February 15, 2018 | Vol. 4, Issue 7
Dear
Washingtonians,
On
February 12, the Trump Administration released its 2019 budget proposal. Among the many problematic cuts in the budget is the elimination of funding
for the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) program.
For nearly two decades, both Democrats and Republicans
in Congress have supported this one-of-a-kind program that expands educational
opportunities for college-bound Washingtonians by providing grants of up to
$10,000 toward tuition. Over the years, more than 26,000 young people have benefited from DCTAG, with the vast majority of those students coming from
families with annual incomes of less than $30,000.
In 2018, when the cost of college is at an all-time high, it is unfathomable that any leader would propose eliminating a program like DCTAG rather than expanding it. To reduce inequality and create more pathways to the middle class for our young people and their families, we must continue to open doors of opportunity. We must continue to fund programs like DCTAG.
Join me in calling on Congress to approve this investment in higher education for DC students by signing our petition at savedctag.dc.gov, and then ask your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same.
Sincerely,
While budget season never truly ends,
right now, the Bowser Administration is in the midst of one of the most critical and exciting stages
- adjusting the budget to most accurately reflect our city's values and
priorities. And the Budget Engagement Forums are one more opportunity for Mayor Bowser to hear directly from residents - before the budget is finalized - about how you want to see DC's money spent.
This year, the Budget Engagement Forums start on Tuesday, February 20 with a telephone town hall for seniors. And throughout the week, residents can attend one of three forums at sites around the city:
-
Wednesday, February 21 at the University of the District of Columbia (Ward 3)
-
Thursday, February 22 at Watkins Elementary School (Ward 6)
-
Saturday, February 24 at Kramer Middle School (Ward 8)
RSVP for a forum and learn more HERE.
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Join us this Saturday, February 17, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass's birth at the Frederick Douglass 5K and ribbon-cutting for the new Oxon Run Trail. The event will be a fun walk/run to celebrate the legacy of one of America's greatest abolitionists, orators, and visionaries. Registration is free and all participants will receive a commemorative Frederick Douglass shirt.
Learn more and RSVP HERE.
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On Tuesday, February 13, Mayor Bowser broke ground on construction of the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. The work is part of the South Capitol Street Corridor Project, the largest public infrastructure project in the history of the District Department of Transportation. The new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will be built approximately 100 feet from the existing bridge. The bridge design includes three above-deck arches that capture the District’s arch history, two piers that will appear to float in the river, and four pedestrian overlooks.
Learn more about the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge HERE.
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This
week’s District Minute features stories about the Safe Passage program, the Every Day Counts! celebration at Sousa Middle School, and the Seventh Annual Standing Ovation Awards for DC Public Schools.
By building and maintaining safe and green state-of-the-art facilities which foster economic growth and elevate educational environments, the Department of General Services (DGS) helps the District build modern and vibrant communities across all eight wards.
DGS has an opening for a carpenter. This position is responsible for finish and detail carpentry work in the maintenance, repair, alteration, and modernization of all types of District-owned properties including schools, recreational facilities, and office buildings. All details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement.
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