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Neighbors,
On Wednesday, the Committee of the Whole held its first vote on the Fiscal Year 2025 Local Budget Act of 2024 and the Fiscal year 2025 Budget Support Act of 2024, also known collectively as “the budget."
With only 12 days left in our 70-day budget process, I am feeling that we have much to be proud of and that the Committee on Health has made great strides during this time. The Committee will have fully funded four bills at the end of this budget cycle. These bills include the following:
I would be remiss to discuss great strides without also mentioning what I consider the greatest accomplishment of the FY25 budget, the restoration of the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund (PEF). The fund is an essential part of DC’s workforce and our economic stability, and it took a united effort across the entire Council to restore it. While we will continue to work towards the improvement of our childcare sector, the implementation of this funding is something we can all be proud of.
As we move forward, there are some things we should keep top of mind. Annually our expenditures are growing at a rate of 7.5% while our revenue crawls behind at a 2% growth rate, and this gap means that we are spending more than we are bringing in. We cannot pursue progressive policy that aids our unhoused, educates our students and workforce, and provides a financial safety net without a thriving economic base. Despite hurdles, it is important for us to reflect on the impact of the budget and the hard work that has been put into it. To those who have dedicated their time to advocate for the policy that is within this budget, thank you, we would not be here without your perseverance.
Further in this newsletter you will find highlights of our big budget wins and some of the smaller investments that will have a big impact on the lives of all DC residents.
In service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
Wednesday, the Committee of the Whole held its first vote on the Fiscal Year 2025 Local Budget Act of 2024 and the Fiscal year 2025 Budget Support Act of 2024. As a reminder, when the Council first received the proposed FY25 budget, many of these programs such as the Pay Equity Fund, housing assistance, domestic violence prevention, and legal services either did not exist or were funded at a fraction of their FY24 level. The FY25 proposed budget has now addressed all these issues in one way or another, allowing the Council to present a budget that will help DC work for everyone. You can find the full budget report and documents here. Below are a few highlights from each category.
On Thursday, May 16, the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs held a public hearing on the Expanding Community Access to Safe and Clean Recreational Space Act of 2023 and the Department of Parks and Recreation Hours Expansion Amendment Act of 2023. Councilmember Henderson inquired about the Department of Parks and Recreation’s current workforce, recruitment efforts, and plans to expand access to public pools.
On Tuesday, May 21, the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs held a public roundtable on public safety concerns at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). Conversation touched on contraband prevention mechanisms, current security staff levels, the number of case managers at both facilities, and much more with government witnesses.
On Friday, May 24, Councilmember Christina Henderson and Councilmember Brooke Pinto co-introduced the Alma Thomas Designation Act of 2024. The legislation would symbolically designate 15th St. NW between Church St. NW and Q St. NW in Ward 2 as Alma Thomas Way, in honor of the trailblazing artist, dedicated educator, and Logan Circle resident of more than 70 years.
Christina in the Community
2nd Annual Black Mamas Wellness Community Event
On Saturday, May 11, Councilmember Henderson hosted the Black Mamas Wellness Community Event with the Arika Trim Foundation in Ward 8. The event was started to help improve maternal health outcomes in the District of Columbia by connecting new mothers and those that aid them with resources.
3rd Annual Walter E. Fauntroy DC Legislative Day
with Washington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.
On Thursday, May 16, Councilmember Henderson attended the Washington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.’s 3rd Annual Walter R. Fauntroy DC Legislative Day, where the chapter presented their annual policy agenda.
Nightlife Operations and Economic Forum
Wednesday, May 22, Councilmember Henderson joined a panel discussion for DC Nightlife Council‘s Operations and Economic Forum. She was joined on the panel by Councilmember Zachary Parker, Salah Czapary, Director of DC Nightlife and Culture, Fred Moosally, Director of the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration, and Rosemary Suggs Evan, Director of Department of Small and Local Business Development. Conversation included issues currently pressuring the nightlife community, such as: charge backs from credit cards, forced venue closures due to on-sight or nearby incidents, the Reimbursable Detail Program, corridor cleanliness and graffiti, investment in surveillance cameras, the Great Streets Program, green patios and representation on appropriate boards.
Anacostia Pool Jump In
Later that week, on Friday, May 24, Councilmember Henderson attended JUMP IN at the Anacostia Pool. The event was hosted by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, which manages 22 beautiful outdoor pools and 33 spray parks in the District thus far. The agency has also been recently recognized for the fourth consecutive year as the number one park system in the nation!
Health Equity Summit Program
On Tuesday, May 28, Councilmember Henderson participated in Councilmember Trayon White’s Health Equity Summit Program. She was joined by Wayne Turnage, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services; Ayanna Bennett, Director of the Department of Health; Dr. Barbara Bazron, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health; and Andrew Reese, Director of the Department of Disability Services. The summit touched on strategies to support home and community-based providers.
Advanced Technical Center Tour
On Thursday, May 30, Councilmember Henderson visited the Advanced Technical Center (ATC) in Ward 5. The ATC is a modern vocational learning hub—a unique blend of high school, college, and workforce training. This school year, the ATC serves almost 200 students from all eight wards, representing 15 public high schools. Last year, students earned a total of 740 college credits (valued at over half a million dollars) at the center. In the future, the ATC will bring in Children’s National Hospital as a strategic partner to provide healthcare services and enhance the instructional experience for health care pathway students, and add a 20,000 square foot renovation to include an urgent care clinic that will boost this experience.
DC Councilmembers React to House Passage of DC CRIMES Act, Rebecca Turco for WJLA, 5/16/2024
DC Council Votes On New Budget With Further Tax Hikes, Mark Seagraves for NBC Washington, 5/29/2024
DPW’s Annual Truck Touch
Join the Department of Public Works for their annual Truck Touch event for a day full of excitement and innovation! Visitors will be able to see a showcase of electric cars, participate in an interactive vehicle exploration, and view an electric vehicle Gran Prix. Free meals for those under 18 will also be available. The event is June 1, 2024, from 8am to 2pm, at RFK Stadium Lot 8 (2400 E Capitol St SE). Reserve your spot here.
Morning at the Library
Join Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library for their second Morning at the Library! Morning at the Library is a sensory-friendly program for children with disabilities and their families. Families can explore the library and participate in activities at their own pace for two hours before the library opens to the general public. You can register for the event here.
Summer 2024 Red Line Construction
This weekend marks the start of summer construction on the Red Line, closing Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, & Takoma stations. Takoma Station reopens 6/30/2024. Remaining stations closed through 8/31/2024.
Follow the link below to plan your travel:
https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/2024-red-line-construction/index.cfm
Be a Better Bus Hero
Share Your Input on Metro's Proposed 2025 Better Bus Network! In spring 2023, Metro asked the region to share their thoughts on a draft bus network, the Visionary Network. Using your input, they have created the proposed 2025 Better Bus Network, which represents Metro's commitment to improving service and connections using the resources it has today. The proposed 2025 Network includes: a network of bus routes that better connect the region, Improved service, especially during evenings and on weekends, new route names, and more efficient bus stop spacing.
Review and provide feedback on the proposed 2025 Network by using Metro's interactive comment map, taking a survey, submitting written comments, or uploading a document at wmata.com/betterbus by 5:00 p.m. on July 15, 2024. Or, provide testimony at an in-person or virtual Public Hearing. To view the full schedule of in-person events, visit wmata.com/betterbus. Share your feedback online by July 15, 2024, for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card.
Stay Cool in a District Pool
The weather is getting warmer and taking advantage of the District’s many pools is a great way to cool off. The Department of Parks and Recreation has a complete list of indoor pools, outdoor pools, and spray parks. You can view them here.
Become a DPR Lifeguard
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is excited to offer free lifeguard training certification courses. DPR uses the International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP) to train and certified lifeguards to work at both indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities across the District. To register for an upcoming course, click here.
Have a constituent service need related to the Health Committee or any of the other agencies in DC Government? Want Councilmember Henderson to come to your community event or meeting? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Constituent Services Director Ana Berrios-Vazquez during regular business hours (9:00am - 5:30pm) at 202-724-8105, or ABerriosVazquez@dccouncil.gov.
Information on Services
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Stay Connected
Thank you for reading! Please stay in touch.
Christina Henderson
At-Large Councilmember
chenderson@dccouncil.gov
Mike Shaffer
Chief of Staff
mshaffer@dccouncil.gov
Heather Edelman
Deputy Chief of Staff
hedelman@dccouncil.gov
Gabrielle Rogoff
Legislative Director
grogoff@dccouncil.gov
Ana Berríos-Vázquez
Constituent Services Director
aberriosvazquez@dccouncil.gov
Sierra Wallace
Communications Director
swallace@dccouncil.gov
Nicholas Pcholkin
Senior Legislative Assistant
npcholkin@dccouncil.gov
Taylor Coleman
Legislative Aide
tcoleman@dccouncil.gov
Health Committee
Ona Balkus
Committee Director
obalkus@dccouncil.gov
Marcia Huff
Senior Policy Advisor
mhuff@dccouncil.gov
Rebecca Cooper
Health Policy Advisor
rcooper@dccouncil.gov
Ashley Strange
Legislative Assistant
astrange@dccouncil.gov