Devastating rulings have come down from the Supreme Court over the past few days. Yesterday, the Supreme Court ended generations-long precedents in racial progress when they struck down affirmative action. Today, they rolled back rights for the LGBTQIA+ community, and struck down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. These decisions come from a far-right Court…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, It is now officially summer, which means school is out, the weather will get warmer, and there are tons of fun events around town. This week’s newsletter is filled with important updates, events, and more. I also hope you’ll join our virtual town hall next Tuesday, June 27, about the Providence…

This week, the Council wrapped up its work on the FY24 budget by passing the Budget Support Act which contains all the laws for how funds can be used. Several amendments came forward, on issues including revenue from traffic enforcement and grants for the DC Commission on the Arts on Humanities. You can read a…

Today, June 12, 2023, I introduced an amendment, co-introduced by Councilmember Frumin, intended to preserve equitable granting opportunities through the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, It’s been an eventful week! From passing caps on rent increases at the Council’s Legislative Meeting on Tuesday, to community public safety walks and committee hearings, to a black bear in Brookland, this newsletter brings you lots of updates.

Happy Pride Month! Yesterday, I joined Mayor Bowser, Attorney General Schwalb, and several of my Council colleagues to raise—for the first time ever—the Pride flag in front of the Wilson building. In my remarks, I reflected on the origins of Pride Month more than 50 years ago. The courageous resistance of Black trans women at…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, On Monday, the Ward 5 Bus Network Task Force that I convened at the beginning of May held its last meeting to formalize my office’s feedback on WMATA’s Better Bus Visionary Draft Network. Yesterday, I sent a letter to WMATA detailing the task force’s recommendations, and why I believe they are…

This morning, I sent off a letter to WMATA with my office’s Ward 5 Bus Network Task Force recommendations on the Better Bus Draft Visionary Network. I am very proud of the substantive, constructive feedback this task force produced. Improving the frequency and reliability of bus service in Ward 5 and across DC is my…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, On Tuesday this week, the Council took its first of two votes on the FY24 budget, bringing us one step closer to deciding how we will allocate DC’s nearly $20 billion budget. Our city is in a very strong financial position. Ward 5, specifically, receives funding for an array of much…

This week, I attended the Mayor’s Public Safety Summit to be a part of the solution in addressing rising violence. I found the updates on crime trends and approaches to these varying trends helpful. Chief Contee noted the significant decreases in both violent crime and property crime since 2015, while also acknowledging recent disturbing spikes…