Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  There are times in my work representing Ward 5 neighbors when I see or hear something that truly stops me in my tracks. I had one of those experiences this week when my team and I continued our Ward 5 Housing Conditions Tour with a visit to 1400 Florida Ave NE in Trinidad.  My team had…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  Oversight is year-round. While the early months of the year are loaded with performance oversight hearings, giving way to budget oversight hearings in spring, there is also the real, behind-the-scenes work of visits to agency facilities, neighborhood walks, and many meetings. All of this is oversight as we hold District government accountable and ensure…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The District's waterways, forests, and native gardens are precious commodities that drive our well-being. They are nature's air conditioning, filters, and ecosystem regulators that set the tone for how our communities feel and function.  So when entities profiting off of District residents and business directly harm those natural resources, they are…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  You may have heard rumblings this week that Congress is—yet again—threatening DC's autonomy and dollars. A bill introduced and passed through committee in the House of Representatives would fundamentally undermine our fiscal autonomy, mandating Congressional approval of any changes to fees or taxes in the District. This would complicate even attempts to lower taxes or issue tax…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  I hope you are staying safe and cool amid the extreme heat and Canadian wildfire smoke that reached our region last night. The air quality reached Code Purple today, meaning it is very unhealthy for all neighbors to be outdoors. Please—stay inside, wear a mask if you must go outside, and check on vulnerable neighbors who may need a…

This week, the Council wrapped up its final vote on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget on Tuesday, July 7. As a reminder, here and here are recaps of our Ward 5 budget wins. I am proud of the wins that we secured on behalf of our Ward 5 neighbors and our youth, even in a tough budget year. These accomplishments will help set our community up for success for years to come. From investments in Langdon Park and Community Center and the New York Avenue…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  "This celebration also marks the beginning of another year of your national life; and reminds you that the Republic of America is now 76 years old. I am glad, fellow-citizens, that your nation is so young. Seventy-six years, though a good old age for a man, is but a mere speck…

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…