Federal Government

District of Columbia Census Data 2020: Population 689,545

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Geoff Livingston

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released initial state-level counts from the 2020 Census that reports DC’s population growth nearly tripled compared to the previous decade. The 2020 Census reports DC’s population at 689,545, a 14.6% increase since the 2010 Census. This increase represents the seventh highest growth rate in the nation. During the previous decade, between 2000 and 2010, DC’s population grew by 5.2%, or just under 30,000 people, from 572,059 to 601,723; between 2010 and 2020, the District’s population grew by nearly 88,000 people.

Ed. Note: Census 2020 numbers for DC are 689,545. In 2019 it was estimated at 705,749. (more…)

Congresswoman Norton: “We request that the U.S. Botanic Garden display male and female hemp plants.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Matt Steenhoek

From a press release:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a letter on April 20, 2021, requesting that the U.S. Botanic Garden display hemp plants.

The full letter follows below. (more…)

“Today, for the second time in two years, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted in favor of making Washington, DC the 51st state.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted 216-208 to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51):

“Today, for the second time in two years, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted in favor of making Washington, DC the 51st state.

“This vote comes at a critical time when Americans nationwide are eager to deliver on the promise of liberty and justice for all. For centuries, an incremental approach to equality in America has delayed this promise for too many. Now is the time for bold action.

“We know well the grave injustices our nation was built on. We also know that progress has been made time and time again because elected leaders and everyday citizens had the courage and vision to demand a more inclusive democracy. (more…)

“COVID vaccine availability in DC?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was hoping I’d find something about current vaccine availability (or lack thereof) in D.C., as I pre-registered with the D.C. government many weeks ago and I still haven’t heard anything from them since the April 12 public availability date. I’m not seeing much in local news stories either, so I’m wondering if it’s just me. Are you hearing anything about people actually getting scheduled for appointments in the last week?”

For those who’ve gotten vaccinated – did you get it through the DC registration portal or other ways like the one below?

Another reader passes on from their Federal office: “Thursday and Friday of this week, you can obtain a COVID-19 vaccination with no appt needed/walk-up at the Museum of Natural History on 10th and Constitution Ave. This opportunity applies to all federal employees and contractors.”

UPDATE from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: “This site provides COVID-19 vaccinations to federal essential critical infrastructure workers whose job responsibilities put them at greater risk from the pandemic.

Agencies identified employees as essential critical infrastructure workers eligible to receive a vaccine at this time based on job duties and CISA’s Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response.

Other civilian Federal employees should make an appointment to receive their vaccinations in their state or local jurisdictions as eligibility has expanded to all Americans 16+ as of Monday!”

“$156 Million Loan to DC Water to Accelerate Critical Infrastructure Repairs”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Tim Brown

From DC Water:

“At an event with Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, U.S. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, DC Water Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David L. Gadis, and other local officials, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced a $156 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water). This loan will help finance water infrastructure improvements throughout the city, including new water mains to improve drinking water quality and reduce service disruptions resulting from breaks in aged pipes. (more…)

About that Helicopter June 1st, “A Washington Post investigation last year estimated the height was 45 feet.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Sam Ward near Judiciary Square

About those low flying helicopters at the June BLM protests the Washington Post now reports:

“In an announcement, the Army said one helicopter “hovered under 100 feet” over the heads of people in the nation’s capital on June 1 as D.C. police and federal agencies worked to disperse crowds protesting police brutality after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis days earlier. (more…)

“Where’s my stimulus money?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Jordan Barab

“Dear PoPville,

received a letter from the IRS stating that my direct deposit had been scheduled for March 13. Same information displayed on the Get My Payment website. Never received the money. After about two weeks, I called my bank. They said they have no record of payment from the IRS.

Checked Get My Payment again a few days later, and it says my check was mailed April 2. (more…)

Continuing Christmas Tree Coverage Continues with the newly visible National Christmas Tree

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Andrew Leyden

Thanks to Andrew for this morning’s update: “Went to visit the National Christmas Tree this morning for first time in months since White House fences closed access. Kind of a bit brownish. Needs some attention after a few months alone.”

Last Christmas Tree in Town is brought to you by the Friends of the White Whale Society!

Mayor Bowser: “I come to urge this committee and this Congress to move beyond the tired, non-factual anti-DC Statehood rhetoric and extend full democracy to the residents of the District of Columbia”; EHN “Congress can no longer allow D.C. residents to be sidelined in the democratic process”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Mr.TinDC

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser testifies before the House Oversight and Reform Committee at a hearing on the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51).

Below is the Mayor’s full testimony, as prepared for delivery.

Chairman Maloney, Ranking Member Comer, and members of this esteemed Committee, on behalf of the 712,000 residents of the District of Columbia, I thank you for convening this hearing on H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act. In particular, we thank you for shepherding this measure to passage during the 116th Congress; and we respectfully seek your support to marshal it to passage again.

I want to especially thank our Congresswoman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, who has championed equality for Washington, DC throughout her tenure, while skillfully delivering jobs, opportunity, and greater self-determination.

I am Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, DC, and I am honored to come before this committee to ask Congress to right the wrong that happened some 220 years ago when the residents of the District of Columbia were stripped of their full congressional representation.

Two years ago, in the 116th Congress, I came before this committee under the leadership of the late Elijah Cummings to dispel erroneous arguments, against DC Statehood. These are the bad-faith arguments we hear time and time again: (more…)

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