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…

Today, I’m spending time connecting with my Council colleagues on issues that are important to us and collaborating on the work ahead.

On Tuesday, I joined the Fair Budget Coalition on the steps of the Wilson building to share the reminder that housing, food, and safety are not luxuries—they’re essential.

This week, my Council colleagues and I compiled budget requests for the upcoming committee budget reports. Each committee will hold a mark-up hearing next week. Then, on May 16th and May 30th, the full Council will vote on the final budget.