Hello Ward 8 Residents, 

This week, the Council held its first legislative session since summer recess. It was a progressive legislative day where my colleagues and I were able to make some essential changes that will impact the District and its residents.

The Council voted unanimously on the first reading to approve the Safer Streets Amendment Act of 2022, a bill that would allow bicyclists to proceed through stop signs and red lights safely while also prohibiting drivers from making a right turn on red at designated intersections. Under the measure, drivers would still be able to turn right on red but only at intersections identified explicitly as safe to do so by the District Department of Transportation.

Three children, while walking with their mother, were hit by a non-attentive driver the morning of our legislative session at the intersection of 15th Street and Alabama Avenue, SE. While no injuries were reported, the time is now to make essential changes to improve the safety and well-being of our residents. 

Additionally, the Council voted unanimously on the first reading to support the Players Lounge Tax Exemption Act of 2022, which would provide a real property tax exemption for this establishment.

I introduced this legislation because the survival of this business is an essential and special treasure of our community. Like many businesses, the pandemic hit Players Lounge hard, and they struggled to keep their doors open while adjusting to the new normal. 

I must be intentional about helping our black and minority-owned businesses as gentrification and the pandemic have crushed many of these establishments. For an establishment to be around for half a century is truly a remarkable accomplishment and speaks to the true character of this place. 

I will continue to legislate on behalf of all Ward 8 residents to seek equity and long-lasting results. The next legislative session will be held on Tuesday, October 4th at 1:00 pm and will stream live on the Zoom meeting platform. Residents may also watch live at: 

 – On the Council site, at https://bit.ly/2ooL0l1

– On the OCTFME site, at https://bit.ly/2JNZIro

– On TV, Channel 13 or 18

Regards, 

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8

Starting on September 6, the DC Council will be switching over from its longtime domain name, dccouncil.us, to the more secure, trusted, and accurate dccouncil.gov.

This will be only the second time in the Council’s history that we will be changing domain names. The Council’s inaugural website was rolled out in 1997 at dccouncil.washington.dc.us. Just a few years after that, we transitioned to dccouncil.us, and we have been at that domain ever since.

All email sent to current dccouncil.us email addresses will automatically be forwarded to the corresponding dccouncil.gov email addresses. Similarly, all links to existing dccouncil.us websites will automatically redirect to the corresponding dccouncil.gov pages. (Nevertheless, please update your address books, website links and bookmarks, etc. to the new dccouncil.gov equivalent.)

While every effort is being made to avoid any disruptions to the Council’s operations or to the public’s ability to interact with us, please keep in mind that the changeover is a complicated logistical effort with many moving parts. Some challenges are inevitable, so please bear with us if necessary.

The DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act, as passed by Congress in 2019, encourages state and local government agencies to shift to .gov domain names in the interest of security and improved administration. Among other things, the law transfers authority over the .gov domain from its prior home in the General Services Administration to the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).3322

2nd Annual Ward 8 Trunk & Treat 
Saturday, October 29, 2022
4:00pm - 7:00pm 

Location
Oxon Run Park
On the corner of Wheeler Rd SE & Valley Ave SE 
Washington DC 20020
On the field near the basketball courts

Activities

• Game truck
• Bounce house
• Hayrides
• Facepainting
• Food, drinks, concession snacks and
• Live performances

We invite residents, community leaders, and business owners to join in the festivities by entering their decorated vehicles into the trunk & treat or support the event by making a charitable donation to keep this safer alternative for children and families. 

For more information about this event, please contact Jules Jessie, Communications Director, at: [email protected] or 202-724-8045.

“Safer Streets Amendment Act of 2022”

This legislation seeks to address some specific pieces of the overall transportation problems facing the District, filling in gaps in existing policy and seeking to make progress beyond other recent legislation and executive initiatives. It does not attempt to comprehensively address the myriad issues contributing to traffic violence, climate, equity, and other issues impacted by our transportation system. 

Below is Councilmember Trayon White's response to supporting the bill in first reading:

To authorize, on an emergency basis, the Mayor to establish and administer programs to provide services and supports to recent immigrants to the United States; and to make conforming amendments to the Homeless Services Reform Act

Meetings & Hearings Schedule

Browse, search, or filter to find past and upcoming D.C. Council meetings, hearings, and events.

WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Some big changes may be coming to D.C. roads. A citywide ban on right turns on red lights is one step closer to becoming a reality.  

On Tuesday, the DC Council voted unanimously to move the Safer Streets Amendment Act for a first reading. However, many council members have expressed concern about the bill’s intention and enforcement.