Responses: Patrick Mara

1. You are elected to the DC Council. Will you be a full-time councilmember and not take any outside employment?

Yes, I will serve as a full-time Councilmember. Any given day you can turn on channel 13 and watch committee meetings where the only person asking questions is the Chair. It is a major problem that no other council members attend these hearings to ask tough questions. As a member of the Council I will be at these meetings, asking tough questions, and making sure the city's programs are operating efficiently and effectively.

2. Will you introduce legislation establishing an independent Office on Ethics that would vet hires and oversee both the executive and legislative branches of DC government?

Absolutely, an independent Office on Ethics could provide some much needed oversight on District government. Additionally, I am running as the only true independent voice that can stand up to the tired allegiances that permeate the DC Council. With 5 of 13 Councilmembers embroiled in a major legal or ethics scandal in the past year alone, the Council is in desperate need of an independent voice and an Office on Ethics who can hold DC government accountable.

3. You have been named chairman of the Committee on Government Operations and the Environment. Name three initiatives you would introduce to improve oversight of DC government.

1. I propose a top-to-bottom review of all city contracts. We must exhaustively evaluate how efficiently District government is spending money. Over the past decade, spending has increased 78% and that is simply unsustainable. However, cuts in spending do not mean we still cannot provide all the services our city needs; I believe too often we throw money at problems without evaluating outcomes. As Councilmember, I will seek to provide the most efficient and effective programs the most funding.
        For example, everyone understands that we face an unemployment crisis in DC. In order to address this issue, we must take calculated measures to build a well equipped workforce that can address the labor needs of District employers. Job training programs like the one at Carlos Rosario help equip citizens with the necessary skills to be placed in growing industry's at nearly a 100% rate. In fact, the three programs at Carlos Rosario (culinary, nurse's assistant, and computer support specialist) all have placement rates in the high 90s.
2. Leverage technology to provide transparency. Anyone familiar with District agencies knows how far behind with regards to technology. By updating District government's technological systems, we can give voters better and more transparent access to how their taxpayer dollars are spent. Additionally, we can experience huge savings and economies of scale by utilizing the latest technologies for data processing and analysis.
3. Hold Councilmembers accountable and seek punitive action for those who commit ethics violations or break the law. Put simply, I will aggressively pursue legislation that empowers the people of DC to boot lawmakers who violate the public trust from office.

4. Do you support Wal-Mart opening stores in the District? How will you vote on legislation recently reintroduced in the DC Council that requires stores larger than 75,000 square feet to pay a living wage?

I support Wal-Mart opening stores in the District because I understand the pain many unemployed residents face every day. We need jobs and I support any organization that wishes to employ residents of DC. However, I agree that workers must be treated fairly, given a living wage, and be awarded satisfactory benefits. This also speaks to how we need a more comprehensive approach to Workforce Development. We must look at outcomes of the programs we fund.

5. DC contributes a sizable taxpayer-funded subsidy to Metro, and many residents depend on Metro for transportation. What role should the DC Council play in shaping Metro policies, such as the bag search policy?

I ride the 64/63 bus and the Green/Yellow Metro lines almost every day. I believe the Council has a vested interest in the direction of Metro and therefore should play an active role in its decision making processes. As the only candidate in the special election who depends solely on public transportation and does not own a car, I believe I am uniquely positioned to advocate on behalf of District residents who depend on Metro and other modes of public transit. I am strongly opposed to the bag search policy because it clearly violates our civil liberties.

6. Do you agree with DC’s current income tax structure? Check Yes or No. If No, how would you change it?

No. The reality is that our current tax structure is hugely non-competitive when compared with neighboring jurisdictions. Thus, when relocating to the Metro area, people are naturally inclined to move to Maryland or Virginia. With high tax rates comes a smaller tax base and ultimately less revenues. I strongly oppose any proposals to increase income taxes in DC.

7. Do you agree with DC’s push to build a streetcar network? Check Yes or No. Explain your answer.

Yes. There are many underserved parts of the District whose residents need affordable, consistent forms of transportation. The streetcar program will encourage growth in these underserved areas and provide transportation for low income families and workers. The DC streetcar network can be powered with electricity from green programs, providing a clean, efficient, and effective means of transportation.

8. DC is facing a $320 million budget shortfall. Name three cuts you would make, the amount, and why.

1. There exists an excess of human capital in central agency offices. Not only will trimming central office staff save in wages, but also long term financial commitments such as pensions and health care.
2. The city needs to make cuts to programs that have proven to be ineffective. Cutting funding to these programs will allow the city to reallocate the funds to programs that have a proven track record. Effective programs will quickly translate into a better equipped workforce, improved economic development, and better standard of life here in DC.
3. Eliminating unreported credit cards and debit cards at departments and agencies. Currently, expenditures under $20,000 go unreported and that is unacceptable.

9. You win office. How will you use your tickets to Verizon Center and Nationals Park?

I would donate my tickets to disadvantaged DC youth and their families and would encourage my colleagues to do the same.

10. What are your top three legislative priorities to make DC a more sustainable, energy-efficient city?

1. I will push for incentives for DC produced green energy. There are many programs here in DC that need to be funded and supported by the council. Right now, DC imports almost all of its energy, making us totally dependent on others. DC needs to have a successful green energy production program to better diversify our energy consumption.
2. I'm a firm believer in distributed generation. I've worked at NREL and have a professional background in clean energy and environmental issues. Residential solar incentives must be protected.
3. As noted before, I do not own a car. I will look at ways we can better incorporate cleaner and alternative fuels, technologies in our public transportation.

FINAL QUESTION: Are you a progressive? Please give us your personal definition of progressive politics.

Yes.