Ward 5 Report: It's time to craft a budget for DC

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2020 8:02 AM
Subject: Ward 5 Report: It's time to craft a budget for DC

View this email in your browser Neighbors, As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, the Council turns its focus to reviewing each DC government agency's performance over the past year and crafting a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Ultimately, the task of formulating a budget is one of setting priorities, and I want to hear your budget priorities for Ward 5 and the District of Columbia. On Monday, I will be releasing a survey to solicit your feedback and priorities for the upcoming budget. You will be able to find it on my website and social media channels, and my staff and I will also be bringing it to ANC and civic association meetings in January and February. In addition to sharing your priorities with me, I also invite you to share them with the entire Council by testifying at a performance oversight or budget oversight hearing. While I will be advocating for many of the priorities identified by Ward 5 residents, nothing is more powerful than when residents testify directly to Councilmembers and agency leadership. Performance oversight hearings review the performance of District agencies over the past year and run through March 6, 2020. Budget oversight hearings look at each agency's budget for the upcoming year and are held March 23 through April 9, 2020. For the schedule of hearings, check the Council website and for more details on this process, please refer to the website of the Council Budget Office. I will continue to keep residents informed throughout the budget process and look forward to learning about your budget priorities. In service, Kenyan In this issue of the Ward 5 Report: Legislative Update Public Safety Update McDuffie in the News Kenyan in the Community March with Kenyan in the MLK Day Parade - January 20 Great Streets Grantee Announcement - January 13 Dunbar High School Feeder Fest - January 23 The DC School Lottery is now open Legislative Update At Tuesday's Legislative Meeting, Councilmember McDuffie introduced the Diversity in Fund Management Amendment Act of 2020. The aim of this legislation is to increase the gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of asset fund managers by requiring the District of Columbia Retirement Board to report annually on the affirmative steps it has taken to hire diverse fund managers. A 2017 study by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation found that while performance is equal, women and minority-owned firms manage just 1.1% of the $71.4 trillion assets under management across the world.  Also on Tuesday, Councilmember McDuffie's legislation to make go-go the official music of the District of Columbia passed the first of two required votes. The final legislation requires the executive to submit to the Council a comprehensive plan on how the DC government can support, preserve, and market go-go music. Public Safety Update Our community continues to be impacted by the tragic and alarming effects of gun violence. Going back to the end of November, Councilmember McDuffie has worked to keep the community informed on the efforts of the police and other agencies and hosted a series of three community conversations on public safety. On Monday afternoon, unfortunately, there was another shocking daytime shooting and homicide near the intersection of 24th and Franklin Street NE. Councilmember McDuffie released a statement that evening and followed up with some ways neighbors can get involved to increase public safety in our community. McDuffie in the News Last Friday, January 3rd, Councilmember McDuffie was a guest on the Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood. Hear him talk about his legislation to support District-based small businesses, among an array of topics covered. Listen to Councilmember McDuffie on the DC Council Podcast, Hearing the Council, where he talks about life growing up in Stronghold and DC.  Read about the passage of legislation to make go-go the official music of DC in the Washington Post, NewsOne, or DCist. Kenyan in the Community In December Councilmember McDuffie spoke at the Grand Opening of the new Edgewood Recreation Center. Click the image above to watch some of his remarks or, if you have not had a chance to visit in person, check out some of our photos showing off the games, gym, fitness center, playground, and rooftop garden.  March with Kenyan in the MLK Day Parade - January 20 You are invited to march with Councilmebmer McDuffie in the MLK Day Parade in historic Anacostia. We will meet at 11 am at the corner of Good Hope Rd SE and MLK Ave SE. The parade will start at 11:30 am and proceed up MLK Ave to the Gateway Pavilion on the St. Elizabeth’s site. Please RSVP if you are planning to join us. Great Streets Grantee Announcement - January 13 Dunbar High School Feeder Fest - January 23 The DC School Lottery is now open The DC School Lottery is now open. Deadlines to submit are February. 3 for grades 9-12 and March 2 for PK3 – grade 8. If you have questions or to review your options, visit myschooldc.org or call 202-888-6336.