2008 Archive

A majority of our residents now face an unprecedented crisis, a crisis of everyday life, not being able to afford a decent quality of life and pay their bills for essentials. Human rights of these residents are being systematically violated by the continued neglect of our elected government. Economic conditions have created a depression for so many of our low income residents while prices for essentials are rapidly rising. And the budget for the coming year proposed by our Mayor and passed by our City Council is woefully inadequate to confront this crisis.

Testimony by David Schwartzman, Legislative and Tax & Budget Coordinator and candidate for At-Large Council, DC Statehood Green Party, dschwartzman@gmail.com,

"REPORT ON SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PLACEMENTS AND EMERGENCY SHELTER CAPACITY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA"

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008 10:00 A.M. THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING 1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. ROOM 412

Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC
2008 Questionnaire for D.C. Council Candidates

August 1, 2008

My own Record on behalf of GLBT people.

Submission to the Washington Post Election Guide 2008 by D. Schwartzman

What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

Almost one third of our children live in poverty. We must create 21st Century green collar jobs for our residents, especially youth with comprehensive apprenticeship programs in our public schools. We can generate the needed revenue with tax fairness; reduce the tax rate for the working class majority, raise it for DC millionaires. Provide truly affordable housing for our majority, raise TANF benefits to above poverty, fully fund child care, job training, substance abuse programs. Curb the childhood asthma epidemic, carbon emissions driving global warming. Lower Metro fares, students ride free with congestion charge for commuters. More democracy, not less!

First, the rainy day money should be used to cover any deficits, and to prevent cuts in the already austere FY 2009 budget, which shortchanges middle- and low-income people in DC. Mayor Fenty dipped into the rainy day fund to cover the escalating costs of the youth summer job program, he should do likewise now to avoid hurtful budget cuts.

And yes, there should be cuts in the FY2009 budget, such as:

a) The subsidies to the corporate sector should be looked out, with corporate earmarks (e.g., $50 million to Verizon/MCI) at the top of the list for elimination.

David Schwartzman’s Responses

Budget Scenario: Assume the District of Columbia budget will have only a limited amount of funding for new initiatives in the coming years, given the slow economy. Highlight your top 5 budget priorities that you would promote: one being your highest priority and five being your lowest. (Examples of what could be accomplished are below each category.)

______1_ Workforce Development
* Eliminate the training waitlist for adults
* Provide adult literacy education

_____1__ Housing

Note: The DC Bar Candidates Forum was held on October 24, 2008
Here are my responses to questions from the audience that were emailed to the candidates on October 27.

Administration

1. Are open meetings, in fact, overrated?

No, they are imperative, contributing to transparency and accountable government.

Budget and Local Economy

2. The District Government, like most state governments, is facing budget shortfalls.
a. Which programs would you cut? See below
b. How would you balance the budget? "

My online response (with typos in the original corrected) David Schwartzman Says: October 9th, 2008 at 2:08 pm

While I appreciate LL's grade, and as a I professor I only give As to those who really earn it, the claim of "extremely low expectations" means what? That I have a much smaller campaign chest compared to the other contenders who all apparently welcome corporate contributions, even though the DC Statehood Green Party gets far more votes per dollar than the corporate parties? Or that I side unequivocally with our working class majority and reject the acceptable discourse of what is possible in our political economy? And what is the alleged "steep hike" on the richest 5 percent? A modest few percent in their DC income tax rate, which is partly deductible in most case from their federal payment. Yes, I argue that the wealthy in our community should pay their fair share, now more than ever, making our DC tax structure slightly progressive. Who needs income security now most, the wealthy who can forgo a new Lexus or European vacation this year or our working class majority who now must choose which bill for necessities they should pay first?

Clean Water Action
Sierra Club Washington, DC Chapter
Friends of the Earth Action

2008 Political Questionnaire

Further elaboration

Thursday, Oct 2, 2008 Washcycle

1. Several states have a 'safe-passing distance' law requiring vehicles overtaking a bicyclist to give them not less than three feet of distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle. Would you support such a law in the District?

Yes, of course. This issue is one of the reasons I am afraid to commute by bicycle.