Hello Neighbors:
I recently learned from a colleague at the Fair Budget Coalition that in the District of Columbia, the wealth of 1,500 people comprises more than 50% of the wealth in the entire city.
That number was staggering to me.
I have always believed that the way we treat our most vulnerable communities is a measure of how well the District is doing. And in recent years, we have asked those with too little to shoulder far too much of our budget burden–even as my colleagues and I have fought to restore and expand the safety net our neighbors most in need rely on–without asking others to pay their fair share.
The Council will take up this issue Friday at our roundtable on revenue proposals to address anticipated funding shortfalls in the Fiscal Year 2028 budget and beyond. We will cover a number of possible solutions, including a new business activity tax, a sales tax increase, an income tax increase, and my legislation to establish a wealth proceeds tax and transitioning to a land value tax. Having now worked on 12 annual budgets, I believe the residents of D.C. deserve a more just tax system as a way to shore up our social safety net. We need to explore what is possible and what is fair.
In preparation for this conversation, I’m reminded once again that this is never just about the numbers, but rather about the people affected. I am never surprised by–and always in awe of–the way we care for each other here in the District, especially our neighbors in need. I have been proud to do this work in partnership with you over my time as your councilmember–the work of making sure our government serves people and meets their needs.
As chair of the Council’s Human Services Committee for six years, I pushed for funding to ensure a path for safe and affordable housing for every District resident. And in 2021, Councilmembers Charles Allen, Janeese Lewis-George and I crafted the Homes and Hearts budget amendment. By raising taxes on our wealthiest residents just a little bit, we were able to provide more than 2,400 residents a safe and stable home.
In addition to a place to call home, everyone in the District, from newborns to seniors, should have access to high-quality services and supports that create a strong foundation for health. From healthy food access to early child development and lower costs of healthcare, I have pushed for a comprehensive approach to public health to foster healthy communities in D.C.
The Council passed my bill to expand access to home visiting services that help new parents and children thrive by providing at-home care and parental coaching. I fought to preserve funding for the D.C. Health Care Alliance and support life-saving care for residents who depend on it, including immigrant families, as well as comprehensive behavioral health services for our students.
The substance use disorder outreach pilot I created and funded in Columbia Heights and Shaw led to a 51% decrease in nonfatal overdoses in the 600 block of T Street NW in less than a year by focusing on trusted relationships and sustained outreach. The program has since expanded to wards 5, 6, 7, and 8, and we’re working to make this kind of outreach a permanently funded program.
Dedicated neighbors and I also made access to public restrooms a policy priority for over a decade, because bathrooms are essential to public health, disability access, community well-being, and equity. Our pilot program with Throne Labs to make bathrooms accessible across our District logged 145,000 uses and 56,000 unique users with zero safety incidents and will soon expand to 11 locations.
And the conversation on how we continue to build on the progress we’ve made has only just begun. We have made so many strides in addressing homelessness in the District of Columbia by working together. We have demonstrated that here in this city, we take care of each other, especially our neighbors most in need.
Now is not the time to backtrack. Instead, let’s talk about a way forward where everyone contributes their fair share.
COUNCIL UPDATES
Making ride hailing safe and leveling the playing field
A new bill I introduced this month would protect ride-hailing app users and taxi riders and others from bad actors, equalize the playing field for companies and operators, and give the District strong tools to investigate and enforce regulations against unlicensed and illegal operators.
The District’s current for-hire vehicle laws are vulnerable to exploitation by bad-faith actors and are not equipped to deal with an industry that has innovated and evolved rapidly over the past 15 years.
The bill would ensure that all for-hire vehicle activity is covered by the law, even if some or all of a trip in the District is free of charge – a loophole attempted recently by ride-hailing company Empower, which is not registered in the District. It also clarifies in law that companies are responsible for the safe operation of vehicles using its digital services – that is, they cannot shift that burden to drivers themselves.
There’s been a lot of attention paid to one company that’s operating as a ride-hailing company and is pretending that it’s something else. While this legislation provides additional legal framework to address that significant concern, its primary propose is to modernize our regulations around an industry that is evolving all the time, and better preparing District government for the next innovation – whatever it will be.
Parking enforcement to protect neighbors
The Council passed legislation that I introduced to allow BIDs and other groups to pay for targeted parking enforcement in their neighborhoods and to authorize university campus police to issue parking tickets in certain narrowly defined zones on and immediately adjacent to their campuses.
Nobody likes getting a parking ticket, but they really don’t like it when they follow the rules and those who don’t get no consequences. In these busy corridors, something has to change. The goal is to change behavior, making our busiest corridors safer for everyone, not to raise revenue.
Under the legislation, private parties could enter into agreements with the Department of Public Works. If DPW has enough parking enforcement officers available who want to work some overtime, DPW can deploy those officers and be reimbursed by the private parties.
The officers would still be on the clock as DPW employees, answering to DPW supervisors and enforcing the same parking laws as usual.
Nadeau introduces bill to create Duke BID
A new Business Improvement District will soon give the U Street Corridor and Shaw neighborhoods resources to coordinate and address needs ranging from parking, public safety, trash, and business vitality to arts and culture and nightlife.
I introduced legislation, along with Councilmember Brooke Pinto, D-Ward 2, to create the Duke BID, filling a need envisioned more than 20 years ago in the “Duke Plan”, adopted by the Council.
The creation of the BID follows decades of effort by business and community leaders. Last month the Council approved legislation I introduced to provide seed money to the BID, anticipating its establishment this month. The BID will also receive matching funds from a performance parking zone established by legislation I introduced.
The BID, agreed to by more than half the property owners in the designated area, will provide the structure and support to ensure the community thrives through a strong place management entity – an organization that can bring all those pieces together and be worthy of the cultural destination that U Street is.
BRIANNE IN THE COMMUNITY
I spent the first two days of the #WeekWithoutDriving commuting with the kids and doing school pickup after a long week. Over the weekend, it was kids’ activities and block parties by bike, transit, and on foot!
In addition to taking the bus and the bike over the weekend, we did do some driving. I went down to the Wharf to see the Indigo Girls live – which was amazing. I used the Curb app to take a taxi there. And I got a ride home from a friend. Just a reminder: it’s still illegal for Empower to operate in D.C.
I’ll be honest: when I saw the weather on Sunday morning, I was planning to take the kids to Hebrew school in the car. As it turned out, Jayson needed it for a very specific errand, so we biked the hilly route to Temple Micah and we’re no worse for the wear. When we go up big hills, my kids like to chant “go, Mommy, go!” over and over again. So if you ever pass a mom on a bike with two kids and they’re shouting in the back, it might be me!
Biking as part of my daily commute allows me to see a lot of the ward on my way to the girls’ school and then straight to the office. Putting eyes on different parts of the ward each day is important for constituent services, and it’s a lot easier to do from a bike because I can stop and get a little closer to the issues.
Thanks to Greater Greater Washington for organizing D.C.’s participation in this annual campaign.
Westminster Neighborhood Association brings the neighborhood together for block parties, neighborhood clean ups, and civic engagement. Please keep inviting me for many years to come!
The rain cleared up just in time to hang with neighbors at the 12th Pl. Block Party! I love coming back to my U Street roots, and it’s great to see everyone so excited about the BID.
What an incredible and profound institution the African American Civil War Memorial Museum has been for our nation, our city, and for Ward 1. I am constantly in awe and in appreciation of the preservation of this sacred ground and the profound history and message that is memorialized here. I am grateful to Dr. Frank Smith for his dream and vision and hard work.
At a time when the president is making every effort to erase the history of pain suffered by Black people in this country, how appropriate that we celebrate the reopening of a museum that honors the 209,145 members of the United States Colored Troops and the historic role they played in ending slavery and keeping America united under one flag.
Congratulations to everyone who worked tirelessly on this reopening of the museum. In one of my final acts as Councilmember, I was able to ensure that $250k every year will go to preserving and maintaining this amazing resource for generations to come. My thanks again to Dr. Smith, whose advocacy has helped me be the best champion of the museum that I can be, from my days as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner to my time as a Councilmember.
Harriet Tubman Elementary School has had a special place in my heart for as long as I have been a Councilmember. After all that the Tubman Toads community has been through with an aging building and a challenging swing space, it was an honor to be there for the ribbon cutting on the brand new three-story building.
The way we invest in our school buildings is our way of saying we care about our students, we care about who they become, and we want them to feel loved. And I walked into this building again today and I could feel the love.
This is thanks to the hard work of so many people, from the school community to DCPS, DGS and the Mayor. And most of all, the students, teachers, aides, staff, principal, and everyone else who make this building home for six to eight hours a day. They now have a building that is worthy of THEIR hard work and commitment to teaching and learning.
It was an honor to do my part and advocate for the funding necessary for this project in the District budget.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Utility assistance FAQ
Eliza-Roche and Norma, our constituent services team members, get a lot of questions about utility bills and what assistance is available for people who are struggling to pay for them. We asked them to share information about some of the most common questions they get. Remember that you can always contact my office with specific questions or concerns.
What type of assistance is available for people having trouble making their utility payments?
District government programs: These programs run out of money quickly, so we encourage you to apply as soon as they open. Please reach out to our office if you need guidance with your application.
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists income-eligible District households with heating and cooling energy costs. LIHEAP is expected to open for FY2027 applications on October 20 and 311 will begin scheduling in-person application appointments on November 10.
- The Utility Discount Program assists low-income District residents reduce utility costs. It is also expected to open on October 20.
- For questions about either program, contact 311 or 202-737-4404.
Utility company programs
- Pepco: one-time assistance, payment plans, and other forms of assistance
- Washington Gas: program that grants debt forgiveness when new bills are paid on time and weatherization assistance, and other programs
- DC Water: monthly discounts, flexible payments, and one-time emergency assistance, as well as relief for nonprofit organizations
When is the best time to request assistance with utility payments?
- As soon as you have an issue paying a bill. No matter how much you owe, if you are having trouble making a payment, the earlier you call, the more options will be available.
Does the Council offer financial assistance to constituents?
- Our office does not offer utility assistance, but we can help you navigate your options. Certain at-large Council members may have constituent services funds available that can be used for rent or utility assistance. We will direct you to those offices when we know funds are available.
What if there is an issue with billing?
- You should continue to pay your bill even if there is an error. As soon as you notice an error, contact the utility company and then call the Office of the People’s Counsel.
Are there other organizations that may offer help?
- Salvation Army
- Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL)
- Collaborative Solutions for Communities (families only)
Please check out our resources page for information about housing, assistance, public safety, unemployment, food resources, and more.
Share your feedback on the 2030 Historic Preservation Plan
Read the draft version of the 2030 Historic Preservation Plan: New Perspectives to learn more about what’s next for historic preservation in the District.
Share your comments and feedback through November 6 to ensure it reflects the perspectives of all D.C. residents.
Share your feedback (via email)
IN THE NEWS
DC NEWS NOW
DC Council passes bill that could let businesses pay for extra parking enforcement
“There’s an important role for BIDs, universities, and other groups to help support the parking enforcement that benefits their corridors with safer and less chaotic streets,’ said Nadeau. ‘This is one small way to do more of the parking enforcement we already do, with a goal of changing behavior, making our busiest corridors safer for everyone – not to raise revenue.”
WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL (paywall)
New business improvement district planned for Shaw and U Street corridor
WASHINGTON POST (paywall)
D.C. Council approves $305M for Metro, bus upgrades near RFK Stadium site
“On Tuesday, the council also passed a bill that allows businesses, universities and other organizations to pay for off-duty parking enforcement officers to target spots around the District where illegal parking is a problem. It also allows university police to enforce parking on streets within and adjacent to their campuses.“It’s not people’s money we want. It’s safe and legal parking we want,’ said council member Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1), who introduced the bill. ‘We want everyone to play by the same rules.”
WUSA9
Controversial ride-share company Empower back in DC
“The message I’ve always had to consumers is just you’ve got to be careful. This is not a legal operator.”
WTOP
DC private businesses can pay for better parking enforcement
CIVIL WAR MEMORY
The African American Civil War Museum in DC is Now Open
CALENDAR
Council Committee of the Whole Public Hearing on Revenue Proposals for the Fiscal Year 2028 Budget
Friday, October 16, 10 am | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building
The Committee will hear testimony on Councilmember Nadeau’s proposed wealth proceeds tax (Bill 26-749) and plan to transition to a land value tax (Bill 26-777). The Committee will also discuss other tax and revenue options, such as a business activity tax.
Council Committee on Public Works & Operations Public Hearing
Monday, October 19, 9:30 am | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building
The Committee will hear testimony on Councilmember Nadeau’s comprehensive legislation that modernizes the District’s laws governing for-hire vehicles (B26-0818 – For-Hire Passenger Service Reform Act of 2026).
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, October 20, 7 pm | online and in-person at the Mt. Pleasant Branch of the DC Public Library (3160 16th St NW)
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, October 21, 7 pm | online and in-person at LAYC (1419 Columbia Road NW)
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, October 28, 7 pm | online
CONTACT US
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | bnadeau@dccouncil.gov
Abigail Boshart | Deputy Committee Director | aboshart@dccouncil.gov
Nicole Bramstedt | Senior Legislative Assistant | nbramstedt@dccouncil.gov
Amanda Chulick | Senior Legislative Assistant | achulick@dccouncil.gov
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | dconnertymarin@dccouncil.gov
Sean Cuddihy | Committee Director | scuddihy@dccouncil.gov
Kara Dunford | Communications Manager | kdunford@dccouncil.gov
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | dmeni@dccouncil.gov
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | mnava@dccouncil.gov
Sabrin Qadi | Deputy Legislative Director | sqadi@dccouncil.gov
Norma Rivera | Constituent Services Specialist | nrivera@dccouncil.gov
Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | nrivero@dccouncil.gov
Eliza-Roche Robinson | Constituent Services Specialist | errobinson@dccouncil.gov