7, 7 pm | Online
CONTACT US |
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | bnadeau@dccouncil.gov
Ariel Ardura | Committee Director | aardura@dccouncil.gov
Abigail Boshart | Legislative Aide | aboshart@dccouncil.gov
Amanda Chulick | Legislative Analyst | achulick@dccouncil.gov
Jerry Clark | Constituent Services Specialist | jclark@dccouncil.gov
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | dconnertymarin@dccouncil.gov
Estelle McKinney | Constituent Services Specialist | emckinney@dccouncil.gov
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | dmeni@dccouncil.gov
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | mnava@dccouncil.gov
Sabrin Qadi | Legislative Assistant | sqadi@dccouncil.gov
Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | nrivero@dccouncil.gov