DC Government

DC Council vote on gym membership tax?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user *tinadelarosa

I’m getting a lot of emails from readers (usually forwarded on from gym owners) like:

“The DC Council will assemble tomorrow, Friday May 7th to vote on whether to impose a 6-8% tax on gym memberships and other fitness related services.

This will likely result in an increased cost in fitness-related services across the board.”

I also got some from Yoga studios.

But Council Member Jim Graham’s tweets only confused the issue for me, first he writes:

“This may be the most unpopular budget-revenue-generating suggestion in history.”

then

“There is NO PROPOSAL to tax health club memberships. The Fair Budget Coalition has proposed that not the Council or the Mayor. It is a hoax”

So firstly, does anyone know if this for real or a hoax? Secondly, I heard soda might be taxed more as well. So my questions are – do you think either of these taxes would be reasonable considering current DC budget woes?

How Strong is DC’s “fondness for weed”?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

This morning The Post writes:

“The D.C. Council is set to vote Tuesday on legalizing medical marijuana, thereby allowing the chronically ill — including those with HIV, glaucoma or cancer — to buy pot from dispensaries in Washington.

Yet marijuana is already ubiquitous in many parts of the city, as demonstrated by federal surveys showing that Washingtonians’ fondness for weed is among the strongest in the country — and growing.”

I’m just curious if your experiences support this article. In my experiences weed was much more prevalent in Cincinnati, Ohio than DC. But, I’m just curious what you guys think.

Also I’m not really sure what the point of this front page article is but if DC passes the medical marijuana bill do you think it will lead to a greater “fondness for weed” in DC? Will it de-stigmatize pot? Is pot even stigmatized at the moment? Do you think this is the first step in the ultimate decriminalization of marijuana?

Friday Question of the Day – Should Businesses be in a tax free zone during streetscape construction?

By Prince Of Petworth

Above is a photo of what Sticky Fingers endured during the Park Road Streetscape improvement (across from the Giant Grocery store in Columbia Heights.) And of course many businesses on H St, NE are enduring similar sights while the streetcar rails are installed.

Here is some legislation being considered:

Streetscape Construction Small Business Relief

Do you think this is a reasonable request from Small Business owners given the current financial situation the city is in?

First Modern Streetcar to Debut in the District May 5th

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo courtesy of DDOT DC

Those who follow DDOTDC on twitter have eagerly been awaiting their “big streetcar news” that they said was coming this morning. Well here it is:

“District residents, workers and visitors will soon get their first opportunity to step aboard one of the District’s new modern streetcars. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host the DC Streetcar Showcase from Wednesday, May 5 through Saturday, May 8, 2010 at City Center DC, the site of the old convention center.

“We are getting closer and closer to putting streetcars back on the streets of the District, and we know there are a lot of people who are just as excited about their return as we are,” said DDOT Director Gabe Klein. “This will be a great opportunity for them to see a modern streetcar up close, inside and out, and to learn more about how they will operate in the District.”

After a 50 year hiatus, streetcars will once again operate in the nation’s capital in 2012, and at the showcase next week Mayor Fenty and city officials are expected to make some significant announcements about the program and other transit services in the District. In addition to the Streetcar program, DDOT also operates the DC Circulator bus system and a bikesharing network.

Showcase Details

The District owns three streetcars, which are currently stored at Metro’s rail yard in Greenbelt, Maryland. For the showcase, DDOT will transport one of the vehicles downtown where it will be set on temporary tracks in Lot B of City Center DC. The public will be able to access the lot from the intersection of 9th and H Streets, NW, which is just north of the Gallery Place Metro station on the Green and Yellow lines.

Admittance to the Showcase is free. The event schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, May 5, 11am – 7pm
• Thursday, May 6, 11am – 7pm
• Friday, May 7, 11am – 7pm
• Saturday, May 8, 11am – 5pm

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Zoning Commission approves raising cap for Arts Overlay to 30 percent

By Prince Of Petworth

A few weeks ago there was concern that the U and 14th Streets, NW area had reached its cap of 25% for eating and drinking establishments. On twitter @dcra reports, “Zoning Commission approves raising cap for Arts Overlay to 30 percent immediately – agrees to consider further increase at June”. While we heard that the cap could’ve increased to 50% an initial increase to 30% should at least allow a few more new places to set up. Presumably the percentage will increase a bit more in June.

CM Graham Updates Community on Broken Juvenile Crime System

By Prince Of Petworth

Most agree that the juvenile criminal system is broken in DC. Sometimes it takes a major tragedy to kickstart reforms. I hope this is a real first step toward reform. Following is an update from CM Jim Graham (Ward-1) on what is being done (from CH Listserv):

“Over the last couple of weeks we have engaged in a productive discussion about the juvenile and adult justice systems. Many of us have been working hard at this for a long time. I appreciate the dialogue and suggestions of so many of you.

The horrible series of shootings in Southeast that left 5 dead, including 4 teenagers, and five others wounded has angered and saddened all of us. This shooting could have happened anywhere in the city. I have had several conversations with the great-aunt of 16 year old Brishell Jones, who happens to live in Ward One. I also was moved by the testimony of Brishell’s mother and grandmother on Monday.

The cycle of retaliatory youth related violence and the revolving doors in our juvenile justice system must stop.

I continue my work on education, jobs, training, substance abuse treatment and other opportunities for young people.

I want successful rehabilitation programs for youthful offenders–but, when those programs are not successful, I want secure detention to protect the youth, and the rest of us.

Yesterday, I introduced a bill, along with my colleagues Tommy Wells and Phil Mendelson, that will establish a Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform. The Commission will review current policies, outcomes and resources at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and the Family Court Social Services. The 9 member Commission will consist of 3 representatives selected by the Mayor, 3 selected by Council Chair Vincent Gray and 3 selected by Chief Judge Lee Satterfield.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Medical marijuana bill up for a vote today, DC Voting Rights Bill Pulled

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

From DC Wire:

Under the bill, which has already cleared two committees, a patient who suffers from HIV, glaucoma, cancer or a “chronic and lasting disease” may receive a doctor’s recommendation to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana in a 30-day period.

The bill is expected to easily pass the council today, perhaps by a unanimous vote. The council will then have to vote on it a second time next month. But it will likely be at least several months before the city’s medical marijuana program gets off the ground.

I guess it’s just coincidence that it falls on 4/20…

And in other DC political news – it looks like the poll we took last Friday did not reflect the sentiment of the Council. The legislation for a DC Vote in Congress has been pulled.

Chlorine Spike for some in NW, Don’t Drink the Water!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user J Y W

From a WASA email:

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA) is advising customers in a specific area of Northwest not to use water until further notice because of a higher-than-normal chlorine concentration.

The boundaries of the area in question are indicated below.

West Boundary: MacArthur Boulevard, NW

North Boundary: Western Avenue and Eastern Avenue, NW

East Boundary: Amtrak railroad

South Boundary (east side of Rock Creek): Upshur Street, NW

South Boundary (west side of Rock Creek): Calvert Street to Observatory Circle to W Street

The spike happened early this morning at DC WASA’s unmanned Fort Reno facility when it was offline for routine maintenance disinfection. At 7:30 this morning, operators at the DC WASA Bryant Street Pump Station identified a drop in the reservoir at Fort Reno, which indicated the possibility of a chlorine spike. DC WASA immediately dispatched staff to confirm a higher-than-normal chlorine concentration in the water, which they determined had happened at approximately 5 a.m.

Customers who used water with excess chlorine may have noticed taste and odor problems. While unlikely, the chlorine may also cause a reaction in individuals with sensitive skin. Anyone who observes such a reaction should contact a physician.

DC WASA notified the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region III immediately upon learning of the chlorine spike. Water-quality crews are monitoring the system across the entire affected area and will advise the public when the water supply has returned to normal. Our staff is also assessing the causes of the problem.

Customers with questions should call the DC WASA 24-hour Emergency Center at 202-612-3400.

Friday Question of the Day – DC Voting Rights, At What Cost?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user noahdevereaux

In Thursday’s Washington Post there is an article titled Deal on DC vote in House to be revived:

Congressional leaders intend to resurrect a D.C. voting rights bill as early as next week, despite opposition from many city leaders to an amendment that would eliminate most of the District’s gun-control laws.

The final details of the bill were being worked out Wednesday, but House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said he expects the legislation to clear the House and to include some version of the pro-gun language that has bogged down the measure since last year.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), the city’s non-voting House member, and congressional leaders said they are negotiating to weaken the gun amendment language. But Norton said she is unwilling to sacrifice the opportunity to win a long-sought voting seat for the District by insisting on a stand-alone bill.

[Ed. Note: We’ve since learned that Sen. Orin Hatch from Utah may filibuster the Bill anyway if it gets to the Senate because he doesn’t like the way the extra Utah representative will be voted in (state wide vs district wide election).]

But the question still remains – should the District of Columbia sacrifice it’s gun legislation in exchange for getting a vote in Congress?


CM Graham’s Office Responds to “Re-zoning for new Buildings on Harvard between 11 & 13th, NW”

By Prince Of Petworth

Tuesday’s discussion sparked many comments about the possibility of development on this lot. I received word from CM Graham’s office late Tuesday afternoon. I’ve been told that they will get back to me with more details Wed. afternoon. But in the meantime to clear up some people’s concerns, following is a brief update from CM Graham’s Communications Director Brian DeBose:

“This project has been a dream of the Carlos Rosario group, for about 5 years. Nothing has come of it to this point. This is a preliminary early first step. The school’s lease gives them some management control and authority over the use of the land. They have retained Holland and Knight [law firm]. And it is Holland and Knight who sent out the notice, but they have to by law make clear that the city owns the property.”

In other words, the original letter was not sent by the city but was sent by the law firm hired by the Rosario group. I will be following the proposed development of this site very closely. Should any meetings be scheduled or more details be released I’ll be sure to update.

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