Statement of Councilmember Grosso on the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education

For Immediate Release:

February 7, 2017

Contact:

Matthew Nocella, 202.286.1987

mnocella@dccouncil.us

Statement of Councilmember Grosso on the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso, Chairperson of the Committee on Education of the Council of the District of Columbia, on today’s confirmation of Betsy DeVos as the Secretary of Education by the U.S. Senate:

“I am extremely dismayed that the Senate has voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as the next Secretary of Education.  The nation’s top education official must promote the safety, education, and best interest of the all students and families in our nation’s schools.  Her confirmation hearings, and the historic bipartisan opposition to her nomination, made clear she is not up to that task.

“Mrs. DeVos’ lack of articulable basic knowledge about the laws and programs that protect the rights of our children and ensure their success both inside and outside of the classroom, as well as her support for school vouchers, would deeply undermine the quality of education children can receive in the District of Columbia.

“A strong public education system, with appropriate resources, accountability, and transparency, puts our students in the best position to succeed. I am committed to the continued improvement of our public education system in the District of Columbia and will fiercely oppose any attempts by the Trump Administration and the Congress to hinder that progress.”

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Grosso seeks to make D.C. more business friendly with simple regulatory fixes

For Immediate Release:

February 7, 2017

Contact:

Matthew Nocella, 202.286.1987

mnocella@dccouncil.us

Grosso seeks to make D.C. more business friendly with simple regulatory fixes

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced the Local Business Support Amendment Act of 2017 to simplify the procedures and reduce fees for businesses operating in the District of Columbia.

“This legislation removes government imposed roadblocks to our city’s businesses, which are a driving force of our economic prosperity,” Grosso said. 

He hopes that this will start a necessary conversation.

“I have met with local businesses of all sizes throughout this city, and I have consistently heard that D.C. government regulations are over complicated and offer few incentives for businesses to locate or expand in the city. We should take a hard look at our business regulations and see what fixes we can make that will improve the environment for locating a business in the District of Columbia.”

The bill creates a Local Business Ombudsman, in the Department of Small and Local Business Development, who will act as an independent business navigator and will work on behalf of businesses to troubleshoot and serve as the point of contact during permitting, licensing and taxation process. 

The bill also separates the Certificate of Occupancy from the Basic Business License process and will allow for a Basic Business License to be issued without the requirement of a Certificate of Occupancy. Currently, businesses throughout the city unnecessarily lose start-up capital waiting for the approval of their Basic Business License because they have to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy first.  Some businesses do not need a Certificate of Occupancy at all for their business model, but are forced to obtain one regardless.

The bill eliminates Basic Business License endorsement fee structures and allows for the transfer of a Basic Business License to a new location without any additional fees or applications.  It will also allow for a registrant to apply for, and use, the same trade name for a business at multiple locations, and will extend the trade name issuance from two years to five years to remove the burden of costly biennial reporting. 

Chairman Phil Mendelson joined Grosso in introducing the bill, which was originally introduced in 2015.

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Councilmember Grosso and Maryland Delegate David Moon seek to prohibit public funding for construction of Washington Professional Football Team’s facilities

For Immediate Release:

February 2, 2017

Contact: 

Matthew Nocella (Councilmember Grosso) - (202) 286.1987

Jeanine Johnson (Delegate Moon) – (410) 841.3474

MEDIA ADVISORY

Councilmember Grosso and Maryland Delegate David Moon seek to prohibit public funding for construction of Washington Professional Football Team’s facilities

As discussions continue between elected officials and owners of the Washington Professional Football Team about their plans for their next stadium, D.C. Councilmember David Grosso and Maryland Delegate David Moon will propose an interstate compact that prohibits a party to the compact from offering public incentives or financing for the construction.  They will hold a press conference to announce details of the plan and answer questions.

WHO:                Councilmember David Grosso

                           Maryland Delegate David Moon

WHAT:               Press Conference  

WHERE:            Room 120

                           John A. Wilson Building

                           1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

                           Washington, DC 20004

WHEN:               Monday, February 6, 2017 11:30 AM

Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to mnocella@dccouncil.us.  

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Grosso donates remaining campaign funds to organizations assisting marginalized communities

For Immediate Release: 
January 31, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 286-1987

Grosso donates remaining campaign funds to organizations assisting marginalized communities

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso has donated the remainder of his unspent campaign funds to organizations whose missions align with his re-election platform: supporting the human rights of the citizens of the District of Columbia.

“I ran for the D.C. Council to build a better city through the political process,” Grosso said. “But every day, organizations are building a better city by touching people’s lives more personally.  The communities they foster, the minds they expand, the voices they engage, and the people they protect -- all drove me to seek public office.

“Their work is even more important now as many of the vulnerable populations they serve are the subject of disparaging rhetoric coming from the president of the United States and Congress.”

Grosso distributed the money left in his campaign fund to the following organizations in January:

• Black Swan Academy empowers black youth in under-served communities through civic leadership and engagement.
• Casa Ruby is the city’s only bilingual, multicultural organization serving and supporting the most vulnerable in the LGBTQ community.
• D.C. Abortion Fund is the only organization in the area that makes grants to people who cannot afford the full cost of an abortion.
• D.C. Center for the LGBT Community educates, empowers, celebrates, and connects the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities by focusing on health, arts and culture, social and support services, and advocacy and community building.
• Free Minds uses books, creative writing, and peer support to awaken D.C. youth incarcerated as adults to their own potential.
• HIPS promotes the health, rights, and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by sexual exchange or drug use due to choice, coercion, or circumstance.
• Latin American Youth Center empowers a diverse population of youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood, through multi-cultural, comprehensive, and innovative programs that address youths’ social, academic, and career needs.
• Literacy Lab provides low-income children with individualized reading instruction to improve their literacy skills, leading to greater success in school and increased opportunities in life.
• Planned Parenthood Metro Washington has been providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to women, men, and teens in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area for nearly 80 years.
• SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy. 
• Split This Rock cultivates, teaches, and celebrates poetry that bears witness to injustice and provokes social change. 
• The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

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DeVos would undermine quality of education in D.C.

Today, Councilmember David Grosso, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) urging them to oppose the nomination of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education in the Trump administration.

"Based on their merit, the responses Ms. DeVos gave at her confirmation hearing regarding the policies that she supports gave me grave concerns for the safety and education of the children of the District of Columbia," Grosso wrote.

Furthermore, it appeared that the nominee lacked the background to successfully serve as the nation's top education official.

"I am deeply concerned with Ms. DeVos’s lack of articulable basic knowledge about these laws and programs that protect the rights of our children and ensure their success both inside and outside of the classroom," he wrote.

He also raised issue with the nominee's support of vouchers, which have historically had negative impacts on education in D.C., undermining oversight, transparency, and accountability.

Read the full letter here:

Chairperson Grosso's Letter Opposing Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education by Team_Grosso on Scribd

D.C. recommits to human rights as new president takes office

On Tuesday I stood with Councilmember Robert White to announce to our residents and the new administration that the District of Columbia will continue to be a bastion of human rights and work to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Like many residents, I have been anxious since November. Throughout last year’s presidential campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump promised policies that many brushed off as simple campaign rhetoric. In just the first few days of his presidency, he has confirmed that the bigotry, misogyny, racism, and xenophobia he espoused will guide his policymaking. 

We as elected leaders must stand up on behalf of our residents.  That’s why Councilmember White and I introduced the Sense of the Council Resolution in Reaffirmation of the Human Rights of District of Columbia Residents and in Opposition to Bigotry and Violence.  This document sets forth the entire Council’s opposition to many of the policies that were promised by Donald Trump.  And more importantly, that the Council of the District of Columbia will resist them.

As a Council, we resolved to:

• reject xenophobia, racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, disparagement of people with disabilities, misogyny, and bigotry in any form.
• not cooperate with any effort to force individuals to register with the government based on their national origin or religious identity.
• remain committed to our status as a sanctuary city and not participate in any federal immigration enforcement strategies that endanger those within our city.
• welcome refugees and those fleeing violence and persecution.

The Council spoke with a unified voice.  Every member of the Council signed on as a co-introducer of these principles, which will now be sent to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

I also applaud Mayor Muriel Bowser’s efforts to reaffirm our sanctuary city status and set up the Immigrant Justice Legal Services Grant Program.  Increasing access to attorneys for our immigrant neighbors will dramatically increase positive outcomes for them in immigration court.

More needs to be done. That same day I introduced two bills to make D.C. an even more welcoming city by providing immigrants greater access to our educational and electoral institutions.

I doubt that these recent announcements from the White House will be the last to threaten the well-being of residents of the District of Columbia. I commit to looking at every single way we can continue to protect our residents from the aggressions of the new administration and the Republican-controlled Congress. Engaging with your local officials, including myself, and our staff will be integral to this effort.  I welcome and encourage your feedback.

We must stand together as a city.  Protecting our human rights cannot be done alone.  It must be the charge of all of our elected leaders and all of our residents. We must fight for each other. We must work for the most vulnerable among us. We must lift each other up. And we must love one another.

Read the full resolution adopted by the Council below:

Sense of the Council in Reaffirmation of the Human Rights of District of Columbia Resisdents by Team_Grosso on Scribd

D.C. Child Development Facilities Expansion Amendment Act of 2017

D.C. Child Development Facilities Expansion Amendment Act of 2017

Introduced: January 24, 2017

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau, Mary Cheh, Elissa Silverman, Charles Allen, Robert White

Summary: To amend the Child Development Facilities Regulation Act of 1998 to direct the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to determine the eligibility of child development facilities seeking to occupy space designated for childcare in buildings and adjacent areas for the purpose of meeting the childcare needs of employees and residents; to require the Office of State Superintendent of Education to market the childcare program and provide technical assistance to the public' to establish a preference system for employees and residents eligible to receive childcare in buildings and adjacent areas; to authorize the Mayor to designate, build out, competitively award and manage at least 10, 300 square feet of space in new, renovated, and existing buildings and leased space; and to repeal the District of Columbia Employees Child Care Facilities Act of 1986.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you, Chairman Mendelson.  Today, along with my colleagues Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau, Elissa Silverman, and Mary Cheh, I am introducing the District of Columbia Child Development Facilities Expansion Amendment Act of 2017.

It is no secret that Washington, D.C. has the highest childcare costs in the country. The Economic Policy Institute reports that the average cost of infant care is $22,631 a year.

Further, children under the age of 3 are the fastest-growing age group in the District of Columbia. Between 2010 and 2014, the number of infants and toddlers increased by 26 percent.

One of the problems that we are facing with these growing costs and population increase is that licensed early learning providers only have space for one-third of the population of infants and toddlers in D.C.

During my time as Chairperson of the Education Committee, I have often heard from families, child care providers, and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (or OSSE) that finding an early learning provider in this city that is affordable, high-quality, and has open childcare slots is a rarity for many.

That is why I am introducing a bill that would require the Mayor to provide early learning providers with free childcare space, utilities, equipment, furnishings, and security in certain new, existing, and renovated D.C. owned buildings and leased space. 

It directs OSSE to determine the eligibility of existing early learning providers seeking to occupy space in buildings, to market the program, and to provide technical assistance to the providers.

It also establishes a priority system for D.C. government employees and residents seeking childcare in these buildings.

By eliminating facility costs for early learning providers, this bill ensures that cost savings are passed on to families. It also guarantees that early learning providers will no longer have to compete with more established businesses for space on the first floor of buildings.

If D.C. is to become a world-class city for education, we must plan ahead and invest more money in the zero to three years.

I look forward to working with OSSE and the Mayor to ensure that our youngest residents are put in the best possible position to succeed in school and later in life by starting as early as we can.

At this time, I will reserve my remaining time for co-introducers.

Thank you.

DC Child Development Facilities Expansion Amendment Act of 2017 by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Bills provide equitable access to education, elections for D.C. immigrants

For Immediate Release:

January 24, 2017

Contact:

Matthew Nocella, 202.286.1987

mnocella@dccouncil.us

Bills provide equitable access to education, elections for D.C. immigrants

Washington, D.C. – As the national political climate becomes more divisive, Councilmember David Grosso today re-introduced two bills that promote the inclusion of our immigrant communities in our city’s educational and electoral institutions.

“D.C. welcomes and embraces the diversity that has made America great for centuries,” Grosso said. “Regardless of what language they speak, regardless of where they were born, immigrants are an integral part of our neighborhoods. We must therefore ensure that they have every opportunity to fully participate.”

The Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2017 strengthens existing law by increasing the standards of the Language Access Act for government services for all non-English proficient residents.

The bill requires that each public school and public charter school provide translations of essential educational information, such as data relating to a student's well-being and educational progress.

“As chairperson of the Committee on Education, I know that having parents who are actively involved in the education of their child is critical to their success,” Grosso said. “Putting students in the best position to succeed means ensuring that information is made available to their parents in the language they speak.”

The bill also requires that each public and public charter school with a 5 percent or more non-English proficient population, must designate a culturally competent language access liaison at each school and designate a language access coordinator for each local education agency. 

The second bill, the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2017, would grant voting rights in local municipal elections to D.C. residents who are not U.S. citizens but have permanent residency status.

“’All politics is local’ is a common phrase in the U.S. political system and what most District residents care about are the tangible things that affect their day-to-day lives like education, potholes, playgrounds, taxes, snow removal, trash collection, red light cameras and more,” Grosso said. “Everyone deserves a voice in their government. We cannot perpetuate the same injustice in our own city that is imposed upon us by the federal government each day.”

Currently, there are seven jurisdictions where non-citizens can vote in local elections in the U.S., six of which are in neighboring Maryland. None of these cities or towns has experienced incidents of voting fraud with regard to non-citizens voting in federal elections. 

Both bills have been introduced in previous council periods and have received hearings. Under Council rules no additional hearings will be necessary for committees to act on the legislation.

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Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2017

Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2017

Introduced: January 24, 2017

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Grosso, Nadeau, Gray, Allen, R. White, Silverman, and McDuffie

Summary: To amend the Language Access Act of 2004 to add the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs, the Secretary to the Council of the District of Columbia, and other entities to the list of covered entities with major public contact; require each public school and public charter school to provide translations of essential information to students, parents, and guardians; require the language access coordinators of certain covered entities with major public contact to have language access coordination as their primary role; require the Office of Human Rights to publish an annual summary of all decisions, orders, corrective actions, and fines issued in the prior year; require public schools and public charter schools to designate a culturally competent language access liaison and each local education agency to designate a language access coordinator if the percentage of students who are of limited or no-English proficiency is more than 5 percent, or less, or 500 individuals, whichever is fewer, of the population being served by the public school or public charter school; clarify the complaint filing and appeals procedures; establish monetary penalties for violations of the act; and establish the Language Access Education Awareness Fund. 

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you, Chairman Mendelson. 

Today, along with Councilmembers Allen, Robert White, Brianne Nadeau, Elissa Silverman, and Vincent Gray,  I and introducing the “Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2017.”

Since the D.C. Language Access Act of 2004 was passed over ten years ago, the immigrant population has grown rapidly in the District of Columbia. Our diverse immigrant communities, who come from all over the world, account for more than one third of the city’s population growth since 2007.  There are approximately 85,000 immigrants in D.C., and they have a need for government services. 

I introduced this legislation with the intent of strengthening existing law by increasing the standards of the Language Access Act for government services for all of our non-English proficient residents. This is an issue that is important in both government agencies and in our schools. 

Originally, this bill was introduced in Council Period 21 and assigned Bill 21-66 and was jointly referred to the Committee on Education, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee of the Whole.  A joint hearing with over 80 witnesses was held in July 2015 and the Committee on Education marked it up in September 2015 and the Committee on Judiciary marked it up in September 2016.  Therefore, I am re-introducing the version that is substantially similar to the one passed out of the Judiciary Committee to preserve the hearing that took place and the work already accomplished.

The bill requires that each public school and public charter school shall provide translations of essential information.  Essential information is defined as data relating to a student's well-being and educational progress, including special education matters; academic performance and attendance; behavioral and discipline; activities for which notice is needed or parental permission; public health and safety notifications; and the student handbook.

The bill also requires that each public and public charter school with a 5 percent or more non-English proficient population, must designate a culturally competent language access liaison at each school and designate a language access coordinator for each local education agency. 

Finally, the bill addresses violations made by other government agencies and imposes corrective actions and penalties for violations of this act and establishes a non-lapsing Language Access Education Awareness fund to help cover the costs of agency awareness and implementation.

I want to thank my colleagues who for co-introduced this legislation with me and welcome any other co-sponsors at this time.

Thank you.

Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2017 by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2017

Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2017

Introduced: January 24, 2017

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Grosso, Silverman, Allen, Nadeau, R. White, Evans, and Bonds

Summary: To amend the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955 to expand the definition of "qualified elector" to include permanent residents for the purpose of local elections.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Today, along with Councilmembers Jack Evans, Brianne Nadeau, Elissa Silverman, and Robert White, I am introducing the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2017. 

This bill allows permanent residents in the District of Columbia, who are not yet U.S. citizens, the right to vote in our local municipal elections. These residents are well on their path to citizenship.  This bill will allow them to legally participation in our elections for the Mayor, Council, State Board of Education, ANC’s and the Attorney General.  

“All politics is local” is a common phrase in the U.S. political system.  What most D.C. residents care about are the local issues of city life that affect them day-to-day.  This includes our public schools, paying their taxes, having access to quality health care, crime rates in neighborhoods, and so much more.  All of these issues are important to voters in the District of Columbia but unfortunately, not all of our residents have a say in choosing the officials who make the policy decisions that will directly impact them.  In my opinion, that is unjust.

Since 1970, the District of Columbia has seen a steady increase in the number of foreign-born residents and according to the U.S. Census Bureau report in 2012, 54,000 residents in the District were foreign born, but not naturalized U.S. citizens and this number is growing.  Over 90% of legal permanent residents are 18 years of age or older. These are law-abiding taxpayers and they should have the opportunity to have their voices heard in local elections.

I recognize that this is a very political and polarizing issue further agitated by the incoming Presidential Administration and current Congressional make-up.  I strongly believe that the result of the national election reverberated in our city perhaps more than anywhere else in the nation.

Many are scared and anxious as our future and the future of our laws are at the whim of a Congress where we have no voting representation from our city, and many of its members have never set foot in our diverse neighborhoods. 

For most of American history, noncitizens were permitted to vote in 22 states and federal territories. It was not until the 1920s that, amidst anti-immigrant hysteria, lawmakers began to bar non-citizens from voting in local and statewide elections.  Unfortunately, this hysteria continues across the United States, but it does not need to be perpetuated in the District of Columbia.

The District of Columbia is a leader in how we relate to immigrants and we are a sanctuary city – to me that means we will protect families and communities from being torn apart by immigration policies rooted in fear and bigotry. 

I want to thank my colleagues who for co-introduced this legislation with me and welcome any other co-sponsors at this time.

Thank you.

Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2017 by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Grosso sends inquiry letter to DDOT on bicycle infrastructure East of the River

Today, Councilmember David Grosso sent a letter to the District Department of Transportation to inquire about studies and plans to bring more bicycle racks to Historic Anacostia. Councilmember Grosso noticed a complete lack of infrastructure for bicyclists while participating in the Peace Walk on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

We will update this post when we receive a response from DDOT.

Letter to DDOT on Bicycle Infrastructure EOTR by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Commercial sex workers need safer spaces and more economic options

For Immediate Release:

January 11, 2017

Contact:

Matthew Nocella, 202.286.1987

Commercial sex workers need safer spaces and more economic options

Washington, DC – The following is a statement by Councilmember David Grosso on the closure of the adult services section of the website Backpage.com:

“The closure of the adult services section of the classifieds website Backpage.com worsens dangerous working conditions for those involved in commercial sex. Although it was far from perfect, the website provided a safer way for sex workers to advertise their services and screen potential customers—by removing that venue, the government is directly making involvement in commercial sex more dangerous for sex workers. Unfortunately, so many sex workers have been relying on Backpage.com because of previous government action against other online venues that also gave sex workers greater safety and greater autonomy, including Craigslist and Rentboy.

“These kinds of tactics are well-known to sex workers and those who follow these issues—law enforcement actions against sex workers on the streets and in venues pushed these communities further into the shadows. But shuttering a webpage or locking up someone for solicitation does not address the fundamental economic motivation behind most sex workers’ actions. These actions do not put a roof over someone’s head or pay for college debt or cover the utility bills.

“By attacking Backpage.com, and by not listening to sex workers, the government is further limiting the options for people who already have too few. Instead we should be increasing options—encouraging safer working conditions for sex workers, creating more avenues for people to leave commercial sex if they want to, and designing interventions to stop coercion and exploitation based in data, not moralistic campaigns. We should be dedicating resources to harm reduction services, working to eliminate stigma against sex workers, and partnering with sex workers to identify and stop situations of coercion and exploitation. Although the government targeted Backpage.com allegedly to address human trafficking in the commercial sex sector, this move actually undermines that work, while making working conditions more dangerous for everyone in the sector.

“Just last month I was honored to join community members in D.C. to commemorate the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. I heard heartbreaking stories from D.C. and around the world about people whose lives were taken because they were viewed as less than human due to their involvement in sex work. To stop those stories from repeating, we need to listen to what people engaged in commercial sex have to say about their own safety and well-being.”

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Fair Wage Amendment Act of 2017

Fair Wage Amendment Act of 2017

Introduced: January 9, 2017

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Jack Evans, Brianne Nadeau, Mary Cheh, Elissa Silverman, Charles Allen, Robert White

Summary: To amend the Wage Transparency Act of 2014 to prohibit an employer from screening prospective employees based on their wage history or seeking the wage history of a prospective employee.

Fact Sheet

01092017 Fair Wage Amendment Act of 2017 by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Child Development Facilities Regulations Amendment Act of 2017

Child Development Facilities Regulations Amendment Act of 2017

Introduced: January 10, 2017

Summary: To amend the Child Development Facilities Regulation Act of 1998 to allow the Council to review child development facilities regulations.

01102017 Child Development Facilities Regulations Review by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Early Learning Equity in Funding Amendment Act of 2017

Early Learning Equity in Funding Amendment Act of 2017

Introduced: January 10, 2017

Co-introducers: Councilmember Trayon White

Summary: To amend the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula for Public Schools and Public Charter Schools Act of 1998 to amend the definition of at-risk to include a Pre-k age student receiving education services at a community based organization; and to amend the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000 to establish a pilot program to provide a facility allowance to high quality child development centers and child development homes that meet certain criteria.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you Chairman Mendelson.

This morning, along with Councilmember Trayon White, I am introducing the “Early Learning Equity in Funding Amendment Act of 2017.”

When D.C. began its movement toward universal Pre-K, it was in response to a significant body of research that found that investments in early childhood development pays huge dividends in closing and preventing achievement gaps between minority and low-income students and their white and middle-class peers. The District was and is a national leader in the expansion and success of our Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 programs in our public and public charter schools.

What is not often discussed, however, are the thousands of three and four year olds who are receiving Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 educational services from community-based child development centers and homes. Although these organizations, like are local education agencies (LEAs), are being asked teach a quality comprehensive curriculum to ensure kindergarten readiness and meet the District’s early learning and development standards, the District has not provided them with the same financial resources that we provide DCPS and public charter schools.

Did you know that while child development centers are serving Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 students, they are not all receiving the per pupil allocation under the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula? While DCPS and public charter schools receive $12,719 to educate a 3-year old, a gold-level child development centers receives a mere $42 a day for full time care. If you multiply that by the 180 days in a school year, that amounts to $7,560 – which is over $5,000 difference.

They also do not have access to additional allocations such as at-risk funding, which provides an additional $2100 per kid to schools recognizing that children who are homeless, in the foster care system, or qualify for TANF or SNAP are in need of more. 

It is no wonder many of our child development centers and homes who serve the subsidy program have trouble staying in the positive in terms of finances while also trying to compete with LEAs in terms of recruiting and retaining high quality teachers and staff.

The “Early Learning Equity in Funding Amendment Act” attempts to infuse more equity into our early learning funding. First, the legislation amends the definition of “at-risk” to include a Pre-k age student receiving education services at a community-based organization. Second, the bill establishes a pilot program within the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to provide a facility allowance to high quality child development centers and child development homes that meet certain criteria. The facility allowance would be administered in a similar manner that the District follows for public charter schools.

Access to high-quality and affordable early care and learning is a growing concern for families in the District of Columbia, especially as the number of residents with young children continues to rise. If the government is able to better support our child development centers and homes with more equitable funding, it is my hope that we are able to increase the number of slots available. Given the vast research about child brain development and the importance of what happens ages 0-3 to setup a child for academic and life-long success, I do believe early care and early learning is in fact an education matter.

I want to yield my remaining time to my co-introducer. And I welcome any and all co-cosponsors.

Early Learning Equity in Funding Amendment Act of 2017 by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Childhood Protection Against Sexual Abuse Amendment Act of 2017

Childhood Protection Against Sexual Abuse Amendment Act of 2017

Introduced: January 10, 2017

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Mary Cheh, Brandon Todd, and Robert White

Summary: To amend Title 12 of the District of Columbia Official Code to eliminate the civil statute of limitations for recovery of damages arising out of child sex abuse claims and to provide a 2-year period for people whose claims were barred by a previous statute of limitations to bring those claims.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you Chairman Mendelson.

There are few actions more depraved than sexual violence against children. Full of boundless curiosity, bold imagination, and care-free spirits, the unique innocence of childhood is something to marvel.

Unfortunately 1 in 10 children will be stripped of this innocence before their 18th birthday.  Alarmingly, children are most vulnerable to sexual abuse between the ages of 7 and 13.

Because children have no comprehension of adult sexual behaviors and activity, any exposure to these aspects of adult life can and often does result in mental and emotional trauma.

The experience of sexual violence as a child is one that endures for the ages.  Most survivors do not come forward until, on average age 42, suffering for years with depression, feelings of guilt and sometimes difficulty forming intimate relationships. 

That is why today, along with Councilmembers Brandon Todd, Robert White and Mary Cheh, I am introducing the Childhood Protection Against Sexual Abuse Amendment Act of 2017.

This legislation eliminates the civil statute of limitations for recovery of damages arising out of child sex abuse claims. 

Additionally, the bill creates a two-year window for individuals whose claims of child sex abuse were previously time-barred, enabling victims to go back in time and begin working to heal.

Currently, there are 8 states and one U.S. territory that have no civil statute of limitations in cases involving the sexual violence or abuse of children. (Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Utah and Guam).

Across the country, this issue is being revisited.  Just last year California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania all introduced child sex abuse statutes of limitations reform bills.  Similarly, Tennessee and Utah enacted child sex abuse statutes of limitations reform measures.

Further, other states have enacted statute of limitations revival measures to include California (2003), which allowed for a 1-year look back window and Connecticut (2010), which revived expired claims up to age 48. 

Child safety depends on legislators holding institutions, not just individual perpetrators, accountable for their actions.  We cannot continue to allow individuals or institutions to maintain their depraved secrets. We must instead encourage and empower victims to come forward and know that a fair and just system is in place to help them right unspeakable wrongs.

I yield the remainder of my time to my co-introducers and I welcome any co-sponsors. 

Childhood Protection Amendment Act of 2017-SIGNED by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Public School Health Services Amendment Act of 2017

Public School Health Services Amendment Act of 2017

Introduced: January 10, 2017

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau, Jack Evans, Charles Allen, Mary Cheh, Vincent Gray, Elissa Silverman, Trayon White, Anita Bonds

Summary: To amend the District of Columbia Public School Nurse Assignment Act of 1987 to increase the minimum hours per week of registered public school nurse services at elementary and secondary public and public charter schools to 40 hours per week.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you Chairman Mendelson.

This morning along with Councilmembers Nadeau, Evans, Allen, Cheh, Gray, Silverman, T. White, and Bonds, I am introducing the “Public School Health Services Amendment Act of 2017.”

This legislation amends the District of Columbia Public School Nurse Assignment Act of 1987 to increase the minimum hours per week of registered public school nurse services at public and public charter schools to 40 hours per week.

As most of you know, last year, the Deputy Mayor for Education sent a letter to LEA leaders announcing the Department of Health’s new model for the school health services program. Under the new program, registered nurses will continue to provide clinical care for all children with special health care needs who require daily medications or treatment. Additional health professionals and community navigators will work with families, schools, and students’ primary care providers to make sure students receive well-child exams and the preventive services they need to be healthy. 

However, the school nurse service levels were to be reset for all schools at a minimum of 20 hours each week. Schools may receive more nursing coverage depending on the medical needs of student population based on a risk-based health needs assessment.

While families and the public were supportive of adding more allied health professionals to schools to help with care coordination, including community navigators to connect families with local assets, parents were alarmed at the idea that there would not always be a qualified health professional on site to assess and triage sick and injured children or provide emergency care as needed. Simply calling 911 or working parents anytime a child presents with a potential health problem should not be our schools default.

Due to these concerns, the Council was successful in delaying in reduction in nurse services to school year 2017-2018. However, there still needs to be a public conversation about whether the District should be reducing school nursing hours or rather aligning itself with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which both recommend having at least one full-time nurse in every school.

During a public roundtable on school health services last year, witnesses testified for five and a half hours about their concerns regarding the new program, particularly fear of losing full-time school nurses services. Many asked the Council to introduce legislation to increase the statutory minimum school nursing service level to 40 hours per week. To those constituents I say, we heard you. For me, this is about giving our families a piece of mind. Ensuring that there is always a qualified health professional at our public schools is a safety net.

I welcome any and all co-sponsors.

Public School Health Services Amendment Act of 2017 (as introduced) by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act of 2017

Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act of 2017

Introduced: January 10, 2017

Co-introducers: Councilmember Robert White, Councilmember Brianne Nadeau

Summary: To legalize the possession, consumption, display, purchasing, or transporting of marijuana and marijuana-infused products for personal use, not in public, for persons over the age of 21;  to establish that possession, consumption, display, purchasing, or transporting of marijuana and marijuana-infused products shall not constitute a civil or criminal offense under District law or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under District laws, for persons under the age of 21; to amend the District of Columbia Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 1981 to decriminalize certain amounts of marijuana and marijuana-infused products for personal use; to amend the Drug Paraphernalia Act of 1982 to strike certain paraphernalia related to marijuana use from the provision; to amend Title 25 of the District of Columbia Official Code to establish the licensing and regulation infrastructure for the production, sale, consumption, and testing of retail marijuana and retail marijuana-infused products in the District of Columbia; to establish a dedicated marijuana fund, which shall consist of all sales tax and excise tax revenue from retail marijuana; to direct all retail marijuana license fees, penalties, forfeitures, and all other monies, income, or revenue received by the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration from retail marijuana-related activities; to establish a tax on the gross receipts of retail marijuana sales and on the first sale or transfer of unprocessed retail marijuana in the District of Columbia; to clarify the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Amendment Act of 2010 maintaining each regulation, standard, rule, notice, order and guidance promulgated or issued by the Mayor, except where inconsistent with this act, and the rights of any person holding a license pursuant to that legislation; and to amend Title 18 of D.C. Municipal Regulation to adjust allowances of THC concentration while operating a motor vehicle.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Today I am also introducing the Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act of 2017, along with Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau and Robert White.

When I introduced the first version of this bill in September 2013 none of my colleagues were willing to be co-introducers or co-sponsors.

At the time it was unclear whether or not decriminalization of marijuana would pass. 

But the numbers and the racial disparities were simply too compelling for us not to act. 

In the years since, I am proud that this Council did pass decriminalization and that voters approved Initiative 71 with almost 70% of the vote.

In that time we have seen marijuana-related arrests plummet, representing thousands of District residents who were spared that needless involvement in the judicial system.

Based off the data from before and after these policy changes, we know that the War on Drugs was a failure—it was increasing our mass incarceration problem, and not helping with our drug dependency problem.

The data also has consistently shown that the War on Drugs is racist in its implementation, so we also understand that changing these policies is a racial justice issue.

The logical next step, to continue to reduce arrests and to bring marijuana totally out of the shadows is to set up a strong tax and regulate system.

The legislation I’m introducing today would do just that, and it incorporates lessons from other jurisdictions that have moved forward with the regulation of recreational marijuana over the past few years.

Colorado, Washington state, Oregon, Alaska, California, Nevada, the list goes on--all these states have legal sales of marijuana, but we in D.C. do not, because in late 2014 Congress prohibited us from spending any of our local tax dollars to set up such a taxation and regulation system.

So this is a home rule question as well as a question of human rights, racial justice, and wise use of criminal justice resources.

The Harris Rider is a reminder of our second-class status—Congress cannot prohibit any of the fifty states from legalizing marijuana as they see fit, but Representative Harris and the leadership on the Hill has no problem undermining the work of this Council.

Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act of 2017 (as introduced) by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Grosso starts new term with renewed focus on students

For Immediate Release: 
January 10, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Grosso starts new term with renewed focus on students

Washington, DC – At the first legislative meeting of Council Period 22, Councilmember David Grosso introduced legislation to increase the health and financial resources that will put youth in the District of Columbia in the best position to succeed.

“Education continues to be my top priority on the Council,” said Grosso, who returns as chairperson of the Committee on Education. “Ensuring our students’ well-being and providing financial equity to our students is vital to their educational achievement.”

First, Councilmember Grosso introduced the “Public School Health Services Amendment Act of 2017” to provide students access to a full-time registered nurse at their school.

Last year, the Department of Health attempted to implement a new model for school health services which would have resulted in school nurse service levels being reset to a minimum of 20 hours each week.

Many parents were alarmed at the idea that there would not always be a qualified health professional on site to assess and triage sick and injured children or to provide emergency care as needed. The Council subsequently delayed implementation of the program for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year.

The legislation introduced today would permanently increase the minimum hours per week of registered public school nurse services to 40 hours per week.

“For me, this is about giving our families piece of mind,” Grosso said. “Ensuring that there is always a qualified health professional at our public schools is a safety net.”

He also introduced the “Early Learning Equity in Funding Amendment Act of 2017” to infuse more equity into early learning funding.

Thousands of three- and four-year olds receive Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 educational services from community-based early childhood development centers and homes. Although these organizations, like D.C.’s local education agencies, teach a quality comprehensive curriculum to ensure kindergarten readiness and meet the District’s early learning and development standards, the District has not provided them with the same financial resources that we provide to DCPS and public charter schools.

The bill qualifies these organizations for additional funding by adding pre-kindergarten students receiving education services at community-based organizations in the definition of “at-risk”. It also establishes a pilot program to provide a facility allowance to high-quality child development centers and child development homes that meet certain criteria.

“Access to high-quality and affordable early care and learning is a growing concern for families in the District of Columbia, especially as the number of residents with young children continues to rise,” Grosso said. “More equitable funding invested in our youth at these early stages of development sets them up for later educational success.”

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Second letter sent to DDOT, DGS regarding lack of sidewalk outside Wilson Building

Councilmember Grosso sent a follow up letter to the District Department of Transportation and the Department of General Services to inquire about the lack of sidewalks in front of the Wilson Building; his initial letter received no response.

Councilmember Grosso believes access to adequate sidewalk space, especially around government buildings that the public should be able to access easily, is a public safety concern.  Pedestrians have been observed walking into the street while multiple lanes remain available to cars.

A sidewalk should be established in the roadway immediately to allow for pedestrian safe passage.

Here is the councilmember's letter sent today:

Follow-Up Letter to DDOT and DGS - Inaugural Stand Sidewalk by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Here is Councilmember Grosso's initial letter, sent December 7, 2016.

Letter to DDOT and DGS - Inaugural Stand Sidewalk by Team_Grosso on Scribd