Matthew Frumin

Where Frumin stands

Topic headings are Vote Book’s; quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” items are a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote.

Crime & public safety

What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What policies would you propose to address the issues?

Not all crime stems from a lack of a sense of hope and opportunity through the existing systems but those phenomena significantly contribute to crime as do cycles of trauma. Whether to avert crime or for just plain fairness, we need to continuously work to improve our education systems, support kids as they deal with trauma, meet them where they are with opportunities to be introduced to and engaged in new experiences that can excite and open doors for them. And create pathways to be connected to jobs. All of these things have been high priorities for me. In the meantime, while we should steer clear of draconian penalties, we should work to ensure swift and certain accountability when people do commit particularly violent crimes.

What are your ideas for improving outcomes for youth in the justice system?

The philosophy in the youth justice system must be rehabilitation as opposed to punishment. We have to focus resources on kids to pull them out of what can become a downward spiral that is catastrophic for them and imposes all kinds of costs on the rest of us. Just as we need to foster a sense of possibility and opportunity for our children outside the youth justice system, we should treat the same project with equal or greater urgency for those already caught up in the your justice system. We should think of their time in that system as an opportunity to save them and us.

What are four things you will do to help DC residents now in prison and those who are returning home?

I would like to see us improve conditions at our jail and get to a place where we can have capacity to house all our residents in prison in the District or nearby. Maintaining connection to family and friends increases the possibility of eventual successful re-entry that will serve the prisoners and the rest of us. We need to improve programming at the jail to set people up for successful reentry, including food service. We need to have support structures in place to help people when they re-enter. Our returning citizens face many pressures and challenges that can knock them off their path and on to a path of recidivism. We need to recognize their vulnerability as they work to get back on their feet and on to independence and support them often by facilitating access to housing and a job.

Housing

How do you propose to increase housing for our most vulnerable residents?

We need to support building more housing generally and affordable housing in particular. Some of that can be achieved by subsidizing construction through programs like the Housing Production Trust Fund. But we also need to provide ongoing rent support whether through vouchers or shallow rent subsidies to make units available to particularly vulnerable residents. We also make better use of the units we have. We have some significant vacancies both in project based voucher projects, inclusionary zoning units and public housing. Lastly, we need to responsibly spend the dollars we devote to this area. When we dramatically overpay some landlords, we reduce the dollars available to house families.

Jobs, wages & cost of living

Should DC be admitted to the union as a state? Yes or No? *If yes, what immediate plans should be made, and actions taken, to begin preparing DC for statehood? *If no, what is your plan for achieving full voting rights for DC?

Yes. Passing our Constitution to be ready when an opportunity to move statehood forward arrives was an important first step. Working with Democrats around the country to ensure they have a full understanding of why statehood is fair and in their interest must be an ongoing project. Electing Democrats around the country who will support statehood must be another. In an ideal world statehood could be a bipartisan project. But we do not live in an ideal world. We must acknowledge that and use today's Republican imposed catastrophes to build the case that statehood for the District is in the interest of Democrats and blue states across the country. We must use today's lemons to make tomorrow's lemonade for the District.

Is it important to use this job to protect our rights and keep Congress and the President out of our local government business?

Very unimportant Somewhat unimportant Neither important nor unimportant Somewhat important Very important

Background & priorities

What are your top 2 priorities and how will you accomplish them?

I have many priorities but my top two are: (1) Supporting education, from affordable childcare through our adult workforce systems. A strong education system is key to our children's futures and the long-term economic vitality of the District. As work requirements for federal public benefits kick in, connecting our residents to work must be an urgent priority. (2) Creating more--and more affordable--housing. To attract and retain families, and for the District to succeed, we need both a strong education system and access to affordable housing. I will work to fully fund these areas and partner with stakeholders and the relevant agencies to develop realistic creative solutions to improve our performance where we have lagged.

Other priorities

Leadership

At this moment, Ward 3 needs leadership with the experience, understanding, and resolve to stand up for the District and fight for everyday residents – and I believe I have demonstrated that time and again.