News

CM Graham, Mayor and DCRA Usher in New Era for Consumer Protection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alan Heymann
(202) 724-8031

February 6, 2006

Washington, DC – Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) today joined Mayor Anthony Williams and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs in announcing that agency’s new Office of Consumer Protection. As chairman of the Council committee that oversees DCRA, Councilmember Graham added $1 million to the agency’s budget for consumer protection this year.

“We have extremely strong consumer protection laws in the District,” said Councilmember Graham. “But the Council hasn’t funded their enforcement in more than 10 years. DCRA went from 50 consumer protection employees down to zero. This action puts ‘Consumer’ back in ‘Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.’”

The Office of Consumer Protection will have 8 full-time employees in its first year, focusing most on home improvement and car repair. It will be located in the Business License section so the agency can take action against the licenses of businesses if needed.

To check the business license of a home improvement contractor or a car repair shop, residents can visit the “Consumer Corner” at dcra.dc.gov or call (202) 442-4400.

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