CM McDuffie's 2nd message for today: Council passes additional coronavirus response emergency legislation

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

View this email in your browser 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. DC Council Holds Virtual Legislative Meeting and Passes Additional Coronavirus Response Legislation DDOT Suspends Late Night Circulator Service Norton Calls for Closure of Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials During the Coronavirus DC Council Holds Virtual Legislative Meeting and Passes Additional Coronavirus Response Legislation Today, the Council of the District of Columbia passed the COVID-19 Response Supplemental Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. Upon passage, Councilmember McDuffie released the following statement: "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." DDOT Suspends Late Night Circulator Service 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 Norton Calls for Closure of Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials During the Coronavirus 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.