This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
It was another busy week on the Council and in the community! On Tuesday, we took a major step forward by approving the Fiscal Year 2027 budget on its first reading. While the budget isn’t perfect and I will continue fighting for remaining funding gaps to be addressed, I’m grateful to have helped secure some critical wins for Ward 4 and District residents. I’m also excited to share recent progress on traffic safety at Raymond Elementary School, upcoming constituent services events, and more.
Council News/Legislative Updates
Council Passes DC Budget on First Reading
On Tuesday, I voted alongside my colleagues to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 DC budget on its first reading. When the Council received the mayor’s budget a few months ago, it proposed balancing our fiscal challenges on the backs of working families, educators, youth, and residents already struggling to get by. This week, I was proud to approve a budget restoring funding for the Pay Equity Fund, housing stability, school HVAC repairs, Access to Justice, healthcare, and more.
This budget isn’t perfect, and there is still more work to do before second reading. We still need to fund Pay Equity to the full amount, fund additional housing vouchers, fully restore school-based behavioral health, and fill remaining gaps in the Paid Family Leave and Alliance programs. We also need to protect TANF recipients from harmful future benefit cuts, restore a Cost of Living Adjustment for families already struggling to keep up with rising costs, fund the Electrical Utility Underground Work Wage Act, and reverse cuts to paid family leave benefits for District government employees. But I am proud of the work we have done so far to protect residents, strengthen our safety net, and make lasting investments in communities across Ward 4 and DC. Here are some of those key investments:
- $60 million for the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, empowering early childhood educators to afford the cost of rent, groceries, and more while continuing to serve the District
- 442 new housing vouchers in addition to 243 turnover vouchers, keeping District residents housed amid skyrocketing housing costs
- Reverses the freeze and partially restores paid family leave benefits, helping workers take the time they need to manage a health crisis or care for a family member in their time of need
- Adds $15 million to the mayor’s budget proposal for public charter schools and invests $1 million in one-time funding for charter school lead testing
- Fully funds Access to Justice Grants, supporting residents facing eviction, domestic violence, foreclosure, debt collection, and other life changing legal issues
- $39M for the Childcare Subsidy program, allowing OSSE to lift its freeze on enrollment and bring new families into the program
- $2.4M to expand DPR recreation center hours, allowing young people to access DPR centers 38 more hours per week all year starting this summer
- $38.3M for the Healthcare Alliance and removes the age moratorium for adults below 138% of federal poverty line, expanding access to life-saving care
- $2.6M for DCPS school facility readiness, plus $8.7M for DCPS HVAC repairs, reducing the number of classrooms facing extreme temperatures
- Fully funds my Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study Act, preparing the District for intensifying extreme weather and taking a decisive step toward holding polluters accountable
- $10.1M for the Sustainable Energy Utility, expanding residents’ access to energy efficiency amid rising cost of utilities
Community News
Traffic Safety Improvements Coming to Raymond ES
Last week, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) shared its Action Plan for short-term infrastructure improvements coming to Raymond Elementary School as part of its Safe Routes to Schools prioritization. The full presentation outlines the full set of changes, which will begin construction this summer, including:
- Far side stop signs on all approaches at 10th St & Quincy St, Spring Rd & Rock Creek Church Rd, and Spring Rd & 10th St
- Expanded crosswalk, flex posts, and pavement marking daylighting on Spring Rd NW
- Speed humps on Spring Rd NW to keep traffic slow for long arrival and dismissal windows
- New 15 MPH school speed limit signs on all approaches to school boundary, updated school zone signage, and refreshed pavement markings
Share Your Feedback on Petworth Porchfest!
After a successful Petworth Porchfest, event organizers are asking for feedback from the community on how the event can be made even better in the coming years. Make sure to fill out the short survey to share your thoughts and ideas for future Porchfests!
Community Resources
Upshur Recreation Center Construction Update
This week, the Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of General Services shared a construction update for the Upshur Recreation Center project. For complete information about the project, visit DGS’s website, and visit DPR’s website to be added to the list to receive updates.
Greater St. Paul’s Baptist Church Grocery Giveaway
On Saturday, June 20th from 10am to 2pm, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church is hosting a grocery giveaway at 5720 New Hampshire Ave NE. Please help spread the word to neighbors who could benefit from this effort.
Neighborhood Events
Meet Up with Mendo in Ward 4
On Saturday, June 13th from 10am to 12pm, Chairman Mendelson will hold Ward 4 office hours at Zeke’s Coffee (4602 14th St NW). Neighbors will have the opportunity to speak with Chairman Mendelson and ask questions about DC services, legislation, and other community issues.
New Exhibit Open at Zenith Gallery
Zenith Gallery in Shepherd Park is currently showing a new exhibit entitled “An Art Filled Life,” with new by artists Ram Brisueño and Ashley Joi. The exhibit is open until July 4th, with an artist talk and book signing on Saturday June 20th, 2 to 6pm at 1429 Iris Street NW.
June 18th: Wards 3 & 4 Construction Update
On Thursday, June 18th, the Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting an update on capital projects in Wards 3 and 4. This virtual meeting is an opportunity for residents to engage with DPR and gain insight into construction projects coming to our ward. Visit DPR’s website to learn more and receive the Zoom link.
St. Paul’s 158th Annual Strawberry Festival
On Saturday, June 13th from 4 to 8pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (inside Rock Creek Cemetery) invites neighbors to its 158th annual Strawberry Festival! There will be a DJ, food, pony rides, moon bounce, face painting, and more. This is a family event, and all are welcome.
Important Reminders
Office Hours in the Community
Ward 4 office hours are happening every Wednesday afternoon at Fort Stevens Rec Center from 12 to 1pm, followed by office hours at Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Community members can stop by and speak one-on-one with a member of our team about DC government services or our work in the Ward 4 community.
Support for Federal Workers
As many in our community face unprecedented challenges, I’m grateful to everyone who is stepping up to support neighbors. The Office of the Mayor has rolled out fedsupport.dc.gov, sharing resources for federal workers who have been laid off or impacted by recent cuts. I also want to remind neighbors of resources on my website for federal workers impacted by recent actions and neighbors facing the threat of immigration enforcement, compiled with the help of Councilmember Nadeau. DC government and the DC Council are also hiring for a range of positions, and I encourage community members to take a look at the open positions and share with a neighbor.
Ward 4 in the News
The 51st: Opinion: Eric’s Law is vital protection for D.C. residents with disabilities
PoPville: Petworth (and beyond) PSA: “Piney Branch Parkway Section to Reopen Monday, Restoring a Key Route for DC Commuters”
WAMU: Get Out There: Summertime for the D.C. region’s jazz scene
Next Stop…Riggs Park: Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association 2026 Scholarship Recipients
Ward 4 Dispatch: Public Safety Updates, Petworth Library Progress, and Pride
These are news articles that mention Ward 4 or pertain to events in our community. Councilmember Lewis George does not write or endorse their content but shares them for community awareness.
Yesterday was our final constituent services pop-up of the season! Thank you to all the neighbors at Abrams Hall who joined us, and to the agencies who helped address residents’ concerns. If you weren’t able to make it to our pop-ups and would like help with a constituent services issue, make sure to stop by our office hours every Wednesday afternoon at Fort Stevens Rec Center from 12 to 1pm, followed by Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm!
Lastly, as the school year comes to a close, I want to extend a big congratulations to all our Ward 4 scholars for an amazing school year, and especially all the graduating students of the Class of 2026! Each of you has shown a deep commitment to advancing your education and serving our city, and we can’t wait to see what your next chapter holds.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Ward 4!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
