>> WELCOME, EVERYBODY, TO MAYOR BOWSER'S SENIOR TELEPHONE TOWN
HALL THIS MORNING.
WE ARE EXCITED TO HEAR FROM SENIORS FROM ACROSS ALL EIGHT
WARDS.
JUST SOME QUICK HOUSEKEEPING WHILE WE WAIT FOR EVERYBODY TO
JOIN THE CALL.
IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA THAT YOU WISH TO SHARE WITH THE MAYOR,
PLEASE PRESS ZERO AND WE'LL GET YOU IN QUEUE TO SHARE THE IDEA
WITH THE MAYOR.
ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU ACCIDENTLY GET DISCONNECTED FROM TODAY'S
CALL, YOU ARE WELCOME TO STILL WATCH THE CALL ON CHANNEL 16,
THE D.C. NETWORK.
YOU CAN WATCH THE CALL AND YOU CAN STILL CALL IN WITH YOUR
PRIORITIES, YOUR BUDGET PRIORITIES AND IDEAS AT
202-442-8150.
YOU ARE ALSO WELCOME TO EMAIL THOSE IDEAS TO
ENGAGEMENT.DC@DC.GOV.
JUST REMEMBER, IF YOU WANT TO SHARE AND IDEA, PLEASE PRESS
ZERO.
WE'LL WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE
ON THE PHONE.
THANKS AGAIN FOR CALLING IN TO MAYOR BOWSER'S BUDGET ENGAGEMENT
TELEPHONE FORUM.
WE ARE ABOUT TO GET STARTED WITH A CALL AND JUST WANTED TO REMIND
EVERYBODY TO PRESS ZERO IF YOU HAVE A BUDGET IDEA TO SHARE WITH
THE MAYOR TODAY AND HER TEAM.
>> MAYOR: GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
THIS IS MAYOR BOWSER.
I AM PLEASED TO HAVE YOU ON THE LINE TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE
THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO HOW OUR CITY MOVES FORWARD.
BUT ESPECIALLY TODAY HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US TO INVEST
IN WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 65 IN
WASHINGTON, D.C. WE ARE CALLING TODAY FROM THE
JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING AND I AM JOINED BY ABOUT 50 WARD 5
SENIORS.
SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING IN THE ROOM WITH US TODAY.
[APPLAUSE] AND FOR BRINGING YOUR ENERGY AND
EXCITEMENT AS WELL.
I AM JOINED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MY CABINET, INCLUDING THE
CITY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA RASHAD
YOUNG.
THANK YOU, RASHAD.
[APPLAUSE] AS WELL AS OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR
JENNY REED, THANK YOU, JENNY.
OUR DEPUTY MAYOR FOR GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, COURTNEY
SNOWDEN.
[APPLAUSE] OUR DEPUTY MAYOR AND DEPUTY CITY
ADMINISTRATOR KEVIN DONAHUE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, KEVIN.
[APPLAUSE] THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES HYESOOK CHUNG, THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] THE DIRECTOR OF THE D.C. OFFICE
ON AGING, LAURA NEWLAND.
THANK YOU, LAURA.
[APPLAUSE] AND ALSO OUR DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, KEITH ANDERSON.
THANK YOU, KEITH, FOR BEING HERE AS WELL.
[APPLAUSE] SO THE FOCUS ON OUR CALL IS TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE
FOR SENIORS TO AGE IN PLACE AND COMFORTABLY IN THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.
I THINK YOU KNOW 1 IN 10 OF OUR RESIDENTS IS OVER THE AGE OF 65
AND WANT TO STAY HERE AND THRIVE.
YOU MIGHT ALSO KNOW THAT IN THE LAST DECADE THE NUMBER OF
WASHINGTONIANS OVER THE AGE OF 60 HAS GROWN BY NEARLY 15,000.
AND THIS NUMBER WILL, OF COURSE, CONTINUE TO RISE.
NOW, I HAVE A NEW FACT THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW.
AND THAT IS THAT THIS YEAR -- IN FACT, PROBABLY THIS QUARTER, THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WILL REACH
700,000 PEOPLE AGAIN.
[APPLAUSE] MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, OF
COURSE, LIVED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHEN THERE WERE OVER
800,000 PEOPLE.
SO YOU KNOW A THING OR TWO YOU CAN TEACH THE REST OF US.
AND WE ARE SPENDING, OF COURSE, MUCH OF OUR TIME MAKING SURE
THAT OUR GROWTH DOES NOT DIMINISH OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IN
THE DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY FOR D.C. SENIORS.
SO THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR -- YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS WITH
ME NOW THE FOURTH TIME THAT WE ARE STARTING TO TALK ABOUT OUR
BUDGET AND BUILDING OUR BUDGET.
AND ONE HALLMARK OF OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN TO BE
MORE TRANSPARENT ABOUT HOW BUDGETS ARE BUILT, THE
DECISION-MAKING THAT GOES INTO OUR BUDGET, RECOMMENDATIONS TO
THE COUNCIL AND TO ENGAGE PEOPLE ACROSS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
IN MANY DIFFERENT FORUMS.
SO THIS YEAR, THE VERY FIRST BUDGET ENGAGEMENT FORUM IS THIS
ONE AND WE ARE DOING IT ACROSS THE CITY WITH PEOPLE LISTENING
IN ON THE PHONE.
THE REMAINDER OF THE BUDGET ENGAGEMENT FORUMS WILL BE
TOMORROW, THE 21st AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.
THEN THURSDAY AT WATKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
BOTH OF THOSE START AT 6:30.
AND THE FINAL BUDGET ENGAGEMENT FORUM WILL BE THIS SATURDAY.
IS THAT RIGHT?
THIS SATURDAY AT CRAMER MIDDLE SCHOOL.
SO I HOPE THAT IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE -- ALL OF THEM ARE
THE SAME SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO ALL FOUR.
BUT YOU CAN TUNE IN TO JUST ONE. AND YOU CAN ALSO ENCOURAGE YOUR
FRIENDS TO ATTEND BY GOING TO ENGAGEMENT.DC.GOV.
ENGAGEMENT.DC.GOV.
SO LET ME SPEND A COUPLE OF MOMENTS TALKING ABOUT SOME OF
OUR INVESTMENTS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS FOCUSED ON SENIORS
AND THEN WE'LL GET TO YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
LAST YEAR WHEN WE HELD BUDGET ENGAGEMENT FORUMS WE REFLECTED
IN OUR PROGRAMS WHAT WE HEARD.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE EXPANDED OUR SAFE AT HOME PROGRAM.
YOU KNOW THE PROGRAM WHERE YOU CAN CALL THE GOVERNMENT AND ASK
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH HAND RAILS OR RAMPS OR CHAIR LIFTS, THE
THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO AGE IN PLACE.
SO WE INCREASED THAT BUDGET BY NEARLY $5 MILLION.
AND OUR TEAM HAS BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE 800 SAFE AT HOME
PROJECTS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
WE HAVE ALSO INSTALLED 585 SECURITY CAMERAS THROUGH OUR
PRIVATE SECURITY CAMERA REBATE PROGRAM.
AND I HOPE THAT EACH OF YOU WILL FIND OUT ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT
IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP OUR HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE.
AND IT'S HELPFUL TO OUR FRIENDS AT THE METROPOLITAN POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
WE ALSO EXPANDED OUR TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR
SENIORS, MAKING GETTING AROUND EASIER AND SAFER, DEDICATING
$4.1 MILLION TO TRANSPORT D.C.
FOR METRO ACCESS CUSTOMERS.
WE ALSO DEDICATED $350,000 TO INCREASING RECREATION AND
WELLNESS ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS AT OUR DEPARTMENT AND PARKS AND
RECREATION CENTERS.
SO NOT ONLY DOES THE OFFICE ON AGING FOCUS ON SENIOR PROGRAMS,
BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION ALSO HAS THE
SENIOR-FOCUSED PROGRAM.
WE INVESTED AN ADDITIONAL $300,000 IN SENIOR VILLAGES.
WE HAVE SEVERAL SENIOR VILLAGES ACROSS THE CITY.
YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THEM.
AND THIS IS SEED MONEY THAT ALLOWS THEM TO PROVIDE THEIR
SERVICES.
SO NOW THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WE AGAIN
WANT TO TURN TO YOU FOR YOUR IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.
WE, OF COURSE -- THIS IS A GOOD TIME IN THE CITY FISCALLY
BECAUSE OF A LOT OF THE FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP OF MANY
LEADERS INCLUDING MY TEAM WHO IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING OUR BUDGETS
IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY.
SO WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE THE TYPES OF INVESTMENTS THAT MAKES LIFE
FOR OUR RESIDENTS MORE SUSTAINABLE.
SO WITH THAT, I WANT TO TURN TO CITY ADMINISTRATOR YOUNG AND ASK
HIM TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET AND THE BUDGET PROCESS.
AND THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO TURN TO YOUR QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, AND GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL OF YOU
THAT ARE HERE AND THAT ARE WITH US VIA THE INTERNET.
AS THE MAYOR SAID, THIS IS BUDGET SEASON IN THE DISTRICT.
AND SO IT IS REALLY ALWAYS BUDGET SEASON FOR US IN THE
DISTRICT.
WE JUST FINISHED CLOSING OUT FISCAL YEAR 17.
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF FISCAL YEAR 18.
AND WE ARE NOW IN THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR FISCAL YEAR 19.
AND SO A BUDGET AS THE MAYOR SAID IS SOMETHING THAT WE BUILD
TOGETHER AND IN HER ADMINISTRATION THE INPUT THAT WE
GET FROM RESIDENTS REALLY DOES HELP SHAPE WHAT WE ACTUALLY AND
ULTIMATELY RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL.
SO THE BUDGET IS MORE THAN A DOCUMENT.
IT REALLY SPEAKS TO THE VALUES WE HAVE AS A DISTRICT AND AS A
CITY.
AND SO OUR PLAN TO MOVE WASHINGTON, D.C. FORWARD
ACTUALLY HAS TO INVOLVE ALL OF YOU.
I'M JUST HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE HAVE PRODUCED BALANCED BUDGETS
FOR OVER 20 YEARS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THIS
WILL BE NO DIFFERENT.
WE HAVE ALSO HAD A VERY STRONG AND CONTINUE TO HAVE VERY STRONG
FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND MANAGEMENT IN PERFORMANCE.
AND SO THIS YEAR FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW WE HAVE HAD NO
AUDIT FINDINGS AND NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES WHEN OUR AUDITORS
LOOK AT OUR FINANCES.
AND SO THAT SAYS THAT WE MANAGE THINGS WELL.
[APPLAUSE] THAT WE ARE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE
PEOPLE'S RESOURCES AND THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE SPEND THINGS
APPROPRIATELY AND CORRECTLY.
SO AS CITY ADMINISTRATOR, MY OFFICE WITH OUR BUDGET TEAM,
WHICH IS LED BY THE DIRECTOR HERE JENNY REED, HELPS TO BUILD
THE MAYOR'S BUDGET AND REFLECTS THE FEEDBACK AND PRIORITIES THAT
YOU HAVE.
SO THE ECONOMY IS STRONG IN D.C. AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INVEST
IN A LOT OF PRIORITIES AND PROGRAMS OVER THIS
ADMINISTRATION.
OUR BUDGET IS ABOUT $13 BILLION AND WE DO A LOT OF THINGS IN THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
AND I'M GOING TO JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE WE SPEND
THAT MONEY.
ABOUT 18% IS SPENT ON EDUCATION, ABOUT $2.4 BILLION THAT WE
SPEND.
ABOUT 10% ON PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH IS ABOUT $1.3 BILLION.
JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, WE SPEND OVER $450 MILLION.
AND THAT'S AROUND 3% OF THE BUDGET.
IN HOUSING WE SPEND OVER $325 MILLION.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ABOUT $4.6 BILLION.
AND THAT'S THE LARGEST CATEGORY OF WHAT WE SPEND IN D.C.
GOVERNMENT.
AND THAT REPRESENTS -- THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES IS VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT 33% OF EVERYTHING THAT WE SPEND.
AND THEN GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, WE SPEND ABOUT $1.7 BILLION.
AND THAT PAYS FOR THINGS LIKE WASTE COLLECTION AND SNOW
REMOVAL.
AND THEN WE HAVE OTHER CHARGES AND SORT OF BACK OFFICE THAT
ACCOUNTS TO ABOUT ANOTHER 12%.
SO OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, MY TEAM HAS MET WITH AND REVIEWED
EVERY INITIAL PROPOSAL FROM EVERY DISTRICT AGENCY AND THEIR
PRIORITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019.
WE TAKE THE FEEDBACK FROM TODAY AND THE THREE BUDGET ENGAGEMENT
FORUMS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE REST OF THIS WEEK TO HELP
FINALIZE THE MAYOR'S BUDGET.
SO WE'LL BE WORKING FOR THE REST OF FEBRUARY AND THROUGH EARLY
MARCH IN PUTTING THAT BUDGET TOGETHER.
AND THE MAYOR WILL SEND HER BUDGET TO THE D.C. COUNCIL ON
MARCH THE 21st.
THEN COUNCIL WILL REVIEW THAT BUDGET, HAVE HEARINGS WITH ALL
THE AGENCIES ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES AND OUR
RECOMMENDATIONS.
AND THAT BUDGET WILL BE DECIDED UPON AND VOTED UPON IN JUNE OF
2018.
AND SO THEN ON OCTOBER 1st OF 2018, WE START FOR FISCAL YEAR
19.
AND THEN SOON AFTER, WE WILL BE PLANNING FOR FISCAL YEAR 20.
SO THAT'S HOW OUR PROCESS WORKS OUT.
SO, MAYOR, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
>> MAYOR AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR, WE ARE LIVE ON CHANNEL 16 RIGHT
NOW. AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF SENIORS
THAT ARE WATCHING ONLINE AND ACTUALLY TWEETING AT US.
SO THAT'S GREAT.
BUT WE HAVE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A TECHNICAL GLITCH GETTING THE
2500 SENIORS ON THE LINE.
SO WE'RE GOING TO CALL OUT REAL FAST AND HEAR A DIAL TONE.
IF YOU DON'T MIND SAYING HI TO THE FOLKS ON THE PHONE.
AND I'LL APOLOGIZE TO THEM AS WELL.
CAN WE CALL?
>> MAYOR: AS WE ARE DOING THAT, SHOULD WE TAKE QUESTIONS THAT WE
HAVE HERE?
>> WE HAVE SOME GREAT ONES.
>> MAYOR: WHY DON'T WE START WITH QUESTIONS IN THE ROOM?
>> THERE'S ONE RIGHT OVER HERE.
>> MAYOR: YES, MA'AM.
[INAUDIBLE] >> WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT YOUR
RETIREMENT BENEFITS TOGETHER AND THESE SURCHARGES CONTINUE TO
ESCALATE, WE WANT TO KNOW, IS THERE ANY WAY TO STOP THE
UTILITIES FROM JUST ATTACHING SURCHARGES WITHOUT ANY
EXPLANATION?
AND IF WE DON'T PAY IT, OUR SERVICES GO OFF.
>> MAYOR: YES.
SO THE QUESTION IS ABOUT SURCHARGES IN UTILITIES.
AND YOU KNOW ALL OF OUR UTILITIES -- MOST OF OUR
UTILITIES, THE PRIVATE ONES ARE REGULATED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE
COMMISSION THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED.
AND THERE ARE REALLY NO FEES THAT CAN BE ADDED.
THEY CAN BE ADDED BY STATUTE, BUT ALL OF THE OTHER FEES AND
CHARGES HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
AND THAT'S NOT INCLUDING TAXES.
SO I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHICH SURCHARGE YOU'RE REFERRING TO,
BUT ON ELECTRIC AND GAS, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY WOULD ALL HAVE TO
BE APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
NOW, WHERE WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS IS ON ANOTHER ISSUE
ENTIRELY.
AND THAT'S D.C. WATER, AND HOW THE FEES RELATED TO THIS WHAT
THEY CALL THE CLEAN RIVERS CHARGE, WHICH IS REALLY A CHARGE
IMPOSED ON US BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THEY SUED US
AND SAID WE HAVE TO CLEAN UP THE RIVERS.
AND THE WAY THAT D.C. GOVERNMENT CAME UP WITH CLEANING UP THE
RIVERS WAS TO BUILD THESE BIG TUNNELS THAT WOULD DEAL WITH OUR
COMBINED SEWER/WATER OVERFLOW SYSTEM.
SO THE CHARGES THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR WATER BILL, WE HAVE GOTTEN
A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT THAT -- ARE RELATED TO THAT.
AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO SEE
HOW WE CAN MITIGATE THOSE INCREASING COSTS FOR EVERYBODY,
BUT ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO PAY.
SO THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE ARE GOING TO ASK YOU TO STAY TUNED
ABOUT BECAUSE WE ARE STILL DEVELOPING IDEAS.
>> YES. AND TO AGE IN PLACE, WE NEED TO
USE OUR RESOURCES, OUR INCOME FROM RETIREMENT FOR LIVING, BUT
WE DON'T NEED THE CONTINUANCE OF FEES AND SURCHARGES THAT KEEP
COMING THAT WE HAVE NO JURISDICTION OVER.
THEY USUALLY ARE PUT ON AFTER OPC -- NOT OPC, BUT THE OFFICE
OF -- WHAT IS IT?
THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
HOWEVER, WE HAVE NO JURISDICTION OVER THAT.
AND IF THAT CONTINUES, YOU REALLY MAKE PEOPLE DECIDE TO
LEAVE AND TRY TO FIND HOUSING ELSEWHERE AROUND THE COUNTY.
>> MAYOR: I'VE GOT IT.
THANK YOU FOR THAT ONE.
>> WELL, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
WE ARE NOW ON THE LINE WITH OVER 850 SENIORS FROM AROUND THE CITY
AS WELL AS ALL THE WELLNESS CENTERS.
WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE TECHNICAL ERROR EARLIER, BUT WE ARE NOW
LIVE FOR MAYOR BOWSER'S BUDGET ENGAGEMENT TELEPHONE FORUM.
AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE JOINED BY SO MANY PEOPLE.
AND SO WE'LL JUST QUICKLY RECAP THE INTRODUCTORY OPENINGS THAT
THE MAYOR AND THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR PRESENTED AND WE
ARE EXCITED TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS.
>> MAYOR: WELL, THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR JOINING US.
AND THANKS FOR YOUR PERSISTENCE.
I AM JOINED AT THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING BY ABOUT 50
WARD 5 SENIORS WHO WITH YOU ARE FOCUSED ON PROVIDING THEIR INPUT
INTO OUR NEXT BUDGET, AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR NEXT BUDGET
REFLECTS THE PRIORITIES OF D.C. SENIORS.
I MENTIONED THAT PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 65 MAKE UP ONE OUT OF 10
OF ALL WASHINGTONIANS AND YOUR PRIORITIES ARE IMPORTANT TO BE
REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET.
JUST SOME EXAMPLES FROM WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR WAS FOCUS ON OUR
SAFE AT HOME PROGRAM AND OVER $5 MILLION INCREASED INVESTMENT
IN THAT, MAKING IT EASIER FOR SENIORS TO AGE IN PLACE IN THEIR
OWN HOMES.
WE HAVE INSTALLED OVER 9,000 SECURITY CAMERAS THROUGH OUR
PRIVATE SECURITY PROGRAM THAT ALSO MAKES IT SAFER FOR SENIORS
TO BE AT HOME.
WE HAVE ALSO MADE INVESTMENTS IN TRANSPORTATION WITH AN EXPANDED
PROGRAM OF $1.1 MILLION DEDICATED TO TRANSPORT D.C. THAT
MAKES GETTING AROUND A LOT MORE EASIER AND YOUR INDEPENDENT
LIVING EASIER AS WELL.
WE HAVE INCREASES TO OUR SENIOR VILLAGES AND TO OUR DEPARTMENT
OF PARKS AND RECREATION CENTERS AS WELL.
SO WITH THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR, I'M JOINED BY A NUMBER OF
MEMBERS OF OUR CABINET.
AND THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR WILL JUST RECAP BRIEFLY WHAT OUR
SCHEDULE IS AND HOW THESE BUDGET ENGAGEMENT FORUMS FIT INTO THAT
SCHEDULE.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
WE ARE ALWAYS IN BUDGET SEASON.
JUST HAVING CLOSED OUT FISCAL YEAR 17, WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF
FISCAL YEAR 18.
AND WE ARE PLANNING FOR FISCAL YEAR 19.
THIS MAYOR IN EACH BUDGET YEAR HAS ASKED FOR THE COMMUNITY TO
GIVE INPUT TO HELP SHAPE OUR PRIORITIES BECAUSE WE KNOW THE
BUDGET IS A REFLECTION OF OUR VALUES.
AND WE WANT TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK
WE OUGHT TO BE FOCUSED ON AND PRIORITIZING.
AND SO NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GET THAT INPUT FROM ALL OF
YOU ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON.
WE ARE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE PRODUCED BALANCED BUDGETS THE
LAST 20 YEARS.
WE JUST CONCLUDED THE AUDIT OF FISCAL YEAR 17 AND WE AGAIN
CONCLUDED OUR AUDIT WITH NO FINDINGS, NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES
OR DEFICIENCIES.
THAT SAYS WE MANAGE OUR RESOURCES PRUDENTLY, THAT WE USE
TAXPAYERS' RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY AND THAT WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE
INTERNAL CONTROLS TO SPEND YOUR MONEY WISELY.
MY OFFICE IS CHARGED WITH WORKING TO DEVELOP THE MAYOR'S
BUDGET ACCORDING TO HER PRIORITIES AND THE FEEDBACK THAT
WE GET FROM ALL OF YOU.
THAT'S LED BY THE BUDGET DIRECTOR JENNY REED WHO IS TO MY
RIGHT WHO WORKS IN OUR OFFICE TO HELP GUIDE THAT PROCESS AS WELL.
WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY IN D.C. $13 BILLION IN RESOURCES.
AND WE SPEND THOSE IN A VARIETY OF AREAS.
IN EDUCATION, WE INVEST $2.4 BILLION.
IN PUBLIC SAFETY ABOUT 1.3 BILLION.
IN JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, 453 MILLION.
HOUSING 325 MILLION.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 4.6 BILLION.
AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS ABOUT 1.7 BILLION.
SO WE WILL SPEND THE REST OF THIS MONTH WORKING THROUGH THOSE
BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS.
MY TEAM HAS MET WITH AND REVIEWED ALL OF THE BUDGETS FROM
ALL DISTRICT AGENCIES.
AND WE USE THE FEEDBACK FROM THIS SESSION AND THE NEXT THREE
THAT WE WILL HAVE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY
AND SATURDAY TO HELP THE MAYOR GUIDE THE FORMULATION OF OUR
BUDGET.
THAT BUDGET WILL BE SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL ON MARCH THE 21st.
THE COUNCIL WILL GO THROUGH A SERIES OF HEARINGS AND
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE MAYOR'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
AND THEN WE WILL VOTE ON A FINAL BUDGET IN JUNE.
AND THEN THAT BUDGET BECOMES EFFECTIVE OCTOBER THE 1st OF
2018.
MAYOR.
>> MAYOR: THANK YOU, C.A.
>> GREAT.
MAYOR, WE HAVE ABOUT 870 FOLKS ON THE PHONE RIGHT NOW.
AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND THEM ALL, IF THEY HAVE A PRIORITY, A
BUDGET PRIORITY OR A BUDGET IDEA TO SHARE WITH MAYOR BOWSER AND
HER TEAM TODAY, PLEASE PRESS ZERO TO QUEUE UP.
WE HAVE ONE IDEA, ONE QUESTION FOR MAYOR BOWSER AND THE TEAM
FROM CONGRESS HEIGHTS.
THEY ARE ASKING, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT DOING IN TERMS OF
INVESTING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS IN NEXT YEAR'S
BUDGET?
>> MAYOR: SURE.
SO LET ME JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
COMMITMENT.
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HEARD ME SAY THAT WE HAVE INVEST
$100 MILLION EVERY YEAR IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
GOOD, I'M GLAD YOU HEARD THAT.
NOW, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THAT MEANS.
WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT WHEN I BECAME MAYOR, WE WERE SPENDING
ABOUT $50 MILLION OUT OF THE HOUSING PRODUCTION TRUST FUND.
AND WE ALL RECOGNIZED IT SIMPLY WAS NOT ENOUGH.
SO WE PLEDGED THEN TO DOUBLE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE HOUSING
PRODUCTION TRUST FUND.
AND EACH OF MY THREE BUDGETS, WE HAVE INVESTED $100 MILLION IN
THAT FUND AND WE ARE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.
WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS A PARTNER WITH THE
PRIVATE SECTOR IN BUILDING UNITS THAT ARE BELOW MARKET RATE.
SO IF YOU SEE A DEVELOPMENT GOING UP IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR
YOU PASS ONE ON THE STREET AND WE ARE INVOLVED WITH OUR HOUSING
PRODUCTION TRUST FUND, WHAT IT IS, IS THAT WE HAVE INVESTED A
CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILLION DOLLARS SO THAT A PORTION OF
THOSE UNITS ARE NOT THE STANDARD MARKET RATE, WHAT EVERYBODY
PAYS, BUT IT'S BELOW THAT.
SO WE BASICALLY BOUGHT DOWN THE COST OF THOSE UNITS.
SO IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUY DOWN THE
COST OF 5,000 UNITS.
WHAT WE THINK THAT OUR SYSTEMS HAVE BECOME SO MUCH MORE
EFFICIENT THAT IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WE WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE
TO PRODUCE 10,000 OF THOSE UNITS.
SO EVERYTHING INVOLVED IN OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN IS KIND
OF CENTERED AND STARTS WITH HOW DO WE PRODUCE MORE UNITS.
WE ALSO HAVE A FOCUS ON PRESERVING THE AFFORDABLE UNITS
THAT WE HAVE.
FOR MANY PEOPLE, THE UNITS THAT THEY LIVE IN RIGHT NOW, YOUR
HOUSE, YOUR APARTMENT WHERE YOU LIVE RIGHT NOW, IT'S AFFORDABLE
FOR YOU. AND YOU WANT TO KEEP IT THAT
WAY. AND ONE WAY TO KEEP IT THAT WAY
IS TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET AROUND IT SAFELY.
AND THAT'S WHY WE MADE THE INVESTMENTS IN SAFE AT HOME.
TO THE QUESTION WE JUST GOT EARLIER, IT'S ALSO MORE
AFFORDABLE FOR YOU IF YOUR TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND UTILITY
COSTS CAN BE LOWER.
THAT'S WHY WE MAKE THE INVESTMENTS IN TRANSPORT D.C.
AND WHY WE HAVE ALSO INVESTED IN SOLAR FOR ALL.
SO YOU MAY ACTUALLY GET YOUR ELECTRICITY PAYMENTS DOWN BY
INVESTING IN SOLAR.
AND THAT'S BEEN IMPORTANT.
FOOD COSTS ARE ALSO A PORTION OF WHAT YOUR COMMITMENTS ARE.
YOUR HOUSING AFFORDABILITY INCREASES WHEN YOUR COSTS FOR
FOOD HAS GONE DOWN.
THAT'S WHY WE STAY FOCUSED ON HAVING DIFFERENT FOOD AND
NUTRITION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT YOU CAN STAY
FOCUSED ON.
THERE ARE SOME TAX BENEFITS ALSO FOR SENIORS TO OUR CALLER FROM
CONGRESS HEIGHTS, THAT SENIORS OVER 65, INCOMES BELOW $125,000
A YEAR PAY HALF THEIR TAX BILL.
AND WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.
AND ONE THING WE HAVE CONSIDERED FOR CONGRESS HEIGHTS AS CONGRESS
HEIGHTS CHANGES AND DEVELOPS, ARE WE ABLE TO ALSO LOOK AT KIND
OF OUR PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES TO HOLD OUR SENIORS THERE OR
OTHERS THERE THAT QUALIFY HARMLESS AS PROPERTY VALUES GO
UP?
AND THAT IS ONE CHIEF THING THAT WE ARE STUDYING RIGHT NOW.
LAURA, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD ABOUT SENIOR
HOUSING?
>> ACTUALLY A FEW DIFFERENT SENIOR HOUSING SPECIFIC
INVESTMENTS.
PLAZA WEST IS GOING TO BE COMING ONLINE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF
YEARS NEAR OUR MAIN HEADQUARTERS ON H STREET.
GENESIS HOUSING WHICH IS INTERGENERATIONAL HOUSING FOR
GRANDPARENT CAREGIVERS.
SO THERE HAVE BEEN SPECIFIC SENIOR HOUSING INVESTMENTS AS
WELL AS PART OF THE $100 MILLION HOUSING PRODUCTION TRUST FUND.
>> MAYOR: OKAY, VERY GOOD.
>> MAYOR, WE HAVE A CALLER ON THE LINE, MS.
FITZGERALD FROM WARD 5 HAS A QUESTION ABOUT
EDUCATION.
MS.
FITZGERALD?
[PHONE RINGING] [INAUDIBLE]
[PHONE RINGING] >> MAYOR: WELL, THANK YOU,
MA'AM, FOR THAT QUESTION.
AND WE DO GET IT QUITE A LOT.
HOW ARE WE PREPARING D.C. RESIDENTS FOR THE JOBS THAT WE
ARE CREATING IN D.C.? AND MORE THAN THAT, WHAT ARE WE
DOING WITH PEOPLE, AS YOU KNOW, WHO ARE UNATTACHED FROM SCHOOL,
THEY DON'T HAVE EMPLOYMENT AND WE HAVE TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS.
AND SO I KNOW I SEE A LOT OF EDUCATORS AROUND THE ROOM WHO
WILL HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS.
BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU WE HAVE TO HAVE AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT
WORKS AND THAT OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO SCHOOL.
AND WHEN THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, THEY HAVE THE SKILLS
THAT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND CAREER.
AND OBVIOUSLY, DCPS HAS MY FULL ATTENTION.
WE HIT A STUMBLING BLOCK RECENTLY, BUT I'M VERY FOCUSED
ON HOW WE GET OVER THAT SO THAT ALL OF OUR KIDS ARE GETTING THE
EDUCATION THAT THEY NEED.
AND NOW, MA'AM, WE HAVE FOCUSED IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS IN
PARTICULAR ON WHAT WE CALL NAV ACADEMIES.
NATIONALLY ACCREDITED ACADEMIES THAT FOCUS ON INDUSTRIES THAT
ARE HIRING IN D.C. AND SO WHERE YOU SAY VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION, WE POINT TO THESE DIFFERENT ACADEMIES.
I THINK WE HAVE NINE NOW ACROSS ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL THAT IS
PREPARE KIDS FOR THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN D.C.
FOR EXAMPLE, HOSPITALITY.
ANOTHER ONE IS I.T. AND TECHNOLOGY.
ANOTHER ONE IS PUBLIC SAFETY THAT FOCUSES ON HOW TO PREPARE
KIDS FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY JOBS THAT ARE BEING CREATED IN OUR
CITY.
AND THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE FOCUS.
WE HAVE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL FOCUS ON PREPARING OUR KIDS FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS THAT HAVE GONE UNFILLED IN THE LAST
SEVERAL YEARS.
AND WE ARE CREATING -- IN OUR LAST BUDGET WE INVESTED IN WHAT
IS CALLED AN INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME
THROUGH.
WE HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE COHORT GO THROUGH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
PEPCO SO THAT THEY CAN BE FIRST IN LINE FOR THE PEPCO VACANCIES.
WE AN THAT METRO AND D.C. WATER AND WASHINGTON GAS AND OUR OWN
DPW AND DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES WILL BE ADDED TO THE
INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY AS WELL.
I WILL TURN TO THE C.A.
BECAUSE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A LOCATION.
WE ARE OPERATING KIND OF OUT OF A TEMPORARY LOCATION NOW WHERE
WE CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
SO WE DID LAUNCH THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY LAST
YEAR.
WE ARE IN A LOCATION AT WILKINSON SCHOOL WHICH IS IN
WARD 8.
AND WE RENOVATED THAT BUILDING TO ACADEMIC THE INFRASTRUCTURE
ACADEMY TO FOCUS ON THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT THE MAYOR TALKED
ABOUT.
AND SO WE HAVE GOT RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMITMENTS
FROM PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES LIKE PEPCO, LIKE WASHINGTON GAS,
LIKE METRO, LIKE WMATA, THAT WILL HELP US DESIGN CURRICULUM
AND TRAIN INDIVIDUALS FOR JOBS THAT ARE GOING UNFILLED TODAY,
AND FOR WHICH THOSE ENTITIES KNOW THEY NEED A READY, ABLE,
SKILLED WORKFORCE TO WORK IN.
WE ALSO HAVE $16 MILLION IN THE CAPITAL BUDGET THAT THE MAYOR
PUT IN LAST YEAR TO BUILD OUT FULLY THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY
AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GOT A FACILITY WITH
STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO
PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR THOSE JOBS.
AND WE STILL HAVE THROUGH OUR DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES A NUMBER OF APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS THAT
TRAINS INDIVIDUALS IN ALL KINDS OF VOCATIONAL AND SKILLS-BASED
INDUSTRIES LIKE CONSTRUCTION.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE MAYOR TALKED ABOUT HOSPITALITY AS WELL.
AND IN FISCAL YEAR 19, WE ARE CONSIDERING YET ADDITIONAL
INVESTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE, TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO
GET PEOPLE TRAINED FOR HIGH-PAYING GOOD-PAYING JOBS
THAT CAN SUSTAIN THEIR FAMILIES.
SO WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT INVESTMENTS AND MAKE INVESTMENTS
IN THOSE AREAS.
>> MAYOR: OKAY.
>> GREAT.
MAYOR, WE HAVE A CALLER ON THE LINE FROM WARD 4, MS.
FRAZIER HAS A CALL -- HAS A QUESTION
ABOUT SAFE AT HOME.
MS.
FRAZIER.
>> YES, HI.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I WANTED TO ADDRESS THE PROGRAM SAFE AT HOME WHICH I THINK IS
GREAT PROGRAM.
BUT A LOT OF SENIORS ARE OVER INCOME FOR THE PROGRAM TO
PARTICIPATE.
AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE COULD BE A WAY THAT EITHER A
SLIDING FEE SCALE OR SOME TYPE OF DISCOUNT SO THAT PEOPLE COULD
STILL PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROGRAM BECAUSE THE NEED IS
STILL THERE FOR THOSE SERVICES.
>> MAYOR: OKAY.
I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.
I'M GOING TO ASK DIRECTOR NEWLAND TO KIND OF -- FOR THOSE
WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT SAFE AT HOME IS AND NEED A BETTER EXPLANATION
THAN WHAT I GAVE, TO JUST DESCRIBE IT BRIEFLY AND TALK
ABOUT THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
AND THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT IF THOSE NEED TO BE CHANGED.
THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SO SAFE AT HOME IS A PROGRAM THAT WE JUST STARTED IN 2016
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.
AND WE PROVIDE IN-HOME ADAPTATIONS TO MAKE YOUR HOME
SAFER.
SO MOST OF THE PROJECTS HAVE INCLUDED GRAB BARS, SOME STAIR
LIFTS, SOME CHAIR LIFTS AND SOME BATHROOM ADAPTATIONS TO MAKE IT
EASIER TO GET IN AND OUT OF YOUR SHOWER.
SO THROUGH THAT PROGRAM, WE HAVE HELPED MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE TO
DATE SO THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE MADE IT SO THAT 1,000 SENIORS
AND FAMILIES CAN STAY IN THEIR HOMES FOR MUCH LONGER SAFER.
AND THE ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS PROGRAM IS BASED ON INCOME.
THE HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS FOR A HOUSEHOLD OF ONE ABOUT $60,000.
AND THEN IF YOUR HOUSEHOLD IS BIGGER, IT GOES UP A LITTLE BIT.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD HEARD A QUESTION ABOUT SLIDING
SCALE, SLIDING FEE SCALE OR A DISCOUNT.
THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE WOULD THINK ABOUT AND
TALK ABOUT INTERNALLY TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO.
RIGHT NOW THIS PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE POPULAR SO WE HAVE ABOUT
150 TO 200 NEW REFERRALS EVERY MONTH ON THIS PROGRAM.
>> MAYOR: OKAY.
AND SO I WILL SAY THAT PART OF WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TAKING
FEEDBACK.
SO ONE THING THAT MAY BE A TAKEAWAY IS THAT THE CITY
ADMINISTRATOR WILL HEAR WHAT THE DIRECTOR SAID.
WE HAVE 250 PEOPLE EVERY MONTH WHO WANT THE PROGRAM.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A REQUEST FOR HOW CAN MORE HIGHER INCOME
SENIORS, HIGHER THAN 60,000 FOR ONE PERSON -- AND FOR TWO
PEOPLE?
WHAT'S THE UPPER LIMIT?
[INAUDIBLE] SO THAT'S THE LIMIT.
IF YOU MAKE MORE THAN THAT, THEN YOU WOULDN'T QUALIFY.
SO THAT IS THE TYPE OF THING THAT WE WANT TO TAKE BACK TO OUR
BUDGET OFFICE AND SAY, IS THIS THE RIGHT LIMIT?
HOW CAN WE HELP MORE PEOPLE?
HOW CAN WE CHANGE THE PROGRAM PARAMETERS OR THE LIKE?
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
BUT ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE
ANOTHER PROGRAM OUT OF OUR HOUSING DEPARTMENT CALLED THE
SINGLE FAMILY REHAB PROGRAM WHICH IS ANOTHER SOURCE OF GRANT
AND LOAN FUNDS FOR WHEN YOU NEED BIGGER PROJECTS AT YOUR HOME.
ROOF REPLACEMENT OR YOU MAY NEED TO UPDATE A BATHROOM OR YOU MAY
NEED WINDOWS AND DOORS.
AND SO WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SINGLE-FAMILY
REHAB PROGRAM.
OKAY?
>> MAYOR, THE SENIORS THAT ARE SITTING IN CONGRESS HEIGHTS
RIGHT NOW AND THE SENIORS IN HILLCREST ARE BOTH TALKING ABOUT
THE SAME THING.
MS.
HUNTER FROM WARD 8 SAID, CAN MONEY BE PUT IN THE BUDGET FOR
SENIORS TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN LIKE
PERFORMING ARTS DUE TO THE INFLUX OF YOUNGER MORE MOBILE
SENIORS?
AND IN HILLCREST, MS.
MASON ASKED, CAN MORE MONEY BE
ALLOCATED FOR SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER RENOVATIONS AND
PROGRAMMING?
SPECIFICALLY FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMMING AS THERE
ARE MORE ACTIVE AND INTERACTIVE SENIORS THESE DAYS?
>> MAYOR: GOOD, I LOVE THAT QUESTION.
SOME PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER THAT I WAS A COUNCILMEMBER.
I WAS WARD 4 COUNCILMEMBER.
AND PART OF OUR EFFORTS ON ANOTHER INITIATIVE WERE TO GET
PRIVATE DOLLARS INTO SENIOR WELLNESS PROGRAMS.
AND WE WERE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE WYCA TO HAVE THE SENIOR FIT
AND WELL PROGRAM.
SO IN PARTICIPATE WITH AGING AND WITH PARKS AND REC, THESE
FACILITATORS OF PROGRAMS CAME TO ALL OF OUR WELLNESS PROGRAMS SO
IT WAS A BIG HIT.
WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE THAT SOMETIMES WE NEED TO
AUGMENT OUR OWN STAFF.
AND I KNOW THAT KEITH AND LAURA BOTH FIGURE OUT WAYS HOW WE CAN
WORK WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING IN TALENT.
SOMETIMES IT'S AROUND ARTS OR MUSIC OR PHYSICAL FITNESS OR
NUTRITION AND COOKING, ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS WE HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS INTO.
SO LET ME HAVE YOU FOR A SECOND, LAURA, TALK ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN
OUR PROGRAM AROUND THE WELLNESS CENTERS, THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT
HAVE BEEN REQUESTED, THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO AND
WHAT WE CAN EXPECT MOVING FORWARD.
>> SO THE SIX WELLNESS CENTERS ACROSS THE CITY HAVE BEEN
ALLOCATED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION --
>> MAYOR: CAN YOU GET LAURA'S MIC UP A LITTLE BIT SO EVERYBODY
CAN HEAR?
>> IS THAT BETTER?
>> MAYOR: THAT'S BETTER.
>> $4 MILLION IN CAPITAL FUNDS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE SIX
SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER FOR ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND
REFRESHERS.
AT EVERY WELLNESS CENTER THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
VOTE ON THEIR COLOR SCHEMES FOR PAINT, FOR TILE AND CARPET AS
APPROPRIATE FOR EVERY CENTER.
SO IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, EACH CENTER SHOULD START SEEING SOME
OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS.
AND IF THEY ARE NOT COMPLETED THIS FISCAL YEAR, THEY WILL
CONTINUE INTO FISCAL YEAR 2019.
WE ARE WORKING WITH EVERY SINGLE CENTER INDIVIDUALLY.
THEY WORK WITH THEIR PARTICIPANTS IN BRINGING THE
PROGRAMMING THAT THEY WANT INTO THEIR CENTERS.
SO EVERY CENTER HAS A DISTINCT PERSONALITY.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW.
AND EVERY CENTER HAS KIND OF DIFFERENT ASKS FOR WHAT IT IS
THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IN PROGRAMMING.
SO WE TRY TO MATCH THAT.
HERE IN WARD 5 AS YOU ALL MIGHT KNOW, WARD 5 MODEL CITIES IS
KIND OF FAMOUS FOR THEIR M.C.
STEPPERS SO THEY DO A LOT AROUND DANCE AND PERFORMANCE.
AND THEY HOST SENIOR D.C. AND DO THE CAMEO CLUB.
SO THAT'S DISTINCTIVE TO MODEL CITIES.
AND EVERY WARD HAS A DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMMING BENT TO IT.
WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH EACH OF THE SENIOR WELLNESS
CENTER DIRECTORS THIS YEAR AND NEXT TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN
BRING BASED ON WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS ARE ASKING.
>> MAYOR: THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR, WE HAVE A FORMER SENIOR MRS.
D.C. ON THE LINE, MS.
JOHNSON.
AND SHE HAS A QUESTION ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
MS.
JOHNSON, YOU'RE ON THE AIR.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
THIS IS FRANCES CURTIS JOHNSON.
AND I AM THE PRESENT MRS.
SENIOR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
>> SORRY, EXCUSE ME.
>> NOT THE FORMER.
>> I APOLOGIZE, MS.
JOHNSON.
>> THAT'S OKAY.
>> MAYOR: ALL HAIL THE QUEEN.
[LAUGHTER] >> AND IN TALKING TO MANY
SENIORS, AS THE PREVIOUS CALLER SAID, A LOT OF US ARE STILL VERY
SPRY AND VERY UPWARD MOBILITY.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU COULD
POSSIBLY ADD INTO THE D.C. BUDGET WITH REGARDS TO THE D.C.
POLICE DEPARTMENT MORE POLICE OFFICERS THAT WOULD WALK THE
STREETS, KNOW ALL OF THE SENIORS WHO RESIDE IN THEIR PARTICULAR
DESIGNATED ASSIGNMENT.
BECAUSE WE STILL LIKE TO BE OUT AT 10:00, 11:00.
AND IF WE WANT TO WALK TO THE 7-ELEVEN, WE WOULD LIKE TO BE
ABLE TO FREELY WALK AND TALK AND SIP A CUP OF COFFEE WITHOUT
BEING HARASSED AND HAVE OUR HANDBAG OR THE LIKES.
AND IF THOSE POLICE OFFICERS WOULD KNOW THE SENIORS WHO
RESIDE AND SIT ON THEIR PORCHES, SOME OF US AS 11:30 AT NIGHT,
IT'S OKAY WITHOUT HAVING SOME OF THE YOUNGER PEOPLE STANDING AT
THE CORNER WAITING FOR YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN
PIGGYBACK OFF.
SO THAT IS ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT THEY ASKED ME TO SHARE WITH
YOU. AND I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THE
OTHER 10 QUESTIONS.
IF YOU WOULD ADDRESS THAT, WE'D APPRECIATE IT.
>> MAYOR: WELL, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MA'AM, FOR THAT QUESTION.
AND SAFETY IS I THINK A HUGE THING FOR EVERYBODY AROUND THE
TABLE AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO LOVE YOU.
I SPEND A LOT OF TIME WORRYING AND MAKING SURE MY PARENTS ARE
SAFE AND THAT INCLUDES HOW THEY COME AND GO, THEIR
TRANSPORTATION, CLEANING UP THE SNOW AFTER IT COMES DOWN, MAKING
SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GET TO THEIR ACTIVITIES.
AND I KNOW THAT'S ON YOUR MIND, TOO.
AND SO THE LAST THING THAT ANY OF US WANTS IS TO FEEL LIKE
GOING AROUND YOUR OWN BLOCK OR GOING TO YOUR STORES, THAT YOU
ARE SCARED THAT SOMEBODY MIGHT TRY TO HARM YOU.
SO I THINK THAT'S REALLY MY FIRST JOB AS MAYOR -- IS TO MAKE
SURE WE HAVE A SAFE CITY.
AND WE HAVE SPENT THREE YEARS REALLY FOCUSED ON BUILDING OUR
POLICE DEPARTMENT, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT
LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE DISTRICTS, MAKING SURE OFFICERS HAVE THE
TOOLS AND TRAINING THAT THEY NEED AS WELL, AND MAKING SURE
THE BUDGET REFLECTS THAT.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK THE C.A. AND THE DEPUTY C.A.
TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY
INVESTMENTS.
>> SURE, MAYOR.
WE LIKE OFFICERS ON BIKES.
WE LIKE THEM WALKING.
WE WANT THEM ON SEGWAYS.
WE WANT THEM ON CARS.
SO REALLY IT IS THE AGENCY'S MISSION TO HAVE OUR OFFICERS AS
VISIBLE AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN. AND SO IN OUR BUDGET, WE MAKE
SURE THAT WE'VE GOT FUNDING FOR ALL OF THE OFFICERS THAT WE CAN
POSSIBLY RECRUIT.
WE HAD WORKED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MAYOR WORKED
WITH THE COUNCIL TO ALLOW FOR SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS.
AND SO WE RETAIN OFFICERS WHO WOULD BE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO
RETIRE SO WE CAN SLOW DOWN THE EXIT OF RETIREMENT FOR OUR
OFFICERS.
THAT HAS REALLY HELPED US.
I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT 250 OFFICERS OR SO?
IS THAT RIGHT?
THROUGH THE SENIOR OFFICER PROGRAM THAT REALLY ADDS TO OUR
ABILITY TO KEEP THOSE OFFICERS ON THE STREET.
AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE DEPUTY C.A.
TO MAKE ANY OTHER COMMENTS.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO ADD TWO MORE ELEMENTS ABOUT LAST YEAR'S
BUDGET.
>> MAYOR: MICROPHONE, KEVIN.
>> TWO THINGS WE DID LAST YEAR, ONE WAS WE EXPANDED WHAT'S
CALLED THE CADET PROGRAM.
PART OF INCREASING OUR POLICE SIZE IS MAKING SURE PEOPLE FROM
D.C. JOIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IF THEY ARE NOT FROM D.C., THEY LIVE HERE.
SO THE CADET PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR D.C. RESIDENTS TO JOIN THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THEY DON'T HAVE A COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR THE 60 CREDITS, WE
WILL PAY FOR THEM TO GET 60 CREDITS AT UDC WHILE THEY TRAIN
TO BE POLICE OFFICERS.
WE DOUBLED IT LAST YEAR.
WE ARE NOW SIX MONTHS THROUGH THE YEAR AND MAXED OUT ALL THE
SLOTS DOUBLING IT LAST YEAR.
THE OTHER PROGRAM IS WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN
THE COUNTRY FOR WHAT IT REQUIRES TO BE A POLICE OFFICER IN THIS
CITY.
AMONG THEM IS WE REQUIRE 60 COLLEGE CREDITS BECAUSE WE
UNDERSTAND POLICING NOW INVOLVES TECHNOLOGY AND INVOLVES
KNOWLEDGE OF LAW AND INVOLVES KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIAL ISSUES.
SO TO THAT EXTENT, WE HAVE OFFICERS COMING IN WITH
EDUCATIONAL DEBT.
SO THE MAYOR CREATED A LOAN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR OFFICERS
COMING IN WHO HAVE EDUCATIONAL DEBT.
SO IF THEY ARE PICKING BETWEEN D.C. OR ANOTHER CITY OR IF THEY
LIVE IN D.C., PICKING BETWEEN THEIR HOMETOWN AND THE
SURROUNDING JURISDICTION, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM INCENTIVE TO
BE ABLE TO PAY OFF THE EDUCATIONAL LOANS THAT UNIQUELY
IN D.C. BE REQUIRED TO BE HIGHLY EDUCATED POLICE OFFICERS.
>> MAYOR: THANK YOU.
>> GREAT.
>> MAYOR: MR.
MOBLEY.
>> YEAH.
THIS IS PIERPONT MOBLEY.
I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS, BUT TWO.
ONE IS GOING BACK TO THE EDUCATIONAL TRAINING.
YOU KNOW APPARENTLY WE FORGOT ABOUT BRICK LAYING AND THOSE
THINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE SKILL BASED.
AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE EIGHT VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WE HAD
30 YEARS AGO, THEY ARE ALL COMPLETELY GONE.
YOU NAMED ABOUT THREE PROGRAMS WHICH IS GREAT.
BUT OUR YOUNG MEN ON THE CORNER NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEIR
HANDS.
WOODWORK, SEE, THOSE THINGS STILL WORK.
COMPUTERS DIDN'T TAKE THOSE AWAY.
WE STILL NEED THE BASIC -- I'M SERIOUS.
WE NEED THE BASICS.
AND ALL THESE THINGS ARE GONE.
AND WE GO OUT A LOT AND DEAL WITH A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IF WE DON'T COME UP WITH A NEW
INNOVATIVE IDEA OF TRYING TO GET THESE YOUNG FOLKS TO DO
SOMETHING WITH THEIR HANDS, WE ARE IN A HECK OF A FIX, ONE.
TWO, THE LAST THING I'M GOING TO MENTION IS THAT SOMEONE JUST
MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THE SENIORS IN THE CITY.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF INITIATIVE THAT FOCUS ON
THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT'S COMING INTO THE CITY BECAUSE THERE IS A
SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE ABOUT I DON'T CARE HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN HERE,
THIS IS THE WAY WE'RE DOING THINGS.
AND FOLKS ARE ARGUING AND BEEN HERE TWO OR THREE MONTHS AND
SAYING THEY WANT THE ALLEY CHANGED AND ALL THESE THINGS.
A COUPLE OF CHURCHES IN D.C. ARE JUST -- THEY ARE UNDER SO MUCH
PRESSURE BECAUSE THE NEW PEOPLE DON'T GO TO CHURCH.
AND THEY DON'T WANT THE CHURCH.
AND THEY DON'T WANT US PARKING ON A SUNDAY.
AND I HAD TO ARGUE WITH A COUPLE OF PEOPLE ON 14th STREET JUST
TO SAY IT'S OKAY.
THEY LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE ANGRY BECAUSE WE WERE GOING TO CHURCH.
SO THIS SAME INITIATIVE THAT'S GOING ON FOR THE SENIORS, I
THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE -- MAYBE AN ORIENTATION PROGRAM OR
SOMETHING FOR THE NEW FOLKS THAT'S COMING INTO THE CITY SO
THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IF THEY WERE IN OUR SHOES, MAYBE THEY
WOULD FEEL A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
>> MAYOR: I APPRECIATE THAT COMMENT.
AND I TOLD A GROUP OF FOLKS RECENTLY THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR
US -- AND THE REASON WHY WE HAD A SENIOR-FOCUSED TOWN HALL IS TO
DO SOME OF THAT EDUCATION OF EVERYBODY.
BECAUSE YOU'RE GIVING THE EXAMPLE OF A PARKING SPACE.
WELL, WHAT IF SOMEBODY SAID I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE
THOSE SENIOR WELLNESS PROGRAMS.
I WANT MORE PLAYGROUNDS.
SO THAT IS THE KIND OF DISCUSSION THAT COULD EVOLVE TO.
AND THAT IS WHY I THINK IT'S SO CRITICAL THAT NOT ONLY THAT YOU
PARTICIPATE IN THIS SENIOR -- IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE, RIGHT?
THAT SOMEBODY WOULD ARGUE FOR TAKING MONEY FROM SENIORS.
AND I DON'T THINK WE WILL EVER REALLY GET TO THAT PLACE IN THIS
CITY.
BUT PEOPLE KNOW, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT WHAT THEY WANT WHEN THEY
WANT IT AND FOR THEIR OWN SELF-INTEREST.
THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.
SO PART OF OUR JOB IS THAT WE ALL KNOW THAT WE ARE OUR
BROTHERS AND SISTERS' KEEPER AND WE ALL NEED WHAT WE NEED.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS BUDGET IS SUPPOSED TO DO.
THE BUDGET IS SUPPOSED TO SAY THESE ARE THE NEEDS IN OUR CITY,
SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE.
WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THE WANTS.
BUT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE AND PRIORITIZE.
AND THAT'S THE HARD JOB THAT I HAVE TO DO.
I SOMETIMES HAVE TO SAY NO, WE CAN'T DO THIS OVER HERE BECAUSE
I KNOW SAFE AT HOME IS WORKING AND IT NEEDS $4 MILLION.
AND SO THAT MAY BE $4 MILLION THAT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEPLACE
ELSE.
AND SOMETIMES YOU'LL HEAR ME SAY I DON'T WANT TO SPEND ANY EXTRA
MONEY ON THIS NEW PROGRAM.
AND LET'S FACE IT.
WE COME UP WITH A LOT OF NEW PROGRAMS IN THIS CITY.
AND SOME OF THEM HAVE REALLY BIG PRICE TAGS.
AND, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME, WELL, MAYOR, WHY DON'T
YOU SUPPORT THIS?
OR WHY DON'T YOU SUPPORT THAT?
AND I'LL SAY, DID YOU SEE HOW MUCH IT COST?
BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT -- MY MOTHER TOLD
ME A LONG TIME AGO, DON'T LET YOUR WANTS HURT YOU.
REMEMBER THAT, MOM?
[LAUGHTER] >> AMEN.
>> MAYOR: I WAS LIKE I WANT, I WANT, I WANT.
SHE SAID DON'T LET YOUR WANTS HURT YOU.
[LAUGHTER] AND SO THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE
TO -- AND I'VE BEEN ON A LITTLE WAYS TO SAY IT BECAUSE I SEE IT,
MR.
MOBLEY.
I KIND OF SEE THAT ENERGY IN THE CITY.
I FEEL IT.
I FEEL LIKE WHEN I GO TO THE COUNCIL SOMETIMES AND SAY LET'S
SLOW DOWN ON THIS ONE BIG, BIG THING BECAUSE IT MAY MEAN THAT
WE ARE NOT ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THESE THINGS OVER HERE.
SO I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT.
BECAUSE SOMETIMES I GO OUT AND PEOPLE SAY, WELL, BOWSER, WHY
DON'T YOU SUPPORT THIS?
EVERYBODY SUPPORTS IT. AND I SAY BECAUSE I HAVE TO MAKE
THE BUDGET BALANCE.
AND THAT MEANS THAT IF I PAY $4 MILLION FOR THIS, THAT AND
THE OTHER, I WON'T BE ABLE TO DO SAFE AT HOME.
>> AND TO YOUR POINT, MAYOR, IN THE WARD 1 SENIOR WELLNESS
CENTER, WHEN MR.
PIERPONT RAISED THAT IDEA, MS.
HOPKINS CHIMED IN AND SAID WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO
DO TO IMPROVE OUR SIDEWALKS AND WALKABILITY IN THE CITY.
SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.
>> MAYOR: WELL, THAT'S A GREAT POINT.
I'M GOING TO TURN TO DEPUTY MAYOR CHUNG TO TALK A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THIS.
WE HAVE, AND YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, BEEN NAMED ONE OF THE
AGE-FRIENDLIEST CITIES IN THE WORLD.
AND IT'S BEEN I THINK A FOUR-YEAR, FOUR OR FIVE-YEAR
EFFORT THAT IS CITYWIDE ACROSS ALL OF OUR AGENCIES THAT ARE
FOCUSED ON HOW WE CAN MAKE ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF
LIVING WORK BETTER FOR SENIORS.
AND SIDEWALKS ARE A BIG THING.
AND SOMETIMES I LIKE TO USE THIS EXAMPLE.
WHEN I WAS A COUNCILMEMBER, THERE WAS A NEIGHBORHOOD -- SOME
OF YOU WILL KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT -- THAT WAS REALLY
FIGHTING OVER SIDEWALKS.
LIKE LITERALLY ONE SIDE OF THE STREET WANTED NEW SIDEWALKS.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET DIDN'T WANT ANY SIDEWALKS AT
ALL.
THEY WANTED THINGS TO STAY EXACTLY THE SAME.
AND I REMEMBER ONE OF THE PROPONENTS FOR NO NEW SIDEWALKS,
SHE WAS VERY ADAMANT THAT NO NEW SIDEWALKS BE INSTALLED.
THEN SOMETHING CHANGED IN HER LIFE.
HER HUSBAND NEEDED TO THEN USE A WALKER OR WHEELCHAIR OR GET
PICKED UP BY METRO ACCESS.
AND SHE REALIZED HOW HARD IT WAS TO NAVIGATE THEIR STREET WITH NO
SIDEWALKS SAFELY FOR HIM.
SO THAT'S JUST AN EXAMPLE THAT KIND OF BRINGS IT HOME TO ME
THAT SOMETIMES, LIKE YOU MAY -- I'M NOT PICKING ON SENIOR
CITIZENS.
BUT I HEAR THIS SOMETIMES.
WELL, WE DON'T NEED ANY NEW SIDEWALKS.
I RAISED ALL MY KIDS WITH NO SIDEWALKS.
[LAUGHTER] AND SO NOW YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED
IN THEM, RIGHT?
HAVE YOU SAID THAT?
[LAUGHTER] AND SO I JUST -- WHEN WE SIT IN
THESE CHAIRS, WHAT I TRY TO REMIND EVERYBODY IS THAT NONE OF
US ARE REALLY MAKING DECISIONS JUST FOR US.
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IF WE PASS UP ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSTALL
SIDEWALKS, THAT AFFECTS YOU KNOW.
MAYBE YOU DON'T NEED THEM RIGHT NOW.
BUT THAT SIDEWALK DECISION IS USUALLY A 25-YEAR DECISION.
IT'S GOING TO LAST AND BE THERE IN 25 YEARS FOR THE NEXT FAMILY
OR THE NEXT SENIOR.
SO WE HAVE TO REMEMBER LIKE NOT JUST THAT WE ARE MAKING
DECISIONS WITH THIS BUDGET FOR WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW, BUT
THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT US FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND
SOMETIMES GENERATIONS TO COME.
HYESOOK, I WANT YOU TO TALK WHERE WE ARE WITH AGE-FRIENDLY
D.C. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR.
AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, WE ARE HONORED BY THE WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION AS ONE OF THE DESIGNEES OF AGE-FRIENDLY CITY.
WHEN HONORED WITH THIS RECOGNITION AND CERTIFICATION,
THERE WERE A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT HOW INNOVATIVE AND HOW
INCLUSIVE WE WERE WITH OUR SENIORS.
SO WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT WE DO AS A CITY ON A DAY-TO-DAY
BASIS IS TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OUR PROGRAMS IN EACH OF OUR
AGENCIES ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON ENSURING THAT IT IS
AGE-FRIENDLY.
THAT MEAN NOT JUST BEING A SENIOR 55 OR 60 AND OVER, BUT
REALLY FROM BIRTH AS YOU AGE, THAT THIS CITY IS INCLUSIVE OF
YOU. AND SO ROADS, WALKABILITY,
USABILITY, ALL OF THOSE FUNCTIONS ARE A HUGE PRIORITY.
AND AS MS.
THOMPSON WILL TELL YOU, IT'S SO GREAT TO SEE SOME
OF YOU WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE AGE-FRIENDLY TASK FORCE.
WE JUST COMPLETED OUR FIRST FIVE YEARS AND WE ARE NOW EMBARKING
ON THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
AND SO THIS INCLUDES REALLY HUGE, HUGE PRINCIPLES THAT WE
TRY TO EMBARK ALL OF OUR AGENCIES, AS KEITH ANDERSON
WOULD TELL YOU, AND DIRECTOR NEWLAND WOULD TELL YOU, EVEN
THOUGH THEIR AGENCIES HAVE HUGE MISSIONS AND PROGRAMMATIC
DECISIONS THEY ARE MAKING, THE AGE FRIENDLY COALITION AND TASK
FORCE REALLY IMPARTS ON THEM THE PRINCIPLES THAT WE HOLD TRUE FOR
ALL OF OUR SENIORS.
SO WE REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU.
MANY OF YOU SERVE ON WORK GROUPS AND HOLDING THOSE ACCOUNTABILITY
TO WORK ON THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
WE WILL BE WORKING WITH MOTA AND KICK LAUNCHING OUR TRAINING IN
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND THE BIG MISSION AND GOALS FOR US.
DID YOU WANT TO MENTION ANYTHING, MS.
THOMPSON?
>> SURE.
>> ABOUT THE WORK OF AGE FRIENDLY.
>> I WAS SITTING HERE THINKING AND HERE WE ARE WITH OUR
HOMEGROWN MAYOR.
[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR: THANK YOU.
>> AND HER MOM AND DAD WE KNOW.
AND A LOT OF US FEEL LIKE THE GODPARENTS HERE BECAUSE WE WERE
A PART OF ALL OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.
BUT GETTING BACK TO THE AGE-FRIENDLY AND THANK OUR
WONDERFUL MAYOR HERE WHO HAS COME IN AND REALLY PUT A LOT OF
ENERGY INTO MOVING AHEAD BECAUSE IT IS A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN A
SENSE BECAUSE IT STARTED WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
BUT IT'S SPREADING AND IT'S A REAL CAMPAIGN AT THIS POINT.
BUT GETTING BACK SPECIFICALLY TO THE BUDGET, I WILL BE WORKING IN
MY NEW TASK FORCE ASSIGNMENT ON A LIFE-LONG LEARNING.
AND WITH THE LIFE-LONG LEARNING, IT STARTS VERY, VERY EARLY.
[APPLAUSE] IN TERMS OF LAYING THAT
FOUNDATION SO THAT WHEN WE REACH THIS AGE OF BECOMING SENIORS,
THAT WE CAN STILL BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO LIVE A QUALITY
LIFE AND TO LIVE HAPPILY.
SO I WON'T TAKE UP ALL OF YOUR TIME, BUT DO BECOME A PART OF
THAT CAMPAIGN BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU AND YOUR
PARTICIPATION AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT SO THAT YOU CAN LIVE
A QUALITY LIFE.
WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT SENIORS.
WE ARE TALKING WORLDWIDE IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF
US HAVE ACCESS TO WHAT WE NEED AND WE ARE ABLE TO LIVE TOGETHER
AND LIVE PEACEFULLY EQUAL LIVES AND HAPPY.
AND I'M SO THANKFUL THAT THE MAYOR PULLED US TOGETHER HERE
WARD 5 AND MADE THIS SO PERSONAL FOR US.
>> MAYOR: THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] WELL, THIS IS, MRS.
THOMPSON AND THAT YOU FOR ALL YOUR YEARS OF
SERVICE TO WARD 5 AND ALL DISTRICT SENIORS.
>> MAYOR, WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FROM WARD 8, THE
CONGRESS HEIGHTS WELLNESS CENTER.
THEY HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
AND SO MS.
SUMMERS SAYS, IS THERE A PLAN IN THE BUDGET TO
ADDRESS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUTS?
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT CUTS TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND
OTHER PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT D.C. RESIDENTS?
>> MAYOR: OKAY, LET ME TURN DIRECTLY TO THE CITY
ADMINISTRATOR BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE EARLY ON IN THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION AN ANALYSIS OF WHAT WE THOUGHT THE THREATS TO
US WERE.
AND WE FOUND SOME ADDITIONAL THREATS IN HIS RECENT BUDGET.
SO I'LL ASK THE C.A.
TO ADDRESS THAT.
>> SURE, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
SO ONE THING THAT WE THINK ABOUT OR LOOK AT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET IS THAT IT REALLY IS THE STARTING POINT FOR
THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FEDERAL BUDGET.
SO WHAT THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED USUALLY IS NOT WHAT EXACTLY
HAPPENS IN THE FEDERAL SPACE AND WHAT THE BUDGET IS.
NONETHELESS, WE TAKE HIS BLUEPRINT SERIOUSLY BECAUSE WE
KNOW THAT HE'S GOING TO BE ADVOCATING FOR THOSE THINGS IN
CONGRESS.
AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET, WE KNOW THAT
HIS BUDGET REALLY CUTS DRAMATICALLY MANY OF THE SAFETY
NET PROGRAMS, MANY OF THE PROGRAMS THAT REALLY IMPACT
URBAN CITIES AND THE PEOPLE IN URBAN CITIES.
AND OUR LAST LOOK AT HIS BUDGET, THERE WAS NEARLY 100 GOVERNMENT
POSITIONS OR MORE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPACTED IF ALL OF HIS
CUTS TOOK PLACE, THAT WE WOULD LOSE THE FUNDING FOR.
PROGRAMS LIKE THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
WHICH INVESTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS, IN HOUSING
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE CUT.
OUR PROGRAM WOULD BE CUT WITH UTILITIES.
IF UTILITIES GET CUT OFF, WE USUALLY GET A GRANT ALSO FROM
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT WOULD ALSO BE ELIMINATED.
HE WOULD REDUCE THE MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO HELP OUR
POOREST CITIZENS WITH WORK AND CASH ASSISTANCE.
AND SO AS WE LOOK AT OUR FISCAL YEAR 19 BUDGET, WE DON'T HAVE
THE RESOURCES TO INVEST IN EVERYTHING HE MIGHT POSSIBLY DO.
BUT WHAT WE DO IS LOOK VERY CLOSELY ON WHAT THE CONGRESS
SAYS ABOUT HIS BUDGET AND WHERE THEY ARE LIKELY TO HAVE SOME
AGREEMENT AND PURSUE SOME OF HIS IDEAS AND WE ARE MONITORING THAT
VERY CLOSELY.
AND SO WE WILL DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE SERVICES OUR RESIDENTS NEED, WHETHER IT'S ENERGY ASSISTANCE,
WHETHER IT'S INVESTING IN NEIGHBORHOODS FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT OR HOUSING, WHETHER IT'S PROVIDING WORKFORCE
TRAINING OR CASH ASSISTANCE TO OUR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OR
HOMELESS PEOPLE, THAT WE WILL TRY TO MAKE UP AS MUCH OF THAT
AS POSSIBLE.
BUT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IMPACT HIS BUDGET WILL HAVE
BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CONGRESS WILL DO WITH IT.
>> MAYOR: OKAY.
LET ME JUST ADD TO THAT.
WHEN OUR CONGRESSMAN -- AND I CALLED HER WHEN I KNEW THAT HE
WAS PROPOSING SOME CUTS TO ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS.
AND SHE SAID WHEN THAT BUDGET GETS HERE, WE ARE JUST GOING TO
TEAR IT UP AND START ALL OVER.
THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.
SO THAT IS NOW COMING FROM ONE EXECUTIVE.
I DON'T LIKE TO HEAR THAT.
BUT WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE CONGRESS GETS THESE BUDGETS
AND THEY PUT DIFFERENT PRIORITIES ON THEM.
SO IT'S TROUBLING THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE THAT AS A
STARTING POINT.
BUT THAT'S WHAT IT IS, IT'S A STARTING POINT.
SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING WITH CONGRESSWOMAN NORTON AND
ALL OF YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THESE CRITICAL PRIORITIES -- YOU
HEARD THE C.A.
THESE ARE BOTTOM LINE ISSUES FOR D.C. RESIDENTS.
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN CONGRESS IS FINISH WITH THE
BUDGET THAT THEY ARE INCLUDED.
THERE'S ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT'S BIG FOR D.C. FAMILIES CALLED
D.C. TAG. AND THE PRESIDENT HAS PROPOSED
ZEROING THAT PROGRAM OUT.
THE CONGRESSWOMAN IS CONFIDENT THAT SHE CAN HAVE IT RESTORED AT
THE CONGRESS.
THE CONGRESS CREATED TAG AND HAS BEEN A BIG PROPONENT FOR D.C.
TAG. AND SHE THINKS THAT SHE CAN
CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN FOR US.
>> MAYOR, I JUST WANT TO REMIND ALL THE AUDIENCE PARTICIPANTS
TODAY TO PRESS ZERO IF YOU HAVE A BUDGET PRIORITY TO SHARE WITH
THE MAYOR AND HER TEAM.
AND IF NOT, NOT TODAY, BUT IF YOU THINK OF ONE TOMORROW,
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US AND SEND US AN
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT.DC@DC.GOV.
THAT'S ENGAGEMENT.DC@DC.GOV.
OR CALL US AT 202-442-8150.
>> MAYOR: YEAH.
>> HI.
FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY I'M SO PROUD OF YOU.
>> MAYOR: THANK YOU.
>> WATCHING YOU SINCE ABOUT THE AGE OF 8.
IN FACT, JOE BOWSER WAS MY ANC -- YOUR FATHER WAS MY ANC
COMMISSIONER AT FORD LINCOLN WHEN I FIRST MOVED THERE.
I HAVE TWO CONCERNS NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO THE
BUDGET.
FORT LINCOLN IS HOME TO THE LARGEST POPULATION OF SENIORS
LIVING IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS ANYWHERE IN THE CITY.
IT HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS IN WARD 5.
I'M SEEING A LOT OF SENIORS EVICTED OUT OF THE SENIOR
BUILDINGS AT A VERY ALARMING RATE.
AND WE HAVE SOMEONE OVER THERE VERY KNOWN TO THIS WHOLE CITY
AND LIVED THERE FOR 20 YEARS AND WAS EVICTED ABOUT FIVE MONTHS
AGO.
I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR THE OFFICE ON AGING -- WE HAVE ABOUT 18 OR
20 SOME PUBLIC HOUSING PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
IF WE COULD FIND A WAY WHERE THEY GET THAT NOTICE, THAT FIRST
NOTICE BEHIND IN RENT, THAT THE OFFICE ON AGING CAN BE MADE
AWARE SO WE CAN DO SOME INTERVENTIONS BECAUSE WE HAVE
GOT FOLKS IN THERE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, LIVING ALONE.
AND EVERY TIME I WALK UP AND DOWN BLADENSBURG ROAD, I SEE ALL
OF THIS FURNITURE SITTING OUT. AND THEY ARE GETTING PUT OUT AND
HUD IS PAYING 30% OF THEIR INCOME FOR RENT.
SO WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
I MEAN IT'S TOUGH TO IMAGINE THE SENIORS BEING PUT OUT.
PEOPLE KNOW I'VE BEEN DOING SENIOR G.O.T.
TV SINCE WALTER WASHINGTON.
IT'S TIME FOR BART KING TO RETIRE.
I'D LIKE TO SEE EARLY VOTING AND FORT LINCOLN HAVE A PILOT
PROJECT WHERE WE PUT THE MACHINES IN THE BUILDINGS AND
ALLOW THE SENIORS TO COME DOWN TO VOTE.
I'M STRUGGLING FOR THEM TO GET ON THE BUS ANY MORE, EVEN THOUGH
YOU'VE GOT GOOD CANDIDATES.
WE ARE SAYING IN SOME OF OUR WARDS THAT THE VOTE IS WAY DOWN
IN 4, 5, 7 AND 8.
I THINK THE WAY THAT WE CAN -- IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SAY THIS
BECAUSE I GET A CONTRACT TO DO G.O.T.
THINGS.
NOW I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO LEAVE THAT CONTRACT ALONE AND
INVEST IN FOLKS HAVING THE RIGHT TO COME DOWN AND VOTE.
AND I JUST THINK THAT TO GET ON THE ELEVATOR, COME DOWNSTAIRS
AND VOTE THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND VOTERS REGISTRATION, I THINK
THAT WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
SENIORS WHO ARE 1 IN 5, MADAM MAYOR, AND GIVING EVERYBODY AN
OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.
>> MAYOR: I THINK THAT'S AN EXCELLENT IDEA.
FANTASTIC IDEA.
[APPLAUSE] LET ME CHEW ON HOW WE CAN DO
THAT.
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES TO THE VOTING LAWS RECENTLY.
I THINK THE COUNCIL PASSED AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION,
FOR EXAMPLE.
WE HAVE EARLY VOTING ACROSS THE CITY.
WE HAVE A NO -- WHAT DO THEY CALL IT?
NO EXCUSE OR NO ABSENTEE VOTING SO YOU CAN REQUEST AN ABSENTEE
BALLOT AND VOTE RIGHT AT HOME AND PUT IT IN THE MAIL.
SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO.
BUT YOU MAKE A GOOD RECOMMENDATION IF WE KNOW WE
HAVE A HIGH SENIOR POPULATION, MAYBE THAT COULD BE AN EARLY
VOTE SITE, AN ADDITIONAL EARLY VOTE SITE IN WARD 5.
AND WE WILL SHARE HOW THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS MAKES THOSE
DECISIONS.
SO RIGHT NOW WE WILL BE FOCUSED ON THE NEXT ONE 2020.
THEY HAVE ALREADY SET ALL OF THE PARAMETERS FOR THE UPCOMING
2018.
YES, SIR.
>> COULD YOU RESPOND TO THE EVICTION.
>> MAYOR: THE EVICTION.
I KNOW THAT THE DIRECTOR WAS TAKING DOWN NOTES OF THAT.
SO WE SHOULD HAVE CONTACTS AT EACH OF THOSE BUILDINGS.
SO, DIRECTOR NEWLAND, LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET SOME
ADVANCED NOTICE.
I'M TRYING TO THINK OF THE BEST WAY OFF THE TOP BECAUSE
SOMETIMES MANAGEMENT THEY WON'T SHARE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION.
SO LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET TO THAT INFORMATION.
OKAY.
>> YES, MADAM MAYOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING THIS FORUM.
MY QUESTION IS, IN THE BUDGET THAT'S COMING UP OR FORESEEABLE
BUDGET, IS THERE MONEY ALLOCATED TO REOPENING OF SHAW MIDDLE
SCHOOL?
BECAUSE I THINK IT'S VERY NEEDY WITH THE OVERCROWDING OVER AT
DEAL TO BRING A LOT OF STUDENTS OUT OF THE COMMUNITY TO GO TO
ANOTHER SCHOOL.
SO IF THAT'S A PLAN IN THE FUTURE.
AND ALSO FOR DPR, THE SITUATION AT THOMAS REC AND THE OTHER RECS
IN THE CITY NEED TO BE REBUILT AND THINGS, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A
REC THERE, HARRY THOMAS SENIOR REC REALLY NOT FUNCTIONAL ON THE
INSIDE.
THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON THERE AND HASN'T BEEN FOR A NUMBER OF
YEARS.
AND WE REALLY NEED SOMETHING DONE THERE, WHETHER IT'S ENCLOSE
THE POOL OR PUT A GYM IN THERE OR SOMETHING.
BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING REALLY GOING ON THERE.
>> MAYOR: LET ME ASK THE DIRECTOR TO COMMENT ON HARRY
THOMAS REC, DIRECTOR ANDERSON.
>> RIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
HARRY THOMAS RECREATION CENTER IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN
FOCUSED ON.
WE DO HAVE AN OUTDOOR POOL WHICH IS WELL ATTENDED DURING THE
SUMMERTIME.
AND THE PLAYGROUND THAT WAS ACTUALLY VOTED THE SECOND BEST
PLAYGROUND IN AMERICA.
AND SO THAT WAS A VERY BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE BOWSER
ADMINISTRATION.
BUT INSIDE I UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE BUILDING
DOESN'T ALLOW FOR A LOT OF PROGRAMMING.
SO I WORK WITH THE TEAM AT HARRY THOMAS REC.
THE REC MANAGER THERE IS ZACKIA BROWN ON PERHAPS RECONFIGURING
THAT SPACE TO BE MORE FUNCTIONAL FOR PROGRAMMING FOR NOT ONLY
YOUNGSTERS BUT OUR SENIORS AS WELL.
>> ALSO, MAYBE DOWN THE ROAD TO PLANT THE MONEY IN THE
PROCEEDING BUDGETS TO ENCLOSE THE POOL AND PUT A GYM IN THERE.
BECAUSE YOU LOOK AT THAT NOMA AREA, IT IS REALLY GROWING AND
THE CITY HAS ALREADY INVESTED $50 MILLION INTO NOMA AS IT IS.
SO CAN WE JUST SEE THAT DOWN THE ROAD BEING ESTABLISHED?
AND MY LAST QUESTION OR COMMENT IS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT JOBS AND
GETTING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BACK IN SCHOOLS WHICH IS
IMPORTANT.
IT COULD BE PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF THE SCHOOL BECAUSE
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF S.T.E.M.
SCHOOLS AND S.T.E.M.
PROGRAMMING BUT WE DON'T HAVE, AS A PART OF
THE CURRICULUM, THE BRICK LAYING, THE ELECTRICIANS AND
THAT PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF THE SCHOOL.
ONCE THEY GET OUT, IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT BALL GAME FOR
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
SO SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BILL INTO THE CURRICULUM AND WITH THE
ADVENT OF -- I FOUND THIS OUT RECENTLY.
THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT JOBS FOR D.C. RESIDENTS.
WE ARE GOING TO TRAIN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET JOBS FOR D.C.
RESIDENTS.
WHEN YOU HAVE A NEW DEVELOPMENT COME INTO THE CITY, IF THEY ARE
NOT TAKING IN CITY FUNDS, THEY DON'T HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN
FIRST SOURCE.
THAT TAKES AWAY AGAIN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND
PEOPLE OF THE CITY TO GET A JOB IN THE UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION.
IF WE, NUMBER ONE, DON'T HAVE THE TRADE IN THE SCHOOL TO BUILD
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE TRADE AND NUMBER TWO THEY ARE BEING
WIPED OUT BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER IS NOT TAKING IN CITY FUNDS AND
DON'T HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN FIRST SOURCE AND BRING IN OUR
OWN PEOPLE AND BUILD IT THE WAY WE WANT, THOSE QUESTIONS TO ME
IS A CONCERN FOR US EVEN AS SENIORS.
THAT WE HAVE GOT GRANDCHILDREN AND WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO GREW UP
IN THE CITY WHO WANT TO STAY IN THE CITY, BUT WE ARE FINDING OUT
THAT THE CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING EDUCATED IN MOST OF OUR D.C.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN'T GOING TO BE THE FUTURE RESIDENTS OF D.C.
AND WE HAVE GOT TO POINT THEM TO BE HERE.
>> MAYOR: WELL, I THINK WE HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE.
AND ONE THING I ALWAYS LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE IS THAT THERE
ARE MORE JOBS THAN CONSTRUCTION JOBS.
SO IF WE ARE SINGLE FOCUSED ON THE CONSTRUCTION JOBS, THE JOBS
IN TECH AND HOSPITALITY AND JOBS IN OUR RESTAURANTS, THE JOBS IN
OUR HOSPITAL AND HIGHER EDUCATION PLACES WON'T GET DONE.
AND SO I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE FOCUS ON CONSTRUCTION JOBS
BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE CONSTRUCTION.
BUT THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE JOBS CREATED IN THIS CITY THAT
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GETTING AS
WELL.
LAST QUESTION.
>> YES.
MY NAME IS ASA GORDON, I'M THE SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL SONS
AND DAUGHTERS OF THE UNITED STATES COLORED TROOP WITH THE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL.
WE ARE DOING A SERIES OF PROGRAMS ON THE VOTING RIGHTS OF
THE UNITED STATES COLOR TROOPS AT THE MUSEUM, SO YOU CAN CALL
ABOUT THAT.
AND IN THAT CAPACITY, IN MY RESEARCH ON THAT, IS THAT -- LET
ME SUGGEST A SMALL BUDGET TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO IMPLEMENT
WHAT I CALL THE TAXPAYER VOTER I.D.
ACT.
THAT IS AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION FOR ALL CITIZENS OF THE DISTRICT
THAT FILED FEDERAL INCOME TAX.
IF THE DOCUMENTATION IS GOOD ENOUGH TO TAKE MY MONEY, IT'S
GOOD ENOUGH TO TAKE MY VOTE.
YOU DON'T REQUIRE PHOTO I.D.
FOR TO TAKE MY MONEY, YOU SHOULDN'T
REQUIRE A PHOTO I.D.
TO TAKE MY VOTE.
AND SO ALL THE INFORMATION WHEN YOU FILE YOUR FEDERAL INCOME
TAX, THAT COULD BE PAID OVER TO THE VOTER BOARD OF ELECTIONS
BECAUSE THAT SAME INFORMATION IS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION.
SO IT'S COST EFFECTIVE.
AND SO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS WILL MAIL OUT A VOTER I.D.
IN REGISTRATION TO ALL CITIZEN
TAXPAYERS WHO WOULD FILE A 1040, 1040A OR 1040AE.
NOW, NONRESIDENTS WHO FILE FEDERAL INCOME TAX WHO ARE
NONCITIZENS, THEY FILE WHAT IS CALLED A 1040NR.
SO I'M NOT INCLUDING THAT.
BUT I'M SAYING THAT WE SHOULD AT LEAST FACILITATE AUTOMATIC
REGISTRATION FOR ALL FEDERAL INCOME TAX PAYORS.
SO WE ARE FILING ON THE PRINCIPLE OF NO TAXATION WITHOUT
REPRESENTATION.
SO IF YOU HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU FEEL IS SUFFICIENT TO
ASSESS MY TAXES, THEN THAT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT
DOCUMENTATION TO TAKE MY VOTE.
AND SAY IF IT'S NOT, THEN GIVE ME BACK MY MONEY.
>> MAYOR: THAT'S NOT A BAD IDEA.
[LAUGHTER] >> IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
ONCE WE IMPLEMENT THIS, THEN IT WILL BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF
PUTTING THIS OUT AS A NATIONAL TAXPAYER VOTER I.D.
ACT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, ALL
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PAYORS SHOULD BE EASILY FACILITATED AND
REWARDED BY BEING REGISTERED TO VOTE.
>> MAYOR: SURE.
I'M NOT SURE IF WE HAVE THE UPDATE OF WHAT THE RECENT CHANGE
TO THE LAW IS ABOUT AUTOMATIC VOTING REGISTRATION.
I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH ALL OF THE NEW ASPECTS OF IT.
BUT VOTING IS GETTING EASIER IN THE DISTRICT.
AND WE ALL AGREE WITH YOU THAT IT SHOULD BE EASY.
YOU CAN ALREADY DO IT AND REGISTER AT THE DMV WHICH IS
HELPFUL AND WE TALKED ABOUT MORE EARLY VOTING SITES WHICH IS ALSO
AN IDEA.
AND THEN GETTING PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY GO VOTE IS HUGELY
IMPORTANT.
SO WE WILL KEEP CHEWING ON THOSE IDEAS AND YOU KEEP THINKING
ABOUT IT AS WELL.
I KNOW I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM
EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE.
SO LET ME THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND THANK THE OVER 800
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LISTENING ON THE PHONE AND MANY OTHERS
WATCHING ON CHANNEL 16.
THIS IS OUR FIRST SESSION.
WE HAVE THREE MORE THIS WEEK.
IF YOU WANT TO COME OUT IN PERSON TO MEET YOUR FELLOW
NEIGHBORS.
I THOUGHT WE HAD SOME KEY TAKEAWAYS JUST FROM THIS
DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW WE LOOK AT OUR SAFE AT HOME PROGRAM, HOW WE
LOOK AT OUR PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES AND SENIOR WELLNESS
FACILITIES AS WELL, HOW WE TALK TO EVERY AGE GROUP IN THE CITY
ABOUT SUPPORTING EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN THIS
TOGETHER.
AND I THINK I HEARD A SPECIAL COMMENT ON MAKING SURE THAT
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR DECADES AND PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW
ARE MORE FAMILIAR WITH EACH OTHERS' NEEDS.
AND SO WE SHARE THAT AS A PRIORITY.
SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT AND CONTINUE TO KEEP
US POSTED ON WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU ABOUT HOW THE CITY MOVES
FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
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