It is unseasonably calm in the Wilson building right now. Typically, we would be juggling a flurry of budget oversight hearings and taking up the Mayor’s proposed FY26 budget for consideration. But while we press the House of Representatives to treat the DC Local Funds Act with the urgency it deserves, our budget process is delayed.
For now, it seems we will need to move forward with plans for next year’s budget regardless of action on the part of the House. We currently anticipate receiving the Mayor’s proposal sometime the week of April 21. Unfortunately, we will have to prepare for massive cuts to critical DC services—from public safety, to education, and more—while the House ignores calls from the Council, the Mayor, the Senate, and even the President to urgently pass the DC Local Funds Act. There are rumors that the matter could be taken up the week of April 28; but, amidst continued uncertainty, we know we cannot rely on rumors. I will continue to prioritize caring for District residents and fighting for a budget that works for all of us, regardless of federal activity.
It is with this priority that I invite neighbors to join me on April 26 for our annual Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning. We know we cannot count on the federal government to take care of us; we take care of us. ANCs, civic associations, churches, and other community organizations are teaming up with my office to host sites all across Ward 5 for this day of community care and neighborly connection. Click here or on the image below to find a site near you and sign up to join your neighbors for a community clean-up. Oh, and it’s the week of Earth Day – a perfect way to celebrate!
Ward 5 Wave Podcast
This week on the Ward 5 Wave, I dive a little deeper into the current status of DC’s budget fix on the Hill and invite neighbors to join my office for a number of upcoming events. I also share about recent activities in the Committee on Youth Affairs and how we’re working to ensure on-the-ground experiences with the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) inform oversight of the agency. Tune in here!
Next week is Spring Break for DC Public Schools, and the Council will also take its regularly scheduled recess. Of course, recess simply means that the Council does not hold formal hearings or meetings, but we are still working every day for neighbors and responding to requests for assistance. Please always feel free to reach out at ward5contact@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8028. Lastly, don’t forget that Wednesday, April 16 is DC Emancipation Day! This holiday commemorates the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, which freed more than 3,100 enslaved people in the District of Columbia. There will be a full day of festivities on Sunday, April 13, and some government services will be modified in observance of the holiday on Wednesday, April 16 (e.g. trash pick-ups won’t happen on Wednesday and will slide for the rest of the week into Thursday).
In this edition of the Ward 5 Weekly newsletter, you’ll also find public safety updates including the next Ward 5 Public Safety Call on April 30, the Rhode Island Ave Commemoration Tour and Public Art Info Session and the Resilient Ivy City Community Workshop, both tomorrow, April 12, the next DPW Special Waste Collection event on April 19, an Open House on the Rhode Island Ave Planning Study on April 22, Notices of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5, information about the new My Out of School Time (MOST) DC portal, a one-stop-shop for afterschool and summer programs, recaps of recent ANC and civic association meetings, Legislative Updates in Neferteria’s Nook and updates from the Committee on Youth Affairs, programs to benefit from including free groceries for DC seniors, and lots of community events including Free Lesson Friday at Langston Golf Course on April 25. Keep reading for more!
