Patrick Mara | On The Issues

As your Councilmember, I'll work everyday to continue Mayor Fenty's bold reforms to our broken school system, create better job training through expanded vocational education opportunities, take aggressive action to make our neighborhoods safer, and use my background in environmental issues to cut DC's carbon emissions and protect our environment.

Below you will find a sketch of some of my plans to move the District forward:

Mara's Plan

Education

I will work with Mayor to continue the comprehensive and aggressive reform of our school system. For too long our schools have not educated our children, yet the incumbent promises more of the same. With DCPS scores consistently ranked near or at the bottom of comparisons with other jurisdictions, the District's parents and children deserve better than the same tired policies and politics.

- Support Mayor Fenty's school reform agenda
- Work with Mayor Fenty to develop new job training through expanded vocational education opportunities
- Provide parents with real school choices
- Ensure parent involvement in education decisions
- Empower principals and hold them accountable
- Oppose union contracts that shelter ineffective employees
- Reinvigorate vocational education in the District of Columbia

Environment

I've been staff to the U.S. Senate committee on the environment and worked as a consultant on renewable energy to the U.S. Department of Energy. I care passionately about protecting our environment, and will work tireless to make sure the District of Columbia is doing everything possible to
- Cut carbon emissions;
- Clean the Anacostia and Potomac rivers;
- Protect our green space;
- and improve air quality.

Taxes & Budget

As someone with an MBA and a background in business, I know the D.C. government needs greater accountability, not more money – and I understand our taxes should be lower, not higher. As Councilmember, I will take steps to ease both the income and property tax burden on District residents and businesses, and I'll bring tough oversight and accountability to the city's budget.

- Signed Americans for Tax Reform pledge not to raise taxes
- Return surplus revenue to taxpayers in the form of tax cuts and rebates
- Eliminate waste, abuse and inefficiency in all D.C. agencies
- Stand up to unions and ensure ineffective government workers are held accountable
- Increase transparency of city budget

Public Safety

I know DC residents deserve a safe neighborhood to raise our children and a community where we don't have to worry when you leave your home after dark. Towards that end, I've developed a plan to make sure we adopt best practices from around the country, use the latest technology, and take bold steps to attack crime in 'hot' spots around our city.