DOCSLIB.ORG

On Whose Side Is the DC Council – with Campaign Bankrollers, Or the People of DC?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
On Whose Side Is the DC Council – with Campaign Bankrollers, Or the People of DC? On whose side is the DC Council – with campaign bankrollers, or the people of DC? The lower minimum wage in the District of Columbia is currently just $2.77 per hour. Tipped workers in DC earning this extremely low wage are disproportionally women and mothers. Meanwhile, thousands of DC residents have signed a petition to have One Fair Wage – the elimination of the lower wage for tipped workers — placed on the November ballot to be voted on by the people of DC. When Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Council, including Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs Chair Vincent Orange, passed a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, they struck a deal with the the restaurant industry lobby to cut tipped workers out of the deal, leaving them at $5 an hour and unable to earn a family-sustaining wage from their employers. They also took away the right for DC voters to democratically vote for One Fair Wage in this November’s ballot. Other DC Council members who supported Orange’s efforts to exclude Restaurant Industry Political Contributions tipped workers from the minimum wage increase have also benefitted from the restaurant industry’s largesse. to Vincent Orange and Other DC Council Members YEAR OF CITY COUNCIL RESTAURANT INDUSTRY Vincent Orange seems to take pride in keeping wages for restaurant workers low. This should CONTRIBUTION MEMBER LOBBY CONTRIBUTIONS come as no surprise. Since 2006, Vincent Orange has received nearly $15,000 in political 2006-2016 Vincent Orange $14,650 contributions from the food and beverage industry lobby, with 80% of that coming from 2007-2016 Yvette Alexander $4,200 restaurants.1 Orange is no stranger to ‘pay to play’ politics; in 2012 the Councilmember was 2016 LaRuby May $1,750 caught interfering with a District health department investigation on behalf of a campaign donor who runs a produce shop.2 District health inspectors found a rodent infestation amongst other 2015-2016 Brandon Todd $1,750 sanitary problems at Sam Wang Produce, a business which had contributed $19,000 to Orange’s 2011-2016 David Grosso $8,095 various campaigns. Orange also received $3000 this year from Tony Cheng, a restaurateur who 2003-2016 Jack Evans $34,998 pled guilty to bribery in 2014.3 The National Restaurant Association THE The National Restaurant Association (the other NRA) is one of the nation’s most powerful corporate lobbying powerhouses, OTHER playing a leading role opposing increases to the minimum wage, earned sick time, and other policies that would benefit NRA millions of working people and their families. The NRA has devoted particular energy to excluding tipped workers — more than two-thirds of whom are women4 — from minimum-wage laws. Due to the NRA’s efforts it has been 25 years since the last change in the federal minimum wage for tipped employees, when it was increased from $2.09 to just $2.13 per hour in 1991. In 1996, under the leadership of Herman Cain, the NRA negotiated with Congress to support an increase to the full minimum wage as long as the tipped minimum wage remained frozen at $2.13.5 The restaurant industry lobby’s influence dates back more than a century, when it first lobbied to have tipped restaurant workers — then mostly former slaves — not receive a wage at all from their employer, and instead to rely on customer tips. Thus, the very concept of the lower minimum wage for tipped workers has origins in slavery.6 1 All campaign contribution reports obtained from the District of Columbia – Office of Campaign Finance. Available at https://efiling.ocf.dc.gov/ContributionExpenditure. 2 Freed, Benjamin R. (January 15, 2013). Orange Pushed Health Department to Keep Infested Produce Store Open, dcist. Available at http://dcist.com/2013/01/orange_pushed_health_department_to.php. 3 Alexander, Keith L. (April 16, 2014). Chinatown restaurateur, son plead guilty to trying to bribe officias for taxi licenses, Washington Post. Available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/chinatown-restaurateur-son- plead-guilty-to-trying-to-bribe-officials-for-taxi-licenses/2014/04/16/50fdebc8-c5a2-11e3-bf7a-be01a9b69cf1_story.html. 4 American Community Survey (ACS) 2014, U.S. Census Bureau (calculations by ROC United using Ruggles et al., Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 5.0 (machine-readable database), Minnesota PopulationCenter (2010)). 5 Liddle, A. (June 24, 1996.) Associations urge Senate to retain wage provisions. Nation’s Restaurant News. 6 Jayaraman, Saru. (2016). Forked: A New Standard for American Dining. Oxford University Press..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Board of Ethics and Government Accountabilitv Lobbyist Activity Report
    * * * The District of Columbia Govemment Board of Ethics and Government Accountabilitv X'inal Audit Report on Kerry Pearson January 2016 Lobbyist Activity Report July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 February 2017 Ofiice of Govemment Ethics BACKGROUND D'C. Official Code $ l-1 162.29(a) requires that lobbyists register on or before January l5s ofeach year, or within 15 days of lobbying within the District of Columbia. Kerry Pearson registered as a lobbyist with the Director of Govemment Ethics ("Director"), on January 10, 2016 with respecr to reported lobblng activities that he engaged in during the month of October 2015. Mr. pearson designated Pepco as his client on his 2015 tobbyist Registration Form ("LRF"). Mr. pearson also filed a January 2016 tobbyist Activity Report (.,LAR") on January ll,2016. on February 18, 2016, the Director issued an audit notification letter to Mr. pearson and requested records to substantiate information disclosed on his January 2016 LAR. The periodic audit of the statements and records of Mr. Pearson covered the period July l, 2015 ihrough December 31,2015. Mr. Pearson provided the documentation required on March 4, 2016. In the 2016 January LAR, Mr. Pearson disclosed that he met with Councilmembers David Grosso, Jack Evans, Kenyan McDuffie, and Yvette Alexander on october l4,20ls and that he met with councilmembers Anita Bonds, Brianne Nadeau, Brandon Todd and LaRuby May on october 15, 2015. Based on Mr. Pearson's disclosures that he performed lobbying activities as early as october 15, 2015, the office of Govemment Ethics ("oGE') determined that he was required to register as a lobbyist and file his 2015 LRF by october 29,2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Thorn Pozen Confirmation Resolution of 2020”
    COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COMMITTEE REPORT 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 DRAFT TO: All Councilmembers FROM: Chairman Phil Mendelson Committee of the Whole DATE: December 15, 2020 SUBJECT: Report on PR 23-1007, “Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors Thorn Pozen Confirmation Resolution of 2020” The Committee of the Whole, to which Proposed Resolution 23-1007, the “Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors Thorn Pozen Confirmation Resolution of 2020” was referred, reports favorably thereon, and recommends approval by the Council. CONTENTS I. Background And Need ...............................................................1 II. Legislative Chronology ..............................................................3 III. Position Of The Executive .........................................................4 IV. Comments Of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions ..............4 V. Summary Of Testimony .............................................................4 VI. Impact On Existing Law ............................................................4 VII. Fiscal Impact ..............................................................................5 VIII. Section-By-Section Analysis .....................................................5 IX. Committee Action ......................................................................5 X. Attachments ...............................................................................5 I. BACKGROUND AND NEED On November
    [Show full text]
  • Fy 2016 Proposed Budget and Financial Plan
    FY 2016 PROPOSED BUDGET AND FINANCIAL PLAN – CONGRESSIONAL SUBMISSION PLAN BUDGET AND FINANCIAL FY – CONGRESSIONAL 2016 PROPOSED I PART 2 – AGENCY BUDGET CHAPTERS, VOLUME FY 2016 PROPOSED BUDGET AND FINANCIAL PLAN VOLUME 2 Agency Budget Chapters – Part I Governmental Direction and Support, Economic Development and Regulation, and Public Safety and Justice THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Office of the Chief Financial Officer | Office of Budget and Planning Submitted to the Congress of the United States 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 229 | Washington, DC 20004 | 202.727.6234 | Fax 202.727.1400 www.cfo.dc.gov | www.dc.gov by the Government of the District of Columbia July 17, 2015 152438_FY16_DC_BB_Vol_2.indd All Pages 7/13/15 4:55 PM Government of the District of Columbia FY 2016 Proposed Budget and Financial Plan Pathways to the Middle Class Volume 2 Agency Budget Chapters - Part I (Governmental Direction and Support, Economic Development and Regulation, and Public Safety and Justice) Submitted to the Congress of the United States by the Government of the District of Columbia July 17, 2015 The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to District of Columbia Government, District of Columbia, for its annual budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2014. In order to receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan, and as a communications device. This award is the fifteenth in the history of the District of Columbia.
    [Show full text]
  • November 28, 2017 the Hon. Trayon White, Sr. Council of the District Of
    November 28, 2017 The Hon. Trayon White, Sr. Council of the District of Columbia The John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Dear Councilmember White: This responds to your request that the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor (ODCA) conduct a review of Ward 8 contracts, particularly those for community engagement services, and those held by entities located at a particular address, to determine whether required procurement procedures have been followed. Our review included Internet searches, Lexis runs, and gathering contract information from the Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) website, the Department of General Services (DGS) website, and Events DC. We also obtained information regarding Certified Business Enterprises (CBE) from the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). We have completed our review. We did not find evidence of violation of procurement rules though, as indicated below, we found: • Inconsistencies in rental information provided by businesses using the address in question. • The appearance of deliberate avoidance of Council review of contracts. • The appearance of use of the property not consistent with the zoning variance. Businesses at 3215 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue There are more than 30 companies that use the address 3215 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, Washington, DC, 20032 (hereinafter referred to as “3215 MLK”). As described below in more detail, anomalies in the commercial lease agreements for these companies, as well as the sheer number of companies that appear to be using 3215 MLK as their address, suggest that some or all of these businesses may not have been operating out of that location during the relevant time periods.
    [Show full text]
  • Bill 21-446, “Closing of a Public Alley in Square 342, S.O. 14-21629 Act Of
    COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COMMITTEE REPORT 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 DRAFT TO: All Councilmembers FROM: Chairman Phil Mendelson Committee of the Whole DATE: April 5, 2016 SUBJECT: Report on Bill 21-446, “Closing of a Public Alley in Square 342, S.O. 14-21629, Act of 2016” The Committee of the Whole, to which Bill 21-446, the “Closing of a Public Alley in Square 342, S.O. 14-21629, Act of 2015” was referred, reports favorably thereon with technical changes, and recommends approval by the Council.1 CONTENTS I. Background And Need ...............................................................1 II. Legislative Chronology ..............................................................4 III. Position Of The Executive .........................................................4 IV. Comments Of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions ..............5 V. National Capital Planning Commission Review........................5 VI. Summary Of Testimony .............................................................5 VII. Impact On Existing Law ............................................................5 VIII. Fiscal Impact ..............................................................................6 IX. Section-By-Section Analysis .....................................................6 X. Committee Action ......................................................................6 XI. Attachments ...............................................................................6 I. BACKGROUND AND NEED On October
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record—House H7061
    October 21, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7061 of the Bureau of the Census, including such tional Institute of Standards and Technology The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the procedures that have been implemented since (NIST) Special Publication 800–37r1. All of bill is considered read the first time. the data breaches of systems of the Office of the FISMA reportable systems supporting The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Personnel Management were announced in 2015. the Census Bureau are continually assessed CHAFFETZ) and the gentlewoman from (b) REPORT.— per this guidance and all have a current Au- the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) (1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 days thorization to Operate. In addition, the Cen- after the date of the enactment of this Act, the sus Bureau is currently behind a Managed each will control 30 minutes. Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the Com- Trusted Internet Protocol Service (MTIPS) The Chair recognizes the gentleman mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental provider and is protected by the Department from Utah. Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on of Homeland Security (DHS) Einstein 1 and Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I Oversight and Government Reform of the House 2, which looks at network flow information yield myself such time as I may con- of Representatives a report on the review re- and network intrusion detection. The Census sume. quired by subsection (a). Bureau is engaged with DHS and MTIPS pro- Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support (2) CONTENTS.—The report required by para- vider to move behind Einstein 3 Accelerated of H.R.
    [Show full text]
  • Frequently Asked Questions Mayor Bowser's B21-0357
    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS MAYOR BOWSER’S B21-0357 PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL CODE REVISIONS ACT OF 2015 WHY DO WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT B21-0357? B21-0357 promotes ineffective and counterproductive “tough on crime” approaches to public safety. In response to the recent rise in crime in the District of Columbia, Mayor Muriel Bowser (“Mayor”) proposed B21-0357, the Public Safety and Criminal Code Revisions Amendment Act of 2015. The Mayor’s proposal would employ policies that have proven ineffective and counterproductive in ensuring public safety. Over the past 25 years local politicians have adhered to the conventional wisdom that being “tough on crime” will win elections and appease the public’s appetite for safety. To alleviate public fear and thirst for retribution, our lawmakers have deemed more acts criminal and doled out harsher punishments. Many of these laws have been selectively enforced on the District’s Black community and communities of color and have produced a dramatic rise in incarceration and criminal justice control. Despite dramatic shifts in public opinion, with the public now supporting common sense and fair sentencing, B21-0357 adheres to the tradition of punishment and incarceration. The policies in this proposal will result in more District residents being incarcerated, and drive more people into the cycle of disenfranchisement and other collateral consequences characteristic of our criminal justice system. There are also serious constitutional concerns with some of the provisions contained within the proposal. Oppose B21-0357 and urge the D.C. Council to reject “tough on crime” rhetoric in favor of smart, evidence-supported public policy.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 114 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 114 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 161 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 No. 154 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was The statistics are disturbing. coordinate Federal efforts to help re- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- Overdoses in West Virginia increased search and respond to this debilitating pore (Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee). by 134 percent between 2012 and 2013, condition. Infants who suffer from neo- f which accounts for about 34 drug over- natal abstinence syndrome can experi- dose deaths per 100,000 West Virginia ence seizures, respiratory impairments, DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO residents. This overdose rate is more tremors, fever, and difficulty feeding. TEMPORE than double the national average. Research published by the Journal of The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- There is no magical solution to this Perinatology found that the number of fore the House the following commu- epidemic. We need local, State, and infants suffering from withdrawal grew nication from the Speaker: Federal officials to work together to nearly fivefold from 2000 to 2012. Evi- WASHINGTON, DC, effectively fight back. One of the ways dence also shows that an infant is born October 21, 2015. that we can do this is to have the Fed- with drug withdrawal every 25 minutes I hereby appoint the Honorable JOHN J. eral Government support the High In- in the United States. DUNCAN, Jr., to act as Speaker pro tempore tensity Drug Trafficking Areas pro- In West Virginia, it is estimated on this day.
    [Show full text]
  • Office of the People's Counsel (“OPC”) FY16 -17
    Office of the People’s Counsel (“OPC”) FY16 -17 Performance Oversight Hearing Responses Before the Committee on Business and Economic Development Kenyan McDuffie, Chairperson February 22, 2017 I. Agency Organization and Personnel 1. Provide a complete, up-to-date organizational chart for each division within OPC including, either attached or separately, an explanation of the roles and responsibilities for each division and subdivision. Also, provide a narrative explanation of any organizational changes made during FY16 and thus far in FY17. Directorate Division – determines overall policy, consistent with the Agency’s mission to advocate for and protect the interests of D.C. utility consumers. Operations Division – coordinates fiscal management, communications, editorial functions, assessments, space acquisitions, procurement, human resources, staff development, benefits administration, and management information systems—including all aspects of the Agency’s computer network and information management. Litigation Services Division – litigates before the Public Service Commission, federal regulatory agencies and the D.C. Court of Appeals. This Division consists of the Energy, Telecommunications, Technical, and Market Monitoring Sections. Consumer Services Division – provides education and outreach to District consumers as well as assistance and representation to individual consumers in dispute with utility companies. Also provides technical resources and support to the Consumer Utility Board and other community and civic associations. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Section – identifies strategies and activities to support and facilitate the transition of the District to a clean-energy economy and provides D.C. consumers with long-term environmental and economic benefits. Page 1 of 84 Organizational Changes: In January of FY 2017 OPC hired a Public Information Officer (“PIO”).
    [Show full text]
  • DC Official Code § 44-951
    MURIEL BOWSER Mayor February 10, 2021 The Honorable Phil Mendelson Chairman Council of the District of Columbia John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 504 Washington, DC 20004 Dear Chairman Mendelson: In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 5115 of the Not-For-Profit Hospital Corporation Establishment Amendment Act of 2011, effective September 14, 2011 (D.C. Law 19- 21; D.C. Official Code § 44-951.04), I am pleased to nominate the following person: Ms. LaRuby May Ith Place SE Washington, DC 20032 (Ward 8) for reappointment as a member of the Not-For-Profit Hospital Corporation Board of Directors, for a term to end July 9, 2023. Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process. I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation, Please do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointments, should the Council require additional information, lurfel Bo\ser at the request of the Mayor A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 10 wavausene 12 13 To confirm the reappointment of Ms. LaRuby May to the Not-For-Profit Hospital Corporation 14 Board of Directors. 15 16 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 7 resolution may be cited as the “Not-For-Profit Hospital Corporation Board of Directors LaRuby 18 May Confirmation Resolution of 2021”.
    [Show full text]
  • Biennial Report 2017
    DC Office of Campaign Finance Biennial Report 2017 Contributions and Expenditures of Candidates for public office and Political Committees in the District of Columbia January 31, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS ORDER OF CONTENTS Expenditures by Purpose, Contributions by Donor Type, and Contributions by Amount for Candidates/Principal Campaign Committees Office Committee Name Page No. Attorney General Top three Committees by Contributions Received1 Karl Racine For AG2 Lateefah Williams for Attorney General26 Lorie Masters for Attorney General30 Smitty for AG38 Council Ward 1 Top three Committees by Contributions Received42 Brianne for DC43 LaBeaume 201451 Council Ward 2 Top three Committees by Contributions Received56 Evans 201657 Council Ward 3 Top three Committees by Contributions Received91 Cheh 201492 STRAUSS FOR WARD 3 COUNCIL97 Council Ward 4 Top three Committees by Contributions Received101 Anderson Ward 4 Council102 Brandon Todd for Ward 4111 Bruce Morrison for Ward 4186 Committee to Elect Judi Jones193 Committee to Elect Ron Austin201 Committee to Elect Ron Austin For Ward 4209 Corley for Ward 4221 Doug Sloan 4 Ward 4 Council229 Edwin for Ward 4240 Elect Renee Bowser250 Friends of Calvin Gurley 2016 Ward 4273 Friends of Leon T. Andrews, Jr.280 Friends of Leon T. Andrews, Jr. 2016303 TABLE OF CONTENTS ORDER OF CONTENTS Expenditures by Purpose, Contributions by Donor Type, and Contributions by Amount for Candidates/Principal Campaign Committees Office Committee Name Page No. Re-Elect Brandon Todd for Ward 4332 Rubio for Ward 4396 Tengen
    [Show full text]
  • CBC PAC Endorses Hillary Clinton at a Press Conference on Thursday, Feb
    INSIDEINSIDE Responses Mixed on Homeless Domestic Violence Remains Challenge Shelter Plans Page 12 in Prince George’s Page 21 VOL. 51, NO. 19 FEB. 18 - 24, 2016 Director, Actor of ‘Race’ Discuss Kendrick Lamar Shines at We’re Celebrating Black History Month - Page 28 Making of a Masterpiece Page 28 Grammy Awards Page 42 Fellowship, History Merge in WI Heritage Tour Hundreds Explore Baltimore in Annual Trip By Sarafina Wright hosted all six of the Informer’s WI Staff Writer tours to embark on a Black his- @dreamersexpress tory tour – this time focusing on the rich but often untold The Washington Informer’s history of Baltimore. 6th Annual African American “Baltimore is a place whose Heritage Tour kicked off this notoriety rose in the news be- year’s journey with the theme cause of crime, police and lack “Discovering Baltimore: The of economic development. The Charm City of Neighbor- news hasn’t been favorable hoods, Monuments and Rich in contrast to the real story,” Heritage. Washington Informer Publish- Hundreds of Informer read- er Denise Rolark Barnes said. ers including men, women and “There is a strong and very a large number of children, rich African-American history along with corporate sponsors, in Baltimore. Our history of- 5 Washington, D.C. resident Vera Abbott and Washington Informer staff members Angie Johnson and Saraf- gathered on Saturday, Feb. 13 ten gets lost and this is a great ina Wright, WI Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, and Desmond Barnes view a depiction of the conditions on a at THEARC [Town Hall Ed- opportunity to remind every- slave ship in the middle passage on the African American Heritage Tour in the “National Great Blacks in Wax ucation Arts Recreation Cam- one about our contributions,” Museum” in Baltimore on Saturday, Feb.
    [Show full text]