Dear neighbors,  Dear neighbors,  Over the weekend, Congressional Republicans introduced a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend federal government funding through September and avoid a potential government shutdown. However, this CR excludes language that has been included for more than twenty years—language that allows DC to operate under its current, locally-funded budget. Removing this provision undoes the District's Fiscal Year…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  It's been a busy week with the Ward 5 Budget Forum, performance oversight hearings, and news from the federal government. I know that our community continues to feel the strain of layoffs within the federal government, and with the House passing a spending bill that may necessitate cuts to Medicaid, we know that strain…

Thank you to the many neighbors who filled the room on February 25, 2025 at Friendship PCS - Armstrong Campus for our annual Ward 5 Budget Forum, and to the hundreds more who joined us online via the livestream! The discussion was engaging and helps inform whatI will prioritize in my budget letter to the…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  As this week comes to a close, I know many of you are feeling on edge about the future of the District. While these are uncertain times, the threats we face are also a reminder to deepen our resolve and reassert our commitments to caring well for one another. This is not the…

District residents have the full responsibility of citizenship—paying more taxes per capita than any state, and having our residents participating in every war our country has ever fought—but without the full rights of citizenship. This includes a lack of voting representation in Congress and a limited ability to self-govern. For 50 years of Home Rule,…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  Over the past several weeks, I've heard from many of you about concerns amidst swift and sweeping change at the federal government level. Some of you have been directly impacted—losing jobs, facing uncertainty, navigating new expectations amidst federal funding freezes and more. Others of you see the impact on your neighbors…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  This week's newsletter has lots of updates about upcoming events with my office, the recently released 2023-2025 Progress Report, news about the RFK Stadium site, an episode of the Ward 5 Wave celebrating Black History Month, and more. Check it out! Keep reading the newsletter here

I know many of us are still reeling from the devastating news of Wednesday's plane crash, resulting in the loss of 67 lives. My prayers are with the countless loved ones of the victims of the crash, and our deepest gratitude is due to the District's heroic first responders.  Scores are up at DC Schools This…

January 24, 2025 Dear Ward 5 neighbors, Do you know a remarkable Ward 5 neighbor who goes above and beyond to give back to our community? This is your last chance to nominate them for a Ward 5 Award! The nomination form will close at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 27.  Of course, there…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  There is a lot to share with you about the holiday weekend, inauguration, and several Ward 5 community events coming up soon. But first, I want to celebrate new staff members who have joined my team! Please join me in welcoming Thomas Franco, who will be the Committee Director for the Committee on Youth Affairs, and Joe…