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Hello Neighbors:
It has been a very busy two weeks when it comes to legislation, as often happens as the Council is getting ready to go into summer recess. I filed legislation that will allow the Department of Public Works to tow and impound cars with fake and expired temp tags to help us get at dangerous driving in the District. My bill to require an independent review of sexual harassment complaints against the Mayor’s former chief of staff, was approved unanimously by my colleagues. And we passed a public safety bill that gives judges more authority to address the most violent criminals this summer, while advancing other public safety measures, such as enhancing our red flag law. (I had a few words about the Mayor's role in addressing crime in the District.)
We have a new police chief. Mayor Bowser appointed Pamela Smith to the role earlier this week. I’m encouraged that Smith, who previously served as Assistant Chief, has said she plans to deploy more offices to higher-crime areas of the city and put more officers on traffic enforcement and make them more visible – all part of a comprehensive approach to public safety that includes police, prevention, intervention, and more. I look forward to a confirmation hearing in the fall.
Since my time on ANC 1B, I have worked for a vibrant U Street that embodies the legacy of Black Broadway, our rich history of arts and culture, small businesses, and civil rights. So I’m thrilled to see the Mayor’s announcement that we are moving forward with the selection of a team to develop The Reeves Center. More on this below.
And the weekend...
Ward 1 Day at Banneker Pool is this Saturday, Brianne on Your Block is next Monday night (let's talk!).
And for the following weekend, I'm excited to announce that the Adams Morgan Pedestrian Zone is back(!), starting with Adams Morgan Eats in the Streets, from 1 to 8 pm on Saturday, July 29. I have supported expanding space for pedestrians on 18th Street for years and worked with the ANC, residents and businesses to make this happen. More on this below.
The ANC 1A Housing Justice and Zoning Committee and ANC 4B Housing Justice Committee are holding a Tenant Resource Fair on Saturday, July 29, 11 am, at Emory Beacon of Light, 6100 Georgia Ave NW with all kinds of information and resources available. I'll be there along with my colleagues councilmembers Robert White and Janeese Lewis George.
Altogether some other great happenings in the ward and around the District and a pretty fun, productive summer under way.
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P.S. "Summer recess" means there are (almost) no Council meetings. But we’re still here and working! Contact our office as usual with your constituent service needs, policy ideas, questions or concerns.
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| Saturday, July 22, 12-3 pm |
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| Ward 1 Day at the Banneker Pool! |
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Grab a popsicle, chat with me and members of my staff. Say hello, bring your questions, or just enjoy a swim!
2500 Georgia Ave. NW
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Cracking Down on Fake and Expired Tags
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It’s hard to enforce speeding or a driver running a red light if the vehicle has an un-traceable, fake, or obscured license plate. I introduced legislation last Friday, along with councilmembers Charles Allen, Christina Henderson, Matthew Frumin, Brooke Pinto, and Janeese Lewis George to give DPW and other agencies more authority to tow and impound vehicles with fake or expired temporary plates or obscured license plates. The legislation would also empower D.C. government to proactively investigate and shut down dealers and
distributors of falsified and counterfeit temporary tags, classifying that as an act of forgery.
We can and should hold car owners accountable and make our streets safer from reckless driving, which is often associated with these vehicles.
Together with legislation recently introduced by councilmembers Allen and Henderson, we are hitting back against dangerous driving through a comprehensive approach. Our traffic safety enforcement systems need to hold drivers accountable for dangerous driving. We can’t do that if the most essential responsibility of identifying your vehicle is not taken seriously.
To answer a question that has come up a lot: Yes, we need more people out booting and towing and yes, I was able to restore the parking enforcement positions that were cut by the Mayor and fund over 30 parking enforcement officers and boot staff in the recently-passed budget, plus 11 vehicle operators who can be tasked with additional towing.
Read more about the bill, including the bill text. And in the news:
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Demanding Accountability of Mayoral Appointees in Sexual Harassment Complaints
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Fellow councilmembers unanimously supported my emergency legislation last week to require an independent investigation into sexual harassment complaints against the Mayor’s former chief of staff, John Falcicchio. The Inspector General will hire independent counsel to review the investigation completed by the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel and another in process. This independent counsel will also review new formal or informal complaints that may arise from former or present employees or as part of their investigation.
I submitted separate legislation last month, co-introduced by nine of my colleagues, to require independent investigations when complaints are filed against mayoral appointees in the future.
We have a responsibility to the victims in this case and to all 36,000 workers in District government. They – and the public – should trust the process and that cannot happen if government agencies are investigating themselves or their bosses. We’ve sent a clear message that we take sexual harassment seriously, and that we expect the executive branch to also take it seriously, especially when it comes to mayoral appointees.
Read about the legislation, including the bill text, here and here. And in the news:
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Public Safety Legislation and the Mayor’s Responsibility
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At the July 11 Council meeting, I voted to support the Prioritizing Public Safety Amendment Act of 2023, which gave additional authority to judges to take action against the most violent criminals, while enhancing the District's "Red Flag" law and making other improvements to the proposed legislation. Thanks to Councilmember Brooke Pinto for proposing legislation that removed some of the most concerning elements of the Mayor’s proposed crime bill, such as an expansion of pretrial detention of juveniles – keeping kids in jail before
they are even convicted of a crime. Not only would this be harmful to children, but it would also increase crime, as evidence shows that even one night in detention increases the likelihood of committing future criminal activity.
The legislation we passed is one small part of a comprehensive approach to public safety that includes prevention, intervention, youth programs, education, mental health services, substance use disorder services, housing, policing and the courts.
And while I supported the legislation, I also called out the Mayor for demanding policy action by the Council when many tools already available to her are not being used effectively, and legislation passed by the Council over her eight years in office has often not been implemented. You can watch and read my remarks.
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Giving Immigrant Youth Protections They Receive in Other States
Earlier this month the Council passed the Vulnerable Youth Guardianship Protection Act, which I introduced in February with five colleagues. It rectifies a discrepancy between federal and District law that prevents vulnerable immigrant youth — solely because they live in the District of Columbia — from gaining permanent status and the humanitarian protections that Congress intended for them. Passage ensures that immigrant youth — many of whom have fled life-threatening dangers in their countries of origin — can access special
federal immigration status and pursue education, work and fulfilling lives like other youth in the District.
Read my op-ed in The DC Line.
Covering Home Visits Under Medicaid
As a mom of 2, I know how overwhelming it is to bring home a new baby. New mothers & parents of young children deserve access to services that improve mothers’ health & the health & development of their children.
Last month I introduced B25-0321-Home Visiting Services Reimbursement Act of 2023, which would require D.C.’s Medicaid insurance program to cover home visitation services such as postpartum care for new mothers, diet consultation, nutrition education, alcohol and substance abuse screening and other services that are proven to be effective. The extension of coverage would also apply to the Immigrant Children’s Program and the DC Healthcare Alliance Program.
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CONGRESSIONAL REPORT
House GOP Can’t Stay Out of D.C.'s Business
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Once again Congressional Republicans are setting their sights on D.C. Home Rule. Last Thursday, the House GOP voted on a budget measure that included provisions to ban automated traffic cameras in the District, halt our effort to ban dangerous right turns on red lights, reverse D.C.’s law to ban discrimination based on an individual’s reproductive health decisions and repeal a 2016 law on medical aid in dying for the terminally ill. In no state in the country does Congress have the right to second-guess state legislatures on the laws they pass. This, like the several other disapprovals recently proposed by House Republicans, are nothing but an effort for gotcha politics against Democratic House members who vote against them. Making the 700,000 residents of the District pawns in the hands of Congress.
More on this from Council Chairman Phil Mendelson.
Earlier this week, a House committee voted on party lines to overturn my legislation to allow permanent residents of the District to vote in local elections. That legislation passed unanimously in the D.C. Council last year. Just two more examples of why D.C. must become a state. The Council will continue to fight for D.C.’s autonomy to set its own laws.
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Tenant Resource Fair on Georgia Ave
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ANC 1A Housing Justice and Zoning Committee and ANC 4B Housing Justice Committee are holding a Tenant Resource Fair on Saturday, July 29, 11 am, at Emory Beacon of Light, 6100 Georgia Ave NW.
We’ll have information and resources from government agencies, service organizations, and community groups related to tenant rights, affordable housing, and homelessness prevention, such as the District District Office of the Tenant Advocate, District Department of Buildings, Legal Aid DC, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, and many others.
I'm proud to be one of the co-sponsors, along with Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George and Councilmember Robert White. I hope to see you there.
More info and register.
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Coffee Walk-and-Talk with Councilmember Nadeau
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Residents of ANC 1B: Grab a coffee and walk the neighborhood with Councilmember Nadeau early on Tuesday, August 1 to discuss place-based issues of interest or concern — traffic and pedestrian improvements, trash, rats, public safety, etc. This is to follow up on known concerns and ongoing work, as well as a chance to bring up new issues. Staff will take notes and follow up after the walk in order to keep things moving -- we have 2.5 miles to cover!
We'll start at The Coffee Bar, 1201 S St. NW with coffee at 8 am and start walking at 8:30 am. The route is about 2.5 miles.
Contact Lauren from our office for more info.
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Redevelopment of the Reeves Center
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Since my time on ANC 1B, I have worked for a vibrant U Street that embodies the legacy of Black Broadway, our rich history of arts and culture, small businesses, and civil rights.
I’m thrilled to see the Mayor’s announcement that we are moving forward with the selection of a team to develop The Reeves Center site on behalf of the District government. The Reeves Center served as a hub for revitalizing the Historic U Street Corridor when it was first built. Today, as the building has reached the end of its useful life, it’s critical that the new project embody the priorities and history of the U Street community – as well as addressing the impact that revitalization has had on housing affordability.
Read my full statement.
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Adams Morgan Eats in the Streets
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The Adams Morgan Pedestrian Zone is back, starting on July 29 with the Adams Morgan Eats in the Streets event from 1-8 pm.
The outdoor event celebrates the neighborhood's diverse culinary scene and will take place between the 2400-2300 blocks of 18th Street NW.
Eats in the Streets will showcase dozens of
neighborhood restaurants and retailers in streatery
spaces along the road closure. Attendees can sample
cuisines from across the globe, purchase meals to
go, enjoy free entertainment, and wander through an
open street closed to vehicular traffic. Participating
restaurants will be offering dozens of all-day
discounts, a “crowd favorite” menu item for $10 or
less, and other fun surprises. Neighborhood retailers
will also be onsite selling merchandise, giving out
free samples, swag, and more.
Get the deets on Eats in the Streets.
Quick background note: expanding space for pedestrians on 18th Street is something we've been working on for years. The hurdles we've had to go through to close two blocks to traffic have been numerous and at times almost unbelievable. I'll continue working to reform the process so that DC can open more street space to pedestrians. For now, I'm excited to see our work with the ANC, residents and businesses make this happen.
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School is out for summer, but it’s time to start outfitting our students for the next school year. Cardozo Middle School will be accepting donations of schools supplies through August 25. Drop off items at the security check at the school.
Contact [email protected] for more.
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Got SNAP? Get Half Off Metro Rides!
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Metrobus launches new nighttime courtesy stops for better bus service and customer safety
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Metrobus customers who travel at night will have the option to get off between bus stops along the route, closer to their destination to provide a safer, better bus experience. These “courtesy stops” put customer safety first during times of day when it is darkest outside.
If you wish to make a courtesy stop, simply make a request to the bus operator, who will let you know if they can accommodate your request and if not why. Courtesy stops will be allowed on all regular route Metrobuses during the designated nighttime hours; however, courtesy stops cannot be accommodated on Limited-Stop and Express Metrobus routes.
More about Metro’s Better Bus Initiative at wmata.com/Betterbus.
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Find Councilmember Nadeau or a member of her staff at these upcoming events.
Saturday, July 22, 12-3 pm | Ward 1 Pool Day at Banneker Pool, 2500 Georgia Ave. NW
Monday, July 24, 6-8 pm | Brianne on Your Block at Johnny's All-American, 3226 11th Street NW
Monday, July 24, 7 pm | ANC 1A / Columbia Heights Small Business & Economic Development committee meeting at Cinco Soles restaurant, 3418 11th St NW.
Tuesday, July 25, 7-8 pm | Le Droit Park Civic Association, virtual meeting
Wednesday, July 26, 7 pm | Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E General Body meeting
Thursday, July 27, 7-8 pm | 3rd District MPD Citizen Advisory Committee. 3rd District Station, 1620 V St. NW
Saturday, July 29, 11 am | Tenant Resource Fair, 6100 Georgia Ave NW - see info above
Saturday, July 29, 1-8 pm | Adams Morgan Eats in the Streets
Tuesday, August 1, 8:30 am | Coffee Walk-and-Talk with Councilmember Nadeau, starts at The Coffee Bar, 1201 S St. NW - see above for info
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