The DCDSC suspended its usual business meeting for a December Holiday Party and Toy Drive on December 12th. Event coordinators were At-Large Committeewoman Chioma Iwuoha, DC Dems Executive Director Natasha McKenzie, and Party Chair Charles Wilson. They report more than 100 attendees turned out, donating 250 toys, adopting four families to support for the holidays, and raising about $5,000.
Our next meeting is also “an evening conversation” with Mayor Muriel Bowser. That’s happening on January 3rd from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Thurgood Marshall Center on 12th St NW.
We are still awaiting subcommittee co-chair appointments, but I’ve already started brainstorming resolutions for introduction in 2019. Got some ideas of your own? What statements do you think the party needs to make this coming year? Email me your thoughts.
I’m also going to be working with Ward 4 Dems Chair Candace Tiana Nelson to see how we can update the club’s digital operation a bit. While the organization has long been “Green Team” territory, the truth is that most elected officials, once they take office, don’t have much of an interest in a strong, functioning ward organization. Today, there’s plenty of room for any Democrat who wants to get involved to help shape the Ward 4 Dems future.
I also dove into the results of the Ward 4 SBOE race. Check it out here.
Here’s what I’ve been watching at the Wilson Building:
- Councilmembers rightly voted to decriminalize fare evasion, despite statements by Councilmembers Evans and Mendelson that made them sound like they were channeling the spirit of Rudy Giuliani. Councilmember Allen has a good explainer on his bill here.
- In fact, Councilmembers weighed in on more than 100 pieces of legislation earlier this month. Washington City Paper has a look at some of the higher profile bills.
- Despite efforts by the city to help stave off the closure of Providence, the greedy nonprofit in charge is rushing to shut it down, and the community is still fighting to keep it open.
- The Public Restroom Facilities Installation and Promotion Act has just one more vote to go on December 18 before becoming law. Here’s my Twitter thread on why that’s a good thing.
- The Council, which somehow still believes in trickle-down-economics, decided to turn $20 million that could’ve gone toward hundreds of units of supportive housing into tax cuts for the wealthy instead.
- OSSE DC rolled out new, star-based school ratings systems. In addition to this being an absolutely horrendous way to present school performance information, it was also riddled with objective errors.
- The Post revealed the Mayor is teaming up with the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to cut a deal that would subsidize a new stadium in the District for Dan Snyder’s racist, failing football team.
- Ending on a good note, the Council passed strong legislation restricting campaign contributions from city contractors.
