Dear Ward 5 neighbors, This week’s newsletter includes highlights from a week of committee markups on FY25 budget, WMATA’s Proposed 2025 Bus Network, and more.

Frederick Douglass once famously said, "Power concedes nothing without a demand; it never did and it never will." In a city with a $20 billion budget, it is unacceptable that disparities persist—from our educators, to our seniors, to the LGBTQ+ community, to folks just wanting a good paying job. I'm preparing for the Council's upcoming…

Today, I sent a letter to my colleagues calling for changes to the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and new investments in DC’s LGBTQ+ community. With more LGBTQ+ residents per capita than any other jurisdiction, we must address disparities and increase transparency.

This week’s newsletter is abbreviated as Council recess and Spring Break wraps up. Remember that next week resumes the Council’s budget oversight work to examine agency spending and the Mayor’s proposed FY25 budget.

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  It's been a very full week of budget oversight hearings, meetings with neighbors, and community events. You see what my office has been up to in the Week in Review section, and get the latest public safety, traffic safety, and other community updates in the Ward 5 Updates section. To kick off this week's newsletter, I'm sharing…

On Wednesday, the Mayor presented her Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal to the Council, entitled “Strategic Investments and Shared Sacrifice.” This year’s budget is unlike any the District has seen in recent years, where the city’s projected spending and costs outpaced revenues by roughly $700 million. There are three main factors that account for our…

It’s true: Beyoncé dropped a new album, COWBOY CARTER, that has everybody talking. But I’ve got lots of news to share about keeping the Caps and Wizards in the city, addressing absenteeism and truancy at DC schools, and taking the reins on budget oversight next week. 

Tune in to the new Ward 5 Wave podcast to hear the latest on DC’s budget delays and new legislation I’m introducing to tackle truancy.

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, Earlier today, I joined Ivy City residents for the unveiling of Alexander Crummell Way in front of the old Crummell School. It was a beautiful moment: a symbol of neighbors’ steadfast commitment to preserving the neighborhood’s history and ensuring the Crummell campus meets the needs of the community. We were honored to be joined…

There is so much to catch you up on from this week. The Council had a robust legislative meeting, I managed a number of community events, and recent developments in Virginia make Monumental Sports’ attempt to leave DC appear unlikely for now. While this newsletter is lengthy, I want to make sure you don’t miss…