Ward 1 Update: Budget of 1000 cuts


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Councilmember Nadeau poses with three seniors seated at a table at the Senior Dance

Man did we have fun at the Senior Dance! More photos below!

WARD 1 UPDATE

Hello Neighbors:

Even in a difficult budget year, District residents deserve a budget that invests in childcare, high quality schools, public safety, affordable housing, and social services—the things that support and power our city.

Digging into the Mayor’s proposed FY26 budget in budget hearings and through research with my staff, what I've seen so far looks grim: reductions to highly-effective substance use disorder services at 7th & T streets, U Street, lower Georgia Ave., in Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant; no commitment beyond one year to teacher pay equity for early childhood educators and cuts to critical education programs; undoing reforms to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program to the point they would resemble the draconian and ineffective policies of the 90s that blamed people for their own poverty.

The proposed budget includes at least six major policy proposals that have nothing to do with the budget, including the not-ready-for-prime-time RFK stadium deal, weakening protections for tenants, and an attempt to undo D.C.’s law that protects immigrants regardless of immigration status. All of these should be considered through the regular legislative process, if at all.

The impacts on Ward 1 would be significant: cuts to violence prevention services in Park View, LeDroit Park and elsewhere, threats to bus priority projects on Georgia Ave., U Street, and Florida Ave.; and reductions in clean teams and community navigators, who keep small business corridors safe and clean.

Two bright spots: funding is maintained for park projects throughout the ward, and to advance key housing projects, including Bruce Monroe and Park Morton.

I will work with fellow Councilmembers to reverse harmful cuts to critical programs and direct funds to the places they will most benefit residents. I’ll also be looking for common sense tax reforms that meet the needs of residents and small businesses, with everyone paying their fair share.

The goal is to ensure the FY26 budget supports our residents, businesses, and communities and builds a path to prosperity for all, not just for our wealthiest residents.

COUNCIL UPDATES

What’s going on with violence prevention funding in Ward 1?

In just the past few weeks, we’ve been told that the Cure the Streets violence interruption program in Ward 1 will be shuttered, which essentially cuts VI programs in the ward by half, and we’ve learned that the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement is adopting a "ward-wide model," one that no longer targets areas with crew-based, neighborhood-based violence.

In this week’s budget oversight hearing in the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, I was flabbergasted to hear ONSE used data from 2017(!) to make decisions about where VI resources are needed in Ward 1. ONSE included a neighborhood that hasn’t seen crew-based violence ever and left out at least one neighborhood – Park View – that is seeing that kind of violence and has been for quite some time.

ONSE is not taking an evidence-based approach to staffing and identifying neighborhoods in need of violence interruption services. Time and again, the executive branch has failed to support and has worked to undermine violence interruption programs in the District. This in turn, undermines the public’s trust in the program.

This week at a community meeting in Ward 1, ONSE and Rev. Judie Martin with Innercity Collaborative were able to share updates about the number of mediations and conflicts that had been adjudicated this spring – preventing up to 20 additional shootings in their estimation. This work doesn’t make the news because it’s about violence that is prevented, but it’s the path forward to addressing ongoing violence in Ward 1.

The combination of human services, violence prevention programs, police work, and a functioning court system works to address violence when you have the right teams deployed in the community in the right places. I will work with my Council colleagues to restore funding for VI teams in the ward, and throughout the city.

Celebrating Throne bathrooms after one year

The Throne public restrooms pilot has been a success! As we hit the 1-year mark, data show that the public bathrooms have been wildly popular and have received high praise for cleanliness; businesses near the units are reporting a decrease in unwanted activity in the area. Despite this success, the Mayor chose not to fund the project in her budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. I will work to restore the funding and continue the work to make the program permanent and expand it citywide.

Disappointing vote on tipped minimum wage

I’m disappointed that my fellow councilmembers voted to 8-4 to delay the tipped wage increase in I-82 from July to October. I joined fellow Councilmembers Frumin, Lewis-George, and Parker in standing with restaurant workers.

Voters in the District have twice voted to approve the tipped wage increase, and it is disingenuous to doubt what the voters wanted. In fact, the second time, voters approved a specific timeline for implementation, which was right in the referendum question. When the Council agreed to implement this I-82 ballot initiative, we agreed to following the implementation schedule voters approved in 2023.

It’s unconscionable to vote on this less than a month before the increase, when this has been planned for years and workers are already expecting it. I fear that this three-month pause is yet one more effort to undo what the voters have said they expect, and which restaurant workers deserve. I know that we can find a way to support restaurants in the face of all the challenges they are facing, while still supporting fair wages for workers.

From vacant to vibrant

A long-vacant or blighted property is a thorn in the side of what might otherwise be a thriving neighborhood. Across D.C., there are over 2,800 vacant properties and over 340 blighted properties. This week the Council advanced legislation that gives the District more tools to bring those buildings back into use, and to combat and remedy the systemic issues that lead to such properties in the first place. Thank you to Chairman Mendelson for his leadership in introducing this measure.

Happy Pride!

Councilmember Nadeau raises the Pride flag among a crowd of people while Councilmember Henderson speaks at the podium

Two women pose at the Pride Parade, Councilmember Nadeau is wearing a rainbow skirt

World Pride 2025 is a chance to celebrate our vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community! I was proud to join my Council colleagues, the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, and members of the community to officially raise the Pride flag last week at the Wilson Building, and look forward to marching in the Council contingent in the parade (well, actually riding – watch for me on my bike!).

As you celebrate, stay informed on street closures, weather alerts, transit, and other updates by texting WorldPrideDC to 888-777.

Fair payments for nonprofits

Nonprofits are key partners in the District in our work on housing and food access, healthcare and more. They deserve to be paid fairly. But that doesn't always happen. My new bill aims to make sure organizations are paid fairly for the full cost of delivering vital services. The bill clarifies and updates a 2020 law to ensure that nonprofits that partner with District government are fully paid for the behind-the-scenes support that makes their services possible—also known as their indirect costs. Think things like salary, rent, and tech.

Without payment for true costs, nonprofits face a loss every time they accept a District contract or grant. This chronic underfunding can force nonprofits to cut staff or even close altogether. Indirect costs are essential—not optional.

We can do more to support tenants and building owners during sales

At a recent Housing Committee hearing, we heard two visions for the future of TOPA. My bill would streamline TOPA to make it more sustainable for building owners and tenants, while preserving tenant protections and improving resources available to them.

I know that we can find a way to balance the needs of housing investors and tenants with updates to TOPA that meet the current moment without gutting this bedrock component of tenant rights in the District.

Preserving D.C. values in law

Some of you have asked me about the Mayor’s proposed changes to D.C.’s sanctuary city values. My position is simple: I do not support any change that would lessen protections for immigrants and I do not support slipping immigration policy into the budget; it is not a budget issue.

BRIANNE IN WARD 1

Six people, including Councilmember Brianne Nadeau in a blue jacket, post for a photo outdoors at an event with tables covered with white tablecloths. People at the tables are in conversation in the background.

Everyone should have access to the high-quality services and supports that create a strong foundation for health, including mental health. In Ward 1, we are lucky that Howard University Hospital provides great care to our community. Thank you, Dr. Roger Mitchell Jr, president of the Hospital, for the invitation to join their Mental Health Fair.

Councilmember Brianne K Nadeau poses with a Smart Compost Bin

I'm excited to see the Smart Compost Bins that I funded in the FY25 budget installed across D.C.! With the summer picnic and cookout season beginning, it's the perfect time to find the bin near you and be part of our goal to reduce waste by 80 percent by 2040.

Councilmember Brianne K Nadeau and June Crenshaw

It was an honor to thank June Crenshaw for her years of work at Wanda Alston Foundation to serve LGBTQ youth in the most challenging times of their lives. I'm so grateful for her leadership and partnership as she continues to serve the community as Deputy Director of the Capital Pride Alliance.

ANC Commissioner David Fucillo and Councilmember Brianne K Nadeau appear side by side on a Zoom meeting screen. David has his hand raised to take an oath of office.

Congratulations to ANC 1C Commissioner David Fucillo on your swearing-in! It was an honor to be with you as you begin your service to our community and our District, and I look forward to working with you!

Two women pose for a selfie under a tent that says DC SCORES

Players in yellow and green jerseys play soccer on a turf field

DC SCORES Jamboree was packed with fun for players all across the city! Poetry AND soccer! How cool is that?

CM Nadeau speaks to two gentlemen seated at a table

CM Nadeau poses on the dance floor with a woman at the senior dance

Thank you to all who joined us at the Senior Dance, danced, ate, and communed at Prince Hall Lodge, which always hosts and brings an army of their own volunteers as well as those from their sister organization the Georgianna Thomas Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, to help us serve and thank our seniors!

Thanks to Most Worshipful Grand Master Glenn N. Ruffin, RW Deputy Grand Master Alvin F. Smith, Jr., the Department of Parks and Recreation, East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Pastor Hart, Christian Tabernacle Church, DJ Nice, and Anthony Bowen YMCA.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

A message from your Ward 1 education rep

The DC State Board of Education is currently in the process of reviewing our city's high school graduation requirements. We're looking for community members to join the task force. If you're interested, please fill out the application on this link before June 30th.

If you have any questions about this issue or any other education related issues in DC, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

- Ben Williams, Ward 1 State Board of Education representative

Better Bus Network is coming

Metro will launch its new bus network on June 29. Be on the lookout for new route names, new routes, and new schedules. Be prepared - learn about changes in your neighborhood today.

Brianne on Your Block

Meet with me, in your neighborhood. My team and I will be at Pitango Gelato at 1841 Columbia Rd NW on Monday, June 16 from 6 - 8 pm. We’ll be joined by representatives from DPW, who will answer questions about waste collection, parking enforcement, and sanitation violations (SWEEP). RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

Workforce Support Opportunities

America Works of Washington DC, a workforce development provider serving District residents, is accepting applications for two programs.

Ticket to Work (TTW): A no-cost employment program for Social Security disability beneficiaries (ages 18–64) ready to pursue full-time employment.

SNAP Employment & Training (E&T): A program offering job readiness support and job placement services for SNAP recipients.

Call 202-466-5627 for more details.

Training for women interested in running for office

WeLead is one of the only free, non-partisan, in-person campaign training programs working to close the gender gap in political leadership. WeLead positions participants to run for office or lead a political campaign. Applications are currently open for WeLead2026, which will begin in September.

Details and application