August 15, 2025 Dear Ward 5 neighbors, I know many of you are rightfully concerned for our city in this moment. On Monday, President Trump issued executive orders invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, a provision that permits the president to request the services of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal…

I've been huddling for much of this week with elected officials from around the country to discuss education policy as part of the Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows program. District students are top-of-mind for me, and I have deeply appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with other policy-makers on strategies for helping our students succeed.   As summer starts to wind down and we get…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  It would be hard to imagine a busier week on the Council than the one we just wrapped up. From our second budget vote on Monday that lasted nearly 8 hours, to two days of RFK redevelopment hearings that stretched late into the night, to today's vote on the redevelopment deal, we tackled massive issues and…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The Council is about to head into a busy week where we will face big decisions. On Monday, we will take our second vote on the FY26 budget. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we are holding public hearings on the RFK Campus Redevelopment Act of 2025. And just yesterday, Chairman Mendelson announced that the Council will hold its first…

Read Original Notice of Intent to Move Amendments Here Read LBA Amendment Here Read BSA Amendment Here Council of the District of Columbia OFFICE OF WARD 5 COUNCILMEMBER ZACHARY PARKER Memorandum                 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004     TO:                 Chairman Phil Mendelson FROM:          Councilmember Zachary Parker RE:                 Notice of Intent to Move Amendments at the July 28 Legislative…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The Council took its first vote on the FY26 budget this week, passing an important milestone in this delayed and difficult budget season. You've heard me detail many of the concerns I had with the Mayor's original proposal, and while there's still work to do before our second vote on July…

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,…