Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
As we approach the end of the year, the legislative calendar at the Council always gets a bit full. This past week and the next couple of weeks are dotted with hearings on important pieces of legislation and community meetings on important issues I’m leading on, including traffic safety, health equity, environmental justice, and youth well-being.
Traffic Safety
This week, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is conducting their third and final round of community engagement on the South Dakota Ave Corridor Safety Project. You may remember I fought to secure $1 million for this project during the budget process two years ago. With the remaining funds, DDOT plans to execute spot treatments at key intersections along the corridor to improve safety for all roadway users.
The engagement kicked off with a virtual meeting last night, but if you weren’t able to make it, I hope you’ll join us tomorrow morning, December 6, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sojourner Truth Public Charter School (1800 Perry St NE) for an in-person meeting. More details are available here.
Health Equity
This coming Monday, December 8, the Committee on Health is holding a mark-up of several bills, including one I introduced this year—the PrEP DC Act of 2025. With this legislation, the District will be able to support thousands of residents who rely on antiretroviral prescription drugs to stay healthy and safe. At the bill’s October hearing, neighbors testified to the importance of the bill in our fight against HIV and AIDS. We’ve made remarkable progess in recent years, and this bill will keep us moving forward. Stay tuned as this bill will move to the full Council next!
Environmental Justice
Next Thursday, December 11, the Committee on Transportation and the Environment will hold a public hearing on a bill I introduced in our continued work to address environmental injustice in Ward 5—the Ivy City Resilience Hub Eminent Domain Authority Act of 2025. Ivy City bears some of the heaviest burdens of environmental injustices and climate change in the District. This legislation would authorize the Mayor to exercise eminent domain at 1950 Capitol Ave NE for use as a climate resilience hub in Ivy City, “supporting District residents by coordinating communication, distributing resources, and reducing carbon pollution while enhancing the community’s quality of life,” (DC Commission on Climate Change & Resiliency, 2022). Please consider signing up to testify or submit written testimony using this link.
Youth Well-Being
My Committee on Youth Affairs staff have been hard at work this fall advancing our C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan. We’ve held several hearings on legislation included in the plan, and are now preparing committee reports and mark-ups of the bills. Next week on Thursday, December 11, we will also hold a confirmation hearing for Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Acting Director Tanya Torres Trice. Securing permanent, committed, and skilled leadership for the District’s child welfare agencies is a critical component in our work to improve youth well-being across the city. I hope you’ll consider signing up to testify or submit written testimony on what you hope to see in the CFSA director role here.
These are just a few examples of issues that are top-of-mind for me and key ways you can participate in building healthy communities in Ward 5 and across the District. Looking to the new year and the start of our next budget season, I am laser-focused on one major priority: the District Child Tax Credit. Known to be the single-most effective anti-poverty measure in the U.S. in the last half-century, I am unwavering in my efforts to ensure this measure is implemented and delivers for everyday Washingtonians. Stay tuned for opportunities to champion this policy with me!
