Council Of The District Of Columbia

In the latest Hearing the Council video interview (from April 21), Chairman Phil Mendelson takes a deep dive into the current year's budget. From the "Incomplete" grade possibly earned by some parts of the Mayor's budget submission this year to the complicated triangular relationship between the Council, the Mayor, and the Chief Financial Officer, it's a good look into some "I've always wondered" questions about the budget. We talk budget strategy, which way things are heading, the status of free buses...plus what the Chairman's walk-in music should be, and why his colleagues hate his poetry. Don't miss it.

In her record tenth Hearing the Council interview, Ward One Councilmember Brianne Nadeau talks about the priorities and expansive jurisdiction of her new Committee on Public Works and Operations (which includes contracting, human rights, half of the prior Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, and more). We delve into parking enforcement (given the recent focus on dangerous drivers with thousands of dollars of unpaid tickets), and also discuss next steps for her long-planned vending reform bill. Plus, she tackles the latest round of "which colleague/which task" fun questions, and discloses she once wrote "angsty poetry."

In this Hearing the Council interview, we sat down with At-Large Councilmember Robert White to discuss his new committee chairmanship, with the Committee on Housing. For the first time in several years, both housing and homelessness are under the jurisdiction of the same committee, so we discuss the recent clearing of an encampment at McPherson Square. We talk about the infamous and perpetual waiting list for housing vouchers. We return to the topic we first broached on the show back in 2021, which is now attracting broader attention: the conversion of downtown office buildings into residential use. We discuss the current Congressional and Presidential interference with the Revised Criminal Code. Plus, to lighten things up, Councilmember White picks which of his colleagues he'd assign to a variety of oddball tasks. Be sure to watch!

In this latest Hearing the Council interview, we sat down with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson to discuss the critical topic of out-of-school time (OST) for our youth. We covered the topic of extended recreation center hours, the new summer camp signup lottery (goodbye, Ticketmaster-style Hunger Games!), how increased youth recreational options can help improve public safety, and the need for tailored OST activities for children with special needs. Plus, which councilmember's hypothetical poetry she would seek out, and whose she would actively avoid.

In this Hearing the Council interview, we discuss Transportation and the Environment with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen. On January 2 of this year, Councilmember Allen took the helm of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment. We chat about his legislative priorities for his new committee, how the popular free DC bus bill came together, how soon we may see free buses (July?), and other newly introduced legislation such as incentives for electric vehicle charging stations and gas stove swap-outs. We also talk about how his prior work as chair of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee jurisdiction intersects with his new committee's work, as residents face safety challenges and concerns on Metrorail, on the bus, in cars, and on foot. Plus, he makes his picks for which of his Council colleagues he would choose to tackle odd tasks, from picking a musical playlist to driving cross-country to fighting off barbarians.

In this episode of Hearing the Council, we get to know Ward 5's Zachary Parker. We appreciate him taking time out of his first three weeks in office to sit for an interview! We: - Learned how his brothers' economic and health struggles inform his perspective on policy - Discussed just how often people accidentally swap out his name with perennial bottom-ten ranked president Zachary Taylor - Followed his life and career path from Chicago to New Orleans, onto New York, then here to DC - Ran down the list of other past and present DC councilmembers who, like him, spent time on the Board of Education before joining the Council - Plus, as always, dessert rankings!

In this Hearing the Council episode, we get to know Ward 3's Matthew Frumin. Councilmember sat for his first interview just eight days after being sworn into office--a Hearing the Council record! We discuss: - How he dodged COVID through an entire campaign, but how it caught up with him at the last moment and nearly made him miss his swearing-in - His world travels during his time with the State Department, including his favorite destinations - The unlikely way the OJ Simpson trial temporarily impacted what name he goes by - His run for Congress in 2000 - And, as always in initial Hearing the Council interviews...dessert rankings!

In this Hearing the Council interview, we discuss Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George's proposed Green New Deal for Housing legislation--how social housing differs from public housing, what would make this new housing green, and the prognosis for the bill in Council Period 25 (2023-2024). We finish up with our favorite fun closer: which councilmember would you choose for which odd task.

In this Hearing the Council interview, we discuss the importance of providing compassionate services to recently-arrived asylum seekers, DC's protection of abortion rights, new Council legislative efforts on both fronts, and how our lack of statehood imperils each.

In this Hearing the Council interview, we discuss with At-Large Councilmember Robert White the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health. We talk about the ever-increasing public recognition of prioritizing mental health care, including the nationwide rollout of the 988 mental health hotline. We dig into inequities in access to quality mental health services, racial disparities in the pool of practitioners providing these services, and efforts underway locally to improve both. We discuss the state of COVID care and the current public mindset regarding the pandemic. And, in discussing how Councilmember White leads by personal example on the physical and mental health fronts, we get our first-ever Hearing the Council mention of Arnold Schwarzenegger--specifically, his "Golden Six" fitness regimen.

In this Hearing the Council interview, we talk with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson about the impact that the elimination of national abortion rights (via the overturning of Roe v. Wade) will have here in the District, today and in the future. We also discuss the recent viral tweet regarding future educational requirements for DC's early childhood education workers, including its legislative history, motivation, and the nitty-gritty of what is actually required, and of whom.

In this Hearing the Council interview with Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, we discuss two key legislative topics she's working to address via legislation. The first is making period products available in all schools (current law) and, in the future (pending bill), all government buildings. The second is revitalizing DC's downtown core via residential conversion and other incentives. Plus: which of her colleagues she'd pick to help her tackle certain odd jobs, and how the pithy quote on a sign that hung on her childhood bedroom wall motivates her work to this day.

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman, we take a deep dive into Census redistricting. While often seen as a political albatross, Councilmember Silverman clearly views it as a labor of love as well. We also discover that since COVID began, she has taken a comedic acting class. Plus, there are passing references to both Ted Lasso and Schitt's Creek. Check it out today!

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, we take a deep dive into her proposed ranked-choice voting legislation. We drill down into how such a system has worked elsewhere, how it could work here in the District, and prospects for the legislation moving forward. We also discuss the Council's recent passage of a COVID vaccine mandate for students, with enforcement beginning in the fall of 2022. Plus, which councilmembers she'd pick to help her tackle common (and un-common) tasks.

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Robert White, we follow up on his recent marathon hearing on COVID and facilities during Back to School season. We talk about why outdoor lunch is lagging, the gap between a work order being marked as complete and actually being completed, and what the prospects may be for an efficient rollout of youth vaccination. Plus, we discuss the personal impact of being a parent during these complex COVID times.

In this Hearing the Council interview with Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, we discuss the successes, struggles, mysteries, and disappointments of how COVID has impacted the 2021 Back-to-School season.

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Robert White, we talk about serious matters (his newly-proposed affordable housing bill, the budget) and lighthearted (handling diaper blowouts, & the time a Zoom witness testified before him from an airport bathroom stall). There's something for everyone here. Please listen!

In this latest Hearing the Council video, Vincent Gray discusses his current budget and Health Committee priorities. We discuss the planned new hospital and urgent care centers East of the River, but also the status of the United Medical Center and the financial control board to be imposed there. We also tackle childcare, including how federal stimulus funding could benefit the District's Birth-to-Three program. Finally, we talk about food deserts, and how the redeveloped Skyland shopping center could become a retail/restaurant destination in Ward 7.

When Councilmember Nadeau's grandfather passed away two days before our long-planned interview, she did not cancel (or allow us to). She did the opposite--she insisted we proceed, but asked at the last minute if she could talk a bit about her grandfather. In the end, we dedicated the whole interview to him, while also touching on local policy: - how the isolation of COVID quarantine has impacted our seniors - the unlikely issue, near and dear to all of us, that was the subject of the final text the Councilmember's grandfather sent her - how, in the same day, she both successfully amended the draft Comprehensive Plan rewrite, and bid a final farewell to her grandfather Needless to say, this was not the interview either of us intended to have. But you will likely find it interesting and insightful nonetheless.

When Councilmember Nadeau's grandfather passed away two days before our long-planned interview, she did not cancel (or allow us to). She did the opposite--she insisted we proceed, but asked at the last minute if she could talk a bit about her grandfather. In the end, we dedicated the whole interview to him, while also touching on local policy: - how the isolation of COVID quarantine has impacted our seniors - the unlikely issue, near and dear to all of us, that was the subject of the final text the Councilmember's grandfather sent her - how, in the same day, she both successfully amended the draft Comprehensive Plan rewrite, and bid a final farewell to her grandfather Needless to say, this was not the interview either of us intended to have. But you will likely find it interesting and insightful nonetheless.