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…

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…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  As we inch closer to the Council's budget votes in June, a number of funding gaps still remain that my office is working to address. At the Council's budget work session on Wednesday, we talked through many of those concerns, including the gap between funding for DC Public Schools and Public Charter Schools, Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The work happening inside the Wilson building each day is important, but I know what often matters most is what's happening in your own neighborhood—at your parks, schools, and recreation centers. That's why over the past few years, I've prioritized getting long overdue projects moving and kicking off new ones. Just two…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  Welcome to the new and improved Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter! We are trying out a new email platform to improve deliverability and ensure neighbors are connected to all the latest Ward 5 updates from my office. If you happen to be viewing this newsletter from your browser or had it forwarded to…