Neighbors,
On Tuesday, the Council held its final Legislative Meeting of Council Period 22 and it may have been one of the busiest council periods in recent years. My colleagues and I worked diligently to pass legislation that will make our city more equitable, healthy, and environmentally friendly. Tuesday's agenda was brimming with complex and critical measures, but I’ll highlight three: “Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018,” “The East End Equity Act,” and the “Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act.”
Equity
The “Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018” will legalize sports betting in the District. I authored a significant amendment that will require this new industry to open the doors of opportunity to our minority- and women-owned local businesses. I am also proud to have shaped the law to ensure that a major portion of the revenues generated from sports betting will be dedicated to fund the NEAR Act’s public health-based violence prevention strategies.
Health
Earlier this year we rolled up our sleeves to fight for health care access and keeping Providence Hospital open. On Tuesday, I was again fighting alongside hospital workers working to ensure equitable access to health care across all of DC, as I advocated successfully to pass the “East End Equity Act.” The bill includes an amendment that I co-introduced which will ensure that Howard University’s College of Medicine has an academic affiliation agreement to satisfy its accreditation standards and allow Howard to continue building upon its legacy of producing top African American health care professionals to serve the District and the global community.
Environment
With the entire community fighting together, not only were we able to advance toward resolving the long-standing environmental justice issue that is the W Street Trash Transfer Station, we achieved even more to improve the District's air, water, and environment. As the Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, I worked with stakeholders to champion and pass the “CleanEnergy DC Omnibus Amendment Act.” With the passage of the bill, we set forth the most aggressive renewable energy portfolio standards in the country. The bill mandates that the District use 100% renewable energy by 2032. Many believe this bill will be a model for our region and the nation.
For more details on each of these bill see below.
In Service,
Kenyan
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