Congressional GOP Continue Attempts to Upend Grosso's Non-Discrimination Law

For Immediate Release: 

July 7, 2016

Contact:

Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105
mnocella@dccouncil.us

Congressional GOP Continues Attempts to Upend Grosso's Non-Discrimination Law

Washington, D.C. - The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) on attempts by Republicans in the House of Representatives to ban funding to enforce the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (RHNDA), which he championed:

“Congressional Republicans never cease to amaze me with their continued efforts to overturn the actions of the District of Columbia’s locally elected government,” Councilmember Grosso said.  ”We will not allow discrimination on the basis of a person’s private reproductive health decision to occur in the District.”

The RHNDA, which was passed unanimously by the D.C. Council and signed by the Mayor, is now law and prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on their reproductive health choices.

“Regardless of Congressional actions, discriminating on this basis is still prohibited and individuals will not lose their right to sue to enforce the law,” he said.

Grosso’s bill was already the target of a House vote last year to disapprove-or overturn-the law, an action that has not been pursued for decades and was ultimately ineffective without subsequent passage in the Senate and approval of the President.

Additionally, Republicans have introduced a variety of other amendments to weaken the District’s gun safety laws, and overturn both the budget autonomy and marijuana decriminalization referendums.

“It’s time for Congressional Republicans to focus on the serious issues facing our nation, like comprehensive gun safety reforms,  and stop meddling in the local affairs of the District of Columbia. These efforts to overturn my legislation and other measures reiterates, once again, the urgent necessity for D.C. to have budget and legislative autonomy, and ultimately statehood.” 

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Grosso Bill Would Improve LGBTQ Health Data

For Immediate Release: 
June 28, 2016

Contact: Matthew Nocella
(202) 724-8105
 

Grosso Bill Would Improve LGBTQ Health Data

Washington, D.C. — Today, Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) introduced a bill to improve the documentation of health outcomes and behavioral risk factors of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community by the District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH).

“Earlier this year, I wrote to the Department of Health to ask why this data was not being collected, and I was told it would cost too much,” said Grosso. “But not collecting data on the District’s LGBTQ community costs us even more as we cannot appropriately respond to critical health issues facing these residents.”

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Health Disparities Documentation Act of 2016, would require the District Department of Health (DOH) to collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity through its annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS).

The BRFSS is a cross-sectional telephone survey conducted by state health departments in all 50 states and the District of Columbia with technical and methodological assistance provided by the Center for Disease Control.  All levels of government rely on the data when making policy choices to address public health issues.

Additionally, the bill would require that the data collected be used in the annual report on the health of the District’s LGBTQ community, a collaborative effort of the Department of Health and the Office of LGBTQ Affairs.

“We have the highest estimated percentage of LGBTQ residents in the nation living in the District. Not including these questions as part of the annual BRFSS is a missed opportunity and disservice to the community,” said Grosso.

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Grosso Receives Update from Department of Health on Medical Marijuana

In June, Councilmember Grosso sent a letter to Dr. LaQuandro Nesbitt, Director of the D.C. Department of Health about the department's medical marijuana program after hearing concerns from constituents about barriers to participation in the program.  Below are the original letter and the response from DOH.

Councilmember Grosso's Letter to Department of Health regarding medical marijuana program by Team_Grosso

Below is the response from the Department of Health on questions raised by Councilmember Grosso:

Department of Health Response Letter to Councilmember Grosso regarding medical marijuana program by Team_Grosso

Grosso and Department of Health exchange letters on LGBTQ health

In May, Councilmember Grosso wrote to Director of the Department of Health Dr. Nesbitt regarding implementation of his bill LGBTQ Cultural Competency Continuing Education Amendment Act of 2015, which became law on April 6, 2016, as well as other LGBTQ health issues including data collection under the BRFSS and a local survey. On June 10, the Director responded. You can read both letters below:

Councilmember Grosso's letter:

Grosso Letter to DOH Director Nesbitt on LGBTQ Health Issues

Director Nesbitt's response:

DOH Director Nesbitt Response to Grosso on LGBTQ Health Issues

A Look at the Anacostia River

By:  Mariama Conteh*

The Anacostia River has been unsafe as far as many can remember, but according to documents, this river has been paying the price of human actions since the Europeans were here. Industrial toxic chemicals also had a great impact in making the river unhealthy for residents to even be near the water due to its harmful attributes. Unfortunately, many people throw their waste products in the river, adding to the contamination resulting in its current state. Further, factories took advantage of the watershed and started to pollute the Anacostia River by leaving their toxic chemicals behind. These companies are the main cause of why the river is causing health related problems, for example when left unabated, these chemicals release carcinogens into the air, opening doors for cancer.

It could be argued that the pollution of the Anacostia River has worsened the sickness and unemployment rates in Wards 7 and 8, as these rates are significantly higher than across the rest of the city. The health of the Anacostia River is a direct reflection of the health of the communities it surrounds. Research has revealed that, “one of the most notable chemical pollutants in the river is polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have immune, reproductive, endocrine, and neurological effects, and may cause cancer and affect children's cognitive development. This and other chemicals build up in the river bottom, where they make their way up the food chain and become stored in the tissues of fish, posing a health threat if people consume them.[1]” This cannot continue because it puts D.C. residents in danger, especially if they ingest a fish caught in the river.

Recognizing the environmental and health harms associated with the river, several nonprofit organizations as well as the D.C. government have stepped up to proactively address the health of the river. Councilmember David Grosso has, each year, participated in volunteer clean-up efforts of the Anacostia River.  Additionally, Councilmember Grosso has collaborated with the Seafarers Yacht Club and visited several sites along the river. Meanwhile, schools have the opportunity to do some community service work and to also make a change in their Wards. Schools such as the one that I currently attend, Cesar Chavez PCS Capitol Hill, have frequented the river in an effort to raise awareness of the dangers associated with a river containing harmful toxins and enable students to participate in clean-up efforts. The unfortunate truth of the river is that people and their actions have caused this situation; however, people also have the power to change the river’s course and agencies like the D.C. Department of Energy & Environment are doing the best they can, to undo the damage that has been caused.  I hope that in my lifetime I will be able to enjoy an Anacostia River where I can swim freely, fish and generally be able to have a stable and healthy river and community at large.

*Mariama is a rising senior at Cesar Chavez PCS Capitol Hill and is participating in the school’s Public Policy Fellowship, with Councilmember Grosso. This post is part of an ongoing series of posts by Councilmember Grosso’s staff to support professional development. All posts are approved and endorsed by Councilmember Grosso.

[1] http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/study-reveals-dc-community-anacostia-river-eating-and-sharing-contaminated-fish.html

D.C. Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Passes First Vote with Grosso's Priorities

For Immediate Release
May 17, 2016
Contact: Keenan Austin
(202) 724-8105

D.C. Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Passes First Vote with Grosso's Priorities

Washington, D.C. -- Today, the D.C. Council took its first vote on the "Fiscal Year 2017 Local Budget Act of 2016", "Fiscal Year 2017 Federal Portion Budget Request Act of 2016", and "Fiscal Year Budget Support Act of 2017", which together comprise the fiscal year 2017 budget. Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) worked closely with his colleagues to ensure inclusion of his top priorities in the budget. Grosso made the following statement:

"I am proud of the hard work and collaboration that happened during the budget process on behalf of D.C. residents. My colleagues and I were tasked with balancing the city's many priorities. Through this arduous process, we produced a budget that is fair and puts the needs of the people at the forefront.
 
"Budgets are about choices and unfortunately we could not do everything that we wanted or that was asked of us. Nevertheless, I believe this budget will continue to move us forward and help ensure that we are putting students in the District of Columbia in the best position to learn and succeed. The Committee on Education's budget and policy recommendations that passed a couple of weeks ago were strong, reflecting the needs and issues raised during the performance and budget oversight hearing process, and I am delighted to see that the Committee of the Whole builds upon our efforts. For a second year, the Committee utilized an objective process that evaluated the status of DCPS facilities and ranked them for modernization based on 4,600 data points.
 
"I am especially grateful that my colleagues once again supported the Committee on Education's approach to depoliticize funding of our school modernizations. Our model, based on equity, student demand, community-centered schools, and transparency, prioritizes the schools in greatest of need. 

"Particularly important is inclusion in this budget of funding for the replacement and closing of D.C. General, a goal that I have championed for years. I commend Mayor Bowser for taking on this important and difficult task. While I acknowledge the great deal of work ahead, the changes that the Council made will strengthen the plan, while saving money and ensuring stability. I was glad to help identify capital funding necessary for D.C. to own the new shelters rather than lease them, while working with my colleagues to ensure that Coolidge High School will still complete its full renovation onthe Mayor's schedule."

Grosso's Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Victories
Education
Under Grosso's leadership, the Education Committee approved a $3.9 billion budget improving public education, literacy, and career readiness for all District residents, including:

• $1.8 million to increase the subsidy rate for child care providers;
• $2.3 million to increase additional capacity for the Strong Start Early Intervention program that provides services to infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays;
• $1.6 million to continue the early literacy grant initiative targeting third grade reading success, which Grosso created in Fiscal Year 2016;
• $11.9 million in capital funds for data systems infrastructure at OSSE, to improve data collection, transparency and coordination in the education sector;
• $800,000 to restore the 21st Century Learning Grants at OSSE;
• $200,000 for the establishment of a D.C. Oral History Project
• $440 million in FY17 for school modernizations and other repairs for D.C. Public Schools;
• $2.5 million for Show Up Stand Out, ACE, and PASS, programs that support student attendance and divert young people away from the criminal justice system;
• $700,000 to increase the library collections budget including opening day collections for Palisades, West End, and Capitol View branch libraries;
• $600,000 to support the success of the Books from Birth program at DC Public Library;
• $1.2 million to expand the school-based health centers located in 7 schools throughout D.C.; and
• $650,000 for the Department of Health to continue funding for the teen pregnancy prevention programming and teen peer sexual health educators.

Capital Improvement Plan for DC Public Schools
This year, the Committee on Education continued its objective approach to capital modernizations. The model was refined to include 4,600 data points throughout 10 categories to rank all 112 schools in the DCPS portfolio, and was based on the following principles:

• Ensure that the Capital Improvement Plan reflects equity focused planning, aligns investments with student demand, upholds the values of community centered schools, and builds facilities to support quality educational programs;
• Exercise greater discipline in managing the scope and budget for the projects; and
• Increase transparency in the capital funding process, including delineating general stabilization fund categories such as roof repairs, boiler repairs, ADA compliance, and electrical upgrades to school specific projects.

As a result, the Committee approved a $440 million Capital Improvement Plan for FY17, enhancing the Mayor's plan by $13 million.

Arts
As a world class city, Grosso believes we must plan and develop strategies to sustain a thriving artistic and creative sector, which includes:

• $4.6 million to increase Arts Building Communities to provide more grants to more artists and provide larger grants to organizations that currently apply for multiple grants in order to meet their need;
• $1.45 million to conduct educational activities and outreach to youth and young adults;
• $30,000 to increase training and employee development of new staff of the Commission on Arts & Humanities; and
• $20,000 to increase legislative and grants management for the processing of additional grants by the Commission on Arts & Humanities.

Health and Human Services
As a member of the Committee on Health and Human Services, and recognizing the impact health and human services has on the success of students at school, Grosso is glad to see important investments in this sector including:

• Over $100 million in capital funds to build smaller, more humane shelters for families experiencing homelessness, resulting in the closure of D.C. General, fostering more stability, and saving over $165 million in the process;
• $2 million for additional Permanent Supportive Housing for individuals transitioning out of homelessness;
• $2.5 million for additional Targeted Affordable Housing for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness;
• $4.9 million for youth development funding that will be issued in FY17 while the government and community create a new strategy to replace the D.C. Trust; and
• $1.2 million for Produce Plus to support low income individuals eating healthy and fresh food.

To learn more about the Committee on Education's budget and priorities on the Committee on Education, please visit www.davidgrosso.og.
 
 
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Grosso works with colleagues to improve Homeward DC plan

In the lead up to the passing of the D.C. Fiscal Year 2017 budget, and the approval of moving forward with the Homeward D.C. plan to close D.C. General, Councilmember Grosso sent this letter to his colleagues outlining his work to find the capital budget to help with the costs.

Grosso Letter to Colleagues on Capital Funding for Homeward DC by Team_Grosso

Grosso's FY17 Budget Unanimously Passed by Committee on Education

For Immediate Release

May 5, 2016

Contact: Keenan Austin  

(202) 724-8105

Grosso's FY17 Budget Unanimously Passed by Committee on Education

Washington, D.C. - Today the D.C. Council Committee on Education unanimously passed the budget formulated by Committee Chairperson David Grosso. The $2.3 billion in operating dollars and $1.6 billion in capital budget for the city's public education system includes public schools, public charter schools, and libraries, and next goes to the full Council for a vote. The budget builds upon the Executive's investment in the full modernizations of all schools. The Committee continues its work on an objective approach to capital funding, establishes a strategic communications protocol around environmental safety, including exhaustive water testing, and restores a critical investment in public libraries.

"I've often said that the education of our children does not happen exclusively in our schools. To best serve our children, every part of the government must be engaged in this process," said Grosso.

"This budget supports the full modernization of all DCPS schools with a priority on the schools that are in the greatest of need. Many of our schools have not seen full construction or modernization over the past few decades, while others enjoy second and third iterations of development. These inequities cannot exist if we are committed to each child receiving a quality education regardless of their zip code."

"It is the responsibility of our government to make sure that taxpayer dollars support our students fairly and equitably. Last year I introduced a tool to remove politics from the city's education budget, and this year we were able to improve it with even greater analysis and better data."

The Committee also makes a number of important policy recommendations including a periodic review of the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula and the publishing of statewide discipline guidelines and regulations. The Committee's budget also establishes a D. C. Oral History project to ensure that our unique history is properly preserved for generations to come. The budget includes the following enhancements:   

• $220M new funding for DCPS capital modernizations
• $22.5M in small capital improvement projects at DCPS
• $1.8M to increase child care subsidy rates to align rates with licensing ratios
• $1.6M for early childhood literacy interventions to improve 3rd grade reading outcomes
• $3.9M for a data warehouse centralizing data from our school system
• $2M for general library maintenance, as well as $350,000 for general collections
• $450,000 for life-saving access to epinephrine in schools
• $200,000 to support college access and college readiness programs
• $1M for Healthy Tots subsidies for early childhood education centers
• $727,000 for environmental literacy
• $400,000 for collections and maintenance for the soon-to-be reopened West End, Capitol View and the Palisades libraries
• $1.5 M to support the Cleveland Park Library project
• $600,000 to provide additional funding support for the Books from Birth program
• $200,000 for the establishment of a D.C. Oral History Project
• Sends $107,871 to the Department of Human Services to increase 1.0 FTE for the PASS program which works with youth and families to improve school attendance and performance and prevent juvenile justice involvement