May 5, 2023
Dear Washingtonians,
In March, I sent my Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal to the Council. I am proud that even in a tough budget year we delivered a responsible and sustainable budget that invests in a comeback that will benefit all eight wards.?
As the Council continues to work on the budget, this week I shared my concerns about several committee proposals?(read the full letter HERE), including my concerns about a proposal to eliminate funding for the K Street Transitway, a first-of-its-kind project that will make east-west travel through downtown faster, safer, and more efficient and has the potential to transform the way we think about and use public transit in DC.?
I also shared a number of other concerns, including:
- Cutting essential funding that will?eliminate, delay, or reduce several critical transit and economic development projects to generate paygo funds to temporarily cover costly new entitlement programs, including removing?more than $20 million for state-of-good repair projects that will eliminate our ability to fix 18 miles of sidewalks and 11 miles of roads in poor condition this summer.?
- Moving away from our students first funding model by redirecting $62 million ($22 million in recurring funds and $40 million in one-time funds) out of DCPS and into individual schools. Equity means that we dedicate more resources to those with higher needs, and that is reflected in the updated DCPS budget model that went into effect last year. Under the Council committee's revised funding formula, however, schools in Ward 3 where we have the lowest percentage of students identified as at-risk, will receive the highest percentage increase in funding.?DCPS took nearly two years to engage with parents, principals, teachers, advocates, and others?? in all eight wards?? to gain feedback and input on the school funding models. Our students first model is the result of that engagement and feedback.
- Creating new fees and fines, including a $31 increase to every resident?s electricity and natural gas bills (which will increase each year to $46 by 2027) and a new $2 fee on for-hire vehicle rides in and out of downtown and nearby neighborhoods. My proposed budget included no new taxes or fees on our residents or businesses because I believe that increasing costs for our residents and businesses is the wrong approach at the wrong time.?
- Proposing reductions that would leave behind residents in Wards 7 and 8. My administration has made increasing investments in Wards 7 and 8 a top priority. It is disappointing to see Council committees scale back critical investments through delays in the Benning Road streetcar extension (which will also impact critical bridge repair work and federal funding), cutting $10 million for the Food Access Fund which is helping us eliminate food deserts by adding grocery stores and restaurants, removing $10 million from the activation of Poplar Point, and cutting $5 million from St. Elizabeths infrastructure repair projects. These cuts are?inequitable and avoidable.
My team and I look forward to continuing to work with Councilmembers on these critical issues facing our city.
Sincerely,
 Join Mayor Bowser in celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week from Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12. There are?nearly 9,000 DCPS and public charter school teachers in DC and many ways to show your appreciation for them, including:
- Fill out a #ThankADCTeacher sign and shout out a favorite educator on social media. Us?the hashtag #TeacherAppreciationWeek and tag @OSSEDC and @DMEforDC. Download a Teacher Appreciation Week graphic here: tinyurl.com/ThankDCTeachers
- If you?re a DC business offering a Teacher Appreciation Week discount, giveaway, or event, submit them here: tinyurl.com/DCTeacherDeals
Let?s celebrate our incredible DC educators!
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 Join the Mayor?s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs for an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration. The celebration will include an awards ceremony, cultural performances by renowned AAPI artists, and more.
- When: Monday, May 8 @ 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street NW)
- RSVP?HERE.
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 The District Department of Energy and Environment in partnership with the District Department of Transportation invite high school students who attend a DCPS or DC public charter school to submit artwork that celebrates and portrays a clean air future in the District of Columbia.
Themes for the competition include: Air Quality and Transportation, Air Quality and Climate Change, Asthma and Your Health, Community Science, Wildfires and Smoke. Contest winners will be selected for the following 5 categories: Best Comic, Best Artwork, 3rd Place, 2nd Place, and eight Honorable Mentions with one person from each ward. The deadline to apply is?Friday, May 19 at 5:00 p.m.
- Selected Winners will be announced at a public gallery viewing on Saturday, June 10
- View submission requirements and submit your art or comic?HERE
- Submit questions by emailing?[email protected]
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 May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and residents are reminded that the District has free?mental health resources available 24/7.
If you need someone to talk to, certified clinicians are available:
- Call?(888) 793-4357 to get connected to DC?s Mental Health Hotline
- Call?988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
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