Volume 29 | January 2021

New Committee Structure For Council Period 24

-----There are a few new changes coming to the structure of the Council’s committees for Council Period 24. -----I made these recommendations after meeting with all members individually, at length to discuss reorganization. I did my best to consider their priorities and suggestions. -----The most significant change -- in my opinion -- is that the Committee of the Whole will continue its jurisdiction over Education, as it has for the past two years. In Council Period 23, all education hearings were held jointly and all legislation advancing to the full Council was marked up by the Committee of the Whole, of which all Councilmembers are a member. I am committed to ensure that education will continue to have robust oversight in this council period. In the wake of this COVID-19 pandemic, I plan to hold education oversight hearings that focus on addressing the achievement gaps that have widened in this virtual school setting, and hearings that enable public discussion of how and when schools will reopen. Other oversight topics will include reducing principal/teacher turnover, reducing absenteeism, best strategies to improve literacy, and better facility planning. -----Given the unprecedented set of challenges faced by the District in the face of the ongoing pandemic, Councilmembers Charles Allen and Vincent Gray will co-chair the Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery. This committee is responsible for coordinating the legislative response and conducting oversight of matters related to the District’s COVID-19 pandemic recovery initiatives; and making recommendations to the Council to support the District’s recovery. The responsibilities of the Special Committee shall be to investigate and study proposals to ensure that the recovery from and continued response to the adverse health, education, transportation, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic ensures equitable outcomes for populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic; How additional infrastructure investments can address inequities exposed by the pandemic; And how federal pandemic recovery funds can be directed to address inequitable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Special Committee is authorized to hold hearings but shall not mark up any legislation. -----Other changes included merging the former Committee on Government Operations with the Committee on Facilities and Procurement. My recommendation is that Councilmember Robert White remain chair of the combined committee. -----The Subcommittee on Redistricting, chaired by Councilmember Elissa Silverman, will make recommendations on changes to Ward and ANC boundaries in response to the Census. The redistricting of the city’s eight wards will begin after the census data is released, which I expect to be in March, and the Council should adopt the new ward boundaries in June or July. Only then can the redistricting of the city’s 39 ANCs commence. She will also remain chair of the Committee on Labor & Workforce Development. ----- -----Oversight of five cultural boards or commissions, the Office of Cable Television, and the Public Library System will be added to the now-Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs chaired by Councilmember Trayon White, to continue its focus on supporting the District’s youth. ----- -----Oversight of Government Ethics (BEGA) will move to the Committee on Human Services under Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. Oversight of Executive Offices of the Mayor will move to the Committee on Housing and Executive Administration, under Councilmember Anita Bonds. ----- -----The new Council structure will bring new focus to improving our schools, address the most immediate issue of our time – pandemic recovery, and be ready for the decennial challenge of redistricting. With two new faces – At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson and Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George – I’m looking forward to Council Period 24.

STRONGER THAN EXPECTED REVISED REVENUE ESTIMATES -----The revised revenue estimates, released December 30th, are a slight relief. While we know that a great many of our businesses – small businesses, restaurants, hotels, and sport venues – are struggling to keep alive, the city’s economy is actually stronger than expected. -----If we are able to hold the line on spending, we would be able to use the accumulated surplus from last year (the year ended September 30th) to cover shortfalls in both this and next years’ budgets and would have to make only minimal cuts in the out years of the District’s four-year financial plan. -----The challenge, of course, is whether the Council and Mayor will be willing to hold the line on spending when we start, in three months, on next year’s budget. -----Meanwhile, it is clear from the Chief Financial Officer’s analysis, that the hospitality sector is really struggling – evidenced by the 45% drop in sales tax collections. This sector tends to employ the lowest wage workers; people least able to weather a financial recession. This brings a second challenge: how we can better focus our relief programs (financial assistance, eviction protection, etc.) to these workers who most need help. The better we can focus the relief, the more relief that will be available to each worker.

New Leadership at MPD -----Last month Mayor Bowser nominated Assistant Chief Robert Contee III to be the next Chief of the Metropolitan Police department. Chief Contee is a good cop who has risen through the ranks from starting as a cadet -- 31 years on the force. As an African-American and DC-native, I believe he brings a perspective to the position that is unique and needed, especially during our current political and social climate. Now, more than ever, MPD must be open to new approaches to law enforcement and new strategies to fight violent crime. -----At the same time, Chief Contee is well-regarded within the community. During his welcoming press conference he said, "keep in mind, no matter what happens or how much we’re criticized, we are the chosen guardians of our community.” -----I generally support the choice to promote from within. I am a strong believer in continuity and stability and Chief Contee has the experience to lead this department and the unique federal challenges that also come with being the leader of MPD. -----I expect the confirmation process to be robust and I look forward to the hearing.

CONSTITUENT SERVICES CORNER -----This holiday season our constituent services team has increased our annual giving activities exponentially. -----During Thanksgiving season, our team reached out to local grocery stores to provide more than 200 food gift cards to families in need. Because of the pandemic, our team made safe household deliveries of the cards to make sure those in need received help. -----And the giving didn't stop there, leading up to the Christmas holiday our team safely delivered hundreds of toys and gifts to families across the District. -----This holiday season we did our best to bring joy to the hearts of residents who may have been lacking the necessary funds this year.

Upcoming Hearings of the Committee of the Whole

Legislative Meeting January 5, 2021 12 p.m. via Virtual Meeting Platform Committee of the Whole Meeting January 19, 2021 12 p.m. via Virtual Meeting Platform Legislative Meeting February 2, 2021 12 p.m. via Virtual Meeting Platform For More Information on How to 'Attend' a Virtual Public Hearing & Meeting or to Testify for Public Hearings email cow@dccouncil.us or call 202.724.8196 

CHAIRMAN MENDELSON'S STAFF

The majority of the Chairman's Staff has shifted to telework during this public health emergency. Should you need to contact them, use the following information:

CHAIRMANMENDELSON.COM

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