Statements – Kenyan R. McDuffie

15Jan 2020 by cmmcduffie

McDuffie on the release of the Disparity Report Framework and Recommendations and the Minority and Women-Owned Business Assessment

Statement

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Statement on the release of the Disparity Report Framework and Recommendations and the Minority and Women-Owned Business Assessment Washington, DC -- Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie has issued the following statement upon the release of two reports from the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), the Disparity Report Framework and Recommendations and the Minority and Women-Owned Business Assessment: "The findings of these reports are troubling, and I am disheartened—not just by what the data revealed, but also because a thorough study could not even be completed due to a lack of data. The reports underscore the necessity of consistent and standardized data collection, and one benefit is that we now have a roadmap to follow to develop a comprehensive study.Despite this, the goals of the CBE program are extremely…

24Jun 2019 by cmmcduffie

Statement on Councilmember Jack Evans

Statement

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie has released the following statement on Councilmember Jack Evans "I am deeply troubled by recent reports regarding a WMATA investigation which concluded that Councilmember Jack Evans violated WMATA’s code of ethics and subsequently decided to resign from his position on the Board. As a former prosecutor, and someone who has previously chaired a Council ad hoc committee, I believe deeply in the principles of fairness, justice, and due process. My unique experience as a prosecutor and someone who has witnessed both the good and the bad of our justice system on a personal and professional level has informed how I respond in times like this. So, I would caution against predetermining the outcome and discipline of an ad hoc committee prior to gathering all relevant facts…

19Mar 2019 by cmmcduffie

Councilmember McDuffie statement on today’s Council reprimand

Statement

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie issue the following statement after today's unanimous vote to approve the Council Reprimand of Councilmember Jack Evans Resolution of 2019 [PR23-0179] "It is incredibly frustrating and disappointing that this Council finds itself back in the position of having to discipline one of our members and attempting to restore public trust. As a former prosecutor, I believe deeply in the principles of fairness, justice, and due process. These are core tenets embodied by our Constitution and fundamental to our democracy. The Council’s integrity rests on its ability and willingness to enforce its own code of conduct when members are found to be in violation. With today’s action and the action to be undertaken at the next legislative meeting, the Council has taken appropriate steps…

10Dec 2018 by cmmcduffie

McDuffie Statement on Rhode Island Avenue Tax Increment Financing Act of 2018

Uncategorized

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie issued the following statement on the Rhode Island Avenue Tax Increment Financing Act of 2018, which is scheduled for a second and final on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. "I support the Rhode Island Avenue (RIA) Tax Increment Financing Act of 2018 [B22-0986] because it brings needed economic investment to Rhode Island Avenue NE and Ward 5, the project has a high percentage of affordable housing units, and it protects current residents from displacement. The RIA project includes about three times the number of affordable housing units when compared to other commensurate projects in D.C. (24% of units in this project are affordable, IZ requires 8-10%) and, importantly, many of these units are for extremely low-income renters making 0-30% of Area Median Income. Further, it prevents displacement of…

01Dec 2018 by cmmcduffie

McDuffie statement upon the announcement that Providence Hospital will not close its acute care services this December

Statement

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie issued the following statement upon the announcement that Providence Hospital will not close its acute care services this December as previously announced: “Yesterday, the District of Columbia Hospital Association (DCHA) confirmed that Providence Hospital will not close its acute care services this December as previously announced. Providence Hospital’s Emergency Department will remain open to low acuity visits until April 30, 2019, and the hospital will maintain 10-15 inpatient beds to support emergency services. I thank the DCHA as well as the D.C. Department of Health and State Health Planning and Development Agency for their work on this effort. I also want to thank everyone who fought to prevent the hasty December closure and in favor of a transition that prioritizes the health care needs of…

17Oct 2018 by cmmcduffie

McDuffie Statement on Passage of Emergency Legislation to Clarify District Role When a Hospital Seeks to Close

Statement

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie issued the following statement upon passage of the Clarification of Hospital Closure Procedure Temporary Amendment Act of 2018: “Everywhere I go in Ward 5 and across D.C., I talk to residents concerned about the proposed closure of Providence Hospital and equitable access to healthcare in the District. St. Louis-based Ascension Health is the owner of Providence Hospital and its mission statement states “We are advocates for a compassionate and just society through our actions and our words.” I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the neighbors, patients, and employees of Providence Hospital who only ask that Ascension Health live up to its promise to be “compassionate and just.” Going back over a year, people who value Providence Hospital have been in the position of reacting to Ascension…

03Oct 2018 by cmmcduffie

McDuffie Statement after the first vote on the Short-term Rental Regulation Act of 2018

Statement

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (Ward 5) issued the following statement after the first vote on the “Short-term Rental Regulation Act of 2018” [B22-0092] "On October 2, the Council voted unanimously to support legislation that provides clarity for participants in homesharing, protects the District's housing stock, and preserves the integrity of neighborhoods for residents across the District. My work on this legislation, the Short-term Rental Regulation Act of 2018, began over a year and a half ago. My goals were simple: to create a clear regulatory framework for District residents to participate in homesharing and address a glaring gap in the law that led to increased pressure on our housing market, abuse by commercial operators, and significant health and safety concerns raised by members of the…

02Oct 2018 by cmmcduffie

McDuffie Statement on the Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act of 2018

Statement

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (Ward 5) has issued the following statement on the “Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act of 2018” [B22-0913]: “Over the course of my career, I have worked to protect the rights of some of our most vulnerable residents and I do not take the decision to repeal Initiative 77 lightly. Our work at the Council is often quite challenging, requiring members to consider all sides of an issue to make informed decisions. In my role as Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, I must weigh the concerns of residents and businesses and must carefully evaluate how policy affects our city’s workforce and overall economic growth. My decision to support repeal of Initiative 77 is informed by conversations with…

18Sep 2018 by cmmcduffie

McDuffie statement on the passing of Lillian Huff

Statement

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (Ward 5) issued the following statement upon the passing of Lillian Huff: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ms. Lillian Huff. Through her many roles in the District of Columbia, she helped to establish political institutions that continue to impact our discourse today. She was a civil rights advocate who opened doors for African Americans and women, while also advancing the cause of self-determination for the District of Columbia on a national stage. Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Huff was Chair of the first D.C. Statehood Constitutional Convention; she was one of the founders and founding President of the D.C. Federation of Democratic Women; she twice served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention; she played…

12Jul 2018 by cmmcduffie

Councilmember McDuffie Statement regarding Initiative 77

Statement

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (Ward 5) has issued the following statement regarding Initiative 77: "As a former civil rights attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, I have worked to protect the rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens. Given my experience, I do not take any potential legislative action on Initiative 77 lightly. Overwhelmingly, when speaking directly with tipped workers, I have heard their concerns that Initiative 77 would cause more harm than good. Further, the minimum wage for District workers is already accelerating toward $15/hour, based on a 2016 law passed by the Council and which I proudly supported. This minimum wage applies to tipped workers as well, because businesses are required by law to make up the difference if an employee does not earn…