Ward 6 Update: Ward 6 Update: Hands Off DC, RFK Stadium + Federal Employees

No matter where I am in Ward 6, I'm having a lot of hard conversations with neighbors who are career public servants in the federal government. As I shared with the Wall Street Journal recently, we have many neighbors working in the federal government who are anxious, frustrated, and waiting for what's going to happen next. But they're also determined and resilient. America's civil service is the envy of the world in many ways and has played a key part in the success of our nation. Will there always be a healthy debate about their work, as the outcome of our policy debates? Of course. But the rapid-fire attacks on so many different agencies – and the people who have given so much of their careers to serve others – hits DC, and especially Ward 6, hard. These public servants have not only dedicated their lives to serving their country but making their homes in the District. We're in unparalleled times, but your District government is still here. Below, I list a few resources that may be helpful now or in the future. And, as always, you can reach out to me or my office anytime.  

QUICK LINKS: Public Safety | For Federal Employees | Performance Oversight Hearings | Surprise Utility Fees | Give Your Input about SW Event Days | What Do You Want at Rumsey Aquatic Center? | Amidon-Bowen's Future | Another Step for Union Station | See Inside the Southeast Library | Need Help with Taxes? | Pepco Provides Billing | What's Next for the RFK Campus? | Letter to the PSC |  Pride on Your Car | Hands Off DC | Back-to-Office Traffic | Is This Your Favorite Cemetery? | Events

Did you miss the last newsletter? You can still catch up on the news.

Public Safety Updates

• Southwest Shooting Suspect Arrested – The Metropolitan Police Department has made an arrest of a suspect in a shooting that happened Friday, Jan. 24, on the 1100 block of 4th St. SW. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, members of MPD's Criminal Apprehension Unit arrested a 35-year-old man and charged him with Aggravated Assault and Possession of Weapons During Commission of Crime of Violence.
  
  
• Shooting in Northeast at Union Station Garage – Just before 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, Amtrack Police responded to a shooting in the parking garage on the north side of Union Station – tragically, the victim did not survive. I was on the phone with Union Station and MPD leaders right away. MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith said MPD is confident the shooter and the victim knew each other: they conversed, one person took something off of the other, and in response was shot. The police department has released images of the suspect. If you can identify the person or provide any other information, call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.
  
  
• ABCA Closes Illegally Operating Cannabis Shop on H Street – Thursday, Feb. 13, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, with MPD, implemented closure orders to the owners of YouGroGurl at 337 H Street NE, padlocking the doors. The business had been operating without a license, and investigators recovered 3,940 grams of marijuana, 38 grams of THC vape cartridges, over 61.5 grams of THC-laced edibles, and 402.25 grams of THC concentrate. The joint agency enforcement efforts have padlocked 28 illegal cannabis businesses since July 2024.
  
  
• Statue Stolen from Virginia Ave Dog Park – MPD is asking for community assistance in the search for a stolen statue from the Virginia Avenue Dog Park (1000 block of L Street SE). The bronze statue of Fala (designed and supported by members of the Ward 6 community) was stolen between midnight and early afternoon on Friday, Jan. 24, and weighs around 500 pounds. Know anything about this? Call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

Resources for Federal Workers

We still have a lot of uncertainty when it comes to how the federal government will impact District services, but we know there are folks who have already lost their jobs or are concerned they could lose their job in the near future.

Below, you can find a few resources that may be of use, either now or in the future, for yourself or others you may know. If you run into issues with a city agency or have a specific need or question outside of these, please reach out to my team.

• The Department of Employment Services (DOES): DOES is the District's agency that handles resources for jobseekers, manages unemployment insurance, and more. During the pandemic, DOES' portal for residents was routinely overwhelmed. My team and I have been proactive in asking if they are prepared for possible increases in applications this time, and we've been told the system has been tested and reinforced. Still, if you have issues, don't hesitate to reach out to my constituent services team right away. 
  
  
• Bring Your Skills to Local Government: If you're a federal employee, please know your experience and expertise is valued, and DC would be honored to have your skills put to good use that can improve your community. Check out job openings for Executive Branch agencies here and Council openings here. 
  
  
• Worried about Eviction? If you've lost your job and are worried about eviction, I recommend working with the DC Bar's free eviction hotline to get connected to legal advice and potentially legal representation. DC's funding for emergency rental assistance has run out until October, so the best course of action is going to be trying to reach an agreement with your landlord. That's where the hotline can help.
  
  
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Income-eligible District households can get assistance with heating and cooling energy costs.
  
  
• Utility Discount Programs: UDP assists low-income District residents to reduce utility costs.

Key Takeaways from DDOT and DMV's Oversight Hearings

This week I held performance oversight hearings to dig into DDOT and the DMV's operations – together these two agencies have a big role to play in traffic safety. DDOT's work impacts us in many ways, including the state of our roads and bridges to our sidewalks to street designs that can reduce crashes to speeding up bus service to Capital Bikeshare and our bike lanes. The hearing lasted close to five hours just with the director. Here are some of my quick takeaways: 

• Federal Funding Puts Bridge Maintenance at Risk: I focused some questions on where we could see impacts from President Trump's widespread freeze of federal spending. Tens of millions of dollars flowing through the federal Department of Transportation are used to maintain or replace the many bridges connecting DC to Maryland and Virginia and would rescind funding that could go toward installing public electric vehicle charging ports.  
  
  
• Continuing My Crusade to Repair Sidewalks Faster: It drives me nuts that we can get a pothole in the street repaired in about 48 hours, but it takes most of a year to fix a similar defect in our sidewalks. Both present safety hazards, but only one of them feels like a priority. To their credit, DDOT cited a significant increase in speed at which they addressed sidewalk repair requests last year compared to past years – thanks to funding I put in the budget specifically for sidewalk repair. Still, I want to see sidewalk repairs happen as fast as potholes ultimately. 
  
  
• STEER Act Already Having a Positive Impact: I was pleased to hear DMV Director Gabriel Robinson cite a major increase in the number of people who have had their licenses suspended after being found guilty of a DUI. Included in the STEER Act was a fix to close communication gaps between the DMV and Courts. On another STEER Act front, the agency is in the process of setting up a new tool to enforce dangerous driving: speed governors installed in the cars of people who have been convicted of reckless driving. Finally, the DMV is partnered with the DC Attorney General's ability to bring lawsuits against dangerous drivers' vehicles, I expect we will see accountability for more and more dangerous drivers in our neighborhoods.
  
  
• The Number of Car-free Households has Grown: DMV registrations show that over the past few years, the number of registered vehicles has steadily dropped even as our population has grown. Chalk that trend up to a WMATA system focused on improving service, lots of new housing close to where people need to go, and the immense popularity of micromobility services like Capital Bikeshare (the fastest growing system in the nation). The latter tells us our investment in a connected network of bike lanes is helping more people feel safe enough to ride. Whether or not you need a car, I think we can all agree the more people living their lives without a car, the better for everyone thanks to reduced traffic, noise, pollution, and lower demands for parking. 

This was just one of many performance oversight hearings happening. You can watch live hearings for my committee here, and you can learn more and sign up to testify for any future hearing here.

Related: You might remember the driver who recklessly and cruelly hit a child in a crosswalk outside of Stuart Hobson Middle School, leaving tire marks on her legs and breaking bones in her feet. I pushed hard for greater accountability than the initial light ticket that sent him on his way that afternoon. MPD pursued the case in the days after and made an arrest of the driver and charged him with criminal charges. Earl Darryl Curtis settled for a plea deal in court last week. Infuriatingly, his truck has continued to rack up tickets for dangerous driving, telling me the pending risk of jail time and a fine wasn't enough to get him to slow down. Plain and simple, he shouldn't be allowed to drive on the street.

If You Live in a Large Residential Building, Are You Paying Fees for Common Area Utilities? 

Did you check your last rent statement? You might want to take another look – some DC renters are getting hit with surprise charges, sometimes up to $400 extra, because landlords are tacking on utility fees for common areas. And no, this probably wasn’t disclosed to you when you signed your lease.

If you're like most people, you believe your rent covers the costs to maintain the building. These are extra fees. That's why this past week, I reintroduced a bill to ban this unfair practice in large buildings: because the rent is the rent.

Let me know if this is something you're experiencing in your building. 

Southwest & Navy Yard Neighbors: Share Your Thoughts on Traffic Operations & Parking for Nationals Park & Audi Field

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has a survey out as it develops its 2025 Traffic Operations and Parking Plan (TOPP) for Nationals Park and Audi Field. These are long-running issues for all of Southwest given the popularity of The Wharf, Nats Park, and Audi Field. I don't think DDOT is going far enough to plan for transportation challenges in Southwest (as a starting point, they should be including events at The Wharf), but this survey is a starting point. The TOPP will guide how the District agencies and event venue staff coordinate on event days.

If you're frustrated with how poorly the city seems to plan for the popular and routine events happening in Southwest, now's the time for you to give input. Fill out the survey by Sunday, Feb. 23.

Rumsey Pool Is Getting an Upgrade: What Do You Want to See?

Rumsey Aquatic Center at Eastern Market is getting a major upgrade, and now's the time to share your input on what the future community hub should be. Please fill out the survey by Friday, Feb. 28: I worked with DPR to host the first public meetings on the renovation plans in December (more than 150 people showed up and shared their vision!) and the next meeting will include results from this survey and start shaping the direction of the renovation a bit more. I'm proud to have secured funding so we can make the much needed upgrade of this vital pool for DC neighbors. Now's the time to make the design the best it can be.

The No. 1 ask from the first meeting was more water and more lanes: Yep, a bigger pool. What else would you like to see in the future site? Let DPR know.

Amidon-Bowen Community Plans for Approaching Modernization

On the evening of Feb. 6, I joined families and other community members of Amidon-Bowen Elementary School in Southwest to discuss the school's modernization, and what neighbors need to hear from DC Public Schools about alternatives and plans. In particular, there's a lot of concern about swing space, which is where the school will operate for two years while the main school building is under construction. The proposal to send our kids three miles north isn't what's best for our families, and I'm committed to continuing to work with them and DCPS to consider options to keep students in Ward 6.

Bullfrog Bagels + Another Step for Union Station

While Amtrak took control of businesses in Union Station last year, the passenger rail company has recently agreed to pay $505 million for control of the station. This agreement, if approved by a judge, would be the last step for Amtrak to proceed with renovating the space. Union Station is getting new businesses, including a Bullfrog Bagels location I helped cut the ribbon for last week, seeing more users, and is still a stunningly beautiful destination in the District. Rumors of Union Station's decline in the media have been greatly exaggerated. I will remain active in the future of Union Station to ensure Amtrak's focus doesn't limit it to train service, given Union Station is its own destination, is an important part of our Ward 6 neighborhood, and is one of the busiest Metro stations in the system.

ICYMI: See the Progress of the Southeast Library

In the last newsletter, I gave a sneak peek of the Southeast Library tour I took with the team in charge of modernizing this 1922 Carnegie library. If you want to see even more, make sure you check out my video that shares more details, photos, and a behind-the-scenes look at all that's happening.

It's Tax Season. Don't Miss Rebates for DC Residents & Small Businesses

As you start preparing your tax returns, I want to be sure you know about two rebates I've fought hard to create and increase. 

For DC parents who earned up to $60,000, you are eligible for a sizeable tax return through the federal and DC Earned Income Tax Credit – something I fought to secure in 2022 and again last year. As long as you file your taxes and receive the EITC, which is a federal benefit, you will automatically receive upwards of thousands of dollars back in your tax return! Find more here.

Second, small and local businesses in the District should check if they are eligible for $10,000 as a tax rebate based on paid property taxes. I helped create this rebate for our local businesses in 2017, and last year I made it a budget priority to double it as a way to help our local businesses offset inflation and increased costs. Learn more here.

Need help with tax prep? Qualified residents can get tax return preparation at eight DC Library locations, hosted by the AARP Foundation. The Ward 6 location is Southwest Library (900 Place SW), with tax prep available from 1 to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through April 14. To make an appointment at this location, you can call 202-656-0442 or email [email protected]. 

Your Pepco Bill is Probably High Because of the Cold, But There Are Also New Fees

We've had a much colder winter this year than the past few, and it is showing up in people's Pepco bills (and Washington Gas bills if you have gas heating). Our home heating systems have to work harder just to maintain the same temperature. Still, I've heard enough folks experiencing sticker shock that I wanted to pass along some info for Pepco specifically.

Pepco reports demand for home and business energy consumption increased an estimated 117% more in December than in November. Pepco made adjustments in January, which may impact your total bill:

• 6% distribution increase (+ $6.46 on average): The distribution rate reflects the investments Pepco makes to ensure reliable energy service for customers. This increase is primarily associated with the "Climate Ready Pathway DC” Multi-Year Plan, which was approved as modified by the Public Service Commission in November. This increase will not impact customers enrolled in the Residential Aid Discount program. 
  
  
• 1% surcharges decrease (-$0.72 on average): Surcharges are additional fees or credits that go beyond the basic costs for energy. 
  
  
• Any other increases in your bill are likely reflective of an increase in energy consumption, especially if your home heating is electric. If you think you've been billed incorrectly, DC's Office of People's Counsel has good resources for ratepayers.

Pepco reports taking the following steps to help customers:

• No late payment fees for January and February 2025;
  
  
• Longer repayment periods of up to 24 months;
  
  
• Suspending disconnections for nonpayment in February 2025;
  
  
• And waiving deposits for disconnected customers who are seeking to restore service.

If you need support with bill payment options, financial assistance, or energy savings, visit Pepco's support page.

OK, RFK Campus is Officially in DC's Control. What's Next?

I've not been shy in my time on the Council about my skepticism in building a new NFL stadium at RFK – it might be more fun to catch a game, but it's not a good investment for taxpayers because such a venue sits empty 90% of the year and will be surrounded by more than 10,000 parking spots. That's very different than Nats Ballpark or Cap One Arena, which each hosts hundreds of events each year. And in building a stadium and parking garages, we lose the chance to build more homes, stores, restaurants, and other amenities that benefit residents every day.

But last week, when the Council unanimously approved the transfer of the RFK campus from federal control to local, it was a win for every DC resident. It's something we should all celebrate no matter whether you support or oppose an NFL stadium. Finally, we get to determine what happens on the 174 acres of land that is truly a blank canvas. I am excited about the Washington Commanders and the promising career of our Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. But it's my job to evaluate a stadium deal based on what's best for our city, not how good or bad the team is. If you want to understand my perspective, you can read my full remarks before the vote on Popville.

ICYMI: I went on sports radio a few weeks ago to make the case against an NFL stadium at RFK, especially one that involves millions in taxpayer dollars and includes 10-15,000 parking spaces (or more than 60 acres).

Washington Gas Asks for Commission Approval to Overcharge Customers for Pipe Replacements

Last week, I sent a letter with 7 other Councilmembers to the Public Service Commission (PSC) of the District of Columbia about Washington Gas Light's (WGL) District SAFE Plan, formerly Project Pipes, which doesn’t live up to its name of ensuring a safe, affordable, and clean energy future for District residents.

The gist of the concern is that Washington Gas is asking for approval to charge ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars in order to replace gas pipes, regardless of the state of repair. I want to see gas leaks repaired, as there can be serious safety incidents if not, but this plan does not go far enough in its urgency to address leaks faster. I encourage the PSC to sign off on a plan that targets active leaks over a wholesale replacement of every pipe in the District. The District's long-term climate goals call for an end to natural gas use, which is a fossil fuel that also has harmful impacts on indoor air quality. I don't think it's fair to saddle gas users with the cost of replacing a series of pipes we aren't planning to use in the coming years. Read the full letter and my earlier letter on the prior phase of Project Pipes.

DMV Announces New Specialty Tags

The DC DMV has released two new specialty vehicle tags available to DC residents:

• Upping the rhetoric from our default tags, "We Demand Statehood" presents an even bolder statement on the fight for District residents' rights to voting representation with statehood. The application for this one is $51 (get it?) and the annual display fee is $26. Both fees go directly to the New Columbia Statehood Fund. This was a plate I created via legislation that was passed into law eight years ago! 
  
  
• Just in time for World Pride, we can now show our pride and support on our cars with the "Pride Lives Here" tags. This one has a one-time application fee of $25 and a yearly display fee of $20. Both fees are deposited into the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Affairs Fund. These were created by legislation introduced by my colleague Robert White, and I was proud to shepherd it through committee.

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Hands Off DC: Anti-Home Rule Bills Reintroduced in House and Senate

This week, you may have seen headlines about matching bills in the House and the Senate that would end DC home rule. Neither bill specifies what exactly would replace your local government or how your tax dollars would be used. These bills are a continuation of the District's special place as a punching bag to score political points on the national stage. I can't pretend to predict what happens, if anything, from here. So I can only emphasize to you that DC residents deserve full representation in both houses of our national legislature, the kind of representation that would easily block a bill like this from seeing the light of day.

The District is a well-run jurisdiction by any metric. Yes, we have challenges just as every other city and state has. But on the whole, we have some of the strongest financial ratings and financial positioning for our obligations. We have had 28 straight balanced budgets and actually plan our budget six years out. Our tax burden on our residents is, on the whole, lower than surrounding counties. We handle large events extremely professionally. And most notably, DC residents pay more in taxes than we receive back in federal benefits (especially now that so many federal grants have been frozen).

We had significant declines in violent crime last year, despite only controlling about half of our criminal justice system (the other half, you probably surmised, is controlled by the federal government). Still, I know the Mayor, Council, and Attorney General take each threat seriously and are actively working to lobby members of Congress. Until we have full statehood, DC residents' right to self-govern will remain uniquely vulnerable to the whims of any elected member of the federal government.

Influx of Federal Workers Back to Offices Will Create Commuting Headaches

In case you missed it: the White House's return-to-office order caused the Washington Navy Yard to require all employees be in-person as of Monday, Feb. 10. That meant the area had to brace for three times the traffic with an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 vehicles coming in. I urged residents and employees to avoid the area if possible, and if they had to go to the neighborhood, to do so by public transit (which is good advice any day, along with walking and biking).

Luckily, many seemed to have gone that route. There's not enough parking or space for everyone to drive, especially one to a car. As more people go back to the office, we need to look to WMATA and DDOT to plan for significant changes in travel patterns. If you're getting back to an office commute for the first time in a while, check out if the bus or Metro can get you there. Service and reliability have improved significantly in the past few years.

DC's "Greatest Undertaking" Earns Honors

The DC Preservation League has awarded the Congressional Cemetery with the Excellence in Historic Preservation for Stewardship, Education, and Volunteerism Award. This Ward 6 nonprofit organization was recognized for its programming, grounds, and commitment to educating the public on topics ranging from history and the environment to death awareness. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable parts of life in Hill East is the fact that Congressional Cemetery is an active and vibrant part of our neighborhood, in addition to being a historic resting place for those who came before us. Congrats to the team!

Upcoming Events

• MPD Prospect Day: Monday, Feb. 17 | 9 a.m. | Metropolitan Police Academy, 4665 Blue Plains Drive SW, 20032
  Prospect Day is a required step in the application process for MPD (not an information session). This event allows applicantsto complete multiple steps of the application process in one day without having to make separate trips to the department. People can register for Prospect Day by completing a Prospect Day Application.
  
  
• Foreclosure Prevention Workshop: Tuesday, Feb. 18 | 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE + Virtual
  The DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking hosts this event for residents who may be struggling to pay their mortgages. People can learn more about programs and services available to prevent foreclosure and keep your home, the steps in the foreclosure process, and resources and support that are free or offered at reduced rates.
  
  
• Art at the Center: Wednesday, Feb. 19 | 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW
  This free public art tour shares the convention center's art collection, one of the largest in DC outside of museums with 137 works by 93 artists. The hour-long tour begins in the grand lobby entrance and is free, but space is limited.
  
  
• Clean-Up Ride: Saturday, Feb. 22 | 10:30 a.m. | Starting at the south side of Stanton Park, near C and 5th Streets NE
  Hill Family Biking hosts this 2- to 4-mile ride (you choose your end stop) that includes cleaning up the neighborhood. Take your own work gloves, trash bags, and trash pickers. And if your bike needs some TLC, show up 15 minutes early for some assistance.