Let’s partner to get it done? DC cannot remain in a cycle of compromised self-governance. It’s time to work together and make statehood a reality.
STATEHOOD FOR D.C.
Councilmember_RobertWhite
4,060 posts
Councilmember_RobertWhite
@CMRobertWhiteDC
DC At-Large Councilmember Robert White, Jr. | Chair, Committee on Housing | Fighting to make life better for all DC neighbors
- I voted no on the RFK deal. Not because I don’t love football. But because I love D.C. more. We just cut programs for kids & housing Now we’re spending $1B+ on a stadium? That’s not an investment. It’s a loss. And our people deserve better. #FairDealDC #NotLikeThis
00:00 - I’m still on the Hill at the Hart Building, making rounds and fighting for D.C. I personally emailed every senator last night, and I’m STILL advocating for a change of course.
00:00 - My statement on the clearing of the GW encampment early this morning:
- If we clear the #McPhersonSquare encampment before people are housed, we will see another encampment pop up within days. The residents at McPherson were previously at other sites that were cleared. Fixing the housing voucher backlog will solve the issue, clearings will not.
00:00 - District residents in every ward deserve to move around their streets and community safely. Thank you to @WABADC for holding the #StandUpForSafeStreets gathering tonight. I signed WABA’s list of demands and look forward to working with my Council colleagues on #TrafficSafety.
- Recently, a young child was denied entry to a Metro station bc she lost her KidsRideFree card. Kids often don’t have money to get home if they lose their card. It’s dangerous. It happened to me as a kid. I sent a letter to WMATA and DC officials urging them to develop a solution.
- DC is facing a #MentalHealth crisis & we don't currently have enough mental health professionals to meet it. My new bill takes action building the pipeline we need by funding a Master's in #SocialWork prog. at @udc_edu that's FREE for DC residents:
- I’m calling on DM Turnage @DMHHS to pause homeless encampment clearings. We all want residents to be in safe housing, but the goal should be to do this right, not just to do it fast. We must afford all residents the dignity they deserve. Let’s focus on getting people housed.
- After a decade and a half, it’s time for the Council to review education in DC. With less than 16% of at-risk students and less than 30% of Black students on grade level, I’m proposing a Special Committee to review our education governance structure.
- 🧵DC faces a #MentalHealth crisis, from trauma from violence to Black #MaternalMortality, we have an urgent need for therapists, counselors, & behavioral health specialists, but lack the workforce to meet it. That's why I reintroduced the Pathways to Behavioral Health Degrees Act
- We don’t teach personal finance in our schools, & yet all adults need this skill set. I’m proud to re-introduce a bill to create a financial literacy program in @dcpublicschools high schools to teach students basics like budgeting, taxes, investing, borrowing & interest.
- Last night my colleagues CMs @BrianneKNadeau, @trayonwhite, @CMLewisGeorgeW4, @CMFrumin & I sent the following letter to @NatlParkService. The clearing of homeless neighbors from #McPherson Square must be delayed until DC can connect McPherson residents w/the support they need.
- More progress in strengthening ANCs! We passed a bill to give ANCs great weight when reviewing the Comprehensive Plan and to hire economic development staff to assist ANCs when negotiating with developers. S/o to @BrianneKNadeau, who authored this provision.
