Volume 12 | February 2018
Stay Connected With Me


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Hello neighbor,
Many residents reach out to my office asking what city officials can do to create more economic opportunities for individuals and families in DC. That question is usually followed by concerns about the shrinking number of affordable housing units in the city. Without a good-paying job, it is hard to maintain safe and reliable housing in the District.

I am looking at workforce development from many angles—young people graduating from our public schools, unemployed residents looking to get back into the workforce, returning citizens looking for the dignity of gainful employment, and seniors who are feeling the pressure from DC’s rising cost of living.

As my office continues to work on these issues, I will be asking you to send me your ideas, call my office, or interact with me on social media. I welcome your input and feedback in the legislation process. Together, we can build a stronger DC for all of our residents.
2018 COG Board leadership: Chairman Matthew Letourneau, Vice Chairman Robert White, and Vice Chairman Derrick L. Davis.
KEY REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE
Councilmember Robert White was elected as Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors for 2018.

COG connects regional elected and appointed leaders across borders and political party lines to help shape strong communities and a better region, and to develop solutions to the region’s major challenges.
Pictures from the 2018 Annual Peace Walk and the 2018 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade.
NEW LEGISLATION
I meet so many seniors and other residents who were knocked out of their careers during the Great Recession and who are trying their best to get back to work. But door after door is closed on them because some employers discriminate based on their age or are too afraid to take a chance on them. I introduced the Local Work Opportunity Tax Credit Amendment Act of 2018, to encourage employers to take a chance on our seniors.

My bill would create a local tax credit for employers who hire senior citizens to match the federal tax credit of up to $2,400. The credit would also apply for employers that hire a District resident who has been unemployed for more than 27 consecutive weeks, is an unemployed veteran, has a disability, is a convicted felon, or receives assistance or supplemental security income benefits.

I co-introduced Councilmember Brianne Nadeau's Achieving Universal Transportation Opportunities (AUTO) Amendment Act of 2018. It waives the fees for non-driving identification for District residents over the age of 65, recent returning citizens, and residents who are homeless. Together, both bills help our seniors and residents returning home from prison find jobs by removing barriers that make it difficult to secure employment.

Above: Councilmember Robert White visiting with seniors at the Samuel Kelsey Apartments.
Councilmember Robert White speaking to crowd.
DC FAIR ELECTIONS
I was proud to vote for the Fair Elections Act of 2017, a bill that would provide public matching funds to candidates who only accept small contributions instead of relying on wealthy donors and special interests . It is time that we give a stronger voice to everyday people and recognize that special interest money can overwhelm politics and shift our conversations away from the needs of everyday residents.

This bill will help balance the scales of democracy so that everyday people can compete with entrenched politics and hold our government accountable to the people. Our communities are served best when we remove barriers for people interested in running for office. Wealthy networks, strong political ties, and being a career politician should not be prerequisites to elected public service.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR SENIORS
Back to Work 50+ at DC Department of Employment Services

The District of Columbia has a diverse population of talented job seekers looking to enter or reenter the workforce and assume roles as productive, full-time employees. This universe of job seekers includes valued community members between the ages of 50 and 64 that were previously employed and are ready to get back to work.

Back to Work 50+ is an initiative launched by the Department of Employment Services with the AARP Foundation that helps to find employment opportunities for mature job seekers.

To apply for Back to Work 50+ or for more information on other resources available through the AARP Foundation, please contact AARP at 1-855-850-2525 to register for an upcoming Jobseekers Workshop.

Home Delivered Meals

DC Office on Aging offers home delivered meals to adults over 60 who are unable to shop for and/or prepare the food themselves, or travel to a community dining site. These meals contain one-third of the recommended daily allowance of nutrients.

Individuals under age 60 also may be eligible if they are the spouse of a homebound older adult or an individual with disabilities that resides with a homebound older adult. This service is also available on weekends.

For more information on how you may participate, contact the DC Aging and Disability Resource Center in your ward or call the DC Office on Aging's Information and Assistance division at (202) 724-5626.

Handicapped Accessibility Improvement Program (HAIP)

This Program provides a grant of up to $30,000 for accessibility modifications needed to adjust most physical barriers within a home for persons with mobility or other physical impairments.
 
For more information on how you may participate, contact the Department of Housing and Community Development's Information and Assistance division at (202) 442-7200.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Clockwise from top left corner: Councilmember Robert White at ManPowerDC's Young Adults Voting Awareness Day's Local All-Star Basketball Game; lecturing to DCPS students on DC voting rights; celebrating the 38th anniversary of local go-go band Junk Yard Band; speaking to the graduates of the Youth Workforce Leaders Academy.
FIND US IN THE COMMUNITY
Saturday, February 17
Ward 8 Democrats | 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center | 2730 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE

Tuesday, February 20
Dupont Park Citizens Association | 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church | 3000 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Lower Level

Saturday, February 24
Ward 7 Democrats | 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library | 3935 Benning Road, NE
 
Tuesday, February 27
LeDroit Park Civic Association | 7:00 p.m. | Florida Avenue Baptist Church | 623 Florida Avenue, NW Rear Entrance

*Dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
NEED HELP?
PLEASE CONTACT ME OR ANYONE ON MY TEAM
I hope you enjoyed this month's edition of my newsletter. If you have any questions or need to bring an issue to my attention, please call my office at 202-724-8174 or reach out to my team.






My Best,

Robert
Robert C. White, Jr. Councilmember, At-Large | Council of the District of Columbia
Phone: (202) 724-8174 | Fax: (202) 727-8210 |  www.RobertWhiteAtLarge.com
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