Ward 6 primary— Allen’s position on Amazon

[Anonymous]

Anyone else notice that Charles Allen refused to state a position on Amazon and related tax incentives? Wondering if Hunter has any shot...

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/loose-lips/article/21009257/2018-dc-democratic-primary-guide

[Anonymous]

No.

https://www.facebook.com/charlesallendc/posts/1545798738863709

A note from Charles Allen:

"In my conversation with the Washington City Paper for their 2018 Voter Guide, I spoke at length and answered all of the reporter's questions -- I did not skip or decline to talk at length about these important issues before us. Trying to boil complex issues down to a bumper sticker doesn't do a service to a voter or a neighbor. I was disappointed to see my answers to several issues where I have worked hard with neighbors and been on the record reduced to “declined to say yes or no.”

I have shared my concern over the impression this leaves readers with the Washington City Paper, but I also want to share my answers here so you know where I stand:

*Should Amazon come to DC?

I’ve made it very clear from the beginning when the Mayor pitched four potential sites for an Amazon HQ2 location, I would not offer my support or opposition until I knew what the deal offered DC residents or even which of the four locations. In any deal, I want to see more affordable housing and the creation of great jobs for DC residents. I’ve been against the Hill East proposed site since day one – as I said in DCist last week, “The communities of Ward 6 and Ward 7 spent a lot of time trying to develop a shared vision. They want a lot of new housing, a substantial amount of affordable housing, green spaces, retail - not a giant office park." (http://dcist.com/…/…/what_the_bleep_is_happening_with_re.php). But until I know something more, I can't simply offer a blanket yes or no.

*Should DC offer tax incentives for Amazon to come here?

I’ve also said from the beginning you can’t go into a bidding war with a blank check. I believe the Mayor and her team should release their offer publicly. I can’t say yes or no without knowing any of the details of what DC residents are getting in return for incentives. Any proposed deal with Amazon will come before the Council for review – if I believe this is a bad deal for DC residents and DC businesses, I will vote against it. If we are offering incentives to Amazon, that deal must include the creation of jobs for District residents at a living wage, we need to see the creation of affordable housing, and I would like to see support for our small businesses that have been battling Amazon’s competition for many years.

*Should DC General close?

DC General is the dilapidated old hospital on the east end of Capitol Hill where families experiencing homelessness are living in what we call emergency or short-term housing. Right now, the city is in the middle of a process to close DC General and open nine smaller sites located throughout the city (the plan is called Homeward DC). If you’ve ever been to DC General, you know it is not a place children or parents should live. It should close. However, if DC General closes before those smaller sites are open, I need to know the plan for where these families will live in the interim. So, my answer is, yes, I support closing DC General, but only once we know those families have dignified and safe housing secured. Again, that’s not an answer you can boil into a yes or no.

I strongly support the Homeward DC plan to close DC General and replace it with dignified, short-term family housing (STFH) sites. These smaller sites, like the one I helped negotiate in Ward 6, will be much, much better. The Ward 6 site will be located within a neighborhood with access to transit and wraparound services. I am proud to have helped lead the Ward 6 STFH site selection process, resulting in broad community support and the inclusion on the first floor a modernized health clinic for the that will serve not only the resident, but the entire Southwest community.

I have always worked hard as your Councilmember to carefully consider complex issues and bring together neighbors to work to a solution. Paid Family Leave, raising the minimum wage to $15, and a whole lot more -- these are laws that took tremendous work to get right and I was proud to be in every hearing and meeting, working to push for the best law, and then cast my vote.

*Finally, the walk-up music selection was from my soon-to-be six-year-old who is currently Trolls-obsessed - I've heard that song more times than I can count. Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there!

Charles"