WASHINGTON, D.C., October 9, 2020 – Today, the D.C. Council’s Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, chaired by Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At-Large), released a letter following up on the top concerns raised by claimants and Councilmembers at the Committee’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) oversight hearings.

On Thursday, November 19 at 10:30am (note: this time has been changed from the previous start time of 10:00am) Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At-Large), Chairperson of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will host a public hearing before the Committee on B23-0436 First Source Community Accountability Amendment Act of 2019 and B23-0570 First Source Resident Employment Amendment Act of 2019.  

• Official Hearing Notice
• Summary: First Source Resident Employment Amendment Act of 2019
• Summary: First Source Community Accountability Amendment Act of 2019

Bill 23-436 would make updates and reforms to the First Source law, to provide the public with more information on projects and outcomes. Bill 23-570 would make improvements to the First Source law to increase the number of qualified District residents working on First Source projects, particularly for higher-skill jobs; improve the Department of Employment Services’ assistance to First Source contractors; and remove bureaucratic reporting requirements for contractors.

The hearing will be available for live viewing on DC Cable Channel 13 and online at www.dccouncil.us.

Those who wish to testify live must sign up using this form no later than 5:00pm on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. Additional details below. 

Government Testimony on DC’s Unemployment Insurance System Rescheduled for September 30, 2020

D.C. Council’s Labor Committee announces monthly roundtables on unemployment through end of year

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 15, 2020 – At the request of the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES), the D.C. Council’s Committee on Labor and Workforce Development has agreed to reschedule the government’s appearance to deliver testimony and answer questions on the District’s unemployment insurance programs to Wednesday, September 30 at 3 p.m. Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, Director of the Department of Employment Services, had been scheduled to testify at tomorrow’s (Wednesday, September 16) oversight hearing.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2020, Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At-Large), Chair of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will hold a Public Oversight Hearing on on the District’s unemployment compensation program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hearing will air on the DC Council's Live Stream channel and TV Channel 13.

Those who wish to testify live must email the Committee at [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2020. 

If you are unable to testify live, written and voicemail statements will be made a part of the official record. Statements should be submitted by email to [email protected] or by calling (202) 455-0153 by 5:00 p.m. on October 7, 2020 (this date has been extended from the original deadline of September 30).

A complete hearing announcement along with instructions for submitting live testimony, as well as written or phone testimony, can be found here and below.