11 COUNCILMEMBERS SUPPORT BROWN’S LANDMARK ENFORCEMENT LEGISLATION
BROWN CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR “EQUAL ACCESS PIPELINE”
On Tuesday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown introduced landmark legislation to create a Compliance and Enforcement Agency within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development during the legislative meeting. The legislation was co-introduced by eleven Councilmembers including Chairman Gray and Councilmembers Alexander, Barry, Bowser, Catania, Cheh, Evans, Mendelson, Schwartz, Thomas, and Wells. The Compliance and Enforcement Agency Establishment Act of 2007 is the culmination of feedback from numerous public hearings, District residents, business owners, and major project tours like that of the new Nationals’ stadium last month. Once established, the Compliance and Enforcement Agency will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing requirements as it relates to real estate development transactions and agreements involving land currently or previously owned by the District Columbia and which currently falls under the purview of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. “The point of this legislation isn’t to create another level of bureaucracy,” said Brown. “It’s to ensure that promises made to the District are kept, including jobs for DC residents, local small business participation, environmental standards and affordable housing requirements.” The Agency it will be empowered with analyzing compliance for all real estate development projects under the Deputy Mayor. Bi-annually, the Mayor will report findings to the Council and an annual report compiling the findings over the previous year must be submitted at the end of each Fiscal Year. The Equal Access Pipeline: The DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI) recently released a revealing study on the District’s revitalization and continuing economic challenges. “It’s striking that many residents, particularly low- and moderate-income residents aren’t benefiting from the development that’s happening throughout the city,” said Brown. “That has to change. With development moving away from downtown to the neighborhoods, it’s critical that we focus our efforts on providing an equal access pipeline so that all residents can benefit equally from economic prosperity.” The DCFPI study focused on four areas that are of particular concern to Brown: Employment and Unemployment; Wages; Income; and Poverty. According to the study, the employment rate for African-American residents and those with only a high school diploma is at nearly the lowest level in decades. Further the study found that: - 51% of DC residents with only a high school diploma are working as compared to two-thirds in the late 1980s.
- 51% of African-American adults worked in 2006, compared to 62% in 1988.
- The earnings gap between top and bottom DC earners is at the widest level since 1979.
- Real wages for low-wage working DC residents (20th percentile) rose only six percent between 1979 and 2006 compared with a 40 percent increase for high-wage workers (80th percentile).
- One in five DC residents or 110,000 people live in poverty. “In 2006, there were 688,000 jobs in the District,” said Brown. “While there are enough jobs in the city to employ every DC resident, unemployment remains high and certain neighborhoods are falling behind. We need to find solutions to these troubling problems and I believe that this legislation can help address those needs.” “What are goals without accountability, measurability and enforcement?” asked Brown. “The recent DC Fiscal Policy Institute study shows that we need to do more than set performance goals and expect DC residents and local businesses to equally participate in economic progress. Along with local participation, residents need affordable housing requirements and environmental standards to be followed. I thank my colleagues for their support of this measure.”
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PARTICIPATE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HATE CRIMES
This week, Councilmember Brown received an impassioned letter to urge DC residents to participate in National Action Network’s Washington, DC March Against Hate Crimes. “I believe DC residents should make every effort to help in the fight against hate crimes by participating in this march,” said Brown. “I look forward to taking part in this important event.” National Action Network’s Flyer asks you to: “Join the National Action Network, (ACT-A) A Call to-Action and other organizations for one of the most important events of our time. If you want to make a change occur—take a look in the mirror. It has to start with you—It’s not the other person’s responsibility to make a change occur; it’s everyone’s. It’s time to pay it forward!! For additional information please go to: http://www.acallto-action.org.” WHAT: March on Washington, DC US Justice Department
WHEN: Friday, November 16, 2007 from 12:00PM-2:00PM
WHERE: Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Ave. & 13th Street)
_________________________________________________________ COUNCIL PASSES LEGISLATION TO DIVEST FROM SUDAN On Tuesday, the DC City Council passed legislation (B17-134) cosponsored by Councilmember Brown to prohibit the investment of public funds in the financial institutions and companies making loans to or doing business with the government of Sudan. The measure was introduced by Councilmembers Barry, Schwartz and Thomas and sponsored by eight Councilmembers. “I’m proud that the Council stood together to do our part in fighting hate and genocide,” said Brown. “It’s the continuation of a national effort to support those in need.”
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COUNCILMEMBER BROWN SUPPORTS TRADES FAIR
(Left: Members of the Washington Area Women in Trades attended the Job Fair)
On October 30th, the COME JOIN THE TEAM! Job Fair was held, which was organized by Clark/Hunt/Smoot – A Joint Venture, the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission, Stadium Project Labor Agreement Task Force, and the Washington, DC Building Trades Council in partnership with the Department of Employment Services (DOES) and Councilmember Brown. “Thank you to everyone who came out for the job fair,” said Brown. “I’ll keep fighting for policies that help put DC residents to work and provide new opportunities for local businesses to prosper.”
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