platform. He criticized some of the council’s recent actions, including a bill banning companies from making many employees sign
Instead, he suggested loosening regulation, such as removing licensing requirements for certain professions, like interior design, and allowing businesses to move forward to projects if they don’t get a timely response from city regulatory agencies.Phil Mendelson , the chair of the council, said he views “tension” between laws that protect workers and residents and those that favor businesses as a key challenge for the council in the upcoming term.
D.C. has spent hundreds of millions of dollars propping up businesses as the pandemic drags on into its third year, handing out multiple rounds of generous grants to restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels and others.“There has been a tremendous amount of aid poured into business culture in D.C. We’re very grateful for all of that. We couldn’t have gone this far without it. It is amazing,” said Kimberly Bender, who represents several local businesses as executive director of the D.C.
Business advocates have fiercely lobbied the council throughout the pandemic. The back-and-forth between opposing advocates, such as landlord and tenant groups, led to some compromises on the frequently changing eviction rules during the pandemic. Recently, a year after passing a total ban on noncompete agreements, the council voted again to switch to a much more narrowly tailored version of the bill, at the urging of business owners.push back the tide of legislation.
'To drive down DC's worst-in-nation bar, restaurant, and nightclub liquor liability insurance rates to parity with Virginia and Maryland is going to require legislative action.' – DCNC Board President John Guggenmos via WashPost DCnightlife DCision22
Note: online version yesterday: 'McDuffie kenyanmcduffie did not respond to requests for comment.” Today “This story has been updated to include additional comments from D.C. Council member Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5)” juliezweil In today’s print: