Press Release: Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Introduces Legislation to Dedicate Additional Revenue to Birth-to-Three and Metro for D.C.

News Release — Ward 7 DC Council member Vincent Gray

March 3, 2020             

Contact: Takiyah “T.N.” Tate

Washington D.C. – Today, Councilmember Vincent C. Gray along with Councilmember Anita Bonds, introduced legislation to create a dedicated tax stream of revenue to fund the Birth-to-Three for All D.C. Amendment Act of 2018 and the Metro for D.C. Amendment Act of 2020.  In introducing the bill Gray said:

“Today, I am proud to introduce the Birth-to-Three for All D.C. and Metro for D.C. Dedicated Funding Amendment Act of 2020.  This legislation creates a dedicated tax funding stream out of new revenue the District’s Chief Financial Officer certifies throughout the year to fully fund the transit legislation Councilmember Allen just introduced and the landmark Birth-to-Three Act this Council approved in 2018. I want to personally congratulate Councilmember Allen for his Metro for D.C. Amendment Act of 2020.  It makes public transportation more affordable and will be very beneficial to the residents of Ward 7 who rely on public transit. 

I want to put on the public record why I asked to be a co-sponsor, rather than a co-introducer of this transit bill.  Since we passed the Birth-to-Three for All D.C. Amendment Act of 2018, I have publicly committed to supporters of the Birth-to-Three movement that I would do everything I could to fully fund the $300 million cost of this early-childhood education legislation over the next several years.  One of the important tools I have spoken about for funding Birth-to-Three is using additional revenue that the Chief Financial Officer often certifies throughout. the year.  I had committed on many different occasions to try using this approach during this budget cycle.  Therefore, while I am excited to support dedicating 50% of additional revenue to Councilmember Allen’s transit bill, I can’t support 100% of the revenue going to the transit bill, because this would likely cause Birth-to-Three to be without sufficient funding to fully implement all components for several years. 

Currently, the District of Columbia is the nation’s leader with the most progressive and comprehensive universal early childhood education initiative for three and four-year olds.  We now have the opportunity to do the same thing for our youngest minds.  We can get all of our children into high-quality childcare that provides a stimulating and enriching learning environment during the most important years of intellectual development. We can ensure that no family in the District pays no more than 10% of their income on quality childcare.  We can do all this if we have the political will to put the financial resources needed into funding Birth-to-Three.”

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