Jack Evans Report: Looking towards 2013

We have one more legislative session in Council Period 19, on Dec. 18, and then our year will be over. I wrote in my last article about the dangers of considering over 70 bills at a single sitting, but I think at this point the field has been sufficiently narrowed for a more careful consideration of just a few bills with outstanding items needing resolution.

As I write this, I am also gearing up for another oversight hearing involving our Chief Financial Officer and the Lottery. The hearing will focus on real property issues, the implementation of a newly-created central collections unit, the lottery contract and other matters. Before we know it, we will start a new year and begin our official oversight process in advance of the mayor’s budget submission in March. I am particularly focused on funding additional library hours this year, as well as making sure all our schools have a full-time librarian, music teacher, art teacher and physical education teacher. While I am the first one to say that the District needs to act in a fiscally responsible manner, I want to reiterate that I do not support any public education plan that involves closing Garrison Elementary School or Francis-Stevens School.

Even though I’m elected to be a legislator, I always say half my job is working in the neighborhoods—perhaps the more important half and often the most rewarding. In addition to my focus on education, working to facilitate projects such as the Georgetown Waterfront Park, streetscape enhancements throughout the ward, the convention center hotel, the O and P Streets project in Georgetown, and responding to a tremendous volume of constituent requests is something I really enjoy. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office, if there is anything we can ever do for you.

Thank you for your support in reelecting me to my Council position. My swearing in will take place on January 3, 2013, at the Washington Convention Center.

In closing, my family and I, as well as my staff, would like to wish you and yours a happy holiday season. This is always a wonderful time to spend with friends and family and to be thankful for all the blessings we enjoy. This is the last Georgetowner for the year. Happy New Year, and we will see you again in January.