Candidate Responses

UPDATE: Responses from Dorothy Douglas and Patrick Mara have been added (1 pm, April 20). We also sent the questionnaire to Arkan Haile, Vincent Orange, and Tom Brown but did not receive a response.

The special election for the open at-large Council seat is next Tuesday, April 26! Four Six candidates responded to our questionnaire, and their answers are posted in separate entries below. All answers have been posted without editing, except for edits necessary for coding and formatting on this site.

You can read their responses candidate by candidate, or question by question:

Sekou Biddle
Dorothy Douglas
Josh Lopez
Patrick Mara
Alan Page
Bryan Weaver

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

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?

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.

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Responses: Dorothy Douglas

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

Yes. When elected, I will be a full-time council member and not take any outside employment.

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?

Yes. It’s definitely needed. Although I want very much to contain additional taxing of the DC budget, I believe that this measure will save the District lots of money through effective oversight of hiring practices.

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.

Location, location, location is to real estate, as accountability, accountability, accountability should be to government. One initiative that I’d implement to improve oversight of the government is full disclosure of proposed spending to the public. Too much major expenditure gets by because the public doesn’t know about them until too late. Secondly, I’d introduce an initiative that would place youth in shadowing capacities on every level of government, to include Council. Youth should be able to run for political office to represent their ward. The third initiative that I would introduce is a universal communications program. This program would empower youth and adults to share information coming down from the government. We would employ their unique talents and gifts to disseminate info around the city in a manner understandable to all. This would both increase the interest of a larger number of citizens, but would also reach a lot more people through various means.

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 am supportive of Wal-Mart opening in the District. I am also very supportive of the “living wage” legislation. In addition to paying a living wage, I would like to see Wal-Mart assure employment of a certain percentage of DC residents, especially those living in the ward where the stores are located; give back to the community through local scholarships, and; partner with local schools, colleges and universities on educational initiatives.

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 believe that Council should attend to matters that affect the general safety of the public on Metro. We should allow and help facilitate the public weighing in on certain policy decisions before they are made. The Council can initially serve as intermediaries to determine which info deems scrutiny from the public.

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

No. I believe that the tax structure should be more balanced so that every citizen equitably (according to their income) shares in the expenses of the District.

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

Yes, I am in agreement with the streetcar network. I believe that the streetcar will provide a good, clean mode of transportation to and from neighborhoods and business communities. Additionally, the streetcar network will carry potential patrons to places that are not as easily accessible.

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

I am for increasing revenue over making cuts, although cuts may be necessary. Initially, however, I would work to secure payments of outstanding debt owed to the district by individuals and governments. A quick influx of payments from the federal government (Medicaid) and individuals (overdue taxes and parking tickets). Next, I would collapse departments and/or programs that are similar and that can effectively be operated under a singular program. Duplication/redundancy of programs is a waste and should be addressed immediately. Lastly, totally eliminate departments and/or programs that are inefficient and ineffective.

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

I support the local teams and would continue to do so. As a parent, grandparent, and educator, I know how important exposure to various activities is for the development of young minds. Therefore, I would provide as many opportunities for young people to visit these two venues for the various games and performances.

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

As the First Lady goes, so shall I. My top three “green” priorities would be to push community gardens and tree-planting, increase recycling, and enhance incentives for individuals and companies that adopt at least 3 new sustainability efforts. It is more our job to introduce, encourage, and facilitate energy efficiency than to impose it. As a model, the Council would request/require that testimonies be submitted electronically instead of numerous paper copies being submitted. This would allow for easier cataloging of testimonies and decrease the amount of paper used. Council members should have laptops at every hearing in order to follow along and/or for reference. I believe that changing the mindset of our residents is key to a successful sustainability program.

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

I consider myself progressive. To me, progressive politics refers to a policy of carefully evaluating the moves, the impact, and the plan before implementing policy. Taking into consideration the typical response to a problem versus the out-of-the-box response and determining the most appropriate action is what progressives do. We see obstacles as opportunities.

Responses: Are You a Progressive?

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

Biddle: Yes. I am a supporter of finding solutions to major social problems through a forward-looking, socially evolving political agenda for everyone, especially as it relates to groups who have historically not had a seat at the table.

Douglas: I consider myself progressive. To me, progressive politics refers to a policy of carefully evaluating the moves, the impact, and the plan before implementing policy. Taking into consideration the typical response to a problem versus the out-of-the-box response and determining the most appropriate action is what progressives do. We see obstacles as opportunities.

Lopez: Yes, I am a progressive candidate. I believe a progressive politician is one who goes against the grain in order to see that the jurisdiction he or she represents moves forward. Alternative thinking is a key tenant of progressive politics because it provides new ways to solve old problems. Progressive politics also has a legacy of advocating on behalf of the working class and the disenfranchised.

Mara: Yes.

Page: Yes, I am a progressive.

I define a progressive as a person who views government service through the lens of social justice, sees government revenue as money held by them in sacred trust by the taxpayer, and vows to fight in the best interest of the people rather than corporate or monied interests.

Weaver: I am a progressive.

The Washington Post may call me an “unbending liberal” but in my opinion, traditional "liberals" focus on using taxpayer money to help better society. As a "progressive" we focus on using the power of the government to make large institutions play by the rules.

Throughout my time in public service I have dedicated my life to the cause of human rights, economic justice and equality of opportunity for all Washingtonians. I have stood up for the rights of women, disadvantaged youth, championed affordable housing, the rights of the mentally ill, the environment, full public financing of elections, equitable funding of public education, access to child care and a safe, integrated public transit system.

The abolitionist Wendell Phillips was once asked, 'Wendell, why are you so on fire?' He responded, 'I'm on fire because I have mountains of ice before me to melt.'

So do we progressives.

Responses: 10. Sustainability

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

Biddle:

• Reduction in the number of vehicles in the government fleet and expansion of utilization of the Capital Bikeshare Program and Zipcar for government employee use. 
• Recover our natural canopy by adding green roofs to government buildings and also increasing the amount of trees that are planted in the city.
• Require the District government to enter into a carbon credits exchange program to help reduce the city's carbon footprint.

Douglas: As the First Lady goes, so shall I. My top three “green” priorities would be to push community gardens and tree-planting, increase recycling, and enhance incentives for individuals and companies that adopt at least 3 new sustainability efforts. It is more our job to introduce, encourage, and facilitate energy efficiency than to impose it. As a model, the Council would request/require that testimonies be submitted electronically instead of numerous paper copies being submitted. This would allow for easier cataloging of testimonies and decrease the amount of paper used. Council members should have laptops at every hearing in order to follow along and/or for reference. I believe that changing the mindset of our residents is key to a successful sustainability program.

Lopez: Continue with smart growth initiatives. Fully support and expand the Renewable Energy Incentive Plan and green roof subsidy program.

Mara:

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.

Page: First, I want to fully fund the SRECs (Solar Renewal Energy Credits) so that homeowners who elect to install solar panels on their homes can do so and receive the tax credit previously promised by legislation passed by the Council that has since been underfunded. Second, I want to fund the installation of smart meters in every District office so that we can track energy usage by agency and tie annual budget "bonuses" to agencies that are the most energy efficient. This ties into my third and final legislative priority in energy efficiency: I want to create a system analogous to IMPACT for all District employees that grants incentive pay to workers who eliminate the most waste in their position, from spending the least amount of time idling in District owned vehicles to conserving the most energy in one's office, according to the smart meters mentioned previously).

Weaver:

1. Reinstate the incentives for solar-panel installation on homes in the District.
2. Create a mechanism to enforce and fine commercial haulers who are not recycling.
3. Incentivize clean currents/clean energy cooperatives for homeowners and businesses.

Responses: 9. Event Tickets

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

Biddle: I have to admit that tickets will not necessarily be my first priority. I currently provide tickets to principals as rewards for students with excellent attendance. I also provide tickets to my UDC Law interns who have worked on my special Committee on Truancy and School Safety.

Douglas: I support the local teams and would continue to do so. As a parent, grandparent, and educator, I know how important exposure to various activities is for the development of young minds. Therefore, I would provide as many opportunities for young people to visit these two venues for the various games and performances.

Lopez: My tickets will go to residents who would not normally be able to attend these games. The notion that council members fight over tickets to these games is ridiculous! These are perks that other citizens are not privy to. I will identify different organizations and clubs that I can give the tickets to for their commitment and service to the city.

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

Page: I would give them to honor roll students who receive free lunch, so that the poorest but most successful students in our city get to see a tangible reward for their hard work in school.

Weaver: I have publicly stated that I will not use tickets to the Verizon Center or Nationals Park either for my own personal use or as giveaways. I would work to eliminate these perks altogether.

Responses: 8. Budget Shortfall

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

Biddle: Prior to making any additional reductions in the FY 2012 budget, I would focus on improving collections operations, per recent legislation introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh, in order to ensure that the District maximizes all possible sources of revenue; this could result in an additional $100 million in uncollected taxes and fines.

With the passage of the SOAR Act, DCPS and DC Charter Schools each will receive an additional $20 million in federal funding for FY 2012. I would propose redirecting local appropriates in the same amount. We would then have $40 million to restore reductions in the Human Services and Public Safety budgets.

DC agencies should also be required to justify not only any increases in their annual budget, but also in order to maintain their existing budget year over year. Agency directors need to be pressed to find efficiencies through serious examination of existing resources. The assumption should not be that the government continues to grow.

Douglas: I am for increasing revenue over making cuts, although cuts may be necessary. Initially, however, I would work to secure payments of outstanding debt owed to the district by individuals and governments. A quick influx of payments from the federal government (Medicaid) and individuals (overdue taxes and parking tickets). Next, I would collapse departments and/or programs that are similar and that can effectively be operated under a singular program. Duplication/redundancy of programs is a waste and should be addressed immediately. Lastly, totally eliminate departments and/or programs that are inefficient and ineffective.

Lopez: I am committed to preserving the safety net for the working class and our most vulnerable residents, especially in these fragile times of economic recovery. I am confident that the proper steps have not been taken in order to begin responsible budget cuts. For example, by several estimates DC is owed nearly 1 billion dollars in uncollected federal funds in addition to debts from non-residents. Furthermore, I fundamentally believe that there exists gross government waste. We can have spending reductions, accompanied by consolidation of various agencies and departments. With that in mind, until DC government commits to sensible measures to increase revenue, consolidate government, and address waste, I believe budget cuts should be a secondary measure that will require careful analysis.

Mara:

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.

Page: Cuts are painful but necessary in our fiscal climate. First, I would cut funding to the DC National Guard, since DC has a range of federal and military options for its protection in the case of emergency. Second, I would sharply reduce the funding for homeland security expended by the District because the federal government amply provides for homeland security needs in the city. Finally, I would put new building construction for District buildings on hold for FY2012, although I would fully fund all ongoing projects so they make their scheduled completion date, since we cannot afford to sacrifice social programs people rely upon to survive day to day in the District to pay for construction projects that can be delayed or paid for through the sale of bonds on the private market.

Weaver:

1. There was a $900,000 increase the Mayor's office in this budget and I would cut that immediately. Nothing within in the Mayor's office should require an increase -- especially salaries -- in this time of a budget crisis.
2. I would cut the 22 percent increase to the Office of Motion Picture and Television Development. The increase largely covers salary increases and again, in a time of a budget crisis, this office does not need an increase for anything, let alone salaries.
3. The budget includes a $9 million increase to the RTC (residential treatment centers) program for juvenile offenders. I would cut that $9 million increase and would ultimately like to cut that program altogether because I believe our young offenders can be better rehabilitated and for less in the District of Columbia instead of sending them to other states.
4. I would cut all council salaries by $25,000 for a total of $325,000. Our Council is the second highest paid in the country and while there is no doubt the D.C. Council handles different levels of administration than other city councils do, the salaries, in this economic climate, are just too high.