A few years ago, Mayor Bowser proposed and the DC council approved a deed transfer and recordation tax for larger commercial buildings valued at more than $2 million dollars. That tax is currently scheduled to sunset this year, but if the DC council amends the budget to keep it in place, it would collect nearly $26 million in FY23, and over $78 million in FY24, enough to restore funding to DC CARES (to support excluded workers), and fund the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and permanent supportive housing at levels needed to keep many thousands of DC residents housed. Some decisions are hard, but this is an easy one. Tell the DC Council to stop this tax cut for multi-millionaires so the District can instead keep people in their homes.

 

Before the DC Council holds its first vote on the budget–next Tuesday, May 16–we need you to join us in telling them to stop tax cuts for multi-millionaires so the District can fund programs needed to keep thousands of working families and their children housed.

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So far we have seen a mixed story for investments in early childhood this budget season. The good news is that the DC Council looks poised to make child care more affordable to families by proposing expansion of eligibility for child care assistance. We still have work to do, however, to reverse cuts to other parts of the early childhood education system that provide pivotal assistance.

 

Join us to knock on doors for early childhood! We will provide all volunteers with training and flyers to make an impact for early childhood:

 

Tuesday, May 16: Canvass for Childcare in Ward 6 (Sign up here)

Wednesday, May 24: Canvass for Childcare in Ward  4 (Sign up here)

 

Youth homelessness in the District has increased by at least 15% this year, with four out of five young people experiencing homelessness because they are fleeing domestic violence. The number of unhoused youth is likely vastly undercounted because couch-surfing young people are unlikely to count themselves as homeless on public surveys. At the same time, concern about youth involved in crime–particularly gun violence–is high. Mounting mental health crises and declining school performance–both of which were exacerbated by the pandemic–continue to contribute to bleak outcomes for young people. Young people have shared their experiences and opinions about how the District can do better as part of the Youth Voices Youth Power Project, sponsored by DC Action and the American University Humanities Truck. Visit dcyouthvoice.com to hear directly from District youth about the need for increased mental health services, the value of out-of-school-time programs, what it means to be homeless in DC, and much more.

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Join us in honoring the contributions of youth, young adults, residents, and District leaders who are blazing new trails in advocacy. We will lift up individuals and groups who collaboratively and consistently bring to life our collective vision of making the District of Columbia a place where all of our children and young people grow up safe, resilient, powerful, and heard. The event will be held on the 5th floor rooftop of the District’s newly renovated Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.

RSVP Here

About DC Action

DC Action is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, multi-issue advocacy organization making the District of Columbia a place where all kids grow up safe, resilient, powerful and heard. DC Action uses research, data, and a racial equity lens to break down barriers that stand in the way of all kids reaching their full potential. We are home to DC Kids Count, Under 3 DC, DC Out-of-School Time Coalition, the DC Home Visiting Council and the Youth Economic Justice and Housing Coalition. Our collaborative advocacy campaigns bring the power of young people and all residents to raise their voices to create change.

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