News & Press Releases
February 14, 2012
Tommy Talks About the Future of DC Public Libraries
With the city reviewing its budget priorities for the upcoming year, Tommy talks about what he's learned about DC Public Libraries over the last few months and what is needed in next year's budget to continue the success of our library system.
February 7, 2012
Wells Introduces the "Child Support Enforcement Corrections Amendment Act of 2012"
Today, I am introducing the "Child Support Enforcement Corrections Amendment Act of 2012."Working with pro bono lawyers working on family law issues, several situations have been identified where our child support and custody law creates an unreasonable burden, often without the awareness of one of the parents involved in the order.
The changes are fairly technical in nature, but would make a significant difference for these individuals.
In one example, a parent sentenced to jail time will typically qualify for modification of their support orders due to the obvious change in their income that will result from incarceration. However, if they are in the situation of soon serving time behind bars, they frequently have other priorities than working with counsel to file a motion related to their custody order and do not do so. The result is that significant arrears accumulate which create an additional burden to readjusting to civilian life on the return.
The proposed legislation would provide a basis for waiving these arrears accumulated during the time of incarceration.
In another example, child support orders do not terminate automatically when the child reaches the age of 21 years. Instead, a motion to amend must be filed. In situations where the young adult is moving to independence, or if a parent is not aware of this requirement, the motion may not be filed and the payments and arrears continue to be required. The result is that parent has either made payments that should not have been required, or they have accrued arrears from which there is little to no relief.
The proposed legislation would require that support orders terminate on the child's 21st birthday, but maintain the ability of the child's representative to file a motion where grounds exist to extend an order past the age of 21.
I look forward to working on this reform with my colleagues and welcome community feedback.
Click here for a link to the proposed legislation: Wells, Child Support Enforcement.pdf
February 1, 2012
Office of Planning Streetcar Study Presentation
Curious to read through the Office of Planning's presentation on the Streetcar Land Use Study for today's hearing?You can download the pdf presentation by clicking here (please note, it is 40 pages and 9MB and may take a moment based on your connection speed): Streetcar Land Use Study Presentation.pdf
January 25, 2012
Wells Applauds Office of Planning's Streetcar Land Use Study Findings
Councilmember Tommy Wells Applauds Office of Planning's Streetcar Land Use Study FindingsAnnounces Joint Roundtable Discussion of Findings
Today, the District's Office of Planning released a much anticipated Street Car Land Use Study. This groundbreaking report investigates how the proposed streetcar system will affect access to jobs, quality of life, housing affordability, and economic development within DC.
Councilmember Tommy Wells, who chairs the Committee that has Oversight for the Office of Planning, praised the study stating, "Our streetcar system is the next generation of public transportation for DC. This research confirms that investing in this new transit option to connect DC's neighborhoods will create more jobs, new local economic development, improved transportation choices, and a more livable, walkable city."
The study examines the complete 37-mile proposed network, highlighting benefits for individual sections of each proposed streetcar line. The study also identifies where the District government must take action to protect affordable housing and potentially adjust routes to minimize parking and congestion impacts.
"I continue to work with DDOT to ensure that our first streetcar line on H Street - Benning Road begins operation in 2013," said Councilmember Wells, "but at the same time, we must lay the foundation to successfully expand the transportation network - particularly to transit dependent neighborhoods such as those east of the Anacostia River. Streetcar investments not only connect people to existing jobs, but also create jobs in the neighborhoods where people need them most."
Included in the study's findings, the report states that the proposed streetcar network will:
- Improve access to transit for more than one-third of DC residents, including 100,000 residents along streetcar corridors who do not have access to a car;
- Reduce overall transportation costs for DC residents with additional access to public transit choices;
- More than double the number of public and charter schools within one-quarter mile of rail transit;
- Inject more than $300 million in retail spending into local and small business commercial districts;
- Improves access to DC jobs for more than 72,000 households;
- Returns premium transit choices to historic districts that were disinvested in the past;
- Increase District revenues by attracting new residents, mixed housing, local jobs, and retail development.
"New transit capacity isn't just a good idea," added Wells, "it's a necessity. Metrorail is expected to hit capacity as DC continues to add jobs and residents. Digging new Metrorail tunnels is extremely expensive, so we must plan new ways to increase public transit capacity."
Councilmember Wells, together with Chairman Kwame R. Brown and Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, will host a roundtable discussion on the Streetcar Land Use Study on Wednesday, February 1, at 10:30 am, in the Council Chambers, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW.
The public is invited to testify. Please contact Ms. Tawanna Shuford if you wish to speak at this hearing: tshuford@dccouncil.us, 202-727-8232.
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January 23, 2012
Summer Jobs for Youth - Applications Open Soon
by Pat JosephOn Friday, January 27, 2012, the application process for the 2012 Summer Youth Employment Program will open for young District residents between the ages of 14 and 21. That's right, the program has such a strong response that the application process starts in January! So make sure that the young men and women you know are prepared today.
Where do you learn more? Go to www.summerjobs.dc.gov. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be received by Friday, February 17, 2012 in order to be considered. Remember, space is limited and applicants will have to get started now to follow all of the deadlines and meet the requirements to participate.
To help kick things off -- as well as bring the online application to as many people as possible -- the city is hosting a Midnight Madness kick-off event. Midnight Madness will take place on Friday, January 27, 2012 from 3:15 pm until midnight at the DOES Headquarters located at 4058 Minnesota Avenue, NE (adjacent to the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station on the Orange line). DOES staff will be on hand all night to assist youth and their families, and to answer any questions.
January 18, 2012
DDOT Hosts Public Meeting on Maryland Ave. Pedestrian Safety
The work to improve pedestrian safety on Maryland Avenue continues!DDOT will host an Interactive Workshop for the Maryland Avenue Pedestrian Safety Corridor Project on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Sherwood Recreation Center starting at 1:00 pm. Residents, local businesses, and the general public are invited to attend this meeting to view the proposals and provide input.
You can click here to view more details about the safety project's plans and proposals.
What: Maryland Avenue Pedestrian Safety Corridor Project - Interactive Workshop
When: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 1 - 3pm
Where: Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th Street, NE)
For more information, click here: http://godcgo.com/home/get-me-there/tools-to-get-around/events/vw/3/itemid/180/d/20120128.aspx
Or contact : George Branyan, DDOT Pedestrian Program Coordinator at 202-671-0617 or George.branyan@dc.gov.
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