DC Government

“DC Unemployment Benefit Tax”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was laid off during COVID. Fortunately I received a one time payment of severance to tide me over while I looked for another job. Still panicky about being unemployed during a global pandemic, I filed for unemployment benefits. Those were denied due to my severance, and I ended up getting a new job before my severance was used up (though it paid less than the unemployment benefits would have) so I never actually was eligible for, nor did I receive any unemployment benefits.

Yesterday I got a letter from DC requesting I pay taxes on $240 worth of unemployment benefits (which I never actually received.) (more…)

About that Cryptic Traffic Advisory Last Night – it’s for “the inauguration perimeter”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by C Buoscio

Late last night MPD tweeted: “Traffic Advisory: On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at approximately 6 am, morning commuters should be aware of parking restrictions & potential street closures in the downtown area. Stay tuned for additional updates.”

I got lots of concerned queries asking what this was about. The Mayor now explains:

“Allow for additional travel time in and around downtown. All are encouraged to sign up for text alerts, text INAUG2021 to 888-777.

This is the beginning of the installation of the inauguration perimeter around the White House, the Mall, the Capitol and parts of downtown.” (more…)

Mayor’s Order Extending the Pause of Various Activities (including indoor dining) through Inauguration

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Vincent

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2021-004 to extend a pause of various activities in the District until Friday, January 22, 2021, at 5:00 a.m.

Even for those activities that are not paused by Order, the Mayor strongly encourages residents to be cautious and to limit their exposure to other people so as to limit the spread of COVID-19.”

You can see the Mayor’s Order 2021-004 1-11-2021 (PDF) here.

“beginning today, DC residents aged 65 and older are able to make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that beginning today, Monday, January 11, DC residents aged 65 and older are able to make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine through the vaccinate.dc.gov portal or by calling the District’s coronavirus call center (1-855-363-0333). Residents will be able to schedule a vaccination through the call center Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Additionally, residents can get connected to the call center by dialing 311. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser’s Letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf Regarding Inauguration Preparations”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by angela n.

From the Office of the Mayor:

“January 9, 2021

The Honorable Chad F. Wolf
Acting Secretary
United States Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

Dear Acting Secretary Wolf:

Following the unprecedented terrorist attack on the United States Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, and the continued threat of related violence in the District of Columbia, we are extremely concerned about the upcoming National Special Security Event (NSSE) led by the United States Secret Service. We believe strongly that the 59th Presidential Inauguration on January 20 will require a very different approach than previous inaugurations given the chaos, injury, and death experienced at the United States Capitol during the insurrection. While I will be reaching out to a broad range of local, regional, and federal partners to enhance cooperation among our bodies, I strongly urge the United States Department of Homeland Security to adjust its approach to the Inauguration in several specific ways. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Issues Mayor’s Order Extending Today’s Public Emergency for 15 Days”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Tim Brown

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, First Amendment protests turned violent. Many persons came to the District armed and for the purpose of engaging in violence and destruction and have engaged in violence and destruction. They have fired chemical irritants, bricks, bottles, and guns. They have breached the security of the Capitol and their destructive and riotous behavior has the potential to spread beyond the Capitol. Their motivation is ongoing. (more…)

Reports That the D.C. National Guard on the way to the Capitol

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by DP 3:25pm

DP reports: “police escorting buses towards the capitol”

From the DC Council: “We understand that the request has subsequently been approved since we posted this online moments ago, but wanted to share it with you for the record.

DC COUNCIL STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE’S DENIAL OF DC’S NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT REQUEST

The District of Columbia Council issued the following statement today:

Today, the Department of Defense denied a request by Mayor Muriel Bowser to expand the responsibilities of the District of Columbia National Guard so that they would be authorized to protect and restore order at the Capitol Building. That request was denied.

The Council is in full support of the Mayor’s request. We are appalled that this fundamental request was denied. We urge the Department of Defense to reconsider their decision, and to allow the National Guard to restore safety and sanctity to the Capitol, the cornerstone of our Democracy.”


Photo by Elena (more…)

BREAKING: “Mayor Bowser Orders Citywide Curfew Beginning at 6PM Today”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7.

During the hours of the curfew, no person, other than persons designated by the Mayor, shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand, or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park, or other public place within the District.

The curfew imposed by the Mayor’s Order shall not apply to essential workers, including working media with their outlet-issued credentials, when engaged in essential functions, including travel to and from their essential work.”

AG Racine joins Mayor Bowser with call “To maximize safety, we also encourage every District resident to stay home and avoid downtown this week”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Geoff Livingston

Ed. Note: Last night the Washington Post reported that a Proud Boy leader was arrested for burning a Black Lives Matter banner last month and

“Police said Tarrio, who was in custody Monday evening, also was charged with two felony counts of possession of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, which is a legal term for a magazine that allows guns to hold additional bullets.”

From the DC Attorney General’s Office:

“Attorney General Karl A. Racine today issued the following statement regarding the upcoming demonstrations that will take place in downtown D.C. on January 5 and 6.

“The District of Columbia is a community that respects every person. We also respect the First Amendment’s guarantees around freedom of expression and value peaceful protest as a hallowed American tradition.

“But the Constitution does not grant the right to commit violence or vandalize property, and there is certainly no right to engage in acts of hate.

“It has been publicly reported that several groups–including some that promote hate on a racial and religious basis–will be traveling to the District for demonstrations on January 5 and 6. Some may have plans to stay through the end of the week.

“Make no mistake: many of these individuals have stated that they are coming to the District to provoke residents and wreak havoc. (more…)

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