Hello Neighbors:
Council is back in session, and we will see a flurry of activity as we approach the end of the two-year Council Period in December. Any bills that don’t make it all the way through the process by the end of the year will go away for good, unless a Councilmember introduces a similar one next Council Period. Legislative meeting agendas will be full as Councilmembers attempt to push legislation over the finish line.
This fall, I will be working to advance priority legislation to make District finances more stable, with my bill to introduce a wealth proceeds tax; create a framework for safe and vibrant communities with my Neighborhood Management Authority Act; meet the growing need and demand for affordable housing; and remove hundreds of millions of bottles from the District’s streets, parks, and rivers by requiring a reimbursable deposit on beverage containers.
In the Committee on Public Works and Operations, which I chair, I will introduce major legislation to give vehicle-for-hire operators and customers a rational, modern code—replacing the hodgepodge of out of date and in many cases irrelevant provisions in our current code. We’ll also work on road safety, data privacy, and government transparency.
Read more about what I’m working on for the rest of the Council Period.
As always, I am committed to doing this work in partnership with you. I welcome your input on these bills and others that are moving through the Council this fall. I encourage you to find out about upcoming hearings and sign up to testify.
COUNCIL UPDATES
Calling out Empower and holding operators accountable
The Committee on Public Works & Operations, which I chair, accepted a preliminary investigative report into controversial ride-hailing company Empower today, calling for legislation to clarify, once-and-for-all, that the way the company operates is illegal. If it looks like a ride-hailing company and acts like a ride-hailing company, it’s a ride-hailing company, no matter how cute they try to be, and the law needs to reflect that unequivocally. I will introduce legislation in the coming days that addresses that issue and overhauls the District’s for-hire-vehicle laws more broadly. The industry has changed and is changing – including with the advent of autonomous vehicles – and we need laws that can meet the current need.
You can read more about the report and download it on our website.
Road safety is public safety
Public safety takes many forms, and traffic safety is one. Today the Committee on Public Works & Operations voted to move my Strategic Parking Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2026 to the full Council for a vote. The bill targets parking enforcement hot spots and congested areas.
Learn more about our new framework for safe & vibrant communities
Join me and commissioners from ANCs 1A and 1D on Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 7-8 p.m. at LAYC (1419 Columbia Rd NW) for a discussion of my proposed legislation to create a Neighborhood Management Authority for Columbia Heights. The NMA is a new, community-driven model to support a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant neighborhood by caring for public spaces, supporting local businesses, coordinating city services, and bringing the community together.
Preserving & upgrading affordable housing at Trinity Towers
Exciting news for Trinity Towers in Columbia Heights: the DC Housing Finance Agency last week announced financing for the rehabilitation of 122 affordable apartment homes within the community. In-unit improvements will include new finishes, flooring, lighting, windows, and fully modernized kitchens and bathrooms with energy-efficient fixtures and appliances. An upgraded community room, new fitness and business centers, enhanced playground amenities, security and accessibility enhancements, modernization of fire and life safety systems, elevator and signage upgrades, and installation of a rooftop solar system are also part of the plans. Trinity Towers is one of our communities that makes Ward 1 so vibrant and resilient, and this effort will ensure our neighbors can continue to call the District home.
We’re back!
The work continued during summer recess, and it was also a time for our team to recharge and prepare for the coming months. As of today, we are back to our regular office hours (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm) and Council meetings have begun again. Contact us if you need assistance or want to share your thoughts on a piece of legislation.
September 11 Remembrance
It’s very hard for me to believe that 25 years have passed since that unfathomable attack on our country. It’s impossible to erase the memory of where I was the moment I heard the news (walking across the quad at Boston College), the fear I had for my family who worked in Manhattan at that time, or the incredible pain that followed for each of us.
BRIANNE IN THE COMMUNITY
I enjoyed speaking with Jubilee Jobs participants working on their job-searching skills. I’m so impressed that these young people, who are working to reenter the job market or have struggled in the job market are making the investment (their time, their energy) in themselves. Jubilee Jobs has been doing amazing work for 45 years, promoting economic inclusion and support through free job placement and workforce development. They do it with love and integrity.
There is nothing more important than the work of close relative caregivers – grandparents, aunts, cousins, siblings who were thrust into the role due to the death, sickness, incarceration or other issues affecting a parent. As a mother of two young girls, I know how important it is that they experience love and support and a healthy environment.
When I was chair of the Human Services Committee, I was intent on making sure that caregivers receive the support they need. I was proud to introduce legislation in 2022, which passed, that expanded the grandparent caregiver program to include other close relative caregivers.
Thank you to the DC KinCare Alliance for supporting the caregivers who support children and help keep them out of foster care, which should be a last resort.
Thank you to Donte Massey for introducing me at yesterday’s rally, and more importantly for your incredible advocacy – you and your testimony and story are the main reason I introduced that legislation.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Find out the latest on ward construction projects
Join DC Water for a virtual community meeting on lead water service line replacement on Wednesday, August 26 at 7 pm. Learn about expected replacement timelines, what happens when construction begins on your block, and how yards and public spaces are restored after work is complete.
Stay updated on your trash & recycling collection status
DPW launched a new Collection Status Map, giving residents an easier way to stay informed about their trash and recycling services. Visit dpw.dc.gov, enter your address, and check whether your route is running on time. Route statuses are updated and time-stamped on the map throughout the day.
Become a mentor or tutor
School is back in session, and several programs need volunteer tutors and mentors. Hear from several D.C. area programs that need your support as a tutor, mentor, coach, and more at the DC Tutoring & Mentoring Initiative Virtual Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 pm. Morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend volunteer opportunities are available.
IN THE NEWS
CITY CAST DC
The D.C. Council is Back and the Clock is Already Running
“Nadeau also introduced a bill that sets targets for the creation of affordable housing and establishes consequences for areas that fail to meet those goals.
‘We need more housing. We need it at all income levels. We need it in all parts of the city,’ she told City Cast DC.”
CALENDAR
Council Committee on Public Works & Operations Mark-up
Wednesday, September 16, 10 am | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW) Room 123
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, September 16, 7 pm | online and in-person at LAYC (1419 Columbia Road NW)
Council Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 12 noon | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
Info Session on Proposed Legislation to Create a Neighborhood Management Authority for Columbia Heights
Tuesday, September 22, 7 pm | in-person at LAYC (1419 Columbia Road NW)
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E Monthly Meeting Wednesday, September 23, 7 pm | online
Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment Public Hearing
Thursday, September 24, 10 am | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW) Room 120
The Committee will hear testimony on Councilmember Nadeau’s Neighborhood Management Authority Act of 2025.
Department of Behavioral Health Community Engagement Meeting on new Crisis Stabilization Center
Monday, September 28, 6 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