Volume 25 | June 2019
  Stay Connected with Me
LEGISLATION & BUDGET UPDATES FOR DISTRICT RESIDENTS
Dear Neighbor,
This month, I was proud to introduce groundbreaking legislation to re-establish voting rights for incarcerated DC residents with felony convictions. The Council unanimously co-introduced the Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 2019, and I thank Attorney General Karl Racine and the advocates for their support.

This bill would make DC the first jurisdiction in the country to restore the vote to incarcerated residents with felony convictions and, I hope, will encourage other jurisdictions to do the same.
 
Two states, Vermont and Maine, never passed disenfranchisement laws, and their success in allowing incarcerated residents to vote, as well as the experience of 21 other countries that do so, demonstrate the viability of our bill. Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia have laws stripping incarcerated residents of their right to vote. The District is unique among the other 48 states because our locally elected officials did not disenfranchise our incarcerated residents. Congress imposed this on DC before we had home rule. Re-enfranchising incarcerated residents will allow men and women to exercise their most fundamental democratic right, the right to vote. Sadly, during the Jim Crow era, most states took away this right.

Democracy is stronger when more people participate. I believe we should not conflate punishment with the most basic right of citizenship.

Looking back to May, the Council voted on the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, which expands funding for affordable housing, workforce training programs, education, and public safety. As an At-Large Councilmember and Chair of the Committee on Facilities and Procurement, it is my job to ensure that your tax dollars are used responsibly and effectively. While no budget is perfect, the investments the Council made will reap dividends for our city for years to come. The last step of the budget process will take place on June 18th, when we take the final vote to approve the Budget Support Act, which is the legislation that will implement the budget we just passed.
 
Over the next few weeks, the Committee on Facilities and Procurement will continue its focus on oversight and legislation. On June 13th, the Committee will hold a public roundtable on the Mayor’s proposed appointment of Contract Appeals Board nominee, Nicholas Majett. Finally, the Committee will hold a joint oversight roundtable on the Department of General Services and the Office of Contracting and Procurement to discuss the city's procurement practices. I invite you to come testify. You can also watch our hearings live on Channel 13 or online . If you miss it, you can view archived hearings, after 24 hours, online. Contact the Committee at facilities@dccouncil.us or at (202) 741-8593. 
CONSTITUENT SUPPORT
Wednesday, June 12th is Spa Day for seniors at the Department of Parks and Recreation Emery Recreation Center  with  The Senior Zone  and the D epartment of Aging and Community Living.

Seniors can receive complimentary haircuts, makeup application, nail care, and other resources.
COMMUNITY CORNER
June 2019


I was honored to speak at  University of the District of Columbia 's Annual Celebration of Excellence Ceremony!

Congratulations to all who have completed programs this year to gain skills to put you on the path to a successful career. And thank you for honoring me with the Champions Award.

If you or someone you know is interested in FREE workforce certificate programs, check out UDC's Workforce Development and Lifelong program here .


8th grade scholars at Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy presented their proposal to my staff asking for fresh fruits and vegetables in Ward 7. I am energized to see how much they value and understand civic engagement at such a young age.


I took a tour of  Martha's Table's  with new President and CEO  Kim R. Ford . I learned more about their commitment to providing children and families with access to quality education programs, healthy foods, and opportunities to thrive.


In continuing my senior outreach, I spent time with residents of  Sunrise Senior Living  and listened to their concerns and feedback about legislation that impacts them.
I was incredibly honored to receive the Eleanor Holmes Norton Award from Mary's House for Older Adults at the 7th Annual Party with a Purpose. Thank you truly for this award and most especially for your work for LGBTQ seniors.


My family and I had a great time celebrating DC's Black Pride in the Park.


I joined hundreds of residents at the MoeChella and Long Live Go-go event. I will continue to fight alongside residents against displacement and for the needs of communities that are being left behind.

Congratulations to our former and current interns on accomplishing major academic milestones! Isiaha Reynolds (top right) is graduating from Chavez Capitol Hill High School, Jasmine Coilton (bottom) graduated from Howard University with a degree in Criminology, and Theodore Wilhite (bottom right) has obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the District of Columbia’s David Clark School of Law. I wish each of them the best and brightest future.
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.
PERSONAL OFFICE STAFF









COMMITTEE ON FACILITIES AND PROCUREMENT STAFF




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