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Neighbors,

Happy Pride Month!

This June, we celebrate the vibrant contributions, resilience, and diversity of our LGBTQ+ neighbors across the District. Pride is more than a celebration; it is a reminder of the ongoing work we must do to ensure D.C. remains a place where everyone can live with dignity, safety, and equality.

In other news, on Wednesday, we kicked off our first budget oversight hearing as part of the Committee on Business and Economic Development’s review of the Mayor’s proposed FY 2026 budget. I was eager to hear directly from public witnesses who offered valuable insights into how the District’s investments impact our residents, workers, and small businesses.

Looking ahead, we will be hosting two additional budget oversight hearings next week, one on Monday, June 9, where we will hear from government witnesses from the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), and another on Wednesday, June 11, which will include testimony from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG), Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), and Destination DC.

As always, I remain committed to ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the budget process. Your voices are critical, and I appreciate every resident who continues to engage with our work.

In service,
Kenyan
Announcements
Youth Sports Town Hall
Budget Oversight Hearing Schedule


** Legislative Update
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Providing Clarity on the Tipped Minimum Wage Increase

At the June 2 Legislative Meeting, the Council passed the Tipped Minimum Wage Increase Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (Bill 26-274), which I introduced. The bill passed by a vote of 8 to 4.

I introduced this emergency legislation to provide much-needed clarity during a time of uncertainty for our restaurant industry and its workforce. The Mayor’s proposed repeal of Initiative 82 in the FY26 budget has created confusion about whether the July 1 tipped wage increase will go into effect. Additionally, the federal No Tax on Tips Act, which has passed the Senate and is under consideration in the House, could exempt up to $25,000 in tips from federal income tax for workers earning under $160,000. These developments could significantly alter take-home pay and the policy landscape for tipped employees.

Pausing the July 1 wage increase allows the Council time to thoroughly assess the data, evaluate how potential federal tax changes would interact with our local wage laws, and engage all stakeholders, workers, restaurant owners, labor advocates, and community members, to find a balanced solution.

The restaurant industry is a vital part of the District’s economy and recovery, and this legislation ensures we approach wage policy changes thoughtfully and responsibly.
Our First Budget Oversight Hearing

On Wednesday, June 4, the Committee on Business and Economic Development held its first budget oversight hearing of Fiscal Year 2025, focused exclusively on public witness testimony. We heard from more than 90 residents, advocates, and stakeholders offering input on the agencies under the Committee’s purview.

This was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the public about the programs, services, and investments that matter most to our communities. The feedback shared was incredibly informative and will help guide our work as we move forward with budget deliberations. I want to thank everyone who took the time to testify and engage in this important process.

Your voices continue to shape how we build a more inclusive, equitable, and economically vibrant District.
Team McDuffie in the Community
Empowering Local Businesses at the Capital One Arena Trade Contractor Outreach Event

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at the Trade Contractor Outreach Event for the New Capital One Arena, hosted by Clark Construction. The purpose of the event was to:
* Review successes and lessons learned from early bid packages
* Walk completed work performed by Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs)
* Learn about the prequalification process by connecting with Clark’s project and estimating leaders
* Review upcoming bid packages and associated timelines
* Meet representatives from District Government agencies
* Verify CBE registration

As Chair of the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development, I’ve made it my mission to ensure that Certified Business Enterprises are not just included but prioritized in our major development projects. CBEs are the engine of our local economy. They create jobs, train workers, generate tax revenue, and build lasting wealth and pride in the communities they serve.

That is why, when the Council approved legislation to modernize Capital One Arena, I didn’t just support local hiring goals. I led the effort to include a 40% legally required CBE participation rate. I commend Clark Construction for going even further, setting a 50% aspirational CBE goal that reflects true leadership and a shared commitment to equity.

This outreach event was not just about numbers. It was about opportunity. Clark laid out upcoming bid packages for the second half of 2025 and opened the door for local businesses to lead. And I want to be clear: our CBE community deserves to be there. You have the experience. You have the expertise. You have earned a seat at the table.

So I encouraged attendees to engage, ask tough questions, share their capabilities, and make their presence known. Because when D.C. invests in development, we must also invest in our people.

To every CBE that showed up yesterday, thank you for continuing to invest in our city, our workforce, and our future. Let’s keep building together.


** Small Business Spotlight
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Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse (Ward 2)

Celebrating Community, Comfort, and Pride Since 1948

If you’ve ever strolled through Dupont Circle and caught the scent of sizzling steaks and the sound of hearty laughter, chances are you were near Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse, a true D.C. institution. Founded in 1948 by the Kogod family, Annie’s started as a humble diner and has grown into one of the most beloved and enduring LGBTQ-friendly establishments in the city.

What makes Annie’s special isn’t just its perfectly grilled steaks or iconic brunches (though those are hard to beat). It’s the welcoming spirit that has made it a safe haven for LGBTQ+ patrons for generations. Long before inclusive spaces were common, Annie’s proudly embraced the community, offering not just a meal, but a home away from home.

Named after waitress-turned-matriarch Annie Kaylor, who became a symbol of love and hospitality, the restaurant continues under the leadership of her family. Their commitment to equality, warmth, and good food earned Annie’s the James Beard Foundation’s “America’s Classics” Award and the hearts of Washingtonians.

Whether you’re a longtime regular or a curious newcomer, stop by Annie’s for a bite, a beverage, and a reminder that great food tastes even better when it’s served with pride.

📍 1609 17th Street NW, Washington, DC
🌐 anniesparamountdc.com
Upcoming Events in the Community
Meet the Artists Reception: "We Are PROUD" Works by LGBTQ+ Artists
Press Release ([link removed])
Free Beginner Golf Lessons at Langston Golf Course – June 20
Tzedek DC's Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program, Summer 2025
Tzedek DC’s Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program
This program is a free 8-week program that provides eight financial education workshops aimed at the specific needs of young adults like spending plans, understanding your paycheck, building credit, and investing. This program also offers individualized financial counseling sessions from experts to help program participants set tailored financial plans and achievable goals. Program participants will be eligible to receive $100 in grant funding to start their investment journeys utilizing the Stackwell app. Additionally, a free meal is provided at each of the in-person workshops. Program participants must be at least 18 years old, and either a DC resident or a UDC student residing in DC, Maryland, or Virginia.

Upcoming Summer Sessions
Starting the week of June 9th, they will be offering two sessions, with both an in-person and virtual option for interested participants. The in-person summer session will take place on Tuesdays from 4-6pm at Tzedek DC's office (1100 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington DC, 20003), and the virtual summer session will take place on Wednesdays from 4-6pm via Zoom. All of this information is also provided via the attached flyer.

For more information about the program or to register for an upcoming session, please visit Tzedek DC’s webpage here ([link removed]) . Interested participants can also register for an upcoming session via the Eventbrite links listed below.
* In-Person Summer Session ([link removed])
* Virtual Summer Session ([link removed])

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