Newsroom

After the snow and ice last weekend, I hope everyone is looking forward to some beautiful spring weather in the days ahead! With the Emancipation Day commemoration, the conclusion of the Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Anacostia River Festival this weekend as well as many other great community events, I hope to see you around the neighborhood. And as spring arrives, so does the annual work on the District budget for next year. I have spent the last several weeks preparing for budget hearings and working hard on priorities across Ward 6.

At today’s meeting of the DC Council Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs, Councilmember Charles Allen’s Made in DC Program Establishment Act of 2016 was unanimously approved and will move next to the Committee of the Whole for consideration by the full Council.

It looks like spring has officially arrived and the Cherry Blossoms will soon be here. I've been spending most of my days at the Wilson Building in oversight hearings, and my evenings out at community events. Last night, we had a great conversation with ANC 6A about Books From Birth, public safety efforts, DC Streetcar, residential parking, and much, much more. I hope to see you around Ward 6 soon!

We've talked in the past about public safety concerns and the important role a Security Camera Rebate Program could play in helping MPD with more eyes on the street. I was very proud to lead this effort at the Council and have been working hard with the Mayor's team to get this program up and running. Earlier this week, the Mayor released the application and eligibility guidelines for rebates. I appreciate that she’s moved quickly to get this program started.

Tomorrow at 11:30am, Councilmember Charles Allen will join DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan to announce the official launch of the city’s Books From Birth early childhood literacy program.

Over the last many months, you and I have talked about improving public safety – whether in living rooms, community meetings, or over a cup of coffee around Ward 6. In those conversations, I’ve outlined the multiple factors I believe are at the root of the problem, as well as the steps we’re taking to make our communities safer. I’ve also talked about working on three main fronts – first, my work with Chief Lanier to ensure our local officers have the personnel and resources they need; second, the Council’s approval of a budget that puts millions of additional dollars into public safety initiatives; and third, the Council’s work on comprehensive public safety legislative reforms. I’ve sent previous updates on the first two efforts, and I want to send you another one regarding the newly passed legislative reforms.

It's a little more than 48 hours since the snow stopped falling, and yes, we're still digging out.

First, a big thank you to everyone who has helped shovel a sidewalk, an alley, an intersection, a fire hydrant, a bus stop, or just about anything else. Yesterday, I took a long walk around the neighborhood and was so proud to see neighbors lending a hand to one another. And, of course, it was nice to see folks enjoying the snow a bit as well! 

As the sun rises today, the storm is pulling off the East Coast. But with over 20 inches of snow around town, it's going to take some time to dig out. I hope you've been able to stay safe and stay warm, but if you're anything like me, you've got a little cabin fever and want to get outside today. Here are some snow updates I hope you'll find helpful.Over the last 48 hours, I've been staying in constant touch with the Mayor, City Administrator, and agency directors as the storm and the city's response is monitored. Please join me in thanking the men and women who have been working hard in our neighborhoods trying to respond to this storm. They're away from their own families and working 12-hour shifts to help us all out.

Today marks the one year anniversary of when I introduced my Books From Birth legislation. As my first big initiative, it was a thrill to see it all the way through to become law. And now, I'm excited to share that we will officially launch the Books From Birth program very soon. There will be an official kick-off in the coming weeks, but the DC Public Library has posted the program registration online and is encouraging families with young children to sign up for their free books!