My Responses to D.C. Women’s Agenda and Rising 9th-grade girls residing in the Hillcrest, Naylor Gardens, and Woodland Terrace neighborhoods of Wards 7-8 Candidates Questionnaires
Introduction
The D.C. Women’s Agenda
The Washington, D.C. Women’s Agenda (DCWA) is a local advocacy and policy coalition that began in the spring of 2003. The group’s primary mission is to promote the advancement of equality and well-being for all women and girls in D.C. The coalition is made up of a diverse group of advocates, service providers, and individuals who work together to address issues of social and economic justice that women and girls face on a daily basis living in our community. Currently, the group is co-facilitated by Wider Opportunities for Women and the D.C. Employment Justice Center.
Health Care
-Question 1-
In 2007, 17.7% of all women in DC lived below the poverty line and 12% lived without health insurance. How do you propose to secure and improve health care for women and all DC residents?
“Affordable health care for all residents is a priority. The DC City Council should implement single-payer health coverage as soon as possible. Maryland Legislature Universal Health Care bills HB 441 and HB 1510, introduced in FY 2006-7, are models for this effort. The first steps should include the immediate creation of a representative advisory board charged with producing a state of the art plan to be presented for Council Hearings for implementation in FY 2008-9. DC General Hospital should be reopened and fully supported so we will once again have a public hospital, especially serving residents east of the river.”
-Question 2-
Family planning clinics in DC serve approximately half of women and teenagers in need of publicly supported contraceptive services. In 2007, DC’s policy of providing emergency contraceptives for women according to The National Women’s Law Center Report Card fell into “No/Harmful Policy” category. How would you ensure that all DC women have access to contraceptive services they need to make the right decisions for their health, families, and overall well-being?
“Free or low cost contraceptive services, including counseling, should be provided in all District health care facilities. Further, this service should be widely advertised in public places, such as Metro, and on radio and TV.Free condoms should be widely distributed in public high schools, with instruction on their proper use. Education in safe and responsible sex emphasizing gender equality and respect for the diversity of sexual preference should be mandatory in public schools and other facilities.”
-Question 3-
Current data suggests that DC has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS infections of all major U.S. cities: two times higher than New York City and four times that of Detroit, Michigan. One hundred out of every 100,000 women in DC has AIDS, more than ten times the national rate of nine out of every 100,000 women. The number of District women living with AIDS has increased by more than 76% over the past six years. Astonishingly, DC infants with HIV/AIDS make up 9% of infants infected nationwide. A large part of the problem has been attributed to the lack of routine HIV/AIDS testing as part of pre-natal care. Early diagnosis not only saves the lives of those infected, but it also prevents transmission to others. Would you support a policy that ensures that all patients, as part of their prenatal care, are informed of their right to have HIV/AIDS testing? Why or why not?
[I overlooked this question when I submitted my questionnaire. This was my intended answer: "Yes, of course I support a policy that ensures that all patients, as part of their prenatal care, are informed of their right to have HIV/AIDS testing. But the option of voluntary testing must be accompanied by full provision of free counseling and appropriate treatment program if the patient is infected with HIV."]
-Question 4-
In 2007, the DC Council passed legislation mandating that all girls entering the 6th grade receive the HPV vaccine. While twenty states considered the mandate, only DC and Virginia signed it into law. The estimated cost of the vaccine is $360.00, making it one of the most expensive vaccines available. The mandates in DC and Virginia do not address how the cost of the vaccine will be covered. According to the Washington Post, some DC pediatricians are not providing the vaccine because the reimbursement rate is too low. Other pediatricians have been writing prescriptions for the vaccine, but insurance companies often will not offer reimburse for vaccines provided by pharmacists. To address this problem, some of the states that did not adopt the mandate require insurance companies to cover the cost of the vaccine when a girl elects to have it. Would you support legislation that would require insurance companies to pay the full cost of the HPV vaccine? Why or why not?
“Yes, of course insurance companies should be required to pay the full cost of the HPV vaccine, likewise, the District government for those who are uninsured and consent to have their child so vaccinated. However, there are still pending questions regarding the efficacy and safety of this mandated procedure for vaccination, namely three shots of Gardasil… These concerns should be resolved before this program is implemented.”
Housing/Homelessness
-Question 1-
According to recent studies by The DC Department of Insurance Securities and Banking (DISB) and The Urban Institute, sub-prime loans in DC have been disproportionately granted to single, low and moderate income households in Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8. Approximately 11% of loans granted in the District were sub-prime. Nationally, 1 in 5 sub-prime loans will be foreclosed. 75% of women in DC with foreclosure notices could qualify for a better loan. Given the current state of the housing crisis, what can the DC Government do to lesson its impact on DC residents in need? Would you support a change in the District’s foreclosure statute to require a judicial foreclosure process that includes a hearing before an impartial officer prior to foreclosure?
“Yes.”
-Question 2-
The waitlist for individuals seeking housing choice vouchers and placement in public housing through the D.C. Housing Authority is overwhelmingly constituted by women. Currently there are 25,000 individuals on the list and the majority are women. Councilmember Marion Barry recently introduced the Housing Waiting List Elimination Act of 2008. The legislation would require the Mayor to develop and submit a comprehensive plan to the Council that aims to eliminate the District of Columbia Housing Authority’s current waiting list by January 1, 2012. The plan requires identifying local funding for housing and a strategy to pursue unrealized federal and private funding for affordable housing. Do you support this legislation? What recommendations would you suggest that the Mayor provide in his plan to target and pursue local and federal funding?
“Yes, I support this legislation. Full funding of the Local Rent Supplement Program, cut in the FY 2009 Budget, should be a priority, with necessary revenue provided with tax fairness, by making our present regressive District tax structure progressive, reducing the tax rate for the working class majority, raising it for DC millionaires. Tax assessments of commercial property must be opened up for public review (Initiative 51, passed by voters over a decade ago, must be implemented by the Council). I support immediate implementation of inclusionary zoning requiring employment of DC residents and vigorous enforcement of anti-discrimination policies.”
Wage, Benefits and Economic Self-Sufficiency
-Question 1-
As a society, we encourage individuals to address domestic violence by filing police reports, seeking Civil Protection Orders, or finding safe shelter. Crucial to escaping a violent situation is one’s financial means, which often directly relates to one’s employment. Under current law, victims of domestic violence are not protected from discrimination in the workplace. This means that if they request time off from work in order to address the violence, they potentially risk wage reduction or job loss. In fact, some people have been fired when their employers discovered that they are victims of domestic violence. Would you support legislation to amend the Human Rights Act so that it prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's status as a victim of domestic violence?
“Yes.”
-Question 2-
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assists 17,000 households representing 50,000 low-income parents and children in DC. Current TANF benefits for various family types only cover approximately 19% of the federal poverty line. Would you support the adjustment of TANF benefit amounts to inflation each year? Why or why not?
“Yes, a cost of living adjustment every year for TANF benefits is absolutely necessary. Further, TANF benefits should be raised to above the poverty level. Approximately $150 million/year is needed to accomplish this goal (Ed Lazere, DCFPI). A fair DC tax structure can easily generate this needed revenue. The District should officially commit itself to a self-sufficiency goal for all its residents with an annually monitored review of its progress. I will work for the creation of a regional coalition to promote the same goals. For my testimony on this and other issues go to: http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org/testimony/.”
-Question 3-
According to CFED’s (formerly the Corporation for Enterprise Development) Assets and Opportunities Scorecard, a national rating of state asset building policies and outcomes, the District ranks 48th out of 51 in average net worth of households. Weak financial skills and asset poverty threaten the ability of residents to maintain their financial independence. The Opportunity Accounts Act of 2001 authorized District funding for Individual Development Accounts and matched savings accounts for low-income residents to invest in first time home purchase, small business development, or completion of a college or job training programs. Current enrollment in the City’s Opportunity Accounts program is 70% women and 80% African American—a reflection that the program is reaching those most acutely affected by asset poverty. While the 2001 legislation authorized $200,000 per year for this program, it has never been included in the City’s baseline budget. If you were elected, would you commit to supporting the Opportunity Accounts program?
“Yes, by all means I would support full funding for the Opportunity Accounts program.”
-Question 4-
Two thirds of DC’s low-income (incomes below 200% of poverty) working families are headed by single women. This is almost twice the national rate of women in low-income working households. Ten states have adjusted their minimum wage for inflation, namely Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon Vermont and Washington. DC’s minimum wage will fail to keep up with inflation again as soon it reaches $8.25 in 2009. Minimum wage practices have a disproportionate impact on women who, nationwide, make up 2/3 of minimum-wage workers. An inflation-adjusted minimum wage would help low-income workers keep pace with the cost of living, but it would be particularly beneficial to women, families, and minorities. If elected, would you support a minimum wage that adjusts for inflation each year? Why or why not?
“Yes, I fully support an annual cost of living adjustment in the minimum wage. Further, I will introduce and organize for legislation to make the minimum wage a living wage for all employees, without discrimination regards to citizenship status, in the District, promoting a regional coalition to do the same in Maryland and Virginia.”
-Question 5-
There are numerous factors creating working poverty in DC. 54% of the jobs in the District were held by those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, while the overall U.S. average was only 28%. DC attracts a large number of college educated workers, which crowds out less educated and skilled workers. In addition, 80 percent of low-income working single mothers in the District have high school degrees, but only 32% have any post-secondary education. The District’s expenditures for adult education and literacy is only about half of the national average of $63.41 per adult aged 18-64 without a high-school degree or equivalent. Residents of Maryland and Virginia hold almost twice the number of low wage jobs in DC than DC residents. Many adult literacy programs have waiting lists ranging from one month to more than one year. Would you be willing to direct more funding for the District’s adult literacy programs? If there was a budget shortfall next year, what other ideas would you have to raise low-income families’ lack of education and skills?
“Yes, full funding of adult literacy programs is imperative. I will work to prevent a budget shortfall by submitting and organizing for fair tax legislation to insure the necessary revenue is available. A modest tax hike on the top 5% income bracket of District families (over $200,000/year) will generate this revenue. The Maryland legislature recently passed a tax hike for millionaires, we should do likewise, especially for the top 1% bracket, who now average $3 million a year and lower the DC tax rate for the bottom 60% income bracket representing the great majority of DC residents (Matt Gardner, ITEP).”
Girls and Teens
-Question 1-
Violence among youth is a constant concern throughout the city, particularly violence associated with gangs and the increasing involvement of girls in violent gang activity. In 2007, 27% of young women in grades 9-12 reported being in a physical fight at least once in the previous 12 months. What have you done and, if (re)elected what will you do to address this problem?
“Non-violent conflict resolution education should be mandatory in DC public schools and recreation facilities. The root cause of violence among youth in our community is the high poverty rate, especially for our children. Domestic and youth violence should be approached as a public health problem. Once on the Council I will prioritize a comprehensive poverty elimination program by submitting the necessary legislation and using the full resources of my office to organize for its implementation.”
-Question 2-
It is estimated that there are 12,000 disconnected youth in DC, approximately accounting for 8% of teenagers. “Disconnected youth” includes individuals ages 16-24 who are unemployed, high school drop-outs, transitioning from foster care, involved in the juvenile justice system or otherwise divorced from social and community supports. The numbers are considerably worse as teenagers enter their early twenties. Among 18-24 year olds in the District of Columbia, 16% are not working, not attending school, or do not have more than a high school diploma. What will you do to help disconnected youth reconnect with community supports?
“These youth must not be allowed to enter the prison industrial complex. All necessary support services and incentives to return to school should be provided, fully funded, staffed. For example, more social workers must be hired to reduce the present caseload so that timely intervention is possible. Full funding of substance abuse treatment and affordable housing for all in need must be provided with long term intervention, child care, comprehensive substance abuse and HIV/AIDS treatment programs, mental health counseling and job training. An apprenticeship program for 21st Century green collar jobs should be provided in all our public schools.”
Child Care/Child Health
-Question 1-
Under the reauthorization of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), many individuals will face work requirements. However, in order to do so, they often will need access to child care. In DC, 90% of TANF recipients are women. According to the DC Department of Early Care and Education Administration’s 2007 Child Care Profiles, 7,201 of the District’s children were on waiting lists for enrollment in child care programs, approximately 75% of whom were under the age of 2. What specific steps do you propose to ensure that individuals needing subsidized child care have access to it?
“The FY 2009 District budget cut $4 million from child care programs. I will work to restore this cut and fully fund subsidized child care so that everyone in need is provided with this care.”
-Question 2-
Of the approximately 8,000 births per year in DC, 20% or 1600 are considered “most” at-risk for child abuse, neglect and poor health based on the risk factors of late prenatal care, low birth weight, teen pregnancy and births to single mothers. Research shows that the provision of consistent, on-going, high quality home visitation services beginning during the pre-natal period and lasting at least until the child’s third birthday has enormous benefits. Last year the Council approved $400,000 in home visitation funding, which would only assist 114 families. Would you be willing to expand the home visitation services in the next year’s budget? For example, 2 million in additional funding would allow for an expansion of home visitation services to 570 additional families.
“Yes, I would vigorously support full funding for home visitation services.”
My responses to questions from Rising 9th-grade girls residing in the Hillcrest, Naylor Gardens, and Woodland Terrace neighborhoods of Wards 7-8:
Schools and Libraries
What will you do to renovate schools, specifically classrooms at open space schools where we can’t concentrate because there are no walls?
What will you do to control mice and rats in schools?
What will you do to get tutors and teachers who give extra help to students who need it?
What will you do to clean up unsanitary bathrooms in schools?
What will you do to improve libraries so we can concentrate in peace and quite?
"First rate school facilities should be a District priority. As a Howard University professor since 1973, I fully appreciate the vital role primary and secondary education plays in preparing students for productive employment and careers of their choice. This section focuses on the physical condition of schools, and the provision of sufficient tutors and teachers and well as library improvement. School renovation must be our immediate priority, no more excuses for delays should be tolerated! Maintenance staff necessary to insure clean and sanitary school bathrooms have been cut. Therefore, full funding and staffing is imperative for both our public schools and libraries. If we tap into our real tax base, e.g., the income of D.C. millionaires who now pay a lower local tax rate than the rest of us including those living in poverty, we will go far in providing the necessary revenue for this objective. The closure of neighborhood public schools in working class wards including East of the River is unacceptable and should be reversed. The root cause of poor student performance is the high poverty rate, especially in Wards 7 and 8. Therefore a District comprehensive poverty elimination program should implemented, with social work support in school facilities serving low income families. An apprenticeship program for 21st Century green collar jobs should be provided in all our public schools, partnering with non-profits, businesses and unions. Then our District's Green Collar Job Initiative will fulfill its promise, to provide 21st century employment for our youth, while improving the quality of life for all residents.. I oppose privatization of public education and acceptance of the depopulation of DC driven by gentrification."
Safety
What will you do to improve security on Metrobus?
Do you support surveillance cameras at street intersections? What will you do to improve security at Woodland Terrace?
Do you support establishing more Neighborhood Watch programs?
Do you support a curfew for youth?
"There are no quick fixes to improve security and reduce violent crime. Partial solutions include the expansion of community-police partnerships. Police abuse of civil rights and liberties (e.g., Trinidad blockade, police killing of DeOnté Rawlings) must stop. A independent Civilian Review Board should be established to investigate such abuse. Police and government violence at the highest level (e.g., the illegal U.S. Iraq invasion) set the example for small time violence in our neighborhoods. The money virtually wasted on surveillance cameras in neighborhoods should go to education and recreation/learning centers. Non-violent conflict resolution education should be mandatory in DC public schools and recreation facilities. The root cause of violence among youth in our community is the high poverty rate, especially for our children. Domestic and youth violence should be approached as a public health problem. Once on the Council I will prioritize a comprehensive poverty elimination program by submitting the necessary legislation and using the full resources of my office to organize for its implementation. All necessary support services and incentives especially for “disconnected” youth, should be provided, fully funded and staffed. For example, more social workers must be hired to reduce the present caseload so that timely intervention is possible. Full funding of substance abuse treatment and affordable housing for all in need must be provided with long term intervention, child care, comprehensive substance abuse and HIV/AIDS treatment programs, mental health counseling and job training."
Health
What will you do for people who don’t have health insurance and can’t afford to pay for it?
Would you support [District government] providing health coverage to employees who don’t get these benefits from their efforts?
What will you do to expand the numbers of hospital rooms and staff at United Medical Center [formerly Greater Southeast Community Hospital]?
Do you support adding another hospital out here [East of the River]?
Would you support more frequent health inspections for restaurants?
"Affordable health care for all residents is a priority. The District should immediately provide truly affordable health insurance to all in need. Further, the DC City Council should implement single-payer health coverage as soon as possible. The first steps should include the immediate creation of a representative advisory board charged with producing a state of the art plan to be presented for Council Hearings for implementation in FY 2008-9. DC General Hospital should be reopened and fully supported so we will once again have a public hospital, especially serving residents East of the River. Existing private hospitals should be compelled to provide free or low cost care for all DC residents in need, including residents of Wards 7 and 8. The childhood asthma epidemic must be curbed, likewise carbon emissions driving global warming. I will work for lower Metro fares, so that students ride free, with a congestion charge for commuters. Yes, I do support more frequent health inspections for restaurants as well as a city wide ban on transfats, proven to contribute to heart disease."
Housing
Do you support providing temporary housing for public housing residents while their homes are renovated?
What will you do to improve the condition of the buildings of Woodland Terrace?
"Yes, of course I support the immediate provision of temporary housing for public housing residents while their homes are being renovated. The buildings in Woodland Terrace should be renovated immediately. District government housing policies should be radically changed from promoting the building of luxury apartments and condos to making a priority the provision of affordable housing for all in need. Full funding of the Local Rent Supplement Program, cut in the FY 2009 Budget, should be a priority, with necessary revenue provided with tax fairness, by making our present regressive District tax structure progressive, reducing the tax rate for the working class majority, raising it for DC millionaires. Tax assessments of commercial property must be opened up for public review (Initiative 51, passed by voters over a decade ago, must be implemented by the Council). I support immediate implementation of inclusionary zoning requiring employment of DC residents and vigorous enforcement of anti-discrimination policies."
