Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The Council takes up its first of two votes on the FY 2026 budget this coming Monday. On Thursday, I shared with my colleagues my perspective about the work ahead of us during our final deliberations, and today I want to share my thinking directly with you as well.  The FY 2026 budget is one…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  After months of evaluation and working through community feedback, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is preparing to hold the next community engagement meetings on the South Dakota Ave Corridor Safety Project. You can join virtually on July 9 at 6:00 p.m., or in-person at Sojourner Truth PCS (1800 Perry St NE) on July 12 at 10:00 a.m. I…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  In just a couple days, Metro will implement their Better Bus Network—the first full overhaul of the region's bus network in more than 50 years. Every bus route will change. There are mixed reactions to the changes, and I've been engaging directly with neighbors on the network redesign for more than two years as WMATA has…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The school year wrapped up this week for DC Public Schools, coinciding with many conversations about how to best support youth through the summer months. Thousands of our city's young people are participating in the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, which kicks off on Monday. Countless others will enjoy camps and other programs, like Late Night Hype,…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The proposed RFK Stadium site redevelopment is back in the news this week, and this time with a flurry of confusion and misinformation.  On Tuesday, my colleagues and I met to talk through some of the budget challenges we are facing. That conversation included consideration of how to proceed on the extraordinarily…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  Late last night, we learned that the National Park Service is proceeding with their plans to close off Dupont Circle Park during WorldPride celebrations this weekend. This comes after days of uncertainty around the announcement that MPD Chief Smith rescinded her request to NPS to close the park.  To be clear, this…

This week, Mayor Bowser released her proposed FY26 budget, officially kicking off budget season in DC. The $21 billion proposal, introduced amid a $1 billion projected shortfall over the next three years, makes clear how the Mayor envisions moving the District forward: corporate incentives and headline-grabbing development projects over education and basic human needs. This is…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  Happy Pride! World Pride kicked off last weekend and continues through June 8. Last night I was proud to host my 3rd Annual Black Pride Celebration. We gathered to reaffirm our commitment to visibility, unity, and unapologetic pride; recognize trailblazing leaders, and continue to build on the rich history of Black LGBTQ+…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  After months of uncertainty amidst a budget crisis inflicted on the District by Congress, we now know the release date of the Mayor's budget proposal: May 27. The Mayor and her team are "pencils down" on their proposal as of this past Wednesday evening, and the budget now goes to the District's Chief…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  It has been a full and demanding week with many ups and downs. While there are a variety of headlines of significance for our community—from the President rescinding the nomination of Ed Martin for DC US Attorney, to celebrations of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, at Ward 5's Basilica, to the Capitals continuing…