In this Ward 5 Report: the G9 launches on March 20;
legislation to address transportation and housing concerns; Women's
History Month, and help with tax season
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Neighbors,
March is Women’s History Month, Wednesday was International Women's
Day and, this year, it was also A Day Without A Woman here in the
United States.
Despite the progress that has been made, women are still
undervalued in our society. From unequal pay to discrimination, it
is obvious to anyone who cares that there continues to be inequality
between the genders. However, I remain inspired by the voices
rising up across the country to resist sexism, bigotry, and hate.
Actions like A Day Without A Woman highlight the disparity and are
a stark reminder of our shared obligation to do more to end sexism.
I am looking forward to more reflections and celebrations this
Women’s History Month, as I will be honoring several Ward 5 Women
with ceremonial resolutions.
In Service,
Kenyan
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In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:
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Legislative
Update
This week, Councilmember McDuffie introduced two pieces of
legislation to address concerns raised by Ward 5 residents.
The
Proper Planning for Future Growth Amendment Act of 2017
This
legislation will require the D.C. Department of Transportation and
the D.C. Office of Planning to work together on a biennial
report analyzing each ward's current transportation
infrastructure and future needs. While individual projects perform
traffic studies as part of their analysis of development impacts
and Small Area Plans look at the traffic patterns within a
prescribed area or neighborhood, these approaches are often too
narrow. This legislation will broaden the outlook of transportation
studies, and make this process a regular occurrence rather than an
ad hoc response to a given development.
Family
Unit Amendment Act of 2017
This
legislation would amend the Housing Production Trust Fund Act of
1988 to require a percentage of funds disbursed from the Housing
Production Trust Fund to be used to assist in creating rental units
with a minimum of 3 bedrooms. The bill requires that 10% of the
units created by each Notice of Funding Availability must be large
family units. The bill also requires the Deputy Mayor for
Planning and Economic Development to produce a biennial report on
the number of large family units in each ward; the number of very
low income and extremely low income households, in each ward that
occupy a large family unit; any government assisted projects that
resulted in the creation of large family units; and, an assessment
of the need in the District for large family units.
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With introduction of the Family Unit Amendment
Act, Councilmember McDuffie remarked:
“Since
taking office in 2012, I have prioritized legislation that
incentivizes the creation and preservation of affordable
housing. Yet, despite our focus on Affordable Housing,
people have felt left out, specifically families that already
live in the District. As I reflect upon what has been a
significant push by both the Council and Executive to create
Affordable Housing, I must ask whether we have missed the mark.
To date, our
focus has been on Affordable Dwelling Units. We have judged
our success based on the number of units we have created, with
little emphasis on the size of the units being built.
This legislation advances a new vision for
Economic Development and Affordable Housing – that
of family-size units. The bill will give our District government
the tools and data to ensure the units that we build meet the
needs of all District residents and families”
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Councilmember
McDuffie took part in Read Across America Day at Woodridge
Friendship Public Charter School
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Councilmember
McDuffie on the scene of a shooting with Asst Chief Diane Groomes
and Commander Fitzgerald at Brentwood Road, Rhode Island Ave, and
14th Street NE
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Councilmember
McDuffie was live on Fox5 last week from a living room in North
Michigan Park where the homeowner is experiencing shaking in her
home, likely from the MetroRail trains that run beneath her
house. Watch the report here.
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Councilmember
McDuffie at the last month's Edgewood Civic Association Meeting
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Councilmember
McDuffie back at the scene of the shooting the following day to
talk to business owners and resdients.
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Councilmember
McDuffie joins combined SMD meeting for ANC 5C02 and 5C07 at the
Woodridge Library.
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A New Bus Route
For Rhode Island Avenue - The G9 - Begins Service on Monday, March
20
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In last year’s budget,
Councilmember McDuffie secured funding for a new MetroBus route to
extend the entire length of Rhode Island Avenue in Ward 5.
The new bus route is called the “G9” and, for the first time in
memory, will allow residents to travel down Rhode Island Avenue all
the way downtown without a transfer. The G9 will also help
alleviate crowding on the G8.
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District
Leadership Program - Paid Internship Opportunity
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The District of Columbia
Government’s Department of Human Resources (DCHR) is once again
proud to announce its District Leadership Program (DLP). The DLP is
an internship program designed to provide tomorrow’s leaders with
the knowledge, tools, skills, and experiences that can be readily
applied to their future challenges and pursuits, whether personal
or professional.
Program will operate from May 30th to August 18th. All applicants
must be available as of May 16th. It is a full time experience,
Monday thru Friday, 40 hours per week. The deadline to apply
is April 21, 2017.
For full information and to apply, visit the DCHR
website.
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D.C. Public
Schools Chancellor - Ward 5 Engagement Meeting
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In 2012, DCPS launched an
ambitious strategic plan—five goals known as the Capital
Commitment. Five years later, academic performance is up,
graduation rates are up, enrollment is up, student satisfaction is
up, and it’s time to set a new vision for what our district can
accomplish.
Over the next few months, DCPS is asking for ideas and input from
the DCPS community. What will it take so that every student,
parent, and educator can walk into their school and feel welcomed,
inspired, and supported? How can we instill excellence and equity
at all levels of our district?
Chancellor Antwan Wilson will host conversations at schools across
the city. More information can be found on the DCPS
website.
WARD 5
MEETING:
DATE:
Tuesday, March 21
TIME: 6:30
— 8:30 PM
LOCATION:
Luke C. Moore High School
1001
Monroe St NE
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Get Free Tax Help
from the D.C. Office of Tax & Revenue
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In November 2016, The D.C.
Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) launched MyTax.DC.gov, an online portal
created to make viewing and paying individual income and business
taxes in the District simpler, faster, and safer. On the new portal
you can check refund and return status; view copies of notices sent
from OTR; provide substantiating documents to OTR; grant secure
third party access; contact e-Services for a swift response to
online inquiries; and make/schedule payments.
Free Tax Preparation Assistance
Customer service specialists in OTR’s walk-in center, located at
1101 4th Street, SW, Suite W270, will prepare DC individual income
tax returns at no cost. No appointment is necessary. Please bring
copies of your completed federal tax return, applicable
schedules, and W-2s or statements showing DC withholdings.
Filing Deadline
Because April 15 falls on a Saturday and OTR will be closed on
Monday, April 17 in observance of Emancipation Day, the deadline to
file income tax returns for Tax Year 2016 is Tuesday, April 18,
2017.
Contact the Office of Tax and Revenue
Assistance is available from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
- Walk-In
Center: 1101 4th Street, SW, Suite W270
- Telephone
Center: (202) 727-4TAX (4829)
- Email:
Taxhelp@dc.gov
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