For Immediate Release:
April 7, 2020
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.286.1987 - mnocella@dccouncil.us
Council passes second emergency bill in response to coronavirus
Statement of Councilmember David Grosso
Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso on the second emergency legislation passed by the Council of the District of Columbia in response to the ongoing coronavirus public health emergency in D.C.:
“The emergency measure the Council passed today builds upon our first response package passed two weeks ago as the coronavirus first began to take hold in the District of Columbia. It includes relief for students, tenants, consumers, workers, and more.
“As chairperson of the Committee on Education, I want to ensure our high school students’ futures are not put on hold due to this pandemic. Today’s legislation keeps our students on track by waiving the community service hours requirement for graduating seniors and also the in-seat time requirement for courses that occur during the pandemic. These changes are necessary given the time constraints before the end of the year, the uncertain schedule for the remainder of the school year, and the need for social distancing.
“The measure also creates greater financial stability for workers able to access unemployment insurance; supports our local small businesses as they weather this crisis; better protects the health of those involved in our justice system; improves our health care system’s preparedness to handle the ever increasing workload; and allows for the continuity of our government’s operations and electoral processes.
“I appreciate the Chairman’s responsiveness to calls to restore a provision that guarantees residential, as well as commercial, tenants share in the benefits of their landlords’ mortgage deferrals.
“I am, however, disappointed that the bill leaves behind workers most in need of assistance like day laborers, domestic workers, street vendors, and undocumented residents, who are already routinely excluded from traditional government social safety net programs. This virus and its economic impact know no profession, immigration status, or other identifying factor, and nor should the assistance we are extending to our residents.
“While the Council and executive are going to continue to discuss policy proposals that will get desperately needed aid to these excluded workers, words cannot express my appreciation for the many local organizations that are filling the gap and offering material and cash assistance to these individuals. I hope that we can find a solution before it is too late and these workers experience irreparable financial ruin.
“As this public health emergency continues, I know this will certainly not be the last action the Council will have to take to protect our residents’ health, blunt the economic impact of this pandemic, and begin to recover.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor and my Council colleagues to continue to address this unprecedented crisis, and ensure all residents of the District of Columbia–especially those most vulnerable to the economic downturn associated with this virus–have the tools they need to survive now, and thrive once this pandemic is under control.
“Remember: please stay home if you can, for the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors. Additional resources for residents can be found on my website www.davidgrosso.org and updates and guidance on D.C.’s response to the coronavirus pandemic can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov.”
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