March 30, 2017 | Vol. 3, Issue 12
Dear Washingtonians,
Tonight, I will deliver my third State of the District address at the University of the District of Columbia Theater of the Arts. It is a tremendous honor to be able to represent and serve my hometown as Mayor, and tonight I look forward to speaking about the progress we have made together and the work we still have left to do.
Having grown up in DC, I have seen firsthand the many ways our city has changed over the last several decades. Today, our streets are the safest they've ever been, our local economy is one of the strongest in the nation, and our population is the highest it's been in 40 years. Coming into office, I was excited for the chance to build on and accelerate DC's growth - for the opportunity to move our city forward without leaving any resident behind. And, today, that is exactly what we are doing. As our economy booms, we remain focused on spreading inclusive prosperity.
In Washington, DC, we value giving all residents a fair shot at a good life. We value diversity, inclusivity and fairness. We believe that opportunity should not be reserved for a lucky few, but open to all who are seeking it. We understand the history behind the stubborn inequalities that affect both our city as well as our nation, and we believe that through deliberate planning we can work together as a community to create a level playing field for all people.
For two years, my Administration has worked every day to create more pathways to the middle class, to build stronger neighborhoods, and to defend and promote the values that are important to Washingtonians. Going forward, we will continue this work as we double down on spreading prosperity. Thank you for your support, and for making Washington, DC the greatest city in the world.
Sincerely,
Register to attend Mayor Bowser's 2017 State of the District HERE. Watch the address live at mayor.dc.gov/live.
Washington, DC continues to have the fastest improving urban school district in the country. Graduation and enrollment rates are on the rise, and Mayor Bowser's unprecedented investments in education are ensuring that more students - students in every ward of our city - are at schools that challenge, support, and engage them.
Earlier this year, Mayor Bowser announced that, in order to accelerate school reform, her Administration is investing $6.2 million in middle and high school programming that will expand extracurriculars and provide high schools students with more college and career planning.
This week, the Mayor announced a new program that aims to build community, confidence, and leadership skills in young women of color. Reign: Empowering Young Women as Leaders, is a multi-pronged initiative that will give DC Public Schools (DCPS) more resources to address disparities in student satisfaction, graduation rates, and PARCC scores.
The three pillars of Reign: Empowering Young Women as Leaders include:
- Creating spaces for young women of color to build community, confidence, and leadership skills inside and outside of school, starting with a citywide conference for young women of color on June 3, and continuing as a series of Young Women’s Workshops in School Year 2017-2018.
- Ensuring that schools are empowering places for young women of color by providing support to teachers and staff with training on gender and racial equity and expanding the health and gender curriculum at DCPS.
- Launching Reign Innovation Grants to improve academic and social outcomes for young women of color by focusing on academic development, family engagement, and social-emotional supports.
Building a safer, stronger DC has been at the top of the Mayor's priority list since her first day in office, and the Administration continues to use every tool - legislative, budgetary, and administrative - to fight crime and end cycles of violence. This year, in addition to investing in violence prevention and community stabilization programs, the Mayor is making investments in programs that will allow the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to recruit and retain more talented officers from within DC.
On Tuesday, Mayor Bowser announced a $1.6 million investment in the expansion of MPD's Police Cadet Training Program. The investment will allow MPD to increase the number of Police Cadets from 35 to 70.
MPD’s Police Cadet Training Program helps the Department recruit strong talent by allowing high school graduates in DC to attend the University of the District of Columbia on a full tuition scholarship, while also working for MPD. Upon attaining 60-credit hours, the Cadets are eligible to become MPD Recruits and complete their Police Academy training.
A robust economy and strong neighborhoods have made the incredible renaissance of Washington, DC possible, and our city continues to welcome almost 1,000 new residents each month. As our city grows, we must continue to invest in the infrastructure and resources that keep DC thriving.
This week, in recognizing that a growing city needs growing transportation options, Mayor Bowser announced funding for the much-anticipated MetroExtra Limited Stop bus route on the 14th Street corridor. The new 59 route will serve the area between the Takoma Metrorail station and the Federal Triangle Metrorail station. The limited-stop bus service will operate in addition to the existing 52, 53, and 54 bus services. The route will initially operate every 15 minutes during weekday rush hours. If approved in the budget, the funds will be in place in October 2017, allowing the 59 to begin service when the next Metrobus service adjustments occur in December 2017.
Additionally, the fiscal year 2018 budget also includes funds to improve bus service in the W4 corridor in Wards 7 and 8 which operates between the Deanwood Metro Station and Anacostia Metro Station on South Capitol Street, Alabama Avenue, Southern Avenue, and Benning Road.
This
week's District Minute features stories about the Washington Women of Excellence Awards, March Madness, and the expansion of MPD's Police Cadet Training Program.
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