DC Government

“Ward 2 Election?” and Have those who’ve requested absentee ballots gotten them?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

I’m all in for getting rid of the overwhelming stench of Jack Evans and his pay-to-play version of public “service” (groan), but I’m a little overwhelmed by the number of candidates running to replace him. I fear that Jack will squeak back in with all the anti-Jack votes split between the candidates. Candidate forums ain’t happening these days, so what suggestions do you and/or your readers have for how I can make a good decision?

Given the volume of full-color flyers I’m getting in the mail, the candidates are spending some serious bucks to get my vote . . .”

And while we’re on the subject:

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I requested absentee ballots for the upcoming primary and general elections via the “Vote 4 DC” app. I received my ballot a few days later, voted, and as of this morning the DC BOE has posted on their website that they have accepted my ballot. It couldn’t have been easier. However, my husband, again using the same app, address, and no new updates since the last election, has not had any reply. He tried again this morning on the app and only got a generic absentee ballot request form to print out and mail in to the BOE.”

Breaking: “situational update for today says the District’s stay at home order is extended through June 8”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who sent from today’s situational update.

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-066 to extend the District’s public emergency and public health emergency and continue to require individuals to stay home through June 8, 2020. The Mayor’s Order can be found here.

“The continued sacrifices by residents and businesses are saving lives and helping us get to the other side of this incredibly difficult time for our city,” said Mayor Bowser. “Together, by staying home a little longer, soon we will be able to reopen DC safely and sustainably.”

As the District continues to prepares to #ReOpenDC, the Mayor today outlined several criteria based on federal guidance that the District must meet before beginning phased reopening: (more…)

“Delayed Unemployment Benefits in DC?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

After losing my DC retail manager job due to COVID-19 closures, I filed for unemployment insurance (UI) in DC in mid-March on the DOES website, and was approved quite quickly, and have continued to file every week for UI every week since mid-March.

With the CARES Act passed by Congress at the end of March, an additional $600 per week was to be added to whatever people qualified for with UI. My original UI amount was $200; I still have a part-time job based in Maryland that I can do remotely, and with that pay I make just too much to receive for any UI money in DC. But according to these DOES calculations  (see question 8), with the additional $600, I should get a total of $800 in UI, and after subtracting what I make with my Maryland job and taxes on UI, I should get around $400. (more…)

Make Sure You Are Counted – “You still have time to respond to the 2020 Census”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DC Census 2020:

“It’s not too late! You still have time to respond to the 2020 Census, and its never been easier. You can get counted online, over the phone or by mail-all without having to meet someone in person. All you need is your address to respond. Census impacts funding for emergency services, healthcare, housing, education and more. People across DC are keeping their families and communities safe and healthy by staying home, or serving the public by providing essential services. Every household can, and should, self-respond to the census now. Responding to the census yourself — is another way to do your part and help keep your community strong. It’s safe, easy and required by law. Complete the census today by phone 1-844-330-2020 or online at 2020census.gov.”

“DC’s COVID bill requires buildings to refund amenity fees if closed during emergencies”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Lisa Kaneff

Thanks to Lance for sending: “Page 21 of DC’s COVID bill requires buildings to refund amenity fees if closed during emergencies”. It says:

“(b) If, during a public health emergency that has been declared pursuant to section 5a of 478 the District of Columbia Public Emergency Act of 1980, effective October 17, 2002 (D.C. Law 479 14-194, D.C. Official Code § 7-2304.01) and consistent with applicable law or an Order issued 480 by the Mayor pursuant to section 5a of the District of Columbia Public Emergency Act of 1980, 481 effective October 17, 2002 (D.C. Law 14-194, D.C. Official Code § 7-2304.01), a housing 482 provider temporarily stops providing:483 “(1) An amenity that a tenant pays for in addition to the rent charged, then the 484 housing provider shall refund to the tenant pro rata any fee charged to the tenant for the amenity 485 during the public health emergency; or 486 “(2) A service or facility that is lawfully included in the rent charged, then the 487 housing provider shall not be required to reduce the rent charged pursuant to section 211 of the 488 Rental Housing Act of 1985 (D.C. Code sec. 42-3502.11).”.

“Are Apartment Rooftops Allowed to Open?”

By Prince Of Petworth


“Capital View on 14th St NW has reopened its roof and pool. Saturday, May 2, 2020”

“Dear PoPville,

I’d be interested to know the status of rooftops for buildings around DC? I emailed mine after the Mayors order struck language around rooftops from some of the social distancing guidelines and the building had no plans to reopen, however I see some are open based on friends social media posts.”

“Mayor Bowser Announces Relief for Residents Struggling with Student Loan Payments Due to COVID-19 Pandemic”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Clif Burns

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced expanded financial relief options for District residents who are struggling to pay private education loans due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The initiative, launched by the District and several states, will provide qualifying District residents with loan forbearance and other financial protections.

Residents with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans or privately-held student loans who are struggling to make their payments will be eligible for expanded relief. Twelve private education loan servicers have backed the initiative.

Relief options under the initiative include: (more…)

New Hospitals Announced for Howard University Hospital on Georgia Avenue NW in Ward 1 and St. Elizabeths East in Ward 8

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Ted Eytan

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced two monumental agreements to improve health care and address inequalities in health outcomes for District residents. The agreements include the construction of two new, state-of-the-art hospitals:

a 136-bed hospital at St. Elizabeths East in Ward 8, operated by Universal Health Services in conjunction with George Washington University and George Washington Medical Faculty Associates (GWMFA); and
a 225-bed Howard University Hospital on Georgia Avenue NW in Ward 1.

Both hospitals will build upon their existing and new networks of care to deliver fully integrated systems of care, offering the best in clinical integration. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Launches Online Survey for ReOpenDC; Also Provide Feedback at a Virtual Town Hall”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Tim Brown

From the Mayor’s Office:

“After launching the ReOpenDC Advisory Group, Mayor Muriel Bowser is seeking feedback from District residents, workers, and employers through an online survey and virtual town hall.

“Like cities and countries around the world, the District’s response to COVID-19 has been unprecedented, and so too will be the process of reopening,” said Mayor Bowser. “Every resident has a seat at the table and an opportunity to share their perspective, thoughts, and dreams. Our hope isn’t just to simply ReOpenDC, but to be a better DC when we do reopen.”

The ReOpenDC Virtual Town Hall will provide an opportunity for District residents to learn about the work of ReOpenDC and to ask questions of Mayor Bowser and ReOpenDC co-chairs, Ambassador Susan Rice and Secretary Michael Chertoff. The virtual town hall will occur on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. To register, visit coronavirus.dc.gov/reopendc.

“Our focus will be on harnessing the best ideas from residents and experts across the public and private sectors to plan the re-opening of the District,” said Ambassador Rice. “Only through active and ongoing engagement with our neighbors will we be able to form a plan for reopening that aligns with public expectations while emphasizing the need to improve the quality-of-life of all District residents.”

The ReOpenDC survey, which can also be accessed on coronavirus.dc.gov/reopendc, asks residents to share their feedback regarding reopening, as well as any big ideas, concerns, or feedback about reopening. (more…)

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