BROWN’S PRIORITIES: EDUCATION, LOCAL JOBS, AND CRIME REDUCTION
KEEP KIDS FIRST IN SURPLUS SPENDING
Councilmember Kwame R. Brown commented on his analysis of the surplus-spending plan proposed this week by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Chancellor Michelle Rhee. The Mayor’s proposal found a budget shortfall of $155 million that needed to be addressed through cost savings and a “one-time cash infusion.”(i) Councilmember Brown remarked that, “It’s important that kids come first in the proposed spending plan. I believe the Mayor achieved that goal. My main focuses continue to be education, jobs and crime reduction. This plan addresses those priorities, which are critical for District residents…$47 million for kids and education, $14 million for the youth summer jobs program, and $1 million to clear the backlog of ex-offenders. With the proper education, training and job skills, DC residents will have the tools they need to create a better quality of life for themselves and their families.” In order to address the budget shortfall, Chancellor Rhee first searched for cost savings in the school system. She found $74 million in cost savings during her 3-month review of the system. Another $81 million in one-time surplus funds were necessary to provide a higher quality of education in the District. The Mayor proposed to spend $81 million in surplus funds on the following items: - $34 million towards “personnel and legal counsel services.”(i)
- $47 million to cover one-time costs and to “right-size” the system. Other important initiatives from the proposal include: - $14 million for the Department of Employment Services to: ** Support the registration of 15,000 participants in the Summer Youth Employment Program for a length of 10 weeks.
** Reduce the backlog of ex-offenders in the Transitional Employment Program. - $12 million to the District Department of Transportation to “support improved paving operations across the city.”(i)
- $1 million for a micro-loan business fund, championed by Councilmember Brown, to provide local businesses with access to much needed resources. "I commend the Mayor for using this money to make greater opportunities available for ex-offenders and to improve our transportation system,” said Councilmember Brown. “With sidewalks, alleys and roads in desperate need of repair, it’s extremely important to invest in our public roadways. It’s particularly important in Brookland and other high need areas but it’s essential that we continue to move our City in the right direction.” (i) Mayor Fenty to Introduce Proposed Legislation Directing Budget Surplus toward Critical District Initiatives.” Press release, Executive Office of the Mayor; October 3, 2007.
______________________________________________________________ BROWN TO DEPUTY MAYOR REINOSO: FOCUS ON THE KIDS On Tuesday, the Council of the District of Columbia confirmed Victor Reinoso as Deputy Mayor for Education. As part of the Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007, Reinoso has been tasked with creating an Ombudsman’s office to collect feedback and concerns from parents and citizens in the community. Along with the Ombudsman’s office, he has been tasked with effectively developing the Interagency Collaboration and Services Integration Commission, which would provide wrap-around services that create a comprehensive approach to education. Wrap-around services expand the focus of a child’s education by including and tracking a child’s ongoing progress in health care, social services, home life and any court involvement. A child’s individual needs can be taken into account and teachers can work more closely with parents to provide informed solutions. “I support Victor Reinoso’s determination to improve our public schools,” said Councilmember Brown. “As the husband of a former teacher and a father of two kids in public schools, I know first-hand the challenges we face in the District. I look forward to the creation of an Ombudsman’s office and the development of wrap-around services that will take a comprehensive approach to educating our children. Just as he has done in the past, Deputy Mayor Reinoso should continue to focus on the kids and ensure they have a bright future ahead.” Councilmember Brown actively supports new initiatives that train DC residents for future jobs. He supported the School Modernization Funds Resolution of 2007 approving $30 million in funds to build the Phelps Vocational Engineering Academy. When the Council returned to session two weeks ago, he authored the Vocational Education Feasibility Act of 2007 (B17-370). The bill requires the Mayor to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a facility for adult vocational education to be completed by 2009. It would also require the study to include the following analyses: - An assessment of vacant buildings and facilities appropriate for vocational training in the District;
- Statistical data on the rate at which adults have entered into vocational careers as compared to professional careers in the last 10 years, regionally and nationally; and
- An analysis of the employability and earning potential of certified vocationally trained adults in the workforce in the District. Nine of his Council colleagues sponsor the bill.
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BROWN APPLAUDS “THE YARDS” GROUNDBREAKING
Councilmember Kwame R. Brown joined Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Councilmember Tommy Wells and Forest City Washington at the groundbreaking ceremony for The Yards, a major development project on the Anacostia Waterfront. Currently, this is the beginning of the first phase of the project to be completed in 2009-2010. Councilmember Brown remarked that, “Economic development is a key to improving the quality of life in the District. Providing affordable housing is one of my top priorities. We must have smart growth, which creates affordable housing and protects the environment. DC residents and businesses must be the primary benefactors on this project and must participate as equity partners. Local businesses and local residents should be tapped to do local work.”
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BROWN: PUBLIC’S CONCERNS NEED TO BE HEARD
On Monday, October 1st, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development conducted a public oversight hearing on projects managed by the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Neil Albert. This was a continuation of the hearing on September 24th, which focused on the transition of the responsibilities of the now defunct Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC) and the National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC) to the office of the Deputy Mayor. During Monday’s hearing, the Committee concentrated on the Southwest Waterfront, Hill East, Poplar Point, Canal Park and Kingman Island. In order to gain more information and to go directly to the community, Councilmember Brown is scheduling a follow-up roundtable on Poplar Point. “Public hearings are necessary for transparency in government,” said Councilmember Brown. “I’ve met with residents across the city to get their input on city projects and I’ve received many questions about ongoing city projects that need to be answered. As a part of my oversight responsibilities, I’ve asked the Deputy Mayor’s office to publicly testify with regard to projects under the Deputy Mayor’s responsibility by going directly to the community.” Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry, who is a member of the Committee on Economic Development, jointly sponsors the roundtable. The purpose of this oversight roundtable is to solicit ideas and comments from the public as to the future development of the 110 acres in Ward 8 known as Poplar Point, which will be deeded to the City by the Federal government in the near future, and to hear from the Executive their plans and timetable for future development.
______________________________________________________________ COUNCILMEMBER BROWN GOES ON TOUR OF SOUTHEAST WITH CARDELL SHELTON On Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the request of Cardell Shelton of the Southeast Businessmen and Merchants Association, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown toured various Southeast corridors and projects. The tour began at the currently vacant old Congress Heights Elementary School and proceeded along the Alabama Avenue/Congress Heights Corridor. Along the way, Councilmember Brown stopped by the Congress Heights Shopping Center, where he took notes and made observations. He then proceeded to Hope Village, where he spoke with a number of clients and administrative staff regarding employment issues and opportunities. As Brown continued his tour down Good Hope Road he noted the Arch Training Center. Councilmember Brown’s focus on employment opportunities for youth and at risk citizens East of the River continues to be a high priority. “With the large amount of development projects either underway or being planned for the Southeast neighborhoods, it is critical that we increase our efforts to ensure that local residents fully participate and benefit from revitalization projects,” Brown said. “As Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development, I fully intend to work with the community and Councilmember Marion Barry to move development into the neighborhoods beyond downtown,” he continued. “I’m certain we can make the aspirations of Southeast residents a reality by working together.”
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