mcduffie5

27May 2021 by mcduffie5

McDuffie Applauds Funding for Crummell in Mayor’s Proposed Budget, Vows to Continue Fighting for Unfunded Priorities

Press Release

“The budget must make transformational investments that enable all residents to access economic opportunity, reliable housing and safe communities.” For Release: Thursday, May 27, 2021 Contact: Malcom Fox, 202-227-1701, mfox@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Today, the Mayor released her FY22 budget, which invests in affordable housing, education, infrastructure and a safe COVID recovery. We must also take this opportunity to take bold steps to eliminate the District’s stark racial wealth gap; given the unprecedented level of federal stimulus dollars at our disposal, the time is now. Councilmember McDuffie requested $20M to fund the Child Wealth Building Act of 2021 and $100M for a guaranteed basic income pilot program, neither of which were funded, along with investments that directly support our workers and small businesses. “The budget must make transformational investments that…

25May 2021 by mcduffie5

Councilmember McDuffie Convenes Hearing on Child Wealth Building Act, Guaranteed Basic Income and Tax Policy

Hearing, Legislation Information, Press Release

Hearing an important step to advance wealth equity legislation and investigate revenue streams in the context of a post COVID-19 recession For Release: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 Contact: Malcom Fox, 202-227-1701, mfox@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Today, Ward 5 Councilmember and Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development Kenyan McDuffie convened a hearing to further develop wealth his Child Wealth Building Act, discuss the benefits of a guaranteed basic income pilot program, explore tax policy proposals and understand the long term impacts of the COVID-19 induced recession on our economic landscape. The four panels featured wealth equity and tax policy experts to help design these proposals. “We must pass bold and transformational policies that chip away at the District’s stark racial inequities,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “The Child Wealth Building…

19May 2021 by mcduffie5

Councilmember McDuffie’s Open Letter to Ward 5 Residents on Comprehensive Plan

Letter, Statement

Dear Ward 5 Residents The Comprehensive Plan serves as a guide for the District’s future growth and development. The Plan and the priorities it sets for our land use, housing, public services, infrastructure, transportation, environment, and capital investments are a reflection of the vision we have for our City. When the Comprehensive Plan was released, my staff and I hosted meetings for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and civic association leaders and met with a wide array of residents and organizations across Ward 5. Beginning with the Comprehensive Plan’s Framework Element, approved in 2019, I drafted language that reflected constituent concerns and ideas to ensure that equity was prioritized. This Comprehensive Plan Amendment is complex and nuanced. My approach will not satisfy everyone, as the interests and desired outcomes vary significantly across…

14May 2021 by mcduffie5

Councilmember McDuffie Introduces Clean Hands Equity Legislation to Reduce Barriers for Obtaining Licenses and Permits

Press Release

Would help aspiring small business owners, low-income residents and returning citizens get the licensure they need to open or operate a small business in the District For Release: Friday, May 14, 2021 Contact: Malcom Fox, 202-227-1701, mfox@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Last week, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie introduced the Clean Hands Certification Equity Amendment Act of 2021. If passed, this bill would reduce the barriers imposed on small business owners, returning citizens and low-income residents to obtain licenses and permits. The current certification process is particularly burdensome for low-income individuals as well as the service and hospitality industries who have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 recession. “This legislation puts equity and fairness at the heart of the District’s licensing and permitting processes,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “Moreover, it will help…

10May 2021 by mcduffie5

Councilmember McDuffie, Community leaders and Business Leaders Call on Mayor Bowser to Release Reopening Roadmap

Press Release

Calls for a reopening plan and hotel relief grants come as regional partners and cities across the country unveil plans for how workers, businesses, and faith institutions will move forward For Release: Monday May 10, 2021 Contact: Malcom Fox, 202-227-1701, mfox@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Today, Ward 5 Councilmember and Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development Kenyan McDuffie joined community stakeholders representing workers, local businesses, and institutions of faith in the District to call on Mayor Bower to release a formal reopening roadmap for Washington, D.C. “Low-wage workers, particularly those in the hospitality and service industries, have seen their livelihoods evaporate,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “Businesses cannot begin to rehire and reopen without a proper roadmap like what neighboring jurisdictions have released. Our reopening plan must prioritize safety, but…

07May 2021 by mcduffie5

Councilmember McDuffie’s FY21 Budget Victories for Entrepreneurs and Workers Come to Fruition

Press Release

For Release: Friday May 7, 2021 Contact: Malcom Fox, 202-227-1701, mfox@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Councilmember McDuffie secured funding for two key initiatives in the FY21 budget that DMPED moved forward today. First, the District has announced the initiation of the Disparity Study to understand the disparities in contracting in D.C. and to serve as the legal predicate for establishing a Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program. Second, the Equity Impact Fund Grant Program will start accepting applications to connect businesses with access to capital who would otherwise struggle to get it. “I secured funding for these two programs because women and minority entrepreneurs deserve fair and meaningful opportunities to share in the District’s prosperity,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “For too long, diverse business owners have struggled to obtain procurement opportunities…

04May 2021 by mcduffie5

Councilmember McDuffie Unveils “Baby Bonds” Legislation to Eliminate DC’s Racial Wealth Gap

Press Release

New program would make unprecedented investment aimed at eliminating the District’s racial wealth gap For Release: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Contact: Malcom Fox, 202-227-1701, mfox@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Yesterday, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie introduced the Child Wealth Building Act, a child trust fund or “baby bonds” proposal aimed at eliminating the District’s stark racial wealth gap and ending generational poverty. In the District, a white family’s median wealth ($284,000) is 81 times higher than the median wealth of a Black family ($3,500). If passed, the child trust fund proposal would ensure that every baby born in the District has tangible economic, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities to succeed. “Residents of color have waited long enough for the transformational change necessary to achieve racial equity,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “We must…

01Apr 2021 by mcduffie5

Police Reform Commission Report Highlights the Urgent Need to Fully Implement Councilmember McDuffie’s NEAR Act

Press Release

Commission’s report identifies areas where the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Act (NEAR) remains unimplemented and recommends changes to improve public safety For Immediate Release: Friday, April 1, 2021Contact: Malcom Fox, 202-227-1701, mfox@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Today, the DC Police Reform Commission released its report entitled “Decentering Police to Improve Public Safety. The Commission’s report culminates a year of work following calls for social justice this past summer and recommends that the District undertake sweeping changes to reimagine its approach to public safety. The report also makes it clear that critically important provisions of the NEAR remain unimplemented and underfunded. “Today’s report reaffirms my concerns that the NEAR Act has yet to be fully implemented and this lack of implementation is a detriment to public safety, said Councilmember McDuffie. “The Commission…

10Mar 2021 by mcduffie5

Councilmember McDuffie’s Applauds Congress for Passing American Rescue Plan Act and giving DC its Fair Share

Press Release

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Contact: Jonathan McNair, 202-288-0714, Jmcnair@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Today, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act, sending the bill to President Biden’s desk for signature. This stimulus package includes approximately $2.3 billion dollars in funding for DC residents that will go towards direct cash payments, assistance for small businesses, rental support, and extended unemployment benefits. “The American Rescue Plan Act provides vital assistance to District residents and small businesses,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “Importantly, this bill retroactively provides the $755 million in local funding that Senate Republicans deliberately withheld from Washington, D.C. in the CARES Act. The stimulus funding will help us get workers and business operators back on their feet and combat the public health crisis that continues to devastate our communities.” The…

02Mar 2021 by mcduffie5

At Councilmember McDuffie’s Behest, Council Office of Racial Equity Releases Vaccine Framework

Press Release

New report proposes changes to ensure residents with the greatest risk get the vaccine For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 2, 2021Contact: Jonathan McNair, 202-288-0714, jmcnair@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Today, the Council Office of Racial Equity (CORE) released a framework to ensure amore equitable vaccine distribution program. Councilmember McDuffie requested this framework to addressthe disproportionate impacts this pandemic has had on communities of color and low vaccine rates amongBlack Washingtonians. “Every aspect of our public health and economic response to this pandemic must be done through the lensof racial equity,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “Black communities have been the hardest-hit by thisvirus but are getting vaccinated at the lowest rate. This new framework provides useful suggestions to helpguide our actions." The report makes clear that there are real barriers for Black and…