Interested in public policy, the DC budget, research and information to inform and improve the caliber of public policy discussions or advocacy? This is the place for you: information and intelligence that improves advocacy is the stock in trade of this blog.
Friday, January 30, 2009
LaShawn court reports from the AG
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Oversight/budget schedules coming soon!
The oversight hearings end on March 16, just in time for Mayor Fenty to present his budget on March 20. The briefing on the mayor's proposed budget is being held on March 23 at 10:00 am in the Council Chambers (5th floor). The bad news is that the budget hearings start March 24, four days after the budget is released. While the Fenty Administration is working on a fabulous new Web site for all things budget, there are sure to be complaints about the timing of it all.
Keep checking back here for more on the hearing schedule (the detailed one) and any budget intelligence.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Get ready for the DC budget considerations!
These hearing schedules are important: They kick off the most important debates the District (government and community) will have this year. It is expected that both the audit/oversight and the budget hearings will be hard, painful and full of angst for all. Why? The Fenty Administration is trimming more than $450 million from the Local funds target of $5,816,110,000. This figure is based on the CFO's December 2008 revenue estimate (See the CFO Web site.) and is in anticipation of future rev estimates.
And now the shameless plug: Contact me about working with your organization this budget season to up the effectiveness of your advocacy. I have relationships, skills and a solid track record of success developed over the past 12 years in DC.
Friday, January 23, 2009
More news about CFSA
In other news, the interviews are over for the permanent CFSA director. No news on when an announcement will be made.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Update on DC's child welfare system
Onto a more useful exercise: Get ready for the Council's Committee on Human Services' public round table on the one-year anniversary of the Jacks' tragedy. The round table -- a Review of the "Repairing the safety net for at-risk children and families reform plan" one-year after the Jacks' Tragedy -- is being held on February 11 at Noon in Room 123 of the Wilson Building. More information is available from the committee by calling 724-8191.
Also important is the CHS public hearing on Bill 18-0012, "The Adoption and Safe Families Amendment Act of 2009." The hearing is being held on February 11 at 9:00 am in Room 123 of the Wilson Building. The legislation is on-line at the City Council Web site." Additional information on the legislation is in the Child- and Youth-Related Legislative Tracking Database. More information is available from the committee by calling 724-8191.
Former CC Member Kevin Chavous on education reform
Also on this site is a publication about Pre-K, Partners in Closing the Achievement Gap: How Charter Schools Can Support High-Quality Universal Pre-K.
Not sure where I stand on charters, but since Pre-K is a huge issue in DC, wanted to share.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tracking child- and youth-related legislation
If you have thoughts about the tracking tool, please email me.
Council requires greater transparency in FY 2010 budget
This Council action was achieved in large part by the work of tireless advocates including those from DCFPI and the Arc of the District of Columbia. That said, the Council under Chairman Gray has adopted transparency as one of its goals.
As good as this resolution is, significantly more must be done to improve budget and policy transparency. Those interested in taking part in this work should stay tuned here for opportunities to take action.
Check out the calendar for important advocacy opportunities
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Friday, January 9, 2009
Are you ready for the audit/oversight hearings in February and March?
The hearings follow the release of the CAFR. The FY 2008 CAFR will be released by February 1, 2009.
There are numerous ways the public can have a say in these hearings:
- Testify;
- Submit a statement in lieu of making a public appearance;
- Suggest to Council committees what information they should ask of agencies/boards/commissions in preparation for the hearings; and
- Suggest to Council committees what questions they can ask at the hearings.
There are also things that can be done after the hearings, including:
- Following up with committees. Sometimes, Councilmembers ask for more detailed information about a particular subject – you may want to provide that. You may also want to correct what you think were errors in the testimony of others, or provide more explanation.
- Helping committees prepare for the budget hearings that will take place between March and May 2009.
In the event you are interested in more detailed guidance or advice, I am available.
*The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is responsible for preparing the District's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The OCFO ensures that the CAFR is released each year on time and with a clean opinion from the city's independent auditors. A clean opinion indicates that the District's financial books are in order, that the CAFR fairly presents the city's financials, and that the results of the city's fiscal year operations are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The District's fiscal year is from October 1 to September 30. The CAFR must be issued by February 1 following the end of a fiscal year. The District of Columbia Citizens' Report (DCCR) is a summary of the past, present, and future conditions of the District of Columbia. It provides a brief history about how the District's government is operated and why; it explains the District's increased residential construction, improved infrastructure, and enhanced economic development; and it explains the District's future challenges and economic outlook. (This is taken directly from the Web site of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.)
Monday, January 5, 2009
CP 18 committee assignments-updated 1/6/09
Policy Analysis: Barriers to TANF parent participation in education
Go to Barriers to TANF parent participation in education to read the complete policy analysis.
Policy Analysis: Increasing parental participation in education in DC
- The current status of parent engagement in DC Public Schools;
- The barriers to parent engagement in their children’s education;
- Best practices related to increasing parent engagement in their children’s education and in schools; and
- Recommendations for the District of Columbia.
Go to Increasing parental participation in education in DC to read the complete policy analysis.