Dear Neighbors, Happy June! This week we held our second vote on the DC budget and have one more vote on the Budget Support Act next Tuesday to complete our budget work for the year. In my next newsletter, I will share a breakdown of everything you need to know about the final DC budget, but this week I want to focus on our efforts to expand SNAP benefits, limit rent increases on rent controlled units, and update you on everything happening in Ward 4. Check it all out: Expanding SNAP Benefits and Excluded Workers While Congress slashes food assistance

Dear Neighbors, As we kick start Memorial Day Weekend, here is the latest news about outdoor pools and spray parks opening, my work on your behalf on the DC Council, our oversight roundtable on school maintenance, trash collecting ‘sliding’ next week, city services, community resources, neighborhood events, and a tribute to Linda Harllee Harper, who we tragically lost this week. Thank you to everyone who attended our presentation with DDOT on how to organize a neighborhood block party. For those who missed it, you can check out the recording. I’m looking forward to being in community with you, and stay tuned for

Our city is mourning the devastating loss of Linda Harllee Harper, the director of DC’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention — as well as a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and our Ward 4 neighbor in Takoma. Born and raised in DC, Director Harllee Harper dedicated her life to making our city safer with more than two decades of leadership in public safety, restorative justice, and youth development.Linda was a beautiful person both inside and out. She had the most beautiful family. Linda also loved our communities deeply, and that

Dear Neighbors, It has been a very heavy week for our city. I am dedicating this newsletter to updating you on the tragic loss of a student in Ward 4 and to describing the important changes we made in the DC budget and how they impact our lives. We also have many upcoming local events: a family-friendly Petworth Arts Fest, Takoma Flea Market, our CARE Day in Chevy Chase, and more.  Responding to Tragedy in Our Community Our community is heartbroken and outraged by the senseless killing of 17-year-old Roosevelt High School student Jefferson Luna-Pérez, who was shot outside the

Our community is heartbroken and outraged by the senseless killing of a 17-year-old Roosevelt High School student, who was shot outside the school on Wednesday. MacFarland and Roosevelt entered lockdown immediately and accounted for the safety of all other students as MPD, DC FEMS, the School Resource Officer, and school security staff responded to the incident. Then, after the area was secured, the schools and law enforcement coordinated a staggered dismissal of students. MPD officers, Safe Passage workers, and violence interrupters from the Office of the Neighborhood Safety and Engagement all responded to the scene and will maintain a presence

Dear Neighbors, We’re in the final stretch of the DC budget process. On Monday, the Chairman will release a revised budget, and on Tuesday, the Council will hold its first and most impactful vote on the DC budget and any budget amendments that Councilmembers propose. Now is the most important time to contact Councilmembers about the budget needs that matter most to you — from Ward 4 investments to citywide programs that make our communities safer and stronger. Please make your voice heard, and stay tuned for major budget updates from me next week. My newsletter this week includes important

Dear Neighbors, First off, I’m excited that we are launching our Ward 4 CARE Days later in May as a way to engage our community and bring resources to every Ward 4 neighborhood. If you haven’t yet, please find your closest CARE Day event and sign up. My newsletter this week focuses on updating you about our work on the DC budget and critical legislation to replace lead pipes in DC and strengthen DC’s minimum wage law. We also have an amazing lineup of Ward 4 events this weekend, including Brightwood’s Spring Cleanup, live music on Kennedy Street, the Shepherd Park Garden Tour,

Dear Neighbors, This week I am reporting back on the big strides we’re making in the DC budget, even as we recognize there is much more to do. Also, there are many amazing events in Ward 4 this week, including the ANC 4B Earth Day Resource Fair at Whittier, Petworth cleanups, and the rescheduled Petworth PorchFest. Whether you’re cleaning up your neighborhood, enjoying music, or supporting a local business, I hope you get a chance to go out and be in community. And this Monday is the deadline for enrollment through MySchoolDC, so remember to enroll! Important Update on our Ward 4

Today the DC Council Committee on Facilities and Family Services, chaired by Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, approved strong investments in the maintenance and security of DC schools and rec centers, programs that serve residents with disabilities, the welfare of children, and other priorities for DC families. The changes in the Committee’s budget markup report come after extensive public hearings, community input, and ongoing oversight of agencies. DC Department of General Services (DGS): DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA): Support for Residents with Disabilities (DDS, ODR, MODDHH): Other Priorities for Families in the District: These investments were unanimously

Dear Neighbors, This week was spring recess at the Council, but we have been focused on making our initial changes to the proposed DC budget through our Council Committees. It is a tough budget year with less funding to go around, but we are working to reverse some of the cuts to critical housing, education, and safety programs that our communities depend on — and to strengthen DC’s investments in Ward 4. Next week, I will report back on some of the progress we were able to make, so stay tuned. Also, we have a great Ward 4 day lined up