- A Message from Councilmember Jim Graham
- Guardian Angels Patrolling 14th Street Corridor After Vicious Beating
- Whitman-Walker Health 'Be The Care'
- Chairman Graham Holds Hearing on Mayor’s Board of Social Work Nominees
- Councilmember Graham Speaks to DC Budget Coalition
- Public Hearing on ABC Working Group Recommendations
- Central Union Mission Groundbreaking
- May 8th Hearing on Proposed Changes in DC Alcohol Laws
- A Message from Councilmember Jim Graham
- Committee on Human Services Rejects Proposed Extension of Bar Hours
Recent updates
A Message from Councilmember Jim Graham
Friends:
Last night, there was a packed room at the PSA 301 meeting at Third District Headquarters. Lt. Lindsey provided a summary of actions the police have taken since the attack on Mr. Even last Thursday. While there has been progress made in the investigation - - this progress has been slow. The photo stills of the attacker had not been released to the public prior to the meeting. And, of great concern, there has been little to no increase in police presence on the block.
The following proactive zero tolerance/"broken window type" actions were discussed last night. I am asking Lt. Lindsey and Acting Commander Mitchell to agree to the following items that were discussed last night and provide a schedule when these actions will be implemented:
Neighbors and friends of Mr. Even are requesting a meeting with the Detectives this week. I will work with Chief Lanier and Chief Newsham in scheduling this meeting.
Chairman Graham Holds Hearing on Mayor’s Board of Social Work Nominees
Councilmember Jim Graham, chairman of the Committee on Human Services, will hold a hearing this morning to vote on all nominees to the Board of Social Work.
“The mayor has put forth 5 impressive nominees whose educational, professional and personal experiences will ensure that social workers in the District are held to the highest possible standards,” said Graham.
The mayor nominated Ms. Anne M. Selee, Dr. Cathleen A. Gray, Ms. Velva R. T. Spriggs, Ms. Faith J. Bonner, and Ms. Michelle Y. Rose. All nominees were introduced by Council Chairman Kwame Brown, at the request of the mayor, on March 21, 2012. They were officially referred to the Committee on Human Services on Friday, March 23, 2012.
“The mission of the Board is to protect the citizens of the District by ensuring that all health care professionals practicing social work meet at least the minimum level of competency for safe practice,” said Graham.
Public Hearing on ABC Working Group Recommendations
Councilmember Jim Graham, chairman of the Committee on Human Services today held a public hearing on the ABC Working Group’s recommendations. The list of recommendations provides guidance on possible changes to the District’s alcohol laws.
“After listening to concerns of businesspeople and neighborhood people for many years, one thing became crystal clear to me. It was time to consider various changes to DC’s alcohol regulations. To that end, I established the ABC Working Group in December 2011,” said Graham.
The ABC Working Group included 28 people, four nonvoting members from government, eleven from organizations, including the DC Nightlife Association, representatives from retailers and wholesalers, and several citizens associations. There were eleven participating ANC representatives from wards 1, 2, 6 and 7. The group met ten times and spent over 25 hours together.
May 8th Hearing on Proposed Changes in DC Alcohol Laws
Dear Friends,
I want you all to know that I will convene a public hearing to get public comment on the ABC Working Group Recommendations for possible changes in the District’s alcohol laws. The hearing will be Tuesday, May 8 at 11 a.m., in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
The ABC Working Group, a group comprised of ANC and Citizens’ Association and nightlife industry representatives has met 10 times since December and has recommended changes to the District’s alcoholic beverage laws.
The recommendations of the Working Group address noise issues, overconcentration (of alcohol licensees) and the license protest process concerning other matters.
If you have questions or wish to testify, please contact Mr. Malcolm Cameron at the Committee on Human Services. You can reach him at (202) 724-8191. Please bring 15 copies of your written testimony.
Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham
Committee on Human Services Rejects Proposed Extension of Bar Hours
The Committee on Human Services today voted 3-2 against the mayor’s budget proposal to extend bar hours to 3 a.m. on weekdays and to 4 a.m. on weekends, which would raise $3.2 million in FY 2013. Committee Chairman, Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One), voted with the majority in opposition to the extension.
“We have heard public testimony on this proposal from literally hundreds of people. And overwhelmingly, they oppose it. They rightfully worry about spillover effects of noise, crime, a lack of public transportation, congestion, as well as drunk driving will surely increase,” said Graham
Chairman Graham has discussed increasing the DC alcohol excise tax. This tax has remained unchanged since 1990. The increase would equate to an additional six cents per drink and generate more than $20 million in FY 2013.
The Committee unanimously voted in support of Class A and B licensees starting alcohol sales at 7 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. The recommendation doesn’t alter restrictions on Sunday sales.
The Chairman will hold a separate public hearing on Sunday alcohol sales Tuesday, June 12 @ 11 a.m.
Councilmember Graham Says No Sunday Liquor Sales
Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) at a Public Hearing on the 2013 budget today said he will not recommend Sunday sales by stores (Class A licensees).
“I had only suggested this as a possibility in terms of gathering monies necessary to help avoid the extended bar hours. Since we are not able to really resolve that with these Sunday hours, I have no intention of supporting Sunday liquor sales.”
The Councilmember reminded his colleagues that the city is seriously pressed with cuts to homelessness services, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and still gathering budget closure measures from those who are least able to pay.
“But let me focus my opening statement on this very bad idea to extend the last call in our bars. Because I think of all the places that we could look to for $3.2 million, this ought to be among the last.”
Graham recommended instead, increasing the excise tax on alcohol, which has not been increased since 1990. The current DC excise tax on alcohol mirrors the one imposed by Maryland, which has not been increased since 1955.
“If we increased the excise tax so there would be an additional six cents per drink, we would gain $20 million for essential DC government programs.”
The Councilmember called this an excellent opportunity to solve the budget shortfall with additional revenue coming from alcohol. He also said that the additional revenue would be enough to restore the proposed cuts to both homelessness services and TANF.