Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
At the beginning of the week, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a joint lawsuit against three federally licensed gun dealers for illegally selling dozens of firearms to a straw purchaser who then trafficked the weapons, mainly into the District. These firearms showed up at several DC crime scenes, including one in Ward 5. I applaud the Attorney General’s decisive action against these gun dealers who, in his words, “put our public safety at risk to make a profit.”
The seemingly constant flow of guns through our communities and across our nation is unacceptable. Last year, I introduced the Establishment of Reasonable Controls for the Firearm Industry Amendment Act of 2023. This legislation would expand the Attorney General’s ability to bring lawsuits like the one described above, and empower District residents to bring their own lawsuits for harms caused by the manufacture or sale of a firearm-related product that is abnormally dangerous or likely to create an unreasonable risk of harm to public health and safety in the District. It would also permit suits against firearm industry members for harms caused by the failure to implement reasonable controls to prevent firearm trafficking, the loss or theft of firearms, and failure to report sales, among other things. I am grateful that the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety has committed to holding a hearing on this bill.
I want to be clear, though: while these efforts are meaningful steps to addressing the public health crisis of guns, they are no substitute for real action from our federal government partners. We were tragically reminded of the continued failures of the federal government to enact common sense gun laws this week when a school shooting at Apalachee High School outside of Atlanta, GA claimed the lives of two students and two teachers. I send my deepest condolences to the Apalachee High School community, and remain committed to common sense policy making that will once and for all end the scourge of gun violence in the U.S.
In this week’s epside of The Ward 5 Wave podcast, I talk a bit more about the Attorney General’s lawsuit, and sit down with my Deputy Chief of Staff, Conor Shaw, to explore the ways my gun legislation would improve the District’s ability to hold the firearm industry accountable. Tune in here!
Transition Plan for Circulator Employees
In last week’s newsletter, I shared about members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU Local 689) and their frustration with the lack of a rigorous transition plan for the District’s Circulator bus service, which is winding down this fall. As you may recall, the mayor cut funding for the circulator in her proposed budget this year. During budget oversight hearings, my colleagues and I asked whether the administration had plans to transfer resources, personnel, and routes to WMATA. We were told that there was no plan, but one was forthcoming. The Council then added language to the budget requiring the administration to update us on those plans.
Fast forward a few months and blown deadlines, and we still don’t have a plan. I’m told that DDOT is actively in talks with WMATA while Circulator employees plan for potential layoffs beginning October 1 and a full winddown by the end of the year. At a time when bus drivers and mechanics are in high demand and there is an appetite to ramp up MetroBus service, it would be a shame not to ensure that this talented workforce continues to have the opportunity to serve District residents.
I will keep neighbors abreast of updates as I continue to press the Bowser administration to follow through on its commitment to make a transition plan for Circulator employees.
Ward 5 Day
My office is hard at work getting ready for Ward 5 Week (September 16-21) and Ward 5 Day! This newsletter includes a special section below with all the Ward 5 Day and Ward 5 Week details and calendar of events. You can help kick off all the festivities by joining me for Ward Days at Nationals Park on Thursday, September 12 at 6:45 p.m.! We have a limited number of free tickets remaining for Ward 5 neighbors to come enjoy the Nationals game as they take on the Miami Marlins. Click here or on the image below to request tickets!
Farewell to Kendra Wiley, Legislative Director
Lastly, it is bitter-sweet to share that my Legislative Director, Kendra Wiley, is moving on from the Ward 5 Council Office. Kendra has been an integral part of my office’s team from day one, and while I am proud to see her taking on a new role in the federal government, we will also truly miss her presence and inspiring work. She has written a special farewell message for a final installment of Kendra’s Corner this week, and I hope you will take the time to read it and join me in thanking Kendra for her faithful service to Ward 5 residents.
This edition of the Ward 5 Weekly also includes public safety updates along with information about a public safety meeting for Woodridge neighbors on Monday, September 9, the next Ward 5 Monthly Public Safety Call on September 26, and a public safety job fair on September 20, the Vision Zero and Strategic Highway Safety Plan survey and in-person listening session in Ward 5 on September 21, a survey from the Office of Planning that closes September 13 on the future of the North Capitol Crossroads, a Notice of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5, and community events including the DC State Fair tomorrow, and DC Bike Fest in Ward 5 this Sunday, September 8 at Alethia Tanner Park.
