From: Councilmember Kenyan R.
McDuffie
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 5:33 PM
Subject: April 7 Coronavirus Response - Council passes additional
coronavirus response emergency legislation
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Below are today's updates on the
District's response to the coronavirus pandemic. For the latest and
most comprehensive information always visit http://coronavirus.dc.gov.
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DC Council Holds Virtual Legislative Meeting and
Passes Additional Coronavirus Response Legislation
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"Since the Council last met
under our current public health emergency, the District has
undergone a significant health, social, and economic transformation
as the COVID-19 public health emergency touches nearly every
resident of our City and region. The District has instituted key
provisions of the first emergency, including setting up the
Microgrant small business recovery program, a prohibition on
evictions, utility relief, an expansion of tax relief, and an
expansion of unemployment benefits. I want to thank my colleagues,
as well as the Mayor and her administration, for their tireless
efforts in this crisis. As Chair of the Committee on Business and
Economic Development, I have continued to work around the clock to
mitigate further financial losses experienced by residents and
businesses.
As I have continued engaging the business community and other key
stakeholders since the passage of our first emergency legislation,
this second iteration continues to provide vital support for
residents and small and local businesses by taking urgent and
innovative steps.
I am proud to have added provisions to support our Certified
Business Enterprises (CBEs). Specifically, the bill increases the
subcontracting amount for construction and non-construction
contracts entered into during the public health emergency from 35%
to 50%. This helps to ensure that the limited District funding will
be targeted to residents of our City during this critical time.
I am also proud to include a provision that would allow the
agency to provide contractors with advance payments.
The emergency legislation supports workers, small businesses, and
families by requiring mortgage servicers to defer mortgage payments
for property owners experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19
and requiring those savings be passed on to tenants. As Chairman of
the Council committee with oversight of the DC Department of
Insurance, Securities and Banking, I am proud to have included
this language that will provide a needed and concrete reprieve for
renters, owners and businesses alike during this time.
Previously, we prohibited terminating gas, water, and electrical
services during the public health emergency. This legislation
expands the prohibition on the disconnection of utility services to
include cable and telecommunication services. It also authorizes
the Office of the Attorney General to enforce violations of the
provisions of the Council’s COVID-19 emergency legislation by
merchants.
Recognizing that communities of color and minority-owned businesses
continue to face systemic barriers, which in many ways are
exacerbated during this pandemic. As I wrote to my colleagues two
weeks ago, we must remain vigilant, so we do not exacerbate existing
disparities and contribute to displacement of individuals and
businesses in communities of color.
While this is an impactful bill that will help us through this
crisis, the work of this Council, Mayor Bowser, and the District
government continues. There will undoubtedly be additional measures
necessary, and as we consider those, it is imperative we work
collectively to guide our City through this unprecedented
time."
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DDOT Suspends Late Night Circulator Service
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The District of Columbia
Government has modified its operations in order to mitigate the
spread of the coronavirus. The District Department of
Transportation (DDOT) has temporarily suspended late-night service
on the DC Circulator through the end of Mayor Bowser’s declared
public health emergency.
Effective Tuesday, April 7, DC Circulator will operate Monday –
Friday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm and Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm,
for essential trips only.
DC Circulator passengers are asked to enter and exit the bus using
the rear door at all times. The only exceptions are for passengers
who need to use the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) boarding
ramp or require the bus to “kneel” to facilitate their boarding.
DC Circulator has suspended fares on all routes and service on the
National Mall Routes.
For more information about the DC Circulator, please visit dccirculator.com
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Norton Calls for Closure of Jefferson and
Lincoln Memorials During the Coronavirus
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Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes
Norton today sent a letter to the Acting Director of the National
Park Service (NPS), David Vela, requesting the closure of the
chambers of the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials after reports that
crowds had been forming at the sites over the weekend. Norton said
her letter was motivated by concern for the safety of the general
public and NPS employees during the coronavirus. Read the letter here.
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