---

Hello Neighbors,

---

ROAD SAFETY

We are getting the most dangerous cars off the road with legislation I wrote to allow DPW to immediately tow and impound vehicles with fake, obscured or missing license plates rather than having to wait until they have two unpaid tickets. I led on legislation to give the Department of For-Hire Vehicles oversight of food and parcel delivery drivers and companies, allowing us to protect customer and driver safety and keep our roadways safer. 

I also launched an investigation into Empower, a ride-hailing company that refuses to register, is operating illegally against a court order, and putting riders and drivers at risk.

With funding I allocated, DPW parking enforcement increased its booting and towing teams from only two to 10.  In collaboration with DPW, I’ve worked to have parking enforcement prioritize vehicles with dangerous violations to keep our roads safer. We’ve updated parking enforcement provisions in the city’s legal code, giving it more teeth and more attention for the critical role it plays in road safety and public safety. 

I introduced bills that would make it easier for neighbors to close a street for a block party and require the Department of Transportation to develop alternative metrics when designing and redesigning roads and intersections that go beyond just what’s best for cars. These will better reflect the way residents use our streets and sidewalks, not just and to align with D.C.’s climate and sustainability goals. 

I introduced bills that would make it easier for neighbors to close a street for a block party and to give more weight to how residents use streets and sidewalks when redesigning roadways – and not just what’s best for cars. Both passed as part of a larger piece of legislation called the PLAZA Act.

I am a big advocate for better transportation in Ward 1 and in the District and my work led to funding overnight bus service on 14 key bus routes throughout the city. The Columbia Road bike and bus lanes project is nearing completion, making for safer and speedier travel for those taking one of the slowest bus routes in the city.  

---

PUBLIC SAFETY

My first priority when it comes to public safety is always prevention. Over the past two years, I allocated funding in the budget to expand violence prevention programs in Ward 1, especially Park View, Columbia Heights, LeDroit Park and 14^th & V streets. I also added traffic control officers near 14^th & Irving to enforce traffic safety, manage congestion, and clear bus and bike lanes. We expanded substance use disorder outreach and I allocated funds to hire additional safety ambassadors in Adams Morgan. 

With prevention also must come effective policing and prosecution. Nationwide, law enforcement is having a hard time bringing in new hires, even with significant bonuses. My CADET Act bill aims to help with police recruiting – increasing pay for trainees in the D.C. Police Department’s cadet academy and expanding eligibility. Cadet participants are D.C. residents who know our neighborhoods and are connected to them. I will reintroduce the CADET bill in 2025 and seek to expand the witness support program. 

The city’s 911 dispatch system is in crisis and I’ve been doing everything I can to keep shining a light on the systemic issues there. I co-chaired an oversight hearing on the technology issues at OUC, I’ve made a surprise visit to the Office of Unified Communications, and I introduced legislation to separate fire and medical services calls from police calls. I’m continuing to raise questions about why residents can’t count on 911 answering their call or sending the right resources to the right addresses. Nothing is more important for city government than to provide competent emergency services. 

---

ENVIRONMENT

I’m committed to continuing our record of environmental initiatives by supporting waste diversion efforts, in particular through composting and recycling. To achieve our goal – diverting 80 percent of waste from landfills and incinerators by 2040 – we need bold action.

We’ve taken steps by protecting neighborhoods from the harms of illegal dumping, making sure residential buildings have adequate trash and recycling collection services, and investing in smart waste and compost bins. D.C. is a leader on air and water quality, and this year we passed legislation to expand electric vehicle charging facilities and help residents enhance air quality inside their homes. 

Taking action, I convened a hearing with DPW on its plan to help achieve zero waste. From enhancing the health of our rivers, to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, to mitigating the effects of climate change, we are working together toward a vision of a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable District. 

---

HOUSING AND SUPPORT

Far too many of our residents struggle with housing costs and displacement. Unless we preserve and build new affordable housing, the District’s growth will come at the expense of pushing out low-income families and people of color, especially the communities that have made Ward 1 so vibrant and resilient. From the start, I committed to building more affordable housing here in Ward 1. I’ve put more than 1,200 units of affordable housing in the pipeline here. And during that time, Ward 1 has seen the biggest increase in affordable housing units this side of the Anacostia River. 

During budget season, I joined The Way Home DC, Miriam’s Kitchen, and dedicated advocates who are calling for more investment in programs that end chronic homelessness, including housing vouchers for people who are unhoused or on the verge of homelessness.

The Park Morton redevelopment will be one of the most transformative, with hundreds of beautiful, affordable, dignified housing units. The first new units will finally open for residence early in 2025 and allow past Park Morton residents to return, as they were promised years ago. 

Down the road, the courts have finally ruled that the Bruce Monroe project can move forward, with the promise of hundreds of new housing units and a beautiful park and playground worthy of the neighborhood. 

Everyone in the District, from newborns to seniors, should have access to high-quality services and supports that create a strong foundation for health and development. I’ve worked to expand access to home visiting services that help new parents and children thrive and to increase SNAP benefits for more than 100,000 D.C. residents. 

---

IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOOD LIFE

Ward 1 is the heart of the District, and I am proud to live in and work for the most vibrant and culturally diverse ward in D.C. Eighty-nine-thousand of us living side-by-side and making community in diverse, densely packed neighborhoods gives our ward its unique energy. We’ve been able to accomplish important wins in the ward by investing in clean streets, better parks, and walkable sidewalks – and in our schools, like Rosemount Center, a key provider of quality, affordable early childhood bilingual education. And this year we launched a pilot with Throne smart bathrooms, including one at Columbia Heights Civic Plaza, to give everyone access to clean, safe bathrooms. 

A refresh to the sidewalks, plazas, parks, and other public spaces in our ward can foster economic growth and support local businesses. I funded a much-needed study to understand how public space can better serve our community in Mt. Pleasant & Columbia Heights. Stay tuned for updates from the study in the coming months! 

I believe that diverse, active, and exciting urban neighborhoods are not at odds with providing residents a high quality of life. That’s why I introduced legislation passed by the Council this year that sets soundproofing standards for new residential construction in mixed-use corridors and entertainment districts. A companion bill from Chairman Mendelson set reasonable limits on amplified sound. We can protect and promote the sounds of the District as an essential part of our city’s culture while also giving relief to residents who seek reasonable protections from excessive sound, and this legislation will help us do that across the city. 

---

CHILDREN AND EDUCATION

If we want to fight pervasive absenteeism, prevent crime, fill District jobs with District residents, and help our students succeed, then we must prioritize educator and student wellness, both financially and emotionally, in early childhood, adult education, and at every level in between.  

The Pay Equity Fund is an essential way we support the educators who support our kids and make sure we have high quality, adequately paid early childhood educators for our children. The fund has raised wages for thousands of hard-working early childhood educators, many of whom are Black and Brown women. And while the Mayor continues year after year to decimate this fund, we as a Council are fighting back and restoring funds. We will continue to fight to ensure we can have the deep bench of early childhood educators that we need and to retain the excellent ones so our children come to school ready to learn. 

As a mother of two young girls, I firmly believe that every family in the District should have the resources they need to ensure their children can achieve their full potential. Out-of-School-Time programs ensure students at all schools have access to enriching activities and experiences. I introduced the legislation that established the current Out-of-School-Time program, and I continue to advocate for increased access to these programs to prepare our children and youth for success in education, careers, and life. 

I also fought to restore funding to the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children to ensure the rights of families and children are upheld in child and family services cases. We cannot continue to balance our District’s budget on the backs of our most vulnerable residents or by eliminating services that are fundamental to our community’s wellbeing. 

---