Councilmember Anita Bonds Update Sept. 30

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 09/30/2013 06:40 PM EDT

Dear Friends,

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Last week, I joined leadership in taking a stand for the District of Columbia and our right to self-determination and Statehood. We declared the operations of our local government essential to maintain the well-being of District residents, employees, visitors, and congress. You can read my statement here. On Wednesday, Mayor Vincent C. Gray gave notice that “all operations of the District government are essential and will continue to be performed if there is a federal government shut-down.”

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the Council of the District of Columbia will consider an emergency measure which would complement the actions of the executive while including the employees of the Legislature and those of Independent Agencies. This action will support leadership's decision in agreement with Attorney General Irvin Nathan and Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi to utilize funds from the District’s Constituency Cash Reserve Fund to keep our local government fully running.

ANITA BONDS PARKING SURVEY

The Council recently passed an emergency measure to suspend plans to change the Visitor Parking Program (VPP) city-wide. The plan would have allowed any resident to request a visitor’s parking placard to be mailed to their home for them to use when they have visitors. I supported the 90 day suspension and continuance of the current practice where limited residents are already receiving the VPP. I look forward to the Council addressing visitor parking in our neighborhoods before the New Year.

Until then, I have created a Parking Survey to learn more of your opinions on parking in the District and your neighborhood. Do you believe there is adequate parking for you and your neighbors? Do you feel that businesses, corner markets, churches, etc. interfere with your ability to find adequate street parking near your home? Please take a few minutes to answer these and others questions at ANITA BONDS PARKING SURVEY.

As always, I can be reached at abonds@dccouncil.us or by phone at 202-724-8064.

Sincerely,

Anita

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

HONORING DIVERSITY

On Friday, September 20, Councilmember Anita Bonds attended the DC Center Fall Reception to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to our local LGBT Community. This year's event has special significance as the reception took place in the spacious atrium of their new home at the Reeves Center.

On Sunday, September 22, Councilmember Anita Bonds walked in the “Parade of Nations” to kick-off the 42nd Annual FiestaDC Street Festival. The festival lived up to its mission of celebrating diverse cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Following the parade, Councilmember Anita Bonds joined in celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) of Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia at the home of Somerset, MD Mayor Jeffrey Slavin. The JSSA provides a vast array of services and support to individuals including, early childcare assistance, mental health screenings, counseling and therapy, and hospice care.

On Wednesday evening, Councilmember Anita Bonds joined the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and congratulates this year’s award recipient Ana Harvey who served as GWHCC’s President and CEO from 2007-2009.

WATERFRONT TOWERS TENANT ASSOCIATION & SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSEMBLY

On Monday, Councilmember Anita Bonds was the featured guest at a community meeting on affordable housing organized by the Waterfront Towers Tenant Association and the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly. At the meeting she discussed programs and initiatives the government offers to help those with housing needs. Discussion also centered on the need for impending development to include an increase of affordable housing units with priority placement for residents of the neighborhood.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS, WASHINGTON, D.C.

On Wednesday, Councilmember Anita Bonds joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray and her colleagues at a “capping off” ceremony at the newly constructed Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C. The new Marriott which has an underground tunnel connecting to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has been a vital partner with the District throughout their construction process by hiring District residents in 40% of the construction workforce hours and spending roughly $100 million in District based Certified Business Enterprises (CBE). Marriott plans to open to the public in May 1, 2014 and will hire 1,000 new employees, many of which they anticipate will be DC residents.

The Marriott Marquis invites you to enroll in their Jobs Training Program which will be held throughout the District of Columbia and will take place from December 2013 through March 2014. The program will train, prepare, and refer D.C. residents to apply for jobs at the Washington Marriott Marquis. Please click here for more information and how to apply.

Photo- Councilmember Anita Bonds with native Washingtonian Bill Marriott, Executive Chairman of Marriott International.

AGE FRIENDLY DC

Councilmember Anita Bonds joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Deputy Mayor B.B. Otero, Office on Aging Director John Thompson and hundreds of residents from across the District for the Age-Friendly DC Forum on how we can make the District of Columbia a friendlier place for all ages! The Age-Friendly DC Forum was held on Saturday, September 21st at The Howard Theater and is an international effort to help cities prepare for two global trends: the rapid aging of populations and increasing urbanization. The program targets the environmental, social and economic factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.

CSOSA COMMUNITY FORUM

On Thursday, Councilmember Anita Bonds attended the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency's Annual Citywide Community Justice Advisory Network (CJAN) Forum with keynote speaker, the Honorable Laura A. Cordero, Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court. The annual program recognizes community partners for their contributions towards assisting returning citizens transitioning back into the community to produce lifestyles including ensuring that returning citizens are compliant in their supervision obligations. Councilmember Anita Bonds gave closing remarks at the program.

BONDS APPOINTS GARRISON

Vanessa Garrison was recently appointed by Councilmember Anita Bonds to serve on the DC Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC). Established by law and appointed by the DC Council, the BAC advises the Mayor and city government on bicycling issues.

Vanessa Garrison is the co-founder and director of Operations for GirlTrek, a groundbreaking national nonprofit organization that mobilizes and supports thousands of African-American women and girls in community-based walking challenges to address the obesity crisis and build healthier, more vibrant communities. An avid cyclist, she is also a member of Black Women Bike DC.

Photo- Councilmember Anita Bonds, Vanessa Garrison and Chairman Phil Mendelson following her official swearing-in ceremony.

NOTICES

VISITOR PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM SUSPENDED

The current 2012/2013 VPP will remain valid through December 2013.
Residents that do not have a VPP may obtain a parking pass at a police station or substation in the ward in which they reside.

The 2013/2014 VPP will be made available free of charge and only one pass will be provided per household.

About the Parking Pass Program

The VPP program is designed to allow guests of District residents to park for more than two hours on RPP zoned blocks. A VPP is only valid during the hours of RPP enforcement and in the same RPP zone and ANC boundary as the residence.

Please Note: District residents cannot use a VPP in lieu of registering their vehicles with the District Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If residents who receive a pass have guests that stay overnight frequently, then the visitor should register their vehicle through the Registration of Out of State Automobile (ROSA) program once a Warning Citation is issued by DPW parking enforcement personnel.

Introducing DC Health Link

DC Health Link is an on-line marketplace created for individuals, families, and small business owners in the District of Columbia to shop, compare, and select health insurance that meets their health needs and budgets. Beginning October 1, 2013, D.C. residents and small business owners will be able to come to DC Health Link to apply for coverage, find out if they are eligible for help to lower the cost of their insurance, compare options, and enroll in the plan of their choice. Coverage will begin January 1, 2014.

Consumers can review insurance policies offered by private insurance companies at a variety of premium and cost-sharing levels and choose the one they want. People who are eligible for Medicaid – a program that helps pay for medical services for low-income and disabled people –will get help enrolling. Trained experts will be available on the phone, on-line, and in-person to help walk people through the process.

Small businesses can determine their contribution and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of policies. Employers that currently offer coverage can renew their policies through DC Health Link’s on-line portal when their current policy expires. Licensed brokers can help employers make these decisions, just as they do today. Visit here to GET THE FACTS or call 855-532-5465 weekdays 8am until 6pm.

Senior/Disabled Deduction Income Threshold Increases to $125,000 Effective October 1

Effective October 1, 2013, the District of Columbia real property Senior/Disabled Deduction income threshold will increase to $125,000 from $100,000. This benefit reduces real property taxes by 50 percent for property owners who are 65 years old or older, or disabled.

To qualify for the deduction, the property owner must apply for the deduction and own 50 percent or more of the property or cooperative unit. In addition, for Tax Year 2014 (beginning October 1, 2013) the total federal adjusted gross income of everyone living in the property or cooperative unit, excluding tenants, must be less than $125,000 for the 2012 income tax filing (due April 15, 2013).

Owners of properties receiving these tax benefits are responsible for notifying OTR when eligibility ceases. Written notice, including the square and lot of the property, or a completed Cancellation of Homestead Deduction – Senior Citizen Tax Relief form, must be sent within 30 days of a change in ownership or owner-occupancy status.

The Homestead Deduction and Senior Citizen/Disabled Property Tax Relief Application, FP-100 form may be obtained here- Tax Relief.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Tax and Revenue’s Customer Service Administration at (202) 727-4TAX (4829).

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1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW ~ Washington, DC 20004 ~ Suite 408

(202) 724-8064 office (202) 724-8071 fax www.dccouncil.us abonds@dccouncil.us

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