This testimony focuses on the continued need to improve nutritional options for residents in DOC facilities. Specifically, to dedicate funding for the full implementation of Section 32 of Secure DC. In addition, the Council should also work with the DOC to improve utilization of the Resident Welfare Fund (RWF).
Michael Johnson Jr.
Recent posts by Michael Johnson Jr.
Jail and Prison Communication Will Become More Affordable for DC Residents Following Federal Rule Changes
Nearly 1.5 million people who are incarcerated and their loved ones are expected to save $500 million each year in lower phone and video costs at jails and prisons across the US, due to recent rule changes approved by the Federal Communications Commission
The Lasting Harm of DC’s Criminal Legal Fines & Fees Demand More Reporting and Transparency
The criminal legal system should ensure public safety, treat people fairly, and be equitably funded. But fines and fees put a price on justice that is out of reach for many people who become involved in DC’s criminal legal system—people who are disproportionately...
Hidden Price of Justice: Fines and Fees in DC’s Criminal Legal System
This report is supported by the Catalyst Grant Program through the Urban Institute and Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative, a collaboration to use data and technology to advance racial equity and reform in the adult criminal legal system. Instead of a second chance at...
Council Should Pass the Clean Hands Economic Expansion Act to Achieve More Progress Toward Equity
Chairperson McDuffie and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Michael Johnson, and I am a Policy Analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a nonprofit organization that shapes racially-just tax, budget, and...
Raising Revenue Through Regressive Traffic Fines While Scaling Back Traffic Safety is Unsound and Unsafe
Chairperson McDuffie and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Michael Johnson, and I am a Policy Analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a nonprofit organization that shapes racially-just tax, budget, and...
Fully Fund the Second Chance Amendment Act
Chairperson Pinto and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Michael Johnson Jr., and I am a Policy Analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a nonprofit organization that shapes racially-just tax,...
DC Council Must Restore Rights and Opportunities for People with Criminal Legal System Involvement
Chairperson Pinto and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Michael Johnson Jr., and I am a Policy Analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a nonprofit organization that shapes racially-just tax,...
OCFO Must Improve Reporting on Revenues Generated from Fines, Fees, and Forfeiture
Chairperson McDuffie and members of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony. My name is Michael Johnson, and I am a Policy Analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a nonprofit...
DCPS Submitted School Budgets Show Continued Need for a Long-Term Vision for Racial Equity
Chairperson Mendelson, members of the Committee, and Committee staff, thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Michael Johnson, State Policy Fellow at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a non-profit organization that shapes racially-just tax,...
To Stabilize Student Enrollment, DC Should Reject Plans to Open New Citywide Schools
Stabilize enrollment in neighborhood schools—which are important community institutions—by rejecting plans to open new citywide schools.
Police Budget Remains Flat Despite Big Investments in Officer Recruitment and Retention
DC’s approved police budget is remaining relatively flat, on net and when accounting for inflation, despite the Mayor and DC Council enacting significant investments to expand the police force.
DC Council Should Mandate Greater Transparency in the Police Budget
At tomorrow’s preliminary vote on the fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget, DC Council is expected to take up the MPD Budget and Staffing Transparency Budget Support Act Amendment.
Testimony at the Public Hearing on the Clean Hands Certification Equity Amendment Act of 2021
Since 2001, the Clean Hands law has disproportionately prevented Washingtonian’s with low incomes from renewing their drivers, occupational, or business licenses due to any fees, fines, or taxes owed to the DC government totaling $100 or more.
Testimony at the Performance Oversight Hearing for of the DC Education Agencies on Improving Transparency of the DCPS Enrollment Reserve
This testimony focuses specifically on improving transparency of the DC Public School (DCPS) Enrollment Reserve.
Testimony at the Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021 and the Medical Cannabis Amendment Act of 2021
The comprehensive bill is a crucial first step toward repairing the harms caused by decades of unjust cannabis criminalization and enforcement—particularly for DC’s Black residents. However, there are several components of this bill that should be strengthened to minimize the devastating effects of collateral consequences for those engaged in the market prior to legalization.
Comments on the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act Discussion Draft
While there are components of the discussion draft that DCFPI supports—most notably the removal of cannabis as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, which should allow DC to move forward with recreational cannabis sales and regulations—DCFPI encourages the sponsoring offices to incorporate several improvements based on our principles.