Latest News

Check out the latest news and updates from Councilmember Silverman.

Committee Mark-Up on PR23-563, B23-531, B23-133 and B23-471

The Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will hold an additional meeting on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 10:15am in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) to vote on the following items: 

  • PR23-563, “Public Employee Relations Board Peter Winkler Confirmation Resolution of 2020”
  • B23-531, “Collective Bargaining Fair Compare Amendment Act of 2020”
  • B23-133, “Supporting Essential Workers Unemployment Insurance Amendment Act of 2020”
  • B23-471,“Independent Compliance Office Establishment Amendment Act of 2020”

The draft agenda is below along with draft committee prints, comparative prints, and reports:


Silverman Good Government Bill Protects the District Against Ethics Concerns on D.C. Housing Finance Agency Board

A bill introduced today by D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At Large) addresses concerns about conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest on a critical board that approves government funding tools for affordable housing developments, the D.C. Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) Board of Directors.

The bill, known as the “Housing Finance Agency Conflict of Interest Prevention Amendment Act of 2020” prohibits DCHFA board members from using agency programs during their terms of service in an effort to prevent actual and perceived business-related conflicts.


Newsletter: Happy New Year! Open House & New Hires!

Dear Neighbor,

Happy New Year! Best wishes to you and your family for a joyous and healthy new year.

Almost all of us are back to our work and school schedules, and my staff and I are excited to hit the ground running this year to represent you on the critical issues that face our city. Ensuring that we are making the best investments of your tax dollars to create a pipeline of living wage jobs and affordable housing remains a major focus for me in 2020. Our investments in public education are absolutely critical to this. I have also challenged myself and my staff to think more boldly about how we can play a role in public safety and supporting efforts to interrupt and end gun violence. Additionally, this summer we will launch the paid family and medical leave program for District workers, and my committee will continue to work with the Department of Employment Services to do oversight of the program.

First things first, however: I am on the hunt for a few new colleagues in my office and will be hosting an office open house at the end of January. Keep reading for details!


Newsletter: What a Week. See You in 2020!

Dear Resident,

Expulsion is an ethics insurance policy; a legislative body has it in place and hopes to never use it. Unfortunately, this week, the D.C. Council needed to exercise that authority. The Council’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans unanimously voted to recommend expulsion to the Committee of the Whole, which means that 12 out of 13 councilmembers (all but Evans himself) are in agreement that Councilmember Evans is no longer fit to serve.


Public Roundtable on Public Employee Relations Board Nominees

The Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a roundtable on two nominations to the Public Employee Relations Board on Wednesday, December 11, at 10:00am in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW).

The nominees are Harriet Segar (PR23-539) and Peter Winkler (PR23-563).

The draft agenda and witness list, testimonies of the nominees and a testimony received from a public witness are available here:


Silverman Letter to WMATA Regarding Ongoing ATU 689 Strike

December 4, 2019

 

Paul J. Wiedefeld

General Manager and Chief Executive Officer

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Agency

600 5th Street, NW

Washington, DC, 20001

 

Mr. Wiedefeld:

As we enter the sixth week of Amalgamated Transit Unit 689’s strike at the Transdev-operatedCinder Bed Road Bus Garage, I am concerned that little is being done to help resolve the conditions that led to the strike.


12/6 Hearing on Legislation to Ban Non-Compete Agreements in the District

The Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday, December 6, at 10:00am in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) on the Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Amendment Act of 2019 (B23-0494).

A draft agenda and witness list are available below, along with testimony from D.C. Department of Employment Services Director Unique Morris-Hughes.


12/3 Hearing on Collective Bargaining Fair Compare Amendment Act w/Draft Agenda

The Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 3, at 10:00am in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) on the Collective Bargaining Fair Compare Amendment Act of 2019 (B23-531).

A draft agenda and witness list are available below, along with testimony from D.C. Department of Human Resources Director Ventris Gibson.


Silverman “Reckless Driver” Bill Advances Vision Zero with Required Class for Dangerous Drivers

A bill introduced today by D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At Large) would reduce dangerous driving incidents in the District by targeting routinely reckless drivers and requiring them to take a restorative-justice-focused course before returning to the road.

The “Reckless Driver Accountability Act of 2019” allows the District to boot or impound any car that has either three tickets for speeding by more than 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, or five tickets for speeding or running a red light. The law would apply to all vehicles located in the District with qualifying offenses, even if they are registered outside of the city.


Newsletter: Impeachment and Expulsion

Dear Resident,

Like many of you, I went about the business of yesterday with one eye on the impeachment hearing that took place on Capitol Hill. The proceedings are of pivotal importance to the health of our democracy, and the issues that brought us to this point deserve our attention. Unfortunately, however, it is not the only inquiry into government ethics and the rule of law happening in DC. On the local level, the DC Council is engaged in an investigation about the actions of my colleague, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans.