Milligan Responds to the Washington DC Association of Realtors Politcal Action Committee

General In formation
1. "Why are you running for elected office?"
I am running for Ward 4 Council Member because I understand the issues facing Ward 4 residents. I am qualified and have the skills to get the job done. I am different from my counterparts because I have both a corporate and nonprofit background.

2. "What is your current occupation and how would it help you as a Councilmember? "

I am the Executive Director of Metropolitan/Delta Adult Literacy Council. My current position helps me to understand the grave issues that students face in the District of Columbia Public Schools. The learning that occurs in class room is only part of what is required to educate our children. Increased funding for after school programs and extracurricular activities for DCPS students is a high priority for me.

2. "Tell us about the ward you are hoping to represent and what you believe are the most pressing issues that need to be addressed in your ward?"
a. Lack of funding for after school programs;
b. Early childhood development programs;
c. Adult education programs, for example, GED preparation and vocational training.

4. "What do you believe are the top issues facing the District as a whole?"

I believe the top issues facing the District as a whole are education, unemployment, and affordable housing.

5. "What are the issues nearest to you personally?"

Education is the issue nearest to me personally. As the next Ward 4 Council Member, I will push for legislation for full funding of school programs and extracurricular activities, early childhood development program, and adult education programs like GED preparation and vocational training.

Tax and Fiscal Issues
The District faces difficult budget decisions every year for how to fund our "Priorities of
Government." And although we are currently seeing surpluses that may not always be the case.
"Will you look to program reductions or increasing revenue sources, or both? Both. I would cut programs. Please identify likely program targets- DCRA is the most likely agency that would receive a cut or program reduction.

or, if you would "increase ' revenue sources, "please identify which one(s)?"

I would support legislation to increase property taxes of individuals who own property, live and work in DC, and file their taxes in other states. I will also push to reinstate ROSA (Registered Out of State Automobiles)

"Do you believe there are certain taxes and fees that are too high? Yes.
Which taxes and fees are too high? I understand that 57% of the District of Columbia can’t be taxed because of federal government land. However, I believe that property taxes for individuals who own property, live and work in DC shouldn’t have to support this burden. About right? Too low and could be raised in future budgets if necessary?"

The District has one of the highest recordation and transfer taxes in the country.
REALTORS@, homeowners, and potential homeowners were dismayed when the Council recently voted to increase deed recordation and transfer taxes even higher from 1.1 % to 1.45%.
Even after Chief Financial Officer Gahndi expressed his concern that the real estate market was
leveling off and revenues from recordation and transfer taxes were going to decrease, the
Council still went ahead with the tax increase to 1.45% and Councilmember Barry even
suggested raising the taxes to 1.5%. REALTORS@ strongly support a reduction in the county's
recordation and transfer taxes, which make up the largest burden of the closing costs on the
purchase of a home.

1. "What are your views and suggestions on closing costs, specifically the high cost of recordation and transfer taxes? "

If elected, I will support legislation making the District of Columbia closing costs competitive with the rest of the country.

2. "If elected, would you vote to increase the recordation and transfer tax again?" No

3. "Would you introduce legislation to rollback recordation and transfer taxes to 1.1 %? Yes, along with off setting revenue sources.

4. "What would you do to persuade your colleagues on the Council to rollback recordation
and transfer taxes?" I will persuade them to look for tax revenue sources in other areas and stop looking at the obvious sources. The obvious sources are business owners, developers, the real estate industry as a whole which goes back to the fact that most District land can’t be taxed and the DC Parking Enforcement Division.

Property taxes have increased drastically over the past few years due to the increased value of
the real estate market and rising assessments.

"What are your views and suggestions regarding property taxes?” I think property taxes are too high for the average homeowner. Given that property values are stabilizing or decreasing. I would vote to hold property assessment at the current level.

Ensuring Economic Vitality
Quality of life starts with a good job. Economic development brings new opportunity and
improved quality of life by increasing jobs, tax base, purchasing power, diversity, availability of
goods and services, and offering community revitalization and improvement. REALTORS@
believe a healthy economy sustains vibrant communities for living and working. Commercial,
industrial and residential growth, in turn, sustains a healthy economy.

1. "What measures would you propose or support to improve the District's economic
vitality?" I would push to increase investment in workforce development. This will allow the District to train residents for new job opportunity and reduce our unemployment rate.

2. "What role do you envision for comprehensive planning goals and implementing
regulations to set the stage for economic vitality, and encouraging quality development?"

We have to ensure the comprehensive plan does not undermine neighborhoods.

3. "Are there specific areas where economic development should or should not take place
in your ward? In specific areas around the District?"

We should maintain the density level in the ward in particular along the commercial corridors and promote smart economic development along Georgia Ave and Kennedy Street Northwest.

"How should the District government use its surplus land and properties? "

Surplus land and properties should be used to build a variety of housing units.

"How should the DC Public Schools use its surplus land and properties? "

Surplus land and properties build a variety of housing units, recreation centers, medical centers, and senior citizen communities. Where appropriate, I would support development of additional full service grocery stores.

Providing Housing Opportunities
Quality of life means having a roof over your head. All citizens should be able to find safe,
decent and affordable housing near where they work, shop and play. Housing affordability and
availability are important issues - not only for REALTORS@, but for consumers and business,
as well. Home ownership and a clear path to homeownership are important social concerns.
1. " What policies would you propose or support to make the cost of housing more
affordable for the average citizen?"

The way to address the issue of affordable housing is to promote programs to increase the housing stock in the District. My answer to address the affordable housing issue is community land trusts.

2. "What policies would you propose or support to make the cost of homeownership more
affordable for the average citizen?"

I think community land trusts and limited equity financing are the only ways to address these issues in the District. I would encourage legislation that would allocate specific areas in the city to be used for these purposes. Since a community based non-profit organization would purchase the property and sell the property to an average citizen with a first right of refusal to purchase the property back and retain 75% of the equity, I think this resolves that affordable housing issue the city currently faces.

3. "How will you ensure that the District enables the development of housing sufficient to
meet demand, provides sufficient buildable land to meet growth projections, and
encourages land use zoning and regulations to ensure growth projections are achieved?"

I will ensure that the District enables the development of housing sufficient to meet demand by supporting legislations that have low density and are appropriate for potential zoning changes.

Also as a legislator I have to point out that the city can handle 800,000 residents as it did in the 50’s and 60’s. I say that because I think there is room so that the real estate community can make a living, residents that need and desire affordable living can have a roof over their head and no environmental or zoning laws have to be infringed.

Protecting Property Owners
A strong economy depends upon preserving the right to freely own, use and transfer real
property, a cornerstone upon which this nation was founded. REALTORS@ believe that private
property ownership is fundamental to our free-market economic system.

1. "Do you support the property owner's right to own, use, buy and sell property?" Yes.

2. "Should property owners be compensated when government actions reduce the value of
their property? Yes.

If so, how will you ensure compensation is provided? " The compensation provided should be monetary. I will lobby my colleagues on the council to help push legislation.

Preserving Our Environment
Quality of life means having access to parks and open space. Conservation and wise use of
natural resources and critical areas lead to more parks, open space and preserve our unique
natural environment.
1. "What are the two or three most important, unresolved environment and land use issues
that confront District residents and the business community?"

Transportation and recycling

2. "How will you balance our community's needs to accommodate growth, provide housing
opportunities, ensure economic vitality, and protect property owners, while preserving
the environment?"

I will work with groups like the Sierra Club, Clean Water Action and the Friends of the Earth Action to address environment preservation. I would encourage impact studies be done to accommodate growth and housing opportunity balance. I would also research the census for the City in the late 50’s and early 60’s because the City actually housed 200,000 more people and it had far fewer problems then than it does now for some out of the box solutions.

Other Information

1. "Why do you feel it is important to have the support of REALTORS@? And, if so - will
you accept a PAC contribution?"

I feel it is important to have the support of REALTORS because unlike many professionals, you’re deeply involved in the neighborhoods in which we live.
In commercial real estate, REALTORS help strengthen local communities through
new investment and construction, which translate into jobs. Because of this understanding
of your communities and residents, I feel that REALTORS are uniquely positioned
to comment as experts on what our communities want and need. Yes, I will accept a PAC contribution.

2. "Is there any other information you would like REALTORS@ to know about you that was
not covered in any of our questions?"

I’m different from other candidates in that I bring corporate business acumen along with a concern for people. I understand that business is the foundation for any society. Business, government and residents must work together to maintain a high quality of life and that is my commitment to Ward 4 residents.