With school out for summer and outdoor pools open on weekdays, the District fully settled into summertime vibes this week. This also means the Council's work on the FY27 budget is drawing to a close. We took our second vote on the budget, maintaining the investments I shared with you in recent newsletters (here and here) and advancing…

It's been an eventful week in the District with the 2026 Primary Election and the Council's preparation for next week's second vote on the FY27 budget. Tomorrow and Saturday also bring big events our way with the celebration of Juneteenth and Capital Pride.  Tomorrow's holiday marks 161 years since the news of freedom reached enslaved people in Galveston, TX. Although the Emancipation Proclamation…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The Council took its first vote on the FY27 budget this past Tuesday. We made significant progress considering where we started when we first received the Mayor's proposal in April. Complete cuts to essential lifelines like Family Success Centers, the Credible Messengers Program, Access to Justice, Alliance, and housing vouchers would have meant displacement, deepening…

Happy Pride! Earlier this week, officials from across DC government gathered to raise the Pride Flag outside the Wilson building like we do every year as both a symbol and a charge—DC is for everyone and love always wins. The afternoon's celebration of our LGBTQ+ community was a welcome break from the back-to-back budget conversations, public hearings, and markups…