Education
BA - Furman University; MPA - Princeton University
Qualifications
Prior to her election in 2020, Christina provided counsel to United States Senators, DC Councilmembers, and state and local education officials on an array of domestic policy issues which deeply impacts families and children.
Website
www.christinahenderson.org
Invest in food security programs. This includes funding Give SNAP a Raise, and passing and funding the Universal Free School Meals bill, both of which I authored. As chair of the Committee on Health, we’ve increased funding for Produce Plus, Produce Rx, and other food access programs. This year we have a new program with Instacart to have groceries delivered to residents who are part of the SNAP-Ed program without a fee. Investing in these programs are fundamental to improving health outcomes and economic security of DC residents in need.
Lean-in to strong oversight of our government agencies. Most residents don’t want new programs, they want the services we already have to work well. Oversight can also help us identify inefficiencies, ineffective programs, and waste so that we can re-invest those funds to secure our social safety net and promote economic growth.
To make affordable homeownership more of a reality, I introduced the Community Land Trusts’ Access & Homeowner Support Amendment Act of 2023 to allow for community land trusts (CLTs) to ultimately help increase CLTs inventory which can be offered to buyers in affordable covenants. To accelerate development of affordable mixed-use residential projects at unimproved District Metro stations, I introduced the Unlocking Housing at Metro Property Tax Exemption Amendment Act. This bill would provide a tax exemption for certain projects with the goal of encouraging additional transit-oriented development.
The Climate Commitment Amendment Act states that “beginning January 1, 2026, the District government shall purchase or lease only zero-emissions vehicles, except in cases where there is no such vehicle readily available on the market.” I will continue supporting budgets that ensure that electric vehicles are prioritized as we replace the DC government fleet and that support this provision requiring only EVs beginning in 2026.
The biggest thing that the Council can do to make sure everyone has access to reliable, frequent, and safe public transportation is to ensure the long-term fiscal stability of WMATA. As the current chair of the region’s Transportation Planning Board, I am a representative on the DMVMoves Taskforce tasked with this very thing. WMATA needs a dedicated funding source that allows for them to continue daily operations and reduce the reliance on deferred maintenance.
I’ve called for the Mayor, AG, & MPD to engage with federal partners, as well as regional police departments to crack down on gun trafficking. We know that weapons used in violent incidents in DC weren’t sold here and in many cases were obtained illegally. Last summer, MPD began reengaging in traffic checkpoints, which have also yielded the confiscation of several illegal firearms. The AG just sued a gun store in MD. I’ve also focused on how we engage young people. Last year, the Council passed my bill to allow the Department of Employment Services to do a middle school career exploration program. Last year parents and students alike saw positive outcomes because of participating. DOES had a waitlist for this summer.
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Education
Robert graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC and attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland, earning degrees in Philosophy and Political Science. He completed additional studies at Oxford University in England and in The Gambia, West Africa. Robert earned his law degree from the American University Washington College of Law.
Qualifications
Current DC Councilmember At-Large
Website
reelectrobertwhite.com
Budget. The Council must pass a budget that meets the needs of DC residents. My top priority in the upcoming budget cycle will be protecting the safety net for DC’s most vulnerable residents. I will work with my colleagues to put together a budget without any cuts to that safety net.
Oversight. Every DC Government agency must be held accountable for the work they do. This means identifying three priorities that are within each agencies’ authority and that can be addressed in a specified period of time. For each priority, the agency should provide metrics that the Council and the public can use to see how well the agency addressed its priorities. As Chair of the Council’s Housing Committee, I hold to this standard all the agencies that the Committee oversees. I will encourage my Council colleagues to do the same for the agencies that the other committees oversee.
DC Housing Authority. DC’s largest and most reliable source of affordable housing are the apartments operated by the DC Housing Authority. However, one in every four of those apartments are in such disrepair that no one can live in them. As Housing Committee Chair, I have increased DCHA’s maintenance budget, so these units can be repaired and made available to people who need them.
Housing Production Trust Fund. To meet the needs of our residents, DC must build more housing — deeply affordable housing with many units large enough to accommodate families. I have succeeded in increasing DC’s contribution to the Housing Production Trust Fund, so that more money can be used to build more affordable housing.
Oversight. In this area, I can be most effective with respect to the agencies for which the Housing Committee has jurisdiction. As part of my oversight of these agencies, I will make sure that they know and are meeting their climate goals.
Publicity. Public scrutiny may be needed to cure the most serious and most flagrant violations of 24-176. In such cases, I will bring the violations to the attention of the public; and I will participate in public actions demanding that the violations cease.
To provide adequate and reliable bus and rail options, I will work with government colleagues in DC, Maryland and Virginia to create a stable funding source for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
In addition, to the extent that budget resources permit, I will support free or reduced cost bus and rail access for DC residents.
Finally, I will encourage the DC Department of Transportation to plan for safe and reliable transit options for all DC residents, including pedestrians and those who use cars and bikes.
Accountability. Individuals will be less likely to commit crimes, if they know that there is a strong likelihood that they will be caught and successfully prosecuted. Toward these ends, I have introduced and helped pass legislation that improves DC’s 911 system —so calls to the police will be answered promptly. My legislation also improves DC’s crime lab — so police and prosecutors can get the evidence they need to solve cases and hold violent criminals accountable.
Lack of Options. The DC government should fund training programs that lead to high-paying jobs, including programs that lead to certifications that allow access to jobs where workers are in very high demand.
