Councilmember Grosso seeks greater public disclosure of D.C.’s efforts to preserve affordable housing

For Immediate Release:
January 21, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso seeks greater public disclosure of D.C.’s efforts to preserve affordable housing

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso today introduced legislation that would require the executive branch and developers to be more transparent when considering housing purchases intended to preserve and expand affordable housing in the District of Columbia.

“The District of Columbia cannot afford to waste any more time when it comes to preserving and expanding our residents’ access to affordable housing,” said Grosso. “The imbalance in our housing stock, combined with rising rents and housing costs, is displacing mostly low-income families and families of color.”

In 2008, the Council enacted the District Opportunity to Purchase Act (DOPA) to employ government resources to preserve and expand affordable housing units.  Under the law, the District of Columbia has the right to purchase buildings with five or more dwelling units with at least 25 percent affordable housing. It also allowed the D.C. government to assign its rights to purchase to third party entities.

“Unfortunately, nearly 12 years later, the District of Columbia still has not exercised its right to purchase a single property, and the District has missed too many opportunities to purchase,” Grosso said.

Regulations from the 2008 law were not finalized until November 2018, a decade later. And the mayor only recently announced 40 pre-qualified developers who can be assigned the District’s right to purchase in May.

Grosso intends to increase transparency and accountability into the exercise of the government’s purchasing power with the DOPA Disclosure Amendment Act of 2020, which he introduced along with Councilmember Anita Bonds, chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization.

The bill requires the mayor to file a detailed annual report that discloses the qualifications of developers as well as the process, factors, and communications involved in the government’s or its assignees’ decision making when exercising its rights under DOPA.

“DOPA was intended to be another tool to address our affordable housing crisis, and so far, it’s not even been taken out of the toolbox. District residents and policymakers need to better understand why this tool is not being used, and once it’s finally taken out of the toolbox, how it is being used,” said Grosso.

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DHHS responds to Councilmember Grosso's concerns over the clearing of K Street Underpass

On January 15, 2020, Councilmember David Grosso, chairperson of the Committee on Education and member of the Committee on Health, sent a letter to Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Wayne Turnage expressing concern over the Department of Human Services’ plan for the removal of the people who inhabit the space under the railroad bridge on K Street NE.

Included in the letter are questions regarding concerns about hypothermia season, DHHS’s intentions of keeping the area permanently clear, and DHS’s communication with the people living under bridge prior to the plan was finalized.

The Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services has since responded, explaining the process for the removal and next steps moving forward.

You can view the letter from Councilmember Grosso and DMHHS’s response below:

01152020 Letter to DMHHS on K Street by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Councilmember Grosso1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 402Washington, DC 20004 Councilmember Grosso, Please find responses to your questions below. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out. 1.) What outreach has DMHHS or DHS conducted to inform people living on the sidewalk of the coming clearing of belongings and the intention of the Mayor that people not return to the area?

Councilmember Grosso1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 402Washington, DC 20004 Councilmember Grosso, Please find responses to your questions below. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out. 1.) What outreach has DMHHS or DHS conducted to inform people living on the sidewalk of the coming clearing of belongings and the intention of the Mayor that people not return to the area?

Gendered Terms Modernization Amendment Act of 2020

Gendered Terms Modernization Amendment Act of 2020

Introduced: January 7, 2020

BILL TEXT | PRESS RELEASE

Summary: To articulate the Council’s intention that the D.C. Official Code and its associated organic acts reflect gender equality and gender inclusivity, and amend the D.C. Official Code and its associated organic acts to modernize the language in the laws to reflect the values of gender equity and gender inclusivity.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

As we have now entered the third decade of the twenty-first century, we should ensure that the language of our laws, collected in the District of Columbia Official Code, is modernized and reflective of our values.

Language matters, language holds power, and the language of our laws is especially important.

Currently, our older laws show outdated thinking about gender, with a default to masculine pronouns or to masculinized forms of nouns.

Other laws fail to embody the gender diversity of our community, instead using binary language.

Our values in the District of Columbia have evolved and the language of our laws should too.

For that reason, I am introducing the Gendered Terms Modernization Amendment Act of 2020.

The bill is quite simple in concept—that our laws ought to reflect our modern understanding, where male is not the default and people of all genders are supported.

First, the legislation establishes the Council’s intent that the Code reflect our values, including gender equity and inclusivity.

Second, it amends the D.C. Charter and Home Rule Act to remove patriarchal terms, such as by replacing Chairman with Chairperson.

Lastly, the bill sets out a list of gendered terms throughout the D.C. Code that shall be changed and their replacements, with exceptions for laws that require specific gendered language.

Throughout the years, the Council has recognized the need to update our laws to represent shifts in thinking and language.

But those efforts have often been piece-meal, whereas this bill seeks to tackle the entire Code.

Other jurisdictions such as Sacramento and Detroit have undertaken similar efforts, and the District of Columbia should join their ranks.

This bill is timely as our laws are due for a new codification in the coming few years, during which these changes could be made.

D.C. has long been a leader in women’s rights, transgender rights, and recognizing the gender diversity of our community. The language in our laws should further that commitment.

Thank you and I welcome any co-sponsors.

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to utilize gender-inclusive language in D.C. official code

For Immediate Release:
January 7, 2020
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to utilize gender-inclusive language in D.C. official code

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced legislation that would modernize the D.C. Official Code with gender-inclusive language that reflects the diversity of the District of Columbia population.

“Older laws show outdated thinking about gender with a default to masculine pronouns or to masculinized forms of nouns. Other laws fail to embody the gender diversity of our community, instead of using binary language,” said Grosso. “Language matters, language holds power, and the language of our laws is especially important.”

The Gendered Terms Modernization Amendment Act of 2020 seeks to change gendered D.C. Code language to gender-neutral terms by proposing a list of replacements for existing terms found throughout the D.C. Code. For example, “he or she” would be changed to “the individual” or the single gender-neutral “they”. Additionally, the bill amends the D.C. Charter and Home Rule Act to remove patriarchal terms, such as the title of the D.C. Council’s “Chairman” in favor of “Chairperson”. The bill provides exceptions for laws that require specifically gendered language. 

The District of Columbia would join jurisdictions, such as Sacramento and Detroit, that have undertaken similar efforts to require gender-inclusive language in their laws and codes.

“D.C. has long been a leader in women’s rights, transgender rights, and recognizing the gender diversity of our community,” said Grosso. “The language in our laws should further that commitment.”

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Grosso sends Education agencies pre-hearing FY19 performance oversight questions

Councilmember Grosso, as chairperson of the Committee on Education, sent to the agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction the pre-hearing questions for the annual performance oversight process, covering fiscal year 2019. You can find the questions posed to each agency at the links below:

• D.C. Public Schools

• D.C. Public Charter School Board

• Office of the State Superintendent of Education

• D.C. Public Library

• Deputy Mayor for Education

• State Board of Education

• Office of the Student Advocate

• Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education

Performance oversight hearings will be scheduled between January 29 and March 6. More detailed information on specific hearing dates, times, and locations will be published once finalized.

Councilmember David Grosso's FY21 Budget Letter requests greater investments in student success

Today, Councilmember David Grosso sent his letter to Mayor Bowser with his priorities for her to consider as she develops Fiscal Year 2021 District of Columbia budget proposal. The letter highlights that greater investments in schools is needed to support our students' needs and our educators' missions. Highlights include:

• Requests a 4% increase in per-student funding for new support staff and trauma-informed training.

• Requests $3M to support the early literacy intervention grant program to get students on reading level by third grade.

• Requests $1.5M to study, support, and expand student safe passage to school.

• Requests $250,000 for arts and humanities education data collection and visualization.

• Requests a restoration of $825M in capital funding to accelerate school modernizations and ensure additional school communities receive a safe, healthy, and modern facility sooner.

• Requests inclusion of full capital funding to provide the Congress Heights community assurance that a free-standing, modern Parklands-Turner Library branch is on the way.

Read the full letter below.

20191218 FY21 Budget Letter... by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Analysis of D.C. police reforms shows progress, need for more action

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2019

Contact
Matthew Nocella, mnocella@dccouncil.us
202.724.8105

Analysis of D.C. police reforms shows progress, need for more action

Washington, D.C. – The District of Columbia could be doing more to reform police practices and increase accountability, according to a new report released today by Local Progress, a network of local elected officials across the country, that analyzed 12 similar jurisdictions across the country. 

Using the Reform / Transform: Policing Policy Tool, the evaluation of 12 cities shows that there is still a need for significant improvements to the use of force and independent oversight measures. D.C. stands out among the other eleven jurisdictions evaluated, scoring high marks for its work to end cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

“While D.C. has made more progress than some other places when it comes to reforming our police practices, we still have plenty more to do,” said Councilmember David Grosso, who is an active member of the Local Progress coalition. “Reform / Transform offers D.C. leaders and community members a simple, visual tool that shows us where we can make the most effective improvements and provides us a metric by which we can hold ourselves accountable for implementing real policing reforms.”

The tool itself was launched in 2018 to provide local elected officials, policymakers, and organizers with a resource on how to evaluate policing reforms on a set of standardized best practices across jurisdictions. Over the past year, the group has engaged local elected officials and community leaders to evaluate their localities’ policing practices. 

The analysis–which was completed in Chicago, Dallas, Durham, Louisville, Madison, Minneapolis, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and the District of Columbia–evaluates four areas of policing practices: use of force, independent oversight, co-optation of local law enforcement for federal immigration enforcement, and investment in public safety beyond policing. 

D.C. got one of the best scores on limiting local law enforcement involvement with immigration enforcement, due in part to a policy change earlier year: ending the Department of Corrections’ practice of notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when residents with immigration detainers were being released from the jail, a policy Councilmember Grosso had been pushing for years. D.C. also got credit for having an independent, civilian oversight body for the Metropolitan Police Department, putting restrictions and reporting in place regarding police use of force, and investing in violence prevention efforts that are not dependent on police. 

“Reforming the criminal legal system is an on-going effort and has been one of my highest priorities as a Councilmember. I’m proud of the District’s progress toward a more community-focused, accountable police force, but more action is needed. I look forward to using this report as a tool to continue that work,” said Grosso. “I plan to introduce legislation in the coming months that closes the gaps in our policies that this report identifies. We need policies that place a greater emphasis on de-escalation training, make our police oversight body stronger and more independent, and deepen our commitment to our sanctuary city status.”

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Reform / Transform is a project of Local Progress, the movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. We are elected leaders who build power with underrepresented communities, share bold ideas and policy among our network, and fight to reshape what is possible in our localities all across the country.

Councilmember Grosso votes against Brian Kenner for Events DC board

For Immediate Release:
December 17, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso votes against Brian Kenner for Events DC board

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso on his vote against the advancement of the mayor’s nomination of former Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner to the board of EventsDC:

“My vote against the nomination of Brian Kenner to the Events DC board was a vote against the continued culture of cronyism that we have repeatedly seen out of the mayor’s office whenever positions open up on the various boards and committees that are meant to provide the public greater input in the function of government entities. Rather than a former deputy mayor that now works for corporate giant Amazon and who carried out an agenda that has exacerbated the negative effects of gentrification in our city and left thousands behind, I believe the mayor should focus on including the voices of those most impacted by gentrification and who is dedicated to working on behalf of our city’s most vulnerable residents.”

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District of Columbia Public Schools Family and School Community Fundraising Equity Act of 2019

District of Columbia Public Schools Family and School Community Fundraising Equity Act of 2019

Introduced: December 3, 2019

Co-introducers: Councilmember Vincent Gray

BILL TEXT | PRESS RELEASE

Summary: To establish parameters for fundraising by family or school community organizations, including reporting requirements, limitations on soliciting funds, limitations on allocating funds, and guidelines for redistributing funds

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, along with Councilmember Vincent Gray, I am introducing the District of Columbia Public Schools Family and School Community Fundraising Equity Act of 2019.

In 2018, The 74 Million reported that DCPS parent-teacher organizations raised more than $5.5 million for only a quarter of DCPS elementary schools. This revenue equates to almost an additional full-time teacher or three additional instructional aides for each DCPS elementary school in DC.

The schools whose PTO’s brought in the least revenue — less than $60,000 on average — had an average of 74 percent economically disadvantaged students. Seventy-five percent of elementary schools did not report any PTO revenue.

The Center for American Progress reported that in 2013-14, the District of Columbia’s five wealthiest PTO’s, all located west of Rock Creek Park, raised over $2.9 million. The top PTO raised almost $1.4 million—about $2,220 per student—while the next four PTO’s each raised more than 300,000 dollars.

And just recently, the DC Fiscal Policy Institute reported that “DCPS students who attend by-right schools in wealthier neighborhoods are more likely to benefit from increased school funding through parent organizations and that these extra dollars are likely giving their children an academic edge, further exacerbating school inequities.”

These funding inequities are not unique to the District of Columbia , as PTO’s across the country are in aggregate raising hundreds of millions of dollars to support programming, services, and staff for their districts’ most resourced schools.

Well-funded DCPS PTO’s are supporting essential school needs like staffing and instructional materials. Specifically, they are hiring grant writers, full-time tutors, and instructional aides. These employees are not DCPS employees, which raises concerns about safety, accountability, and liability.

The bill I am introducing today would address these funding inequities that ultimately exacerbate the disparate academic experiences and outcomes of DPCS students.

It will improve funding transparency by requiring PTO’s to submit annual budgets to DCPS;

It will require an equitable allocation of funds by prohibiting PTO’s from expending funds to hire instructional staff members;

It will require an equitable solicitation of funds by prohibiting PTO’s from requesting a specified donation amount from family members and by prohibiting PTO’s from requiring family members to donate funds in order to vote on PTO-related measures, which amounts to a poll tax for parent participation.

Finally, it will establish a DCPS Equity Fund to aggregate equity fees from PTO’s that expend over $10,000 in monetary and in-kind value. These equity fees will then be distributed in an equitable fashion to DCPS PTO’s.

Because we have not funded our schools at a higher level, something I have pushed for year after year, some wealthier communities are able to supplement their school funding. This is inherently unfair.

We must continue to increase investments in our schools so that outside fundraising by PTOs are not necessary to provide the supports our students need.

I am not claiming that this bill will solve our funding inequities, but it will force us to no longer be blind to the fact that we have not been providing those investments and have been allowing the wealthy to step in and fill those gaps.

Until we provide those investments, we must take a bold stance to address and level inequitable academic experiences and outcomes for DCPS students that PTOs can exacerbate.

This bill also represents a bold stance nationwide as over the last several decades school districts across the country have struggled with addressing PTO funding inequities.

Thank you, Chairman Mendelson and I welcome any co-sponsors.

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to make parent-teacher organizations’ funding transparent and equitable

For Immediate Release:
December 3, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces legislation to make parent-teacher organizations’ funding transparent and equitable

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso, chairperson of the Committee on Education, today introduced legislation to improve family participation in parent-teacher organizations (PTOs) and make fundraising by these organizations more transparent and equitable.

“Parent-teacher organizations are an important part of any school community. They build fellowship, support our students, and help facilitate parental engagement,” said Councilmember Grosso. “All students and family members in the District of Columbia should be able to participate and benefit from these organizations, regardless of where they live or how much money they make.”

The District of Columbia Public Schools Family and School Community Fundraising Equity Act of 2019 establishes a DCPS Equity Fund to collect equity fees from PTOs that expend over $10,000 in monetary and in-kind value. These equity fees will then be distributed equitably to other DCPS PTOs. Further, it restricts PTOs from expending funds to hire instructional staff members.

“We must continue to increase investments in our schools so that outside fundraising by PTOs is not necessary to provide the supports our students need,” said Grosso, who as chairperson of the Committee on Education has increased per-student funding over the last three fiscal years. “While I will continue to push to provide schools the resources, they need to help our students succeed, we must address and level inequitable academic experiences and outcomes for DCPS students that PTOs can exacerbate.”

In 2018, The 74 Million reported that D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) parent-teacher organizations raised more than $5.5 million for only a quarter of DCPS elementary schools. This revenue equates to almost an additional full-time teacher or three additional instructional aides for each DCPS elementary school.

The schools whose PTOs brought in the least revenue — less than $60,000 on average — had an average of 74 percent economically disadvantaged students. Seventy-five percent of elementary schools did not report any PTO revenue.

The Center for American Progress reported that in the 2013-14 school year, DC’s five wealthiest PTOs, all located west of Rock Creek Park, raised over $2.9 million. The top PTO raised almost $1.4 million—about $2,220 per student—while the next four PTOs each raised over $300,000.

The bill will also improve transparency by requiring PTOs to submit annual budgets to DCPS. Additionally, it prohibits PTOs from requesting a specified donation amount from family members and requiring family members to donate funds in order to vote on PTO-related measures.

“Publicly reported PTO budgets will enable families to make informed decisions before they donate and track how their giving is utilized,” said Grosso. “And because PTOs are stronger when all families are able to participate, it is essential that we remove barriers that pressure families to give at certain levels or create a poll tax that will exclude the voices of families who cannot afford to donate.”

Councilmember Vince Gray signed on as a co-introducer of the legislation, which was referred to the Committee on Education.

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Councilmember Grosso seeks to create ombudsman to help local businesses navigate regulatory processes

For Immediate Release:
November 19, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso seeks to create ombudsman to help local businesses navigate regulatory processes

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso introduced the Local Business Support Amendment Act of 2019, which would create an ombudsman to assist local businesses as they seek regulatory approvals from the District of Columbia government.

 “I have met with local businesses of all sizes throughout the District in my time in office and I have consistently heard that D.C. government regulations are overly complicated and offer few incentives for businesses to locate or expand in the city,” said Grosso. “However, there are a few relatively simple ways the D.C. Council can act to alleviate the government-imposed burdens on our city’s businesses, including the legislation I have introduced today.

 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.

 “During my first term, I served as an active member of the Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs and was an active member of the Workforce Investment Council.  During that time, I became deeply familiar with the agencies that govern business operations in District of Columbia,” said Grosso. “I believe this bill can be the catalyst for a necessary conversation about how we can pass responsible laws and regulations that do not hinder the greatest drivers of our local economy.”

 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, chairperson of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, joined Grosso to introduce the legislation.

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Local Business Support Amendment Act of 2019

Local Business Support Amendment Act of 2019

Introduced: November 19, 2019

Co-introducers: Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie

BILL TEXT | PRESS RELEASE

Summary: To amend the District of Columbia Code to create a local business ombudsman; establish roles and responsibilities of the Ombudsman’s office and to designate agency-wide Officers for Small and Local Business Inclusion

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Thank you, Chairman Mendelson. Today, along with Councilmember McDuffie, I am introducing the “Local Business Support Amendment Act of 2019.”

During my first term in office, I served as an active member of the Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs and was an active member of the Workforce Investment Council. During that time, I became deeply familiar with the agencies that govern business operations in District of Columbia.

I consistently heard from local businesses of all sizes that D.C. government regulations are not business-friendly and there are very few incentives for businesses to locate here.

After meeting with businesses and associations of all sizes, we devised a few relatively simple ways the D.C. Council can act to alleviate the government imposed burdens on our city’s businesses.

One way is to create a Local Business Ombudsman who will act as an independent business navigator and will work on behalf of businesses to trouble shoot and act as the point of contact during permitting, licensing and taxation process.

I believe this bill can be the catalyst for a necessary conversation about how we can pass responsible laws and regulations that do not hinder the greatest drivers of our local economy.

I yield the remainder of my time to Councilmember McDuffie for any remarks and we welcome any co-sponsors. Thank you.

Councilmember Grosso seeks to further reduce suicides with training for healthcare professionals

For Immediate Release:
November 19, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso seeks to further reduce suicides with training for healthcare professionals

Washington, D.C. – Health care professionals in the District of Columbia would be required to complete suicide prevention training under new legislation introduced by Councilmember David Grosso today.

“Health care providers are on the front lines of suicide prevention every day,” said Grosso, who is a member of the D.C. Council’s Committee on Health. “Equipping them to spot the warning signs of suicide and connect their patients with the appropriate treatment will help D.C. further reduce the number of District residents who die by suicide each year.”

The Suicide Prevention Continuing Medical Education Amendment Act of 2019 requires health care professionals to complete training on suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management to provide comprehensive care for at-risk patients as part of their continuing medical education requirements.

Research indicates that as many as 45 percent of suicide victims had visited their primary care physician within a month of their death, making such visits prime opportunities to identify at-risk patients.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among key age groups in the District of Columbia It is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds, the fourth leading cause of death for 25 to 34-year-olds, and the fifth leading cause of death for 35 to 44-year-olds.

The legislation is supported by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, the nation's largest non-profit dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide through research, awareness, and aid to those affected.

“Suicide prevention and mental health awareness starts with the local community,” said Trevor Bernard, Public Policy Chair of AFSP’s National Capital Area Chapter. “The Suicide Prevention Continuing Medical Education Amendment Act will ensure education and training for medical professionals to help recognize and support their patients who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. We appreciate Councilmember David Grosso’s leadership on this legislation and ask the community and the rest of the Council of the District of Columbia to support this bill so that we may take the steps necessary to one day live in a world without suicide."

Suicide, both deaths and attempts, cost D.C. a total of $53,227,000 combined lifetime medical and work loss cost in 2010, or an average of $1,298,219 per suicide death, according to AFSP.

“I want to thank the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for their partnership on this legislation, their outreach to build support during their first D.C. State Capitol Day last week, and all their efforts to support our residents who are struggling with suicide,” said Grosso.

Councilmember Grosso has made suicide prevention a focus of his tenure on the Council, especially in the District’s schools. As chairperson of the Committee on Education, Grosso passed the Youth Suicide Prevention and School Climate Survey Amendment Act in 2016 and has championed better planning for and secured greater investments in school-based mental and behavioral health supports.

“I see the struggles and trauma of young people–the loss of a loved one, gun violence, school bullying and or inadequate mental health resources in our schools–that can lead them to contemplate or attempt suicide,” Grosso said. “We have made great strides in schools, but our youth are not the only ones who need help.”

Health Committee Chairperson Vincent Gray joined Councilmember Grosso as a co-introducer of the legislation, along with Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, Mary Cheh and Brandon Todd.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Health.

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Suicide Prevention Continuing Education Amendment Act of 2019

Suicide Prevention Continuing Education Amendment Act of 2019

Introduced: November 19, 2019

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Vincent Gray, Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, Mary Cheh, Brandon Todd

BILL TEXT | PRESS RELEASE | FACT SHEET

Summary: To amend the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985 to require continuing education for licensed health professionals on the subject of suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management to provide comprehensive care for at-risk patients.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

Today, along with Councilmembers Gray, Todd, Bonds, Silverman, and Cheh, I am introducing the Suicide Prevention Continuing Medical Education Amendment Act of 2019 to equip health professionals in the District of Columbia with the training they need to recognize and care for patients who are at risk of dying by suicide.

As chairperson of the Committee on Education, I see the struggles and trauma of young people that can lead them to contemplate or attempt suicide.

It is heartbreaking that between 10-15% of middle and high school students in the District of Columbia have made a suicide attempt and another 20% have made a plan to do so.

We have made great strides in our schools with the passage of my Youth Suicide Prevention and School Climate Survey Act and continuing to increase investments in school based mental health.

But our youth are not the only ones who need help.

Suicide is the THIRD leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds, the FOURTH leading cause of death for 25-34 year olds, and the FIFTH leading cause of death for 35-44 year olds.

And health care providers in the District of Columbia are on the front lines of suicide prevention.

Up to 45 percent of individuals who die by suicide have visited their primary care physician within a month of their death.

The bill I am introducing today would educate these and other health care professionals through continuing medical education on the subject of suicide risk assessment, treatment and management to provide comprehensive care for at-risk patients.

Requiring this training can help us further reduce the number of District residents who die by suicide each year.

I want to thank the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for their partnership on this legislation and their outreach to build support during their first D.C. State Capitol Day last week.

I also want to thank the Trevor Project for voicing its support for this bill as well and their continued pursuit of policies that aim to reduce suicides, particularly among the LGBTQ community.

I welcome any co-sponsors.

Councilmembers Grosso and Bonds request Chairman advance permanent Indigenous Peoples' Day legislation

Councilmembers David Grosso and Anita Bonds sent a letter to Chairman Phil Mendelson today requesting that he hold a hearing and mark up of permanent legislation to rename the holiday observed on the second Monday in October to Indigenous Peoples’ Day given the overwhelming support shown by councilmembers for temporary legislation in October.

“The renaming of the holiday observed on the second Monday in October to Indigenous Peoples’ day aligns with the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion which the District of Columbia holds in high esteem,” the councilmembers wrote. “…You may disagree with a supermajority of the Council but recognize that we can have an amicable legislative process despite our differences.”

For nearly 5 years, permanent legislation has been introduced to rename Columbus Day, but Chairman Mendelson has opposed the bill and never held a hearing. In October, Councilmember Grosso moved emergency legislation to bypass the Committee of the Whole and force a vote of the full Council on the legislation. Eleven of the thirteen members of the Council voted to pass the measure and the Mayor signed it into law. The District of Columbia celebrated it’s first-ever Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 14, 2019.

“It is not unprecedented for a committee chairperson to move a bill out of committee despite personal opposition or differences,” they wrote in the letter, citing then-Councilmember Yvette Alexander’s opposition to the Death with Dignity Act of 2016 which was eventually passed into law. “In her remarks at that markup, the Councilmember noted that this was not a bill that she supported and that while she and other members may disagree, all of us are working in the best interests of the residents of the District of Columbia. I find that sentiment to be true here as well.”

You can read the full letter below.

20191113 Letter to Chairman Re Indigenous Peoples Day by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Councilmember Grosso requests answers from DBH on St. Elizabeths water emergency

Today, Councilmember David Grosso sent a letter to Dr. Barbara Bazron, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health, requesting answers to the ongoing water contamination emergency at St. Elizabeths Hospital.

“I appreciate the information you have shared and the efforts you have undertaken to this point. While I am frustrated that the water emergency plan and communication about it could have been better implemented, I was willing to wait to examine the issue further after the immediate emergency was abated,” wrote Grosso. “Now that the initial treatment effort failed to resolve the problem, however, I believe that more urgent action is needed.”

Grosso posed questions to the Department about patient safety, contingency, and communications plans as the emergency continues. He requested answers to those by the end of day Friday, October 25th, 2019

10232019 Grosso Letter to DBH Re St. Elizabeths Water Emergency by Team_Grosso on Scribd

The criminalization of sex work has caused more harm than good. D.C. needs a new approach.

For Immediate Release:
October 17, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

The criminalization of sex work has caused more harm than good.

D.C. needs a new approach.

Statement of Councilmember David Grosso

Washington, D.C. – The following is Councilmember David Grosso’s opening statement delivered at the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety hearing on the Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019, which would abandon the District of Columbia’s criminalization approach to sex work in favor of one that focuses on human rights, health, and safety:

“Thank you, Councilmember Allen, for convening this hearing today.

“This is a historic occasion as we consider how we as the government and the community should treat commercial sex and, most importantly, how we can better protect the human rights of the people involved.

“Earlier this year, along with Councilmembers Robert White, Brianne Nadeau, and Anita Bonds, I introduced the bill before us today, the Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019.

“Over the past 3 years I developed this legislation in close partnership with the Sex Worker Advocates Coalition, and the bill is in line with recommendations from Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, U.N. AIDS, Human Rights Watch, and numerous other human rights, public health, and anti-trafficking organizations.

“Since coming into office, I have met with and listened to sex workers and other people who trade sexual services for money as well as survivors of human trafficking.

“I met with them because all of my work at the Council is grounded in a human rights and racial equity framework.

“That means looking out for the human rights of the most marginalized communities, including people in the sex trade, and reconsidering policies that perpetuate racism.

“In listening to those most directly affected, I heard how criminalization and stigma cause tremendous harm to people in the sex trade.

“The challenges facing these members of our community are many: I have heard far too many stories of violence, including stabbings, beatings, shootings, rapes, and murder, all because the perpetrators think they can act with impunity against those in the sex trade.

“Worse, we hear of police refusing to help, blaming people in the sex trade for the violence they have suffered. Doctors and other professionals sworn to help instead of mistreating and shaming people. Evictions by landlords and discrimination by shelters and other social service providers.

“Police seize condoms and other safer sex materials, or prosecutors use them as evidence of crime.

“Threats of arrest, of no one believing you because you are just a whore, of being reported to ICE, and more, being used by traffickers and other bad actors to exploit people in the sex trade.

“What I heard and what research has shown is that criminalization of sex for money between consenting adults does not stop these harms from happening.

“Rather, criminalization directly encourages these harms by further marginalizing people, saddling them with criminal records, making them fear the government, and labeling them as criminal and deviant and therefore acceptable targets for violence.

“People in the sex trade and those who work with them are not the only ones who know that the criminalization approach has failed.

“Ask any neighbor in an area where commercial sex happens, and they will tell you that the activity persists, despite police patrols, raids, stings, or marching sex workers across the bridge to Virginia as was done in the ‘80s.

“I often refer to an article from April 28, 2017, in the Washington Post describing the arrests of eight people on prostitution charges at Massachusetts and Twelfth NW.

“The article notes that a similar incident happened in 2014 at the same corner—police arrested 19 people that time. And in 1995, a sergeant was quoted in yet another article in the Post arguing that the latest arrests at the corner had tackled the problem.

“Arresting adults for engaging in consenting sexual acts for money does not stop it from happening and it does not address the other problems that we are concerned about, whether serious ones like violence and exploitation or more trivial but still important ones like condoms on sidewalks.

“It is overdue for D.C. to change how we address commercial sex in our city and seek a new approach that focuses on human rights, health, and safety.

“What is the best approach to achieve those goals? People who trade sex for money tell me that we need to decriminalize consensual sex for money between consenting adults.

“By removing criminal penalties for those in the sex trade, we can bring people out of the shadows, help them live safer and healthier lives, and more easily tackle the complaints we hear from communities about trash or noise.

“Perhaps most importantly, this is about giving people more options, not fewer.

“In New Zealand where this approach has been in place for over a decade, sex workers report feeling safer and better able to assert their rights.

“A report last winter from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that sex workers in criminalized contexts were three times more likely to face physical and sexual violence than those in jurisdictions with less policing.

“The internationally respected medical journal the Lancet estimates that 33 to 45 percent of HIV cases could be prevented by the removal of criminal penalties from commercial sex.

“Contrary to what you may have heard, this bill does not change any of our laws regarding coercion or exploitation, which will continue to be prohibited.

“Nor does it change how criminal penalties are used to combat the trafficking of minors.

“This has been the topic of much debate about the bill. Let me be clear, the bill maintains legal prohibitions on operating a house of prostitution, i.e. a brothel.

“And allow me to clarify another point of content—this bill does not legalize ‘pimping’.

“The use of coercion, force, or fraud by another person to compel someone to engage in commercial sex remains strictly illegal under this proposed legislation.

“To the contrary, by bringing people in the sex trade out of the shadows, we can fully engage them as partners in the fight against human trafficking, as recognized by international anti-trafficking organizations such as La Strada and Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women.

“Removing criminalization means we can work with people in the sex trade to prevent violence and tackle HIV, as groups from the United Nations to law enforcement to public health experts have all noted.

“Finally, because I believe this bill is a first step to improving community health and safety and because it is important to constantly assess the impact of our work on the Council, the bill creates a task force to study the effects of these changes.

“Particularly important to that effort will be recommendations for budget increases. We know that one of the best ways to fight human trafficking and to give people in the sex trade more options is by funding people’s basic needs.

“Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not note the incredible racial disparities in who is criminalized under our current system. Overwhelmingly, people who are African American are arrested and convicted of the offenses that this bill would decriminalize.

“Data from MPD shows that from 2014 to 2017, almost 74% of arrests for commercial sex were of African American people, with about 14% being Latina or Latino.

“Data from the D.C. Sentencing Commission shows that over the last two years, 89% of individuals convicted for prostitution-related offenses were African American. Since 2010, that percentage has been roughly the same, at 87%.

“We also know that the LGBT community, particularly transgender women, is disproportionately affected by the criminalization of commercial sex.

“This legislation is about reducing harm. I know that everyone here today shares that goal. We may have different opinions about the best approach, but let us assume the best intentions of each other.

“Keeping people safe, healthy, and with their human rights respected cuts across whether someone identifies as a sex worker, sex trafficking survivor, or is just doing what they need to do in order to pay the bills.

“We need to dramatically improve life for people in all these circumstances. The bill before us today may not be perfect, but its core tenets represent our best chance for significantly changing things for the better for the communities we all care about.

“Thank you, again, Councilmember Allen for holding this hearing.

“I know that it wasn’t easy, but you took up the challenge of furthering the discussion on this topic, and I’m grateful to you for that. Our city is better for it.

“Finally, thank you to everyone here today to testify. I look forward to the discussion.”

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Councilmember Grosso introduces bills to enhance representation in local government

For Immediate Release:
October 8, 2019
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Grosso introduces bills to enhance representation in local government

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso introduced three bills today that create a local government that is more representative, better reflects the preferences of residents, and includes those whose voices have been left out of local decisions.

“Over the past few weeks we have renewed our focus on making the District of Columbia the 51st state and finally ending the injustice that has deprived our residents of a voice in our federal government,” said Grosso. “While this fight is of paramount importance, it is equally important to examine the ways we can improve representation in our own local government.”

Accurately reflecting the will of voters

“Too often in the District of Columbia, we see victors emerge from a crowded field with far less than a majority of the vote,” Grosso said. “That may be even more likely to occur now as the Fair Elections program I introduced, and this Council passed, has successfully encouraged more residents to seek elected office.”

The Ranked Choice Voting Amendment Act of 2019 introduced by Grosso today would implement ranked choice voting, sometimes called instant runoff voting, in D.C. elections.

Ranked choice voting ensures that individuals receive a majority of the vote of the electorate by allowing voters to rank the choices on their ballots in order of preference. Tabulation of results proceeds in rounds. The first round eliminates the person with the fewest votes, then reallocates those votes to the voter’s second choice in the next round. This continues until one person receives a clear majority of the vote.

“This important legislation will increase voter turnout as voters will be free to mark their ballot for the candidate that they truly prefer without fear that their choice will help elect their least preferred candidate,” said Grosso.

Currently, Maine and 11 cities utilize ranked choice voting for their elections.

The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Brianne Nadeau, and Mary Cheh and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

A voice in government for permanent residents

Grosso also re-introduced the Local Residents Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2019, which allows permanent residents in the District of Columbia, who are on the path to U.S. citizenship, the right to vote in local D.C. elections for Mayor, Council, State Board of Education, Advisory Neighborhood Commission, and Attorney General.

“While our rallying cry for statehood has included the mantra ‘No taxation without representation’ the same can be said for our legal permanent residents who use our streets, send their children to our schools, and pay taxes just like any other resident—and deserve a voice in our democracy,” said Grosso.

The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Robert White, Brianne Nadeau, Jack Evans, Brandon Todd, and Charles Allen and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

Greater representation in local government for all

Finally, Grosso introduced the Enhanced Representation Charter Amendment Act of 2019 which would reform the District of Columbia legislature to provide D.C. residents additional input into the local political process.

“I have often said that in a city as large as ours with a population greater than some states, 13 members can be insufficient to tackle the multitude of issues we see regularly in a meaningful way,” said Grosso.

The legislation creates a bicameral legislature for the District made up of a Senate of nine senators and an Assembly of twenty-seven Representatives. This bill also makes the elections to the legislature non-partisan, ensuring that one party primary does not serve as a de facto general election.

“With more representatives representing fewer residents, public input can be better captured at each stage of the legislative process,” said Grosso. “And additional elected officials and staff mean more time and thought dedicated to improving our legislative outcomes.”

The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Robert White and Brianne Nadeau and referred to the Committee of the Whole.

“While the residents of the District of Columbia deserve representation in the U.S. Congress, they also deserve a local government that better represents everyone who is affected by our decisions. One that truly reflects their preferences in candidates. And one that provides residents multiple avenues to affect the decisions we make every day on their behalf,” concluded Grosso.

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Enhanced Representation Charter Amendment Act of 2019

Enhanced Representation Charter Amendment Act of 2019

Introduced: October 8, 2019

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Robert White and Brianne Nadeau

BILL TEXT | PRESS RELEASE

Summary: To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to reform the structure of the Council from unicameral to bicameral, increase legislative representation of the people of the District of Columbia, provide for non-partisan legislative elections, and to amend the Boundaries Act of 1975 to increase the number of election wards from 8 to 9.

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

And finally, today I’m introducing the Enhanced Representation Charter Amendment Act of 2019, along with Councilmembers Nadeau and Robert White, which would reform the District of Columbia government to provide residents more input into the political process at the local level.

I have often said that in a city as large as ours with a population greater than some states, 13 members can be insufficient to tackle the multitude of issues we see regularly in a meaningful way.

The legislation creates a bicameral legislature, with a Senate of nine senators, and an Assembly of twenty-seven Representatives.

With more representatives representing fewer residents, public input can be better captured at each stage of the legislative process and more elected officials and staff time can improve our legislative outcomes.

The bill also makes the elections to Council non-partisan, ensuring that an exclusive party primary does not serve as a de facto general election.

While the residents of the District of Columbia deserve representation in the U.S. Congress, they also deserve a local government that better represents everyone who is affected by our decisions. One that truly reflects their preferences in candidates. And one that provides residents multiple avenues to affect the decisions we make every day on their behalf.

Local Residents Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2019

Local Residents Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2019

Introduced: October 8, 2019

Co-introducers: Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Robert White, Brianne Nadeau, Jack Evans, Brandon Todd, and Charles Allen

BILL TEXT | PRESS RELEASE

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

Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:

The second bill is a re-introduction of the Local Residents Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2019, along with Councilmembers Nadeau, Evans, Robert White, Todd, Allen, and Silverman, which will include more voices in the day-to-day decisions that affect every resident of the District of Columbia.

“All politics is local” is a refrain often heard within the U.S political system. What most D.C. residents care about are the local issues of city life that affect them.

This includes our public schools, 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.

This bill allows permanent residents in the District of Columbia, who are not yet U.S. citizens, the right to vote in our local elections.

These residents may be well on their path to U.S. citizenship. This bill will allow them to legally participate in our elections for Mayor, Council, State Board of Education, ANCs and Attorney General.

While our rallying cry for statehood has included the mantra “No taxation without representation” the same can be said for our legal permanent residents who use our streets, send their children to our schools, and pay taxes just like any other resident—and deserve a voice in our democracy.