Maintaining Transparency

January 13, 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 2

Washingtonians,

When I took office just over a year ago, I pledged to put District residents first and to strive for excellence in the services the government provides.

We laid the groundwork for excellence and positioned the District for future growth and prosperity. In year two, we will ramp up on our efforts to create pathways to the middle class in all eight wards and ensure that the District is safer and stronger.

Earlier this week, I released my first annual Accountability Report to provide you – the residents of the District of Columbia – with an update on promises I made during the 2014 Mayoral Transition. The report delivers on my commitment to transparency and accountability and helps answer the simple question: “how are we doing?”

The report and more information about what we have accomplished can be found at mayor.dc.gov/accountability.

We have made a lot of progress last year, but we’re not done yet. We will continue working to build a government that is responsive to the needs of our hardworking and passionate residents.

Muriel Bowser
Mayor

Transparency & Technology

The District has become a mecca for social innovation and technology. This week alone, Mayor Bowser announced a new Open Data initiative to increase transparency and centralize more data across the District. The policy is available for public comment at drafts.dc.gov. The Mayor also re-launched the DC Open Government Advisory Board to get direct feedback from key stakeholders across multiple areas. Last week, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) launched a separate open-data source called the Economic Intelligence Dashboard, focused on DC’s economic development priorities. Aside from these initiatives, Mayor Bowser announced Archana Vemulapalli as the new Chief Technology Officer. Vemulapalli will oversee the District’s technology systems, policies and infrastructure, and keep the District on the forefront of innovation.

Putting an End to Human Trafficking in the District

On Monday, Mayor Bowser joined the DC Office of Human Rights as they recognized National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, followed by a celebration of their newly renovated space. The Mayor was joined by Maria Odom of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign (pictured above) to announce a new partnership to increase efforts to combat human trafficking by posting materials geared towards increasing public awareness in the workplace and throughout the metro system. Mayor Bowser shared that the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will show public service announcements on human trafficking at Service Centers and join the DC Human Trafficking Task Force to help increase the prosecution of traffickers. You can report information or provide anonymous tips on human trafficking by calling: 1-888-373-7888.

Pathways to the Middle Class - Job Announcement: Web & Social Media Specialist, District of Columbia Public Library 

DC Public Library (DCPL) continues to be one of the city’s most valued assets, sustaining and improving the quality of life and education in the District. The DCPL system boasts 26 different locations throughout the city, and offers a variety of programming and resources. DCPL has an opening for a Web & Social Media Specialist to manage the publishing of web content on the DCPL website and web portals, along with the library’s social media platforms. A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of relevant work experience is required for consideration. Additional details regarding this vacancy can be found by visiting the job announcement.