Expulsion of Councilmember Jack Evans is the Unanimous Recommendation of Council Ad Hoc Committee

The Ad Hoc Committee in the Matter of Councilmember Jack Evans has voted unanimously to recommend that Evans be expelled from the Council. Twelve of the Council’s thirteen members (with the exception of Evans) constitute the membership of the committee that approved the recommendation. The Ad Hoc Committee will next meet to approve the required report summarizing the committee’s findings and actions.

In action earlier in the day, the Council passed an emergency measure providing access to police body-worn camera footage for the next of kin of individuals who die while interacting with police. Emergency measures were also passed increasing the weekly unemployment rate for 2020, as well as one subdividing one busy election precinct into two. [A reminder that under the Home Rule Act, “emergency measures” is simply a term of art that indicates that the measure requires a super-majority of nine councilmembers to pass, only remains in effect for 90 days, does not require a hearing, and is not delayed by the slow Congressional layover process other DC legislation is subject to.]

At its meeting, the Council approved its nomination of Obama Administration veteran Stephanie Gidigbi to the Metro Board of Directors. It also signed off on the schedule for the Council’s two rounds of agency-by-agency Performance Oversight and Budget hearings that will largely occupy the body through the winter and spring. A resolution was also passed declaring the Council’s support for providing permanent legal status to residents living under Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

A budget clarification measure was passed on the first of two required votes that included language to further assist the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs in disclosing the individuals behind an LLC registration. A package of alcoholic beverage regulation reforms received its second and final approval. The Council postponed action on a measure that would have accelerated the blocked construction of a protected bike lane on 9th Street, NW.

Two Ceremonial Resolutions were presented at the meeting. One recognized former First Lady of the District Cora Masters Barry and commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Recreation Wish List Committee and its record of assisting youth socioeconomic mobility via access to education and sports. The second Ceremonial Resolution recognized Kojo Nnamdi for his 20 years as a host at WAMU, including hosting The Kojo Nnamdi Show and the Politics Hour on Fridays.

Measures introduced at the most recent meeting, if passed, would:

  • Provide financial assistance to Home Purchase Assistance Program recipients with home repairs required following home inspection, and after purchase
  • Encourage equity in additional school funding provided by Parent Teacher Organization fundraising efforts
  • Reform the District’s First Source law to better direct its employment benefits towards District residents most in need
  • Extend and make permanent the DC Health Benefit Exchange’s independent procurement authority
  • Express the Sense of the Council in opposition to racial disparity in contracting, and encourage action on a stalled Department of Small and Local Business Development study on the topic

For a full list of all action taken at the most recent meeting, please click here.

The Council’s next Legislative Meeting will be held either on December 17 or January 7.