May 2, 2020

Dear neighbor,

On Tuesday, I released a statement calling on the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) to quickly provide clarity to the public on its plans to improve conditions and operations at the DC Jail. I’m concerned about the serious reports coming from residents and employees at DC Jail during this public health emergency. Reported lack of shower access and residents not being able to make calls to family or attorneys and the alarming spread of the coronavirus within the jail has created a serious emergency. I’ve been heartened to see so much attention to this issue from several Councilmembers and community members. I will continue to monitor the situation. 

REOPEN ADVISORY GROUP

Mayor Bowser, this week, announced the ReOpenDC Advisory Group and launched an online survey for residents and employers to share feedback. I’m still working to understand the ReOpenDC plan. My initial observation is that the advisory group seems strong, but lacks diversity to ensure that all local concerns are addressed. I encourage you to fill out the online survey as we work to strengthen this group. 

NEW HOSPITALS COMING IN WARDS 1 & 8

On Wednesday, Mayor Bowser announced an agreement for the construction of two new hospitals in Wards 1 and 8. The announcement laid out plans to build a new 225-bed Howard University Hospital on Georgia Avenue NW and a 136-bed hospital at the St. Elizabeth’s East Campus in Ward 8. At this point, we don’t have many details.

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced on Wednesday that it has added $8 million to the $25 million already invested in the fund to provide relief to local small businesses for expenses, including employee wages and benefits, rent, and other operating costs. DMPED has received over 7,000 applications for the grant program.

 

The Department of Housing and Community Development is contributing $1.35 million, Events DC is providing nearly $4.2 million, and $3 million in federal relief funds will be added to the grant program. 

 

Applicants started to receive their award notifications beginning on April 29th and will continue through May 8th. 

Yesterday, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced expanding financial relief options for District residents who are struggling to pay private education loans due to the public health emergency. This initiative would provide qualifying District residents with loan forbearance, meaning loan payments are reduced or postponed, and other financial protections.

Relief options creditors are offering under the initiative include:

If regulated student loan servicers are limited in their ability to take these actions due to investor restrictions or contractual obligations, they should proactively work with loan holders to relax those restrictions or obligations.

The new initiative would help fill a gap by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. That law provides relief for borrowers with federal loans, including the suspension of monthly payments, interest, and involuntary collection activity through September 30th. However, the CARES Act left out millions of student loan borrowers with federal loans that are not owned by the federal government, as well as loans made by private lenders.

Borrowers in need of assistance must immediately contact their student loan servicer to identify their best options. 

To receive details on your federal loans and servicers, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) National Student Loan Data System at nslds.ed.gov , or call DOE’s Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 or 1-800-730-8913 (TDD).

Borrowers with private student loans may check the contact information on their monthly billing statements.

For additional resources regarding student loans, borrowers can contact:

The DC Government is looking to increase the size of the Contact Trace Force. These contact tracers will help identify coronavirus cases of community spread in the District.

The Contact Trace Force will help contain the virus and mitigate community spread through a five-step process:

Click here to apply. 

Seniors, thank you for joining me, Councilmember Elissa Silverman, and AARP DC State Director Louis Davis, Jr. for the telephone townhall on Thursday morning.

We outlined how DC government is working to protect seniors, listened to concerns, and answered questions about how this public health emergency has impacted seniors across the city.

All District residents can voluntarily take the Reduce Energy Use DC pledge.

The pledge is a promise to take steps to reduce energy use at your home, and save money while helping fight climate change. Working together, we can continue making a difference for our community and planet.

By taking the pledge, you will receive energy-saving tips and a chance to win a $300 credit on your electric bill through one of several random drawings.

District residents can sign up and take the pledge by:

Random drawings will begin in May. The pledge period closes July 7, 2020. Once closed, Pepco customers in the District will continue to receive energy-savings tips through Weekly Energy Usage Reports that compare individual energy usage to the prior week’s consumption.

Additional tips will be shared through social media and at ReduceEnergyUseDC.com . The initiative will run through August 2020.

The DC Public Charter School Board, in collaboration with the Deputy Mayor for Education, is hosting a free two-day, citywide DC virtual job fair on Wednesday, May 6th and Thursday, May 7th from 3-6 P.M.

DC Public Charter Schools, DC Public Schools, and education partners are seeking candidates for both teaching and non-instructional positions.  To register click here.

Note: If you are interested in attending on both days, you’ll need to register for each date. Each day features different schools and organizations. You can view the full list of participating organizations on each of the registration pages.

The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) has created a new webpage to help taxpayers, businesses, and property owners remain updated on all available information and guidance as a result of the coronavirus public health emergency. OTR will update the page as new information becomes available.

Visit otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/coronavirus .

REGISTER FOR THE MAY 5th LEGISLATIVE MEETING

On Tuesday, May 5th, the DC Council will conduct another virtual legislative meeting via Zoom. To join, register here . 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BUDGET OVERSIGHT HEARING

ON THE MAYOR'S FISCAL YEAR 20201 PROPOSED BUDGET

The DC Council's Committee of the Whole Public Briefing on the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Budget and Financial Plan public hearing is on Wednesday, May 13th at 10 A.M.

To find the full budget hearings schedule, click here .

Reminder: Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Zeta Omega Chapter and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Omicron Lambda Alpha Chapter continues Phirst Pham: Story Time every Wednesday at 7 P.M. until June 10th.

During the coronavirus public health emergency, we are offering parents a break with Zoom bedtime stories for kids PreK3 - Grade 3.

Register in advance for  this weekly event .

Let's continue to work together.

Robert

PERSONAL OFFICE STAFF







COMMITTEE OFFICE STAFF