Grosso introduces bill to end discrimination against people experiencing homelessness

For Immediate Release: 
July 11, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Grosso introduces bill to end discrimination against people experiencing homelessness

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) introduced legislation today to end discrimination against people experiencing homelessness in the District of Columbia.

“Discrimination against people experiencing homelessness perpetuates the very problem of homelessness,” Grosso said.  “If we want to put people on the path to stable housing, we must end discrimination that creates another barrier in the way of people seeking to improve their situation.”

The Michael A. Stoops Anti-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2017 amends the Human Rights Act of 1977 to add homelessness as a protected class to help eradicate discrimination for individuals experiencing homelessness in employment, in places of public accommodation, in educational institutions, in public service, and in housing and commercial space.

The legislation is named to honor the life and legacy of Michael A. Stoops, a long-time advocate for the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness and a tireless warrior for overcoming income inequality. He helped found the NCH, protested to pressure Congress to pass federal legislation to combat homelessness, and co-founded the North American Street Newspaper Association, which helps to support our own local newspaper, Street Sense.

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Grosso continues elections reform push with instant run off voting

For Immediate Release: 
July 11, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Grosso continues elections reform push with instant run off voting

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) introduced legislation that ensures that elected officials have the support of a majority of voters by changing the way votes are counted in local elections.

The Instant Runoff Voting Amendment Act of 2017 would provide a method of casting and tabulating votes whereby a candidate for office must secure a majority of the votes cast before being declared the winner.

In the District of Columbia, primaries, open seats, and special elections result in crowded fields, as these provide opportunities for residents to give back to their communities by seeking public office.  However, victors often emerge with less than a majority of the vote.  Instant run off, or ranked choice, voting would ensure that voters’ preferences are more accurately reflected in the results.

"It is extremely troubling that candidates can be elected to public office with as little as 30 percent of the vote," said Grosso.  "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. More importantly, instant runoff voting ensures that the elected candidate has true majority support.”

When tabulating the results, the Board of Elections would proceed in rounds.  The first round eliminates the person with the fewest votes and 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.

“Instant runoff voting will help change how we run for office, and force fields of candidates to focus on vigorous and spirited policy debates that appeal to a wide range of voters,” said Grosso.  “In short, it will make our elections more competitive and fair, and strengthen confidence in our electoral outcomes.”

Reforming the District of Columbia’s campaigns and elections, and ensuring more residents are engaged in the political process, remains a high priority for Grosso.  Earlier this year, he introduced the Fair Elections Act of 2017, which reduces the influence of big money in local campaigns by establishing a strong public financing system, and the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2017, which qualifies permanent residents to vote in local elections.

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Grosso proposes re-designating government officials to bolster statehood movement, reflect D.C. status

For Immediate Release: 
June 20, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Grosso proposes re-designating government officials to bolster statehood movement, reflect D.C. status

Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) introduced legislation that would redefine District of Columbia government titles to advance the statehood movement and align them with the actual status of the D.C. government.

The “Washington D.C. Preferred Terms Establishment Act of 2017” designates D.C. as Douglass Commonwealth and redefines the Mayor as Governor of Washington, D.C. Additionally, the bill renames the Council as the Legislative Assembly with a Speaker, rather than a Chairman. Further, Councilmembers would be referred to as Representatives of the Legislative Assembly.

“As we continue the fight for statehood, it is my hope that this legislation will mobilize community advocates, organizers and residents and reinvigorate the movement as a whole,” Grosso said. “Changing these names, of course will not make us a state. However, I believe changing them can move us closer toward statehood."

One of the major barriers to statehood is that many across the country view the District of Columbia as a city. To them, statehood seems like quite a leap. But, the change put forward in this legislation can help rectify that perception.

It also aligns titles with how D.C. operates.

“The District of Columbia government acts concurrently as a state, county, and municipal government,” Grosso said. “It’s time the titles accurately reflect the work we do in the Wilson Building.”

Councilmembers Anita Bonds (At-Large), Elissa Silverman (At-Large), Robert White (At-Large), and Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1) joined Grosso as co-introducers. Councilmember Vince Gray (Ward 7) signed on as a co-sponsor.

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It’s time for real change to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse heal

For Immediate Release: 
June 15, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

It’s time for real change to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse heal

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a hearing on two laws to eliminate the criminal and civil statute of limitations on sexual abuse. Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large), a member of the committee and author of the Childhood Protection Against Sexual Abuse Amendment Act released the following statement:

“I believe 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 ages.  Most survivors do not come forward until well into adulthood, suffering for years with depression, feelings of guilt and sometimes difficulty forming intimate relationships. 

“My 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.

“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.

“Given the passage of time, the evolution of this body and society as a whole on this issue, it is my sincere hope that we can affect real change for victims by enacting these critical measures to enhance their legal recourse.

“I want to thank everyone who testified today, especially those who are survivors of such crimes.  Your bravery today will help those like you who have endured so much and seek justice for their anguish.

“I also want to thank Chairperson Charles Allen for holding a hearing on these two critical measures.  I look forward to working together with him to advance them to the full Council.”

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Council approves 2018 budget with Grosso priorities

For Immediate Release: 
June 13, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Council approves 2018 budget with Grosso priorities

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Council of the District of Columbia gave final approval to the budget for fiscal year 2018, which contained top priorities that Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) worked closely with his colleagues to include.

“The budget approved today invests in education, our children, our neighbors, and the future of the District of Columbia,” Grosso said.

As chairperson of the Committee on Education, Grosso fought for increased investments in education, including per pupil funding, early childhood literacy, and the public library system.

“Ensuring that every child is in the best position to succeed is my top priority on the Council. I’m heartened to see that the other members of the Council share that priority.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the collaborative efforts to double the mayor’s proposed per student funding increase to three percent,” Grosso said.

He also pushed to accelerate the modernizations of D.C.’s aging school buildings in order to provide a quality learning environment for every student. Working with his colleagues, he was able to move up West Education Campus, Jefferson Middle, Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan, and School Within a School at Goding, among others.

The Council also funded many policies that were enacted through legislation that Councilmember Grosso authored, such as startup funds for the implementation of the universal paid family leave law, investments to provide youth quality out of school time programming, and incentives for first time home buyers.

In addition to the councilmember’s education priorities, he supported and worked with his colleagues to secure funding for other vital programs. Click here to learn more.

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Statement of Councilmember Grosso on recent noose incidents

For Immediate Release: 
June 5, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Statement of Councilmember Grosso on recent noose incidents

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) on the recent incidents involving nooses in the metropolitan area:

“It is extremely disturbing to see stories like this on what feels like a daily basis. The District of Columbia is a diverse and welcoming city that strives to affirm and protect the human rights of all residents. That includes the right to be free from intimidation.

“No one should be afraid to go to work, visit a museum, worship in church, or walk to school. These acts violate that right. They seek to instill fear in our communities.  We cannot allow them to succeed. And we will not.

“If you do have any information about these incidents, I urge you to contact the Metropolitan Police Department at at 202–727–9099 or text 50–411.”

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Grosso proposes tax credit to expand affordable housing

For Immediate Release: 
May 16, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Grosso proposes tax credit to expand affordable housing

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso today introduced the Community Impact Investment Tax Credit Act of 2017 to spur the creation and preservation of more affordable housing in the District of Columbia.

The legislation encourages impact investments—investments made to solve social, environmental, or infrastructural challenges while yielding a financial return—in affordable housing through community development financial institutions (CDFIs) by providing to investors an income tax credit of up to 33 percent.

 “The affordable housing crisis will not be solved overnight, nor by any singular entity. Using every financing tool and partner is essential,” Grosso said.  “Through this legislation, we will continue the city’s affordable housing initiatives and multiply our public resources by promoting private investment to create more homes that D.C. residents can afford.”

While the city has made historic investment into the Housing Production Trust Fund, additional dollars are harder to come by as D.C. balances investments in other priorities such as education and city services. The bill would leverage public investment of up to $1 million in tax credits to provide $3 million for affordable housing.

“It is clear investors want to support affordable housing,” Grosso said.  “In just the last year, a local CDFI, Enterprise Community Partners, has been able to raise $11 million in impact capital to finance the preservation and production of local affordable homes. We can make that impact even greater by incentivizing this type of investment.”

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Mayor Bowser attempts to game Council budgetary process

For Immediate Release: 
May 11, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105 (Grosso), Kelly Whittier, (202) 431-5697 (Cheh)

Mayor Bowser attempts to game Council budgetary process

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, and Councilmember Mary Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, released the following joint statement in response to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s errata letter on the education portion of the D.C. Fiscal Year 2018 budget:

“Several weeks ago, after months of planning, Mayor Muriel Bowser submitted to the Council her budget for fiscal year 2018. We, along with parents, teachers, students, administrators, and advocates were very disappointed when we received a budget that leaves our schools without the resources to put every child in the best position to succeed.

“Our committees, like all council committees, have examined agency funding levels, historical spending, and will make a determination as to the appropriate spending for fiscal year 2018.  We found that the mayor drew up her budget and, like many mayors, built in funds to be used at her discretion, beyond effective Council control.

“Today, she sent the Council an errata letter, usually meant to fix minor mistakes in the submitted budget.  However, this letter bears all the hallmarks of an attempt to regain control of those funds. And it irresponsibly claims to have solved the uniform per student funding formula shortfall that the mayor created. In truth, it includes only one-time money.

“Through our oversight of the budget, we have found sources of funds that can be reallocated to provide a more sustainable solution to investing in our students’ futures by providing recurring, not one-time, dollars to increase the uniform per student funding formula over the mayor’s original proposed 1.5 percent.  Recurring dollars represent a real commitment to our students, providing year-to-year funding, rather than having to go through this exercise in the next budget cycle.

“The mayor now attempts to defeat that reallocation by saying ‘Oops – we see some errors and want to correct them.’

“The public is ill-served by the mayor’s political gamesmanship which lacks transparency and is contrary to the system of checks and balances. The mayor proposes, the Council disposes. And that’s exactly what we, working with our colleagues, intend to do, regardless of today’s letter.”

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Committed to a different approach to public safety, Grosso votes against Newsham nomination to be Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department

For Immediate Release: 
April 6, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Committed to a different approach to public safety, Grosso votes against Newsham nomination to be Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso on his opposition to the nomination of Peter Newsham to serve as the permanent chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD):

“Over the past month, the Committee on the Judiciary held three hearings on Newsham’s nomination. In addition to those who testified, I heard from numerous constituents via phone, email, and social media about this decision, and I am thankful to all of them for their engagement on an issue as important as this.

“As I thought about what it means to pick a new chief of police, I heard the praise and the criticism for the nominee. I take both of those very seriously.

“But, I also came to realize that I have a different vision in mind—that this vote is an opportunity to imagine what kind of police department we want to have, and what kind of leader will move us toward that goal.

“There are competing visions about the role of the police in our society, as well as different perspectives about what public safety means. I have seen it in my work as Chairperson of the Committee on Education, as we move away from “zero tolerance” approaches to school discipline, and instead implement restorative justice practices in our schools. We have seen a shift on the Council and among residents with the move away from criminalizing drugs, to removing criminal penalties and focusing on addiction and treatment services as the appropriate response.

“I feel strongly that it is time for a similar overhaul in our approach to policing—a transformation of the MPD into an agency whose highest priorities include promoting non-violence and collaborating deeply with the community and neighborhoods.

“Such a transformation would mean a department would have a spotless track record of internal accountability, and a culture of intervention by officers when they see a colleague doing something wrong. It would be about recognizing that people in the community should be leaders in creating a safer environment, with support of the police, not the other way around.

“A shift like this would require police leadership to see that there are very deep-seated problems with how law enforcement operates in this city, and rising to the challenge of changing the paradigm.

“To be sure, this kind of change would require hard work by the entire city, but the leadership of the MPD is vitally important.

“Leadership was the focus of a number of the witnesses during the hearings, and as an elected official, the meaning of leadership is constantly on my mind, especially in the new national political climate. At a time when the leaders in the highest ranks of the government openly espouse bigotry, flout the rule of law, and disrespect human rights, I believe we need to go the extra mile to counteract those messages and actions.

“Maybe my expectations are too high, but based on some of the feedback I have heard, our constituents are hungering for a chief of police who is visionary and transformative, and can think outside of the box.

“Unfortunately, I do not believe that this nominee fits that profile.

“I remain committed to a very different vision of what policing and public safety can be, and I am committed to working with the new chief to promote these values, and the values that we heard from so many witnesses during this process around police accountability, bolstering our sanctuary city policies, promoting non-violence, decreasing arrests, and ending the perception that more police will solve our problems.”

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Statement of Councilmember Grosso on the death of Sharon Ambrose

For Immediate Release: 
April 3, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Statement of Councilmember Grosso on the death of Sharon Ambrose

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso on the death of former Ward 6 Councilmember Sharon Ambrose:

“The passing of Sharon Ambrose is a devastating loss, not only for me personally, but for the District of Columbia as well. She dedicated her entire life to the people of this city, including ten years as the Councilmember from Ward 6, and any attempt to honor that service fully would surely fall short.

“I had the privilege of working for Sharon for six years; had she not retired I no doubt would still be working for her. She always pushed me to dream bigger and work harder. As chair of my first campaign, her vision and leadership put me on the Council.

“I would not be the councilmember I am today without Sharon as a mentor and friend. For that, I am eternally grateful. My thoughts are with her husband Michael, and the rest of her family during this time.”

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Grosso introduces bill to promote individual power in local elections

For Immediate Release: 
March 22, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Grosso introduces bill to promote individual power in local elections

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso today introduced legislation to encourage greater participation in District of Columbia elections by providing for public financing for campaigns, shifting power and influence from big donors to smaller, individual contributors.

“Public financing of campaigns would give greater voice to all voters and reduce the disproportionate influence of big donors in D.C. politics,” Grosso said. “We must ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in and positively influence the political process, regardless of how much or how little they are able to contribute, or if they do not contribute at all.”

Under the legislation, the Fair Elections Act of 2017, qualified participating candidates are eligible to receive base amount allocations and matching payments. In exchange for receiving public financing, participating candidates would no longer be able to accept direct corporate contributions or traditional political action committee (PAC) contributions.

The contribution limits and matching funds are tiered by the office being sought, ranging from a limit of $20 for Ward State Board of Education candidates to $200 for mayor. Candidates would receive a 2-to-1 match before qualifying for the ballot, then a 5-to-1 match after.

“In addition to fighting corruption, a public financing system empowers residents of ordinary means to have a meaningful ability to compete for elected office,” Grosso said.  “This bill is about amplifying the voices of everyday D.C. residents.”

Eight of Grosso’s colleagues, Chairman Phil Mendelson, Councilmembers Charles Allen, Elissa Silverman, Robert White, Mary Cheh, Kenyan McDuffie, Trayon White, and Brianne Nadeau, joined him as co-introducers.

“The Fair Elections bill is about putting more power in the hands of DC residents. Changing the way we fund campaigns in a way that prioritizes the low-dollar donor means candidates can spend more time focused on their constituents and neighbors, rather than chasing big-dollar donors,” said Councilmember Charles Allen, chairperson of the Committee on the Judiciary, to which the bill was referred.

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Grosso introduces bill to promote greater transparency in D.C. government

For Immediate Release: 
March 17, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Grosso introduces bill to promote greater transparency in D.C. government

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso introduced legislation on Tuesday to foster more open and responsive government by strengthening existing open government laws.

“An open and transparent government is more likely to be an effective and ethical government—a good government,” said Grosso. “When we open up the government for our residents to see, it increases confidence in our work, and lets the public highlight areas for improvement.”

The Strengthening Government Transparency Amendment Act of 2017 strengthens D.C.’s Freedom of Information Act, Open Meetings Act, and Open Government Office Act and codifies key components of past mayoral orders on open data.

The bill establishes in D.C. law the principle that if government information is deemed appropriate to share with one person under a Freedom of Information Act request, it should be shared with everyone and ought to be proactively published. It also shifts the Freedom of Information Act appeals process from the mayor’s office to the independent Office of Open Government, bringing more objectivity and expertise to the appeals process.

Additionally, the Open Meetings Act is reinforced by requiring that a public meeting is one where the public is permitted to be present, creating a complaint process for alleged violations, and a private right of action for residents when a meeting that should be open is improperly closed.

“Having an open and accountable government is something we should constantly strive for in D.C.,” Grosso said.

Councilmember Mary Cheh co-introduced the bill with Grosso.

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Councilmembers send letter opposing voucher expansion in D.C.

For Immediate Release: 
March 7, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Councilmembers send letter opposing voucher expansion in D.C.

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso, chairperson of the Committee on Education, released the following statement regarding a letter he sent with a majority of his colleagues to House of Representatives Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) opposing legislation to reauthorize and expand the Congressionally-imposed school vouchers program:

“Despite ample evidence that the Congressionally-imposed voucher program is ineffective, and while D.C. public schools improve every year, some members of Congress continue to see our city as their personal petri dish. With the new Administration and leadership in the Department of Education, it is even clearer that our public education system is and will remain under attack.

“It is insulting to our constituents that members of Congress, where D.C. has no voting representation, would push their personal agendas on our city in a way they could never do in their home states. Attacking D.C. home rule, including any expansion of the voucher program, is irresponsible governing on the part of Congress.

“Rather than siphoning public dollars into private ventures, we should continue the progress made in our public schools – both traditional and charter – that will put every child in the District of Columbia in the best position to succeed.”

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CM Grosso Letter to Rep. Chaffetz on D.C. Vouchers by Team_Grosso on Scribd

Attacking transgender students' rights is unconscionable

For Immediate Release: 
February 22, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Attacking transgender students' rights is unconscionable

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso released the following statement on a letter issued by the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice reversing guidance issued by the Obama administration to protect transgender students:

“I’m dismayed that the first significant education policy to come out of the Trump White House attacks the right of children to learn in a welcoming and supportive environment. The rescinding of an Obama administration guidance intended to provide equitable access to education is unconscionable. The actions of adults do not go unnoticed by students and this sends a dangerous signal that leaders are not looking out for the best interest of the most vulnerable.

“To the transgender students at D.C. public and charter schools, please know that you are loved and that the city stands with you. The laws of the District of Columbia and federal civil rights laws still protect your right to be your true self without fear of discrimination.  This letter from the Trump administration cannot change that.

“I’m not surprised that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos would authorize this letter.  Throughout her confirmation, she demonstrated a lack of policy understanding and a track record of undermining public education. She used her first week in office as an opportunity to question the dedication of D.C. teachers.  And now this.

“I’m even more disappointed that a former mayor of this city, Tony Williams, endorsed her for this position. I again repeat my call that Mayor Bowser stand with our transgender students, our teachers, and our public education system and remove Mayor Williams from the Cross Sector Collaboration Task Force.

“As chairperson of the Council’s Education Committee, I will continue to fight for the human rights of every student in the District of Columbia so that they may focus on succeeding in their educational pursuits.”

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Statement of Councilmember Grosso on mayor’s advancement of paid leave

For Immediate Release: 
February 16, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Statement of Councilmember Grosso on mayor’s advancement of paid leave

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso released the following statement on the mayor’s advancement of the Universal Paid Leave Act of 2015:

“We are now one step closer to relieving D.C. families and workers from the difficult choice between a paycheck and caring for a loved one.

“Paid leave provides financial stability to workers while allowing them to care for ailing family members. Parents who take leave after the arrival of a new child will return to work in better general health. More women will participate in the work place. Infant mortality will decline.

“The bill is also good for all businesses. They will now have a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining highly qualified employees with a progressive benefit that they can offer to all their workers at a fraction of the cost of providing it themselves.

“All this while continuing the upward trajectory of D.C.’s thriving economy.

“I appreciate the mayor advancing this legislation without her signature. I recognize the concerns she raised and commit to working with her and the rest of the Council to address them as we move forward with implementation.

“I urge the Congress to respect D.C. and our democratic right to enact policies and allow paid leave to become law.”

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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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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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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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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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