DC Government

Lyft Launches “Oppose DC’s Ridesharing Tax” Campaign

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Ruth for passing on from Lyft:

“Oppose DC’s Ridesharing Tax

DC’s City Council is considering a 500% increase in taxes on Lyft rides. We need your help to keep Lyft affordable in the District.

Ed. Note: From the Washington Post:

“The proposal, which had first been floated in budget documents released this week, would raise the “gross receipts tax” on Uber, Lyft and Via ride-hailing services from 1 to 6 percent, rather than the 4.75 percent Bowser had proposed. The mayor sought the tax increase as a way to help raise money for the District’s $178 million share of dedicated funding for the Metro rail system.”

If approved, this tax will be one of the highest on Lyft in the country. It will make Lyft less affordable for the many District residents who count on us for reliable transportation – particularly those who live far from transit or need rides when transit doesn’t operate.

We’ve collaborated with DC City Council since arriving in the District in 2013, and we will continue to work with them to make transportation affordable and accessible for all. But they need to hear from passengers like you about this proposed tax. Take a moment to send them a message.”

Congrats to Mayor Bowser on the Adoption of her new baby!!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From the Mayor last night:

“It is with great joy and excitement that I share with you that late last year, I decided to begin the adoption journey. I was not sure how long it would take, and to my delight, it advanced much sooner than I expected. So today, I am proud to announce that I am a mom!”

Full statement after the jump. (more…)

“After several polite check-ins with DPW and reassurances and apologies on their part, we still do not have a trash can.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

In March, my trash can was gone when I went to bring it in from the curb at 8am. It was clearly marked with our house number, and we looked and never found it. We live in Mt. Pleasant. On March 23, I called DC DPW to inquire about next steps, and submitted the $45 charge the same day online for a replacement.

After several polite check-ins with DPW and reassurances and apologies on their part, we still do not have a trash can.

Is this typical? What is going on? Wondering what readers have experienced.”

I guess this answers my question about this one.

Also related:

“DCRA has also approved revised permits (several of which to the deceased owner’s husband who predeceased her in the 90s)”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I am the neighbor of a house that has been issued 2 stop work orders. The house was bought by Dilan Investments in April 2018 from the estate of the previous owner. Over the course of a few days, Dilan gutted the house down to a dirt subfloor, which included demolishing the back exterior wall, all first floor joists, half of the second floor joists, all interior walls, and the staircase. Only postcard permits for non load bearing/ non structural work had been approved at this point. On April 25, stop work order was issued by DCRA for exceeding the scope of the permits and failure to notify neighbors as required by DC Code when the work affects adjoining properties (removing all the joists affects party walls and foundations).

Since April 25, DCRA has not required Dilan to secure the unsupported party walls nor required them to place a barrier to cover the exterior of the home which is open to the elements and rodents. Both of these actions are required by DC Code.

DCRA has also approved revised permits (several of which to Mr. W, the deceased owner’s husband who predeceased her in the ’90s) while the stop work order has been in place and without neighbor notifications. Dilan asserted that his permits were approved and the stop work order was lifted and removed it from the window. DCRA posted a new stop work order but also continued to approve permits without requiring the neighbor notification. A DCRA employee stated that the permit should not have been approved while the stop work order is effective. Additionally, how are the permits valid if they were issued to the deceased prior owner, Mr. W. (more…)

“Dog struck and killed by car while on evening walk on leash with owner, Hill East 5/15”

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

From Jen, HillEast resident of 15 years:

“Around 730pm last night [Tuesday], Goldy the cockapoo was struck and killed by a car in the crosswalk at the intersection of Constitution and 12th St NE. The motorist was traveling East on Constitution through the four way stop intersection. Goldy’s human, a Capitol Hill resident, was on the other end of the leash in the crosswalk with Goldy when the car struck.

Dr. Antkowiak of AtlasVet heard shouts from his front stoop and ran down to the intersection with two friends. Goldy was on her side in critical shape. Dr. A got a quick history from the owner while starting CPR. Unfortunately, Goldy was too far gone for resuscitation and passed away within 60 seconds or less. The driver of the car did come back and gave Goldy’s human his information. (more…)

“Any advice on how to get a human at the Office of Tax and Revenue to help?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

The DC government never gave me my 2017 tax refund, and I am running into nothing but dead ends (and hold lines) in an attempt to resolve the issue. Has anyone had this experience and/or have any advice on how to get a human at the Office of Tax and Revenue to help me?

I am able to log into the MyTax DC account and I can see that my individual income tax return was “processed” on April 2, 2018. I can see that a balance is owed to me, but this refund has not been mailed or direct deposited, and there is no indication it is going to be returned to me. My refund is basically just sitting there as a positive balance.

My attempts to contact the Office of Tax and Revenue have not been fruitful: (more…)

If you recently got ticketed for leaving your trash can out – you’re in luck!!

By Prince Of Petworth

Team PoPville always on your side!!

From DPW:

“The Department of Public Works (DPW) has dismissed all Notice of Violations (NOV) issued for solid waste containers being in public space at the wrong time for those who had not previously received a warning. The dismissal applies to 377 citations issued between February 19 (Presidents’ Day) and May 15. Moving forward, DPW’s Solid Waste and Education Enforcement Program (SWEEP) inspectors will issue warnings for this violation type prior to issuing a citation, which carries a $75 fine. (more…)

“How can anyone possibly track success or failure if these stats don’t exist?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Laura

“Dear PoPville,

I have tried without success to find the DC Police clearance rate when it comes to murders, shootings and robberies. In Chicago, the police only clear 4% of shootings and 14% of murders. To remedy this, they are considering adding more detectives. I live in Park View and in my personal experience, I rarely see any of these types of crimes cleared. The police say they don’t track these stats. [Ed. Note: I’m sure they must track homicides clearances, maybe they don’t share it with us but surely they track it, no?] Obviously other cities do, so why don’t we? How can anyone possibly track success or failure if these stats don’t exist?”

Update: Related –

Your chance to give DDOT feedback on Dockless Bikes

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) launched a new survey to get feedback about the dockless vehicle demonstration project that is currently being piloted in the District.

The survey is designed to get a better understanding of how the program fits in the District’s existing bikesharing system and the profile of current dockless bikeshare riders. The survey asks respondents to evaluate the program and provide their perspective as riders or non-riders, respectively. The survey will be open to the public until June 1, 2018. (more…)

BREAKING: Outdoor Pools Open Saturday, May 26!!

By Prince Of Petworth


Beautiful, beautiful Banneker. 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW

Another way to shake these Monday morning blues – the finest sign of spring – outdoor pool season!!

Lots of folks have been asking when we roll so here’s the good word from DPR:

“All pools will open Satuday, May 26, Memorial Day weekend except East Potomac and Langdon. We operate weekends only until school is out. Then (6) days/week, each pool has a dedicated closed day. East Potomac will be offline summer 2018 – it will open in 2019. Langdon will open in June 2018.

Grand Opening event with Mayor Bowser #JumpInDC”

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