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Dear Resident,

I know many of you, like me, are experiencing some struggles going into Week 4 of #StayHomeDC. I am having to make significant adjustments to my daily routine, and I know that those taking care of children or sharing confined spaces with family and friends are navigating a difficult new normal. Successfully reducing our health risk from COVID-19 is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. I want to thank every resident who is going to great lengths to stay home for your sacrifices to keep COVID-19 contained, and yourself and your community safe.

Many of you have written to me with questions about what support is available for you and your families. My staff and I have been working around-the-clock to get you updates and information – through my newsletters, a coronavirus-focused section of my website, and most recently through Facebook Live webinars explaining what resources are available and how to access them. I have also published a series of one-page infographics to help you quickly navigate what help you’re eligible for as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to jump straight to our updated COVID-19 resources (*updated 4/9/2020!), which contains answers to the most common questions I’m receiving.

Thanks for reading, stay safe.

Elissa.

Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At Large), chair of the DC Council Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, issued the following statement on the removal of legislative language from an April 7 emergency bill that would authorize the Mayor to set up either individual or community grants for cash assistance to DC residents who are restricted from unemployment insurance:

STAY HOME, DC!

I know many of you have gotten that message loud and clear, and you are staying home. You are following the proper six-feet social distancing practices, washing hands thoroughly, and leaving your home only for outdoor walks and essential errands. Thank you! I recognize there are others of you who can’t stay home because you are essential workers in the public and private sector, such as our Department of Public Works and Unemployment Insurance claims workers, our health care providers, and our grocery store workers. Thank you!

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Dear Resident,

This morning, the D.C. Council took emergency action to put immediate measures into place to assist District residents, workers, and businesses with the coronavirus public health emergency. Decisions that we have taken and will be taking as a government to slow down the virus impact every facet of our lives. The legislation the Council passed today was intended to address some of these critical needs, such as providing economic assistance to workers and businesses, preventing evictions and utility cut-offs, and extending deadlines, as well as giving the Mayor the authority she needs to act swiftly and decisively to manage our government and our city in the best way possible.

Dear Resident, 

This morning, Mayor Bowser announced more proactive measures for D.C. government to help our community contain the spread of COVID-19, the novel strain of coronavirus. These are hard decisions, and I agree with the mayor’s actions. They are necessary to keep our city healthy.

D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) will close its buildings to students through March 31, move up its spring break to next week, and engage in distance learning during the second closure week. D.C. government will continue essential services like trash pickup, though some agencies whose employees can work remotely will move to telework. Recreation centers and D.C. public libraries will also be closed starting Monday through March 31. You can keep up with the latest news at coronavirus.dc.gov.

Earlier this week, the Bowser administration released a second audit of employment at the Line Hotel development project which found the level of D.C. resident hiring did not meet the specified requirements for the project to receive a $46 million tax abatement. The second audit was requested by the hotel’s owner, the Sydell Group, after they disputed data in an initial audit by the Department of Employment Services (DOES) released in April 2019.

The second audit reached the same conclusion as the first: Sydell fell short of the legislated requirements in two of seven categories. All seven categories needed to be met, as outlined in legislation passed into law by the D.C. Council creating the Line Hotel’s abatement.

Performance oversight is a critical part of the District government's process for deciding what needs should be better met by District agencies. Materials for the FY19-20 performance oversight hearings held by Councilmember Silverman's Committee on Labor and Workforce Development are available below. Performance oversight materials can also be found on the D.C. Council's website here: dccouncil.us/labor-and-workforce-development-3/.

Find the full Council schedule of performance oversight hearings here.

Dear Neighbor,

In celebration of Black History Month, I invite you to join me and my staff for a free screening of HARRIET on Sunday, February 23, at 2:00pm at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library (1630 7th St. NW)! 

Special thanks to Pat Joseph and Charnisa Royster on my staff, along with D.C. Public Library, who have organized the screening of this film based on the inspirational life of Harriet Tubman. The movie follows Tubman’s escape from slavery and road to becoming one of our country’s most revered freedom fighters and icons of courage. If you’re still undecided, we’ll even have popcorn and light refreshments thanks to Naval Lodge No. 4! Additional details about Sunday's screening are here.

The Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will convene a public oversight roundtable on the implementation of the “Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016” and on PR23-0647, “Rulemaking for Paid Family Leave Benefits Approval Resolution of 2020.” The roundtable will be on Thursday, January 30, at 2020 at 11:00am in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW).

The draft agenda, witness list, and testimony from the Department of Employment Services is available below:

• 2020-01-30_PFL_Roundtable__agenda_and_witness_list__draft.docx
• FY20_Q1_PFL_Roundtable_DOES_Dir_UMHTestimony_FINAL_01-30-20.pdf