Throughout these last several weeks, I have met with dozens of individuals, organizations, businesses, residents, and stakeholders- all unified in their desire for the Council to shape a budget that would invest in public safety, education, the revitalization of our commercial corridors and most importantly, our people. 

This budget is the most challenging one since I have been on the Council. The economic growth we’d all grown accustomed to has stagnated and, in some instances, is being outpaced by inflation and other escalating costs. Simply put, our expenses are growing much faster than our revenues. The spending realities we face inform our fiscal decisions over these next crucial years as we work to restore our economic growth and attend to the needs of our diverse stakeholders. Our needs for a robust downtown, a clean and safe city, and meaningful investments in violence interruption, infrastructure, small business, affordable housing, education, and so many other issues all have merit.  

We know several sacrifices have already been made in this budget cycle. And while sacrifice can be a noble exercise, we must ensure that these efforts help us serve the greater good of our city and its people.  

I am confident that the Committee on Business and Economic Development has put forth a proposed budget that serves these needs, and I look forward to serving our people with the care and consideration they deserve. 
 

Operating Budget Investments 
 

• $6,737,000 recurring to raise the “Clean Hands” non-DMV debt threshold from $100 to $2,000: Nearly one in five DC workers must get an occupational license before they can legally do their jobs. The District’s current Clean Hands Policy disproportionately impacts Black residents who are prohibited from receiving occupational licenses or starting businesses, presenting them with fewer opportunities to build wealth and pay outstanding debts resulting from fines and fees. 
   
• $6,505,000 to save the Medical Cannabis Social Equity Fund: Provide equity, grants, and loans to assist social equity applicants and medical cannabis-certified business enterprises in gaining entry to and successfully operating in the Program. 
   
• $2,000,000 recurring to fund Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP): The program provides interest-free loans and closing cost assistance to qualified applicants to purchase single-family houses, condominiums, or cooperative units in the District.*1  
   
• $1,476,620 for creating a Commission on Reparations: The Commission would research and develop reparation proposals for African Americans. 
   
• $1,000,000 recurring to fund Employer-Assisted Housing Program (EAHP), focused on First Responders: The Program offers eligible District government employees a deferred, 0% interest loan and a matching funds grant for down payment and closing costs to purchase their first single-family home, condominium, or cooperative unit in the District.*2
   
• $1,000,000 recurring to Events DC to fund grants for youth extracurricular activities: Programs to support nonprofit organizations that deliver services for youth extracurricular activities. 
   
• $1,000,000 one-time funds to the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to enhance the Main Street Grants: Funds will be used to enhance the work of the District’s 29 Main Street Programs. (Funds also received from the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety and the Committee on Facilities and Family Services.) 
   
• $1,000,000 one-time funds to DMPED for the LGBTQ+ Community Center: Funds would assist with the completion of the build-out and renovation of the D.C. Center for the LGBTQ Community’s new building in the city’s Shaw neighborhood. (The Committee on Public Works and Operations contributed $500,000) 
   
• $500,000 one-time to support Access to Justice Initiatives: The Program supports nonprofit organizations that deliver civil legal services to low-income and under-served District residents.*3
   
• $500,000 one-time to support Victim Services for Domestic Violence Services: Programs provide support to nonprofit organizations that deliver services to victims of domestic violence.*4  
   
• $300,000 for a property tax abatement for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF): The UNCF national headquarters building in Shaw is a vital neighborhood anchor. This will enable UNCF to provide more scholarships to DC residents and students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (The Committee on Public Works and Operations contributed $150,000) 
   
• $300,000 recurring to fund problem gambling prevention and awareness: Funds will assist the Department of Behavioral Health in addressing efforts to address and prevent problem gambling.*5  
   
• $272,000 recurring to the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD): These funds will be used to increase the pay of Clean Teams. 
   
• $242,000 one-time to the Committee on Facilities and Family Services for Safe Shores DC Children’s Advocacy Center: The funds will be used to provide services and support for children affected by abuse and neglect in DC. 
   
• $170,000 recurring to the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to fund Clean Team expansion: Funds will be used for the Fort Lincoln Clean Team and the Ward 5 Roving Clean Team. 
   
• $165,000 recurring to the Committee of the Whole to support District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) Programming: Funds will be used to support and enhance student-athlete achievement through athletic programming and quality learning experiences. 
   
• $150,000 one-time to the Committee of the Whole for a study on vocational education: The funds will be used to conduct a study assessing the vocational educational landscape in the District. 
   
• $46,000 property tax abatement for the Historic Kappa House: National Headquarters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, known as the historic "Kappa Kastle," home became a popular center of social activity, activism, and philanthropy for African Americans, especially during the era of racial segregation. 

• $1,250,000 in FY25: Benning Stoddert Field sports field development in Ward 7 
• $1,250,000 in FY26: Greenleaf Recreation Field sports field development in Ward 6 
• $1,250,000 in FY27: Harry Thomas Recreation Field sports field development in Ward 5 
• $300,000: Watts playground basketball court improvements in Ward 7 
• Over $208,000 in both FY26 and FY27: Marvin Gaye Park additional sports field development in Ward 7 
• Over $208,000 in both FY26 and FY27: Fort Stanton Recreation Center additional sports field development in Ward 8 
• $10,000: Goodman Playground bleachers in Ward 8