DCFPI supports Events DC’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance through the DC CARES program to workers excluded from unemployment benefits and federal stimulus payments.
Doni Crawford
Recent posts by Doni Crawford
Testimony at the Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021 and the Medical Cannabis Amendment Act of 2021
DCFPI applauds the hard work and intentionality that went into making this cannabis legalization and regulation bill arguably the best in the nation. When we were all having conversations last year on how to incorporate racial equity as a focus of DC government, this bill is an example of what that looks like in the legislative design of public policy.
The District Moves Toward a More Inclusive Economy for Black Workers, Communities, and Businessowners
Historic wealth deprivation and imposed inequality has left Black businessowners with unequal access to the capital needed to withstand the pandemic, leading to higher rates of Black business closure. This toolkit analyzes District investments with a particular eye toward how they benefit Black workers and businessowners.
Federal Dollars and Modest Tax Increase Enable Unprecedented Investment in Affordable Housing
As District residents, particularly those with low incomes and Black and brown communities, continue to grapple with the economic harm of the pandemic and an increasingly unequal economy, investing deeply and strategically in affordable housing is a step in the right direction toward housing equity and preventing displacement.
Work to Advance Racial Equity in the Budget Is Incomplete
While the Council votes twice on the DC budget, we know that the first vote is the most consequential moment for Councilmembers to improve the lives of Black and brown, and immigrant communities, whose economic, social, and cultural contributions are the heart of DC.
Excluded Workers Demand Inclusion: $200 Million Investment is Essential Though Less than Half of What’s Needed
A coalition of DC’s mostly Black and brown excluded workers are calling upon the DC Council to invest $200 million in cash assistance for excluded workers to help them afford basic needs such as medicine, transportation, childcare, and debt incurred throughout this pandemic.
Affordable Housing Investments and Transparency Should Be Council Priorities During Committee Markups
The Mayor’s proposed $400 million for the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) in fiscal years 2021 and 2022 is historic and, if targeted as statutorily required, would go a long way in helping the District alleviate its affordable housing crisis.
Testimony of Doni Crawford, Senior Policy Analyst at the Budget Oversight Hearing on the DC Housing Authority, Committee on Housing and Executive Administration
A year into the global health pandemic, the resulting economic downturn continues to underscore the importance of substantial District investments in quality affordable housing and rental assistance for DC residents.
Testimony of Doni Crawford, Senior Policy Analyst at the Budget Oversight Hearing on Events DC, DC Committee on Business and Economic Development
DCFPI supports Events DC’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance to DC workers who have been excluded from unemployment benefits and federal stimulus payments through the establishment of the DC Cares Program and applauds the Council’s supplemental investment in the program for a combined total of $14 million.
Testimony of Doni Crawford, Senior Policy Analyst at the Budget Oversight Hearing on the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Committee on Business and Economic Development
Mayor Bowser’s proposed budget makes substantial investments and legislative changes to expand access to grocery stores, sit-down restaurants, and food businesses in those wards. And while DCFPI is supportive of increasing access to affordable and quality foods, we recommend that the DC Council impose a supermajority of the funding serve residents living in Wards 7 and 8 in particular, but also Ward 5.
Comments on Proposed Rules on Tax Abatement for Affordable Housing in High-Needs Areas
DCFPI is concerned that the affordability level set in the law and enforced through the regulations is not sufficiently affordable to justify the use of District dollars.
What’s in the Comprehensive Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021?
Today, on 4/20, many Americans are reflecting upon the nation’s racist history of cannabis prohibition and the criminalization of Black and brown people and communities.
Testimony of Doni Crawford for the Judiciary and Public Safety Hearing on the Record Expungement Simplification to Offer Relief and Equity Amendment Act of 2021
DCFPI strongly supports a more simplified DC expungement process, an expansion of expungement-eligible offenses, and automatic expungement for decriminalized offenses, as envisioned in the Record Expungement Simplification to Offer Relief and Equity (RESTORE) Amendment Act of 2021.
Failure to Invest in Critical Housing Needs is a Failure to Address a Deeply Racialized Public Health Crisis
A year into the global health pandemic, the resulting economic downturn continues to underscore the importance of substantial District investments in quality affordable housing and rental assistance for DC residents.
First in Line: A Reparative Approach to Recreational Cannabis Policy
This new Council Period, DC policymakers can continue advancements in racial equity (as envisioned in the Racial Equity Achieves Results Amendment Act of 2020) and help build a just economic recovery with recreational cannabis policy.
New Report: First in Line
This Black History Month, and every day of the year, we are reflecting on the ways in which public policy can be used as a reparative tool for Black people and Black communities in DC.
Black Workers in the Grip of the Recession—Declining UI Trust Fund Could Cause More Harm
The pandemic has a particularly tight grip on Black people, as its devastation, in part, thrives on racial and economic inequality. As many as 72,000 workers—mostly Black—are receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits or awaiting approval from the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES).
Testimony of Doni Crawford at the Public Hearing on the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act of 2020, Committee on Government Operations
Good afternoon, Chairperson Todd and members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Doni Crawford, and I am a policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a nonprofit organization that promotes budget choices...
Testimony of Doni Crawford At the Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2020, Committee of the Whole
Good morning, Chairperson Mendelson and members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Doni Crawford, and I am a policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a nonprofit organization that promotes budget...
What’s In the FY 2021 Approved Budget for an Inclusive Economy?
$23.1 million for the Office of Paid Leave including $1.9 million to enforce the Universal Paid Leave Act $2.19 million to fully fund the I-77 repeal legislation (including budget out-years) To support returning citizens: $568,000 for the Paralegal Fellowship pilot...