Statement on the Mayor’s letter to the Council
The facts don’t lie: curfews are not effective at addressing youth crime.
Let’s plug some budget gaps
In my final Committee budget as a Councilmember, we were able to send funds to every other committee to help fill gaps in the safety net created by the Mayor’s proposal, including to support more people in temporary housing, and to expand food access, wellness for seniors, and programming for teens. We found ways to take small actions, such as licensing and building code changes, to effect big results, like building more housing and speeding up business contracting issues.
Protecting core services for residents, keeping our city clean & more
this Committee worked to balance funds among these agencies and programs to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer funds and protect core services for residents, including behind-the-scenes operational programs that make the rest of the work of government possible.
Supporting life-saving care & expanding food access
Even when faced with these financial pressures, we can still find ways to support some of our most vulnerable communities. I am excited to see funding for so many critical programs and supports, including the millions for the crisis response programs, school-based behavioral health, remote patient monitoring during pregnancy, chronic illness screenings for uninsured residents, and medical debt mitigation.
Prioritizing affordable housing
I believe I’ve been able to contribute funding to affordable housing vouchers in every single budget I’ve worked on as Councilmember. Given that this is the last Housing Committee budget I will be voting on, there’s no way I was going to break that streak now, even in a tight budget. The need for residents is just too great, and I hope that Council will continue to carry this torch in years to come.
Funding safe schools & welcoming parks
With this budget, the Facilities Committee has made investments in all eight wards, serving every population from our youngest to our most senior.
Ward 1 Update: Budget deep dive
There’s a lot to unpack in the Mayor’s proposed budget for FY27, but the overall and very disturbing theme that comes across clearly is that she has gutted the social safety net while not asking anything of the District’s wealthy residents.
FY27 Budget Update: Collaborative Conversations
Committees have now finished their budget oversight hearings and we’ve heard from the public and agency officials on how these cuts will impact people in their daily lives. The Council has continued doing something very positive this year – rather than wait to share the work of the committees right before the budget vote, we’re […]
Sunsetting the Teen Curfew Law
Council approved an amendment I introduced to sunset the law in two years. That means that the teen curfew law won’t continue past December 31, 2028. Not only does that limit the harm, it also forces District government to come up with real solutions sooner.
Ward 1 Update: There’s No Plan for That in the Budget
There’s a lot to unpack in the Mayor’s proposed budget for FY27, but the overall and very disturbing theme that comes across clearly is that she has gutted the social safety net while not asking anything of the District’s wealthy residents.