Dear neighbor,

The budget season began Wednesday with the mayor’s submission of her proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025, followed by the start of budget oversight hearings, which continue through May 2.

The Council has already taken bold steps to invest in the city’s long-term prosperity through a revitalized Downtown and in increased accountability through passage of the Secure DC Omnibus. I fully support both. However, we cannot invest in long-term prosperity and increased accountability without also investing in opportunity for all District residents. The proposed budget falls short of this charge, and I will be working with my colleagues to fund education, housing, and pathways to the middle class that expand opportunity.

Keep an eye on your inbox next week, when I’ll have another newsletter that takes a deeper dive into the proposed budget.

As we go through this process, I hope you are able to engage, sharing what matters most to you and your family as we plan for the next fiscal year. Please read below for more information on the budget and how to engage, a recap of this week’s legislative meeting, and more updates for Ward 3.

Best,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

From the Dais

The DC Council held a legislative meeting on Tuesday, April 2, during which my colleagues and I:

Approved the first vote for the Healthy Homes and Residential Electrification act. I co-introduced this bill with Charles Allen and others to help install electric appliances for low- and moderate-income households and increase permit fees for installing fossil fuel-reliant appliances. This voluntary program for electric appliance installation can address a key source of carbon output and improve in-home air quality.
Approved the first vote for the Open Movie Captioning act. I co-introduced Allen’s bill to require certain movie theaters to provide open-movie captioning at specified times to make this entertainment more accessible to all residents.
Voted to commit $515 million in capital funding to modernize Capital One Arena, supporting this critical entertainment hub as an economic driver that provides jobs, generates revenue, and supports the entire District.

My office has heard questions from residents about whether the city’s support for Capital One Arena comes at the expense of schools and other vital programs. Confusion around the funding for the arena is understandable. To clarify, improvements to the arena and surrounding streets and alleys will be funded through the city’s Capital Budget, which supports the development, improvement, or replacement of District-owned physical assets over a six-year period. Public education, human services, and public safety, among other programs, are funded through the Operating Budget. These are separate budgets, and expenditures in the capital budget do not come at the expense of priorities in the operating budget.

FY25 Budget Process Begins

As part of the budget planning process, the Council is conducting Budget Oversight Hearings through May 2. I share many neighbors’ concerns about drastic cuts to educational, housing, health, and human services programs, and will work with the chairman and my colleagues to fully fund our schools while we continue to invest in opportunity for all DC residents.

I encourage you to peruse the schedule for the FY25 Budget Oversight Hearings and submit testimony for issues that matter most to you.

Steps in the Budget Process

1. Performance Oversight

The Council conducted its annual performance oversight hearings, the first step in its agency-by-agency review process. During performance oversight, agency directors responded to questions from councilmembers and residents about their operations over the last year. This conversation informs planning the next fiscal year’s budget.

2. Budget Proposal

The mayor submitted her proposed FY25 budget to the Council on Wednesday, April 3, when we held a hearing asking her questions about her initial plan.

3. Budget Oversite

We are currently in step three when the Council focuses specifically on each agency’s proposed budget and analyzes funding needs for the next fiscal year. The Council uses these discussions in modifying the proposed budget.

4. Council Review

The final phase of the budget process is Council review when Council committees recommend changes to portions of the budget under their purview before the chairman collates them into a single document. The FY25 Council Budget Work Session Presentation is planned for Wednesday, May 15. The Council will vote on the budget twice before sending it to the mayor for her signature.

Upcoming MPD Community Walks

The MPD Second District invites you to this month’s community walks. These are opportunities to join MPD, other government agencies, and fellow neighbors to talk about safety issues in our community and collectively discuss solutions.

Protests Outside of the Embassy of Israel

Many constituents have contacted my office with questions about the demonstrations taking place outside the Embassy of Israel located in Ward 3. The Embassy is on property that is under the jurisdiction of the federal US Secret Service, which is the lead law enforcement agency monitoring the demonstrations and enforcing regulations pertaining to First Amendment activity. While the Secret Service is not under the jurisdiction of the city or the Council, I am in contact with both the Secret Service and MPD regarding questions that have been raised with my office. My staff and I will remain engaged in both the protection of First Amendment rights and the concerns of neighbors impacted by the protests.

Notices from the District Department of Transportation

DDOT is scheduled to conduct roadway maintenance work on Nebraska Avenue NW from Reno Road to Fessenden Street, NW, from Thursday, April 4, through Thursday, April 18. Temporary lane closures are expected with one travel lane open.
There will also be roadway maintenance work on Nebraska Avenue NW from New Mexico Avenue to Ward Circle NW. From around Thursday, April 4, until Wednesday, April 24, expect temporary lane closures with one travel lane open.
DDOT has released a notice of intent for the installation of a Diplomatic Parking Zone along the 3200 block of 44th Street NW. Comments are due by April 30 to matthew.spaniol@dc.gov.

Need Street or Alley Cleaning?

Street cleaning, alley cleaning, mowing and grounds maintenance, and graffiti removal services resumed this week. To request an alley cleaning or street cleaning, contact 311.

Learn more

Watch the Eclipse Safely

DC Public Library is giving away solar sunglasses to community members who want to safely watch Monday’s solar eclipse. Call your local library to make sure they’re in stock before you go to get yours. Ward 3 locations include the Palisades, Cleveland Park, Tenleytown, and Chevy Chase libraries.

Tools to Host Your Neighborhood Events

The DC Office of Planning and DC Public Library have a new, free collection of event materials, tools, and equipment to rent from the MLK Library. The Event Supplies Library is stocked with various party supplies to support your next neighborhood gathering, such as folding tables, coolers, a generator, ladders, a projector and screen, and easels. Residents and small business owners only need a library card to get the supplies they need to host pop-up events, outdoor parties, and community meetings.

Matt on the Move

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a FoodPrints class, FRESHFARM’s hands-on academic approach to food and garden education in public schools, with students at School Without Walls at Francis Stevens. It’s always encouraging to see kids experience how food can go from a garden to being made into a meal with their own hands.

I also read to students at AppleTree Early Learning in Spring Valley last week. Among the work I’m honored to do each day of the week, these moments with our youngest residents are always a joy.

Meet Our New Cranch Legislative Fellow

Hana Fouladi has just joined my office as a Cranch Legislative Fellow. Hana recently graduated from George Washington University Law School with a concentration in international and comparative law. She moved to DC from Washington state, where she previously worked in the Washington State Legislature as a program manager for the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. She has been proud to call DC home since 2021, and I am pleased to have her join our team in the Wilson building.

Have a Ward 3 Service Request?

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests you may have. My Constituent Services team is here to help.

Submit a Constituent Services Request

Government & Community Calendar

Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings

ANC3A: Tuesday, April 16, 7 pm, at the McLean Gardens Ballroom and Zoom
ANC3B: Thursday, April 11, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3C: Wednesday, April 17, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3D: Wednesday, May 1, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3E: Thursday, April 11, 7:30 pm, Zoom
ANC3F: Tuesday, April 23, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3/4G: Monday, April 8, 6 pm, at Chevy Chase Community Center and Zoom

Find Your ANC Here

DC Public Schools is hosting a Math Expo for elementary school families from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, April 6, at Houston Elementary School, 1100 50th Place NE. Expect new math games, math-focused read-alouds, and a science show, as well as face painting, moon bounces, and a LEGO activity room. Lunch and snacks will be provided. RSVP here.

The Healthy Homes Fair is this Saturday, April 6, from 1 to 5 pm, at the DC Armory. Attendees can explore products, services, and incentives available for housing infrastructure and tools to combat climate change while increasing health and comfort. Expect more than 50 exhibitors, an appliance “petting zoo,” an e-bike party, a bouncy castle for the kids, food trucks, and much more.

The Department of Public Works will hold a virtual community conversation on parking enforcement, trash collection, and other DPW services. Register for the meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, April 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

My office’s next Workday in the Ward will be on Thursday, April 25, in Cathedral Heights. Save the date and keep an eye on my social media and the next newsletter for more information.

DC Water is hosting town halls, with a virtual meeting from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, April 30. Save the link for the meeting to learn about proposed rates, current projects, and issues affecting your community.

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter. If you have thoughts about what else you would like to see in these email updates and our social media, please directly contact tcogan@dccouncil.gov.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062