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Unquestionably, this is a difficult issue. It is difficult for residents with terminal illness, it is difficult for their family and friends, it is difficult for legislators. This bill truly deals with life and death, and few bills in my time on the Council have generated this type of public engagement.

I have heard from many District residents and from people all over the country—and even received one email from Italy. People are very passionate about this issue and want to make sure we make the right decision.

Today, the D.C. Council took the first of two votes to strengthen the District’s approach to vacant and blighted properties, unanimously approving the Vacant Property Enforcement Amendment Act of 2016 at its regularly scheduled legislative meeting.

The legislation, which was introduced by Councilmember Elissa Silverman (At-Large, Independent) and co-introduced by nine colleagues, reforms the way the District government deals with vacant properties across the city. Specifically, it would reduce the maximum amount of time a vacant property can qualify for an exemption from higher vacancy tax rates and closes a loophole that allows continuous renewal of construction permits to qualify for tax exemptions. It would also require owners of vacant properties to prove they are no longer subject to the higher tax rates, rather than placing the responsibility on inspectors from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) to re-inspect them every six months. The most recent report from DCRA indicates that there are nearly 1,300 properties designated as vacant or blighted in the District.

Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Workforce, announces a public roundtable before the Subcommittee on PR 21-966 through PR 21-970, confirmation resolutions for mayoral appointments to the Apprenticeship Council for: Violet Carter, Stephen Lanning, Frederick Howell, Frank Chiaramonte, and Leroy Watson. The roundtable will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2016 in room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building.

You can see the formal hearing notice here.

Team Silverman wishes our Washington Nationals a strong finish to bring home the pennant!

Today, D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman (At-Large) introduced a bill requiring property sellers in D.C. to disclose knowledge of any Stop Work Order issued on a property under consideration for purchase. The “Stop Work Order Disclosure and Regulation Amendment Act of 2016” will increase consumer protections by providing homebuyers with necessary information to make an educated purchase decision. The bill, which was co-introduced by Councilmembers Anita Bonds (At-Large), Mary Cheh (Ward 3), and Jack Evans (Ward 2), came as a result of resident testimony at oversight hearings on the District’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).

Calling all poets! At- Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman is hosting her first spoken word event, Word on the Ward, on Wednesday, October 19, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Wicked Bloom Social Club (1540 North Capitol St NW). The event is centered on the importance of civic engagement among youth and young adults to make sure their concerns and ideas are being heard.

Word on the Ward is intended to provide a safe space for artistic expression of current events and for participants to leave with a better understanding of what elected officials do, who they are, and how to access them. Each poet will have 3-5 minutes to speak and is asked to prepare a performance piece using one or more of the following prompts:

Dear Resident,

Fall is here! That means cooler weather, fall festivals—and this year, new Council subcommittees and an ambitious legislative agenda for the last three months of Council Period 21. That includes, of course, paid family leave. Hillary Clinton said it best at Hofstra University on Monday night: It’s about fairness for families. We must do more to support people who are struggling to balance family and work under enormous stress.

That’s why my staff and I spent this past weekend at the Glover Park-Burleith Farmers Market and Barracks Row Festival talking with residents about why we need your support and how you can help push paid leave over the finish line. I’ll be hosting community engagement tables at farmers markets across the city throughout the fall. I hope you’ll meet me in your community soon to grab some local produce and a paid leave sticker!

Back at the Wilson Building, I'm excited to welcome my new colleague and fellow paid leave supporter, Robert White. My staff and I enjoyed hosting a pie-filled welcome party earlier this week (with thanks to Dangerously Delicious Pies!), and I look forward to working collaboratively with him on many of the legislative issues below.

WASHINGTON, DC – At-Large D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Workforce, today announces three hearings focused on opportunities to increase economic equity in the District. In late October, there will be a hearing on a permanent bill to further address wage theft; in early November, the subcommittee will hold a roundtable on fair scheduling; and in late November, there will be a hearing on new legislation to address the pay gap in the District.

“My focus will be on how we increase both economic competitiveness and economic fairness in the District,” said Councilmember Silverman. “I am excited to move our city forward in these critical areas.” In preparation, Silverman is holding one-on-one meetings with business interests, policy advocates, and agency heads, including this week with the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity and the Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Council.

Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Workforce, announces a public hearing before the Subcommittee on Bill 21-878, the “Fair Wage Amendment Act of 2016.”  The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, in room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building. 

You can see the formal hearing notice here.

Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Workforce, announces a public roundtable before the Subcommittee on fair scheduling issues in the District of Columbia.  The roundtable will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2016, in room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building. 

You can see the formal hearing notice here.