June 12 2026 Newsletter

Dear Ward 7 Neighbors,

This week, the Council held our first vote on the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget! I’m excited to share that this budget includes several important wins for Ward 7—investments that many residents, including myself, are particularly excited to see.

Ward 7 is home to some of the District’s largest and most treasured green spaces. Protecting, preserving, and enhancing those spaces remains a top priority of mine, and this budget supports those goals. We also saw significant continued investments in economic development.

I am proud that this budget includes funding to support:

– $1 million for educational and recreational opportunities on Kingman Island

– $250,000 for the revitalization of Butterfly Park

– $250,00 for the redesign of Triangle Park

– $2.7 million for St. Coletta’s Special Education Charter School

– $1.3 million continued investment in Family Success Centers, including Deanwood

– $167,000 to establish a new Benning Road Main Street

– $300 million towards the redevelopment of RFK

– $62 million through Fiscal Year 2029 for Hill East

– $15 million through Fiscal Year 2028 for Fletcher-Johnson

– $2.5 to enhance the Fort Dupont Riparian Corridor

– $1 million to update the Lederer Urban Agriculture Center

-Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to support development at Northeast Heights

– A tax abatement to advance development in Deanwood

These are all significant strides for Ward 7, and I am grateful to my Council colleagues, community partners, advocates, and residents who continue to champion these priorities and push for progress in our community.

It also makes meaningful investments in programs and services that residents across the District rely on every day, including critical investments such as:

– $14 million for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits

– $27 million for the Access to Justice Initiative

– $1.4 million for the Washington Literacy Center

– $2.6 million for the Pathways Programs

– $38 million for the Alliance to provide health insurance for low-income residents who don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid

– $22.5 million for housing vouchers

– $5.1 million for victim services grants

– $7.1 million to maintain staffing levels at the Office of the Attorney General

– $49 million for the Child Care Subsidy Program

While this budget represents a good start, I look forward to working on this budget further – between now and its second reading on June 23, to further advocate for the neighbors of Ward 7 and across the District.

You can see the budget schedule and tune into our remaining votes here!

Read the full newsletter here.