A Budget that Reflects Your Interests

March 30, 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 12

Dear Washingtonians,

You spoke and I listened. 

Last week, I proposed the DC Government's 21st consecutive balanced budget to the DC Council.

This Fiscal Year 2017 budget reflects your priorities. I made critical investments in things you told me were important to you. This budget makes historic investments in public education, as well as continued investments in affordable housing, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, job training and employment services that give residents a fair shot.

You can read an overview of my proposed budget and other detailed information at mayor.dc.gov/FairShot.

Before announcing my budget last week, I committed to sending legislation to the DC Council to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020. 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. With the high cost of living and the expenses of everyday life, low wages create an invisible ceiling that prevents working families from getting their fair shot. In a city as prosperous as ours, we can level the playing field and make sure our residents are paid a good wage so fewer families are forced to leave.

I'll need your support. Will you join me in our #fightfor15DC? Sign our pledge to join the fight for fair wages.

We will continue to create pathways to the middle class, so that every resident has a fair shot.

Sincerely,

Muriel Bowser
Mayor

ICYMI: The Washington Post's Editorial Board wrote a piece on my plan to close DC General and end homelessness in Washington, DC for good through short-term family housing. If you missed it, you can read the piece HERE. Learn more about my plan at mayor.dc.gov/HomewardDC.

The Cherry Blossoms Have Bloomed

Tourists from around the world are visiting our city for the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival and to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom. On Saturday, Mayor Bowser delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony. The ceremony commemorated the long standing friendship between Japan and the District, and was attended by DC residents and visitors from near and far. Mayor Bowser is looking forward to more than 1.5 million attendees at this year’s festival who will support the District's local businesses through their visit.

Our Own March Madness

Last Friday, Mayor Bowser joined the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and several district agencies for 'March Madness.' Not to be confused with the college basketball version of 'March Madness,' the District's is an annual event to preview new development projects (17 this year!) that will increase affordable housing, support small and local businesses, and increase jobs opportunities. Some of the locations include; local libraries, community centers, DC Public Schools and more. March Madness comes right on the heels of Mayor Bowser's State of the District Address where she restated her commitment to provide affordable housing, full modernization of DC Public Schools, and job opportunities within the private sector. 

Pathways to the Middle Class - Job Announcement: Public Information Officer, Office of Unified Communications

The Office of Unified Communications (OUC) is the first response to emergency and non-emergency calls in the District. OUC consolidates the emergency 911, non-emergency and 311 call activities from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) and customer service operations. OUC has an opening for a Public Information Officer (PIO). The PIO for OUC is responsible for day-to-day communications and interaction with the public, press, media, stakeholders, business leaders and departmental managers with regard to OUC. Additional details on this vacancy can be found by visiting the job announcement.