I joined the Way Home DC, Miriam’s Kitchen, and dedicated advocates at the Wilson Building this week to rally in support of more investment in the FY25 budget in programs that end chronic homelessness, including housing vouchers for people who are unhoused or on the verge of homelessness.
Hello neighbors:
Yesterday the Committee on Public Works & Operations unanimously passed our revised budget, which recommends adjustments to the Mayor’s budget to the full Council. It comes after months of performance oversight hearings and budget oversight hearings where we heard from residents, businesses, organizations, and government agency personnel.
The committee and I, as chair, are committed to preserving and strengthening critical services, from trash collection and composting services to streamlining business licensing and ensuring sufficient staffing to handle administrative claims and human rights protections.
Here are some of the highlights:
Keeping Our City Clean and Livable
We will continue the standalone public restrooms pilot program that I funded last year, with five “Thrones” units, including one that will be placed at or near Columbia Heights Civic Plaza.
With funds from Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, we also added funds to hire four new inspectors to enforce solid waste violations that impact residential and business neighborhoods across Ward 1 and the District.
Public Safety
Creating safe communities requires us to invest in human services, education, support for our youth and for adults struggling with homelessness, poverty, substance use disorder and mental health issues. That’s why I have invested in afterschool and summer programming for students, street outreach to those in need, and why I’m supporting the establishment of a stabilization center in Columbia Heights.
In this budget process, I transferred funds to preserve the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children, which I created through legislation in 2021. It’s at least the second time we’ve had to protect the office from attempted elimination by the Mayor.
This small office has a significant impact on the lives of children, especially those simultaneously involved in foster care and the juvenile justice system.
In our committee budget, we were able to transfer funds and contribute to addressing violence through prevention efforts, policing, and prosecution:
Prevention. We were able to continue the pilot outreach program that provides support to people living with substance use disorders in Ward 1 commercial corridors in Columbia Heights Mount Pleasant, Lower Georgia Avenue and U Street and the outreach program on T St. This benefits individuals and creates healthy neighborhoods.
Policing. We responded to resident requests by adding two mobile police surveillance cameras in the ward.
Prosecution. The Committee report adds staff to the city’s crime scene services in the Department of Forensic Sciences.
We also expanded the Department of For-Hire Vehicles’ capacity to enforce ride-shares, taxis and other services by adding new officers and funding the replacement and acquisition of new vehicles and we’ve enhanced DPW’s ability to target scofflaw vehicles by funding automatic license plate readers to be installed on tow cranes.
In the budget recommendations from the Committee on Judiciary & Public Safety, chaired by Councilmember Brooke Pinto, I’m glad to see support for prevention efforts, such as violence intervention, literacy training, Safe Passage, and expansion of the OAG’s truancy reduction program. I’ve supported all these approaches and will support them in the FY 25 budget.
Supporting the Rights, Health, and Wellbeing of Residents
The Mayor’s budget cut or eliminated key protections and supports for D.C. residents and my committee was able to restore many of those.
We restored positions in the Office of Administrative Hearings that will improve timeliness in resolving administrative cases that have a tangible effect on residents’ lives, for benefits like SNAP and unemployment insurance.
This budget helps protect renters, by restoring an investigator in the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection to ensure compliance with corporate property owner disclosures, so that bad actors can no longer hide behind opaque LLCs.
It reduces the backlog of cases of discrimination, by adding specialists at the Office of Human Rights and protects vulnerable populations and promotes fair housing practices by restoring funds to the Fair Housing Program in that office.
And we provided funds for the completion of a LGBTQ+ Community Center next to Howard Theater that provides wraparound services, such as counseling, job opportunities, HIV/STD testing, education, and more.
There is more work ahead of us – both in this budget and beyond – in the areas of housing, homelessness, pay equity, schools, just to name a handful. Our Committee recommendations are not final – they will be incorporated into a revised budget that reflects the work of all the committees and then go to the full Council for review and a series of votes.
When we first received this budget, like many of my colleagues I had a lot of concerns. On Thursday, the Committee moved recommendations that restore funding to critical programs, bring back agency positions needed to provide residents with the robust services they need and expect, and bring to life important programs and services that we’ve passed in the past two years and will reach and benefit District residents living in all eight wards.
COUNCIL UPDATE |
Protecting vulnerable immigrant youth
The Council this week passed my Vulnerable Youth Guardianship Protection Amendment Act, a bill that will provide greater protection for young immigrants who have suffered parental abuse, abandonment, or similar mistreatment. The legislation will allow eligible youth to apply for special federal immigration status, which allows them to get work authorization, a social security number, and additional benefits. It will also allow D.C. courts to appoint guardians for them, to help reduce the risk of further abuse as they enter young adulthood.
Increased accessibility: coming to a theater near you
A bill to expand open captioning at D.C. cinemas, which came through my Committee on Public Works & Operations, passed final reading in the Council this week. I was proud to co-introduce the bill from Councilmember Charles Allen. As other places consider these requirements, I believe D.C. can serve as a strong model for increasing the accessibility of movie theaters.
Fighting climate change at home
The Healthy Homes Act, introduced by Councilmember Allen and passed on Tuesday by the Council, will help 30,000 low-income households switch to electric heaters and stoves. I was proud to co-introduce the bill to protect residents by helping enhance air quality inside their homes and reduce D.C.’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Support for our LGBTQ+ community
We need sufficient resources to strengthen D.C. government support for the LGBTQ+ community, as I noted in our budget oversight hearing with the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. I welcome Councilmember Parker’s proposal calling for changes to the office and new investments in the community. I’m working to identify funds in FY 2025 for the budget items that fall under the Public Works & Operations Committee, including the D.C. Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s new building.
Budget season advocacy
As budget season continues, I’ve had the opportunity to hear from advocates visiting the Wilson Building in support of their priorities for the next fiscal year.
My conversation with advocates from the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development focused on the importance of housing preservation and support for the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act and the Housing Protection Trust Fund.
I spoke with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. about their important work to enhance the health, education, and economic empowerment of Black women and girls. We also discussed my Home Visiting Services Reimbursement Act – critical to prenatal care and maternal mortality.
A moving ceremony to honor fallen officers
I joined the 45th Annual Washington Area Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service outside MPD headquarters to honor officers who have died in the line of duty. Thank you to Chief Smith for inviting me.
BRIANNE IN WARD 1 |
The D.C. Department of Behavioral Health hosted a helpful conversation last week to answer community questions and concerns about the planned stabilization center in Columbia Heights. Dr. David Vitberg, D.C. Fire and EMS assistant medical director, told neighbors the first stabilization center – opened last fall on K St near Union Station – is one of the most successful initiatives he has seen. I look forward to more community engagement on this topic. The center is set to open in late 2025.
Brianne On Your Block
The next Brianne on Your Block, where residents meet one-on-one with me to discuss ideas, concerns, or to request help with a specific issue, is coming up on Thursday, May 16 at Midlands from 6 – 8 pm. Thank you, Midlands, for hosting us!
Registration is encouraged, but not required
COMMUNITY UPDATES |
Share your opinion on new bus routes
WMATA is seeking comments on the latest proposal for the Better Bus Network Redesign project. From May 13 through July 15, share your opinions on the proposed new bus routes. Further information on community events to learn more about the project will be released soon.
Art exhibition grant
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities requests grant applications from qualified individuals and nonprofit organizations for exhibition proposals to take place in the commission’s galleries, located in the lobby of the 200 I Street SE building and/or its virtual gallery. Individuals and non-profit organizations (new in FY25) may request up to $30,000, or $35,000 if working with a co-curator or curatorial mentee.
Submission Deadline: 9 pm, Friday, July 1
- Theme 1: Social Justice Themed Exhibition | Jan 10, 2025 – March 7, 2025
- Theme 2: Art of Veterans’ Exhibition | April 4 – May 23, 2025
- Theme 3: World Pride Exhibition | June 13 – August 1, 2025
Black Mamas Wellness Community Day
The Arika Trim Foundation and Councilmember Christina Henderson invite you to their annual Black Mamas Wellness Community Day! This is a free event and open to women at every stage of motherhood – and their families!
During this event you will be able to connect with and learn about:
- doulas and lactation services
- birth and newborn education
- safe sleeping workshops
- mental and physical health information
- car seat vouchers.
Department of Parks and Recreation summer program registration
Don’t miss out on summer DPR programs! Summer aquatics programs registration will open at 12 pm on Tuesday, May 14, and all non-aquatic summer programs registration will open at 12 pm on Wednesday, May 15.
IN THE NEWS |
WASHINGTON POST
Rising moped use worries some residents. A new bill aims to make a fix.
WUSA9
Mopeds could soon require car registration in DC under proposed legislation
“Public safety takes many forms and one of them is traffic safety. We have an opportunity to better manage the operation of mopeds that helps entrepreneurs earn a living and all of us – pedestrians, cyclists, automobile drivers, and moped operators – to have safer streets.”
WTOP
‘Drivers are flouting rules’: Bill before DC Council aims to address rise in moped use
FOX5
Lawmakers propose bill to regulate unregistered mopeds in DC
WJLA
Proposed DC bill could increase oversight of moped drivers, dealership says
WASHINGTON BLADE
D.C. Council member proposes change for Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
FOX5
Settlement reached in former DC deputy mayor’s sexual harassment case
“I look forward to seeing what’s in it. At the same time, I don’t look forward to seeing what’s in it but I am glad we are moving forward with this piece of the legislation [that instructed the Inspector General to perform an independent investigation into Falcicchio] because for me and my colleagues who joined me unanimously in supporting the legislation, getting answers on what occurred here in the executive branch of our government is really important. It will inform how we move forward as a government in ensuring we can protect our employees, that they can come to work and not be worried about their safety.”
CALENDAR |
Committee of the Whole
Monday, May 13, 10:30 am | in-person and online
Committee mark-up for the FY25 budget
Council Budget Work Session
Wednesday, May 15, 9 am | in-person and online
Brianne on Your Block
Thursday, May 16, 6-8 pm | Midlands, 3333 Georgia Ave NW
Meet Councilmember Nadeau one-on-one during her community office hours
Bike to Work Day
Friday, May 17, 7:30-9:30 am | Unity Park
Friday, May 17, 4-7 pm | Plaza at Columbia Heights
District Bridges: Africa on the Avenue
Saturday, May 18, 10:30 am | Bruce Monroe Park
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D
Tuesday, May 21, 8 pm | in-person and online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E
Wednesday, May 22, 7 pm | online
CONTACT US |
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | [email protected]
Ariel Ardura | Committee Director | [email protected]
Abigail Boshart | Legislative Aide | [email protected]
Amanda Chulick | Legislative Analyst | [email protected]
Jerry Clark | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | [email protected]
Kara Dunford | Communications Specialist | [email protected]
Estelle McKinney | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | [email protected]
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | [email protected]
Sabrin Qadi | Legislative Assistant | [email protected]
Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | [email protected]
