The DC Council has begun performance oversight hearings for District government agencies. This is a good opportunity to let the Council know both the good and the bad with respect to agencies and offer suggestions for improvement. The schedule is available at https://dccouncil.us/2021-2022-performance-oversight-fy-2023-budget-schedules. You have to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the hearing notice to find out how to testify live or submit written testimony for each committee.

As an aside, I sometimes question the extent to which Council staffers actually read written testimony that is not accompanied by oral testimony. A couple of months ago, there was some discussion about the extent to which having virtual hearings during the pandemic increased public participation. It is nice having virtual hearing options. What would also be nice and a means to facilitating public participation is making sure the Council reads written testimony that is submitted for the record. It is probably easier to pay attention to oral testimony, especially when it comes from repeat players and questions can be asked. But I also think well done written testimony can be really valuable if people pay attention to it. And also, while it does take time to write, one can do so without having to take leave from work, unlike with live testimony.

In any case, go ahead and check out the performance oversight schedule and comment to your heart’s delight.