DC Government

“Still waiting on back pay for unemployment between August and December”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was laid off and received a severance payment at the beginning of August. My understanding is that unemployment office needs to verify the credibility of severance before continuing with weekly UI payments but will issue back pay for the weeks it took to verify the severance payment. This is what I was reassured by a number of operators when I called the unemployment hotline throughout the summer and early fall.

I filled out the initial fact finding survey to verify my severance, but then in November I was told to fill out another fact finding survey and then again in December. Calling the hotline doesn’t get me anywhere really because the phone operators obviously don’t have the power to clear what’s holding up my case. (more…)

Update on the Rehabilitation of Broad Branch Road NW

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), has released the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Rehabilitation of Broad Branch Road, NW (proposed action). The proposed action involves the rehabilitation of 1.5 miles of Broad Branch Road, NW between Linnean Avenue, NW and Beach Drive, NW. The proposed action will improve roadway and drainage infrastructure conditions, enhance safety operations for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, improve intersections and provide ADA-compliant sidewalks for the entire length of the corridor. (more…)

“DC Tax Refunds?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Diane Krauthamer

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if anyone has heard anything about DC tax refund statuses? The DC Office of Tax and Revenue has a dead link up on their website for checking the status of refunds – I haven’t been able to reach anyone to get any information! Wondering if any of your readers who have filed their tax returns have received their refunds yet.

“New DC Covid Vaccine Registration Details”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Bridget for sending: “All the new details are live on the site, including the break downs of distribution.”

From the website:

“DC will launch a pre-registration system for making vaccination appointments on Wednesday, March 10 at the link below or through the COVID-19 Call Center at 1-855-363-0333. If you are in an eligible population, you may be contacted via email or phone beginning Friday, March 12 to book one of the 14,680 appointments being made available through the portal and call center. Due to limits on available appointments, it may takes weeks for you to receive an invitation to book an appointment.”

“DC recordation tax?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Jim Havard

“Dear PoPville,

We did a cash-out refinance in DC and were charged a recordation tax (“state mortgage tax / stamps to hold for recording”) in addition to the recordation fee. It seems to us that we shouldn’t have been charged the tax. Can real estate lawyers in the Popville cotillion help us either be convinced we were correctly charged the tax or prove to our lender and settlement company why this was incorrect? This is for an owner-occupied home in DC with no other units. Any help you all can provide would be greatly appreciated!

“According to DDOT’s survey, 89% of local businesses operating a streatery overwhelmingly support a permanent DDOT Streatery Program.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser called on the Council of the District of Columbia to take up and pass the Reopen Washington, DC Alcohol Act to help support the District’s recovery and provide innovative approaches to help rebuild the District’s economy. The Bowser Administration released two public surveys conducted by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Office of Planning (OP) showing broad support for the DC Streatery Program, and that restaurants have experienced positive economic benefits by participating in the DC Streatery Program. According to DDOT’s survey, 89% of local businesses operating a streatery overwhelmingly support a permanent DDOT Streatery Program.

“Our local business community has been resilient, but we know that to get through this pandemic and ultimately recover, we will also need to seize this opportunity to be bold and innovative,” said Mayor Bowser. “The Streatery Program has been one example of a lifeline that helped businesses operate safely, stay afloat, keep their employees on the payroll. We look forward to working with the Council to extend the Streatery Program, even after the public health emergency ends.”

Proposed provisions in the Reopen Washington, DC Alcohol Act include: (more…)

“It’s progress.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Readers report: “There is now a waiting room”

“It’s progress.”

“Way better today.”

“It worked. Smooth. Got in for next week.”

“I got one with zero issues! Good luck, everyone!”

“No issues today! Woohoo”

“It works!!! It also tells you which vaccine is being offered which is nice.”

“Success! Much faster and easier than prior weeks. Secured an appointment within minutes.”

Good Morning, Today is Monday March 1st and that used to mean

By Prince Of Petworth

The start of street sweeping and finding proper parking spaces. Alas on March 15th 2020, almost a year ago, street sweeping was suspended for the public health emergency. DPW confirmed street sweeping would remain suspended during phase two of the public health emergency. As we are still in phase two it seems there is still no need to move those cars. Will update should DPW/the Mayor’s office change that directive.

Today in Vaccine Appointment Registration Frustration

By Prince Of Petworth

You are not alone, again.

Readers report: “How did the DC COVID website crash again!?!? Third day in a row”

Despite the frustration there’s still a chance if you don’t get in at first:

“Just keep refreshing the page don’t start over. I was able to sign up after 10 minutes of just hitting refresh each time I got a “service unavailable” page after clicking to the next page. It’s really frustrating though…”

“Yes – keep hitting refresh! I had totally given up after the site crashed a bunch and was on hold for 30 minutes then read this, hit refresh and it went through”

Update from DC Health: “Appointments that opened today are filled. More available for eligible residents in priority zip codes on March 4. Additional appointments for all DC residents 65+, those with a qualifying medical condition (18+), and/or members of an eligible workforce group on Friday, March 5.”

The frustration though: (more…)

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