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Dear neighbors,
As Council Period 26 continues, I am focused on the work of serving District residents. In the last month, I have introduced or re-introduced four pieces of legislation. I wrote about two of those bills to support the housing ecosystem in my previous newsletter.
In addition to those two, I re-introduced my Universal Out-of-School Time bill, which would provide universal access to out-of-school-time programming for all youth enrolled in a public school in the District by 2036. Out-of-school time programs provide enriching opportunities for students and are shown to lower truancy and increase public safety, but there are not enough seats for every student in DC. I also re-introduced the Nurse Licensure Compact Authorization Act of 2025, which would allow licensed registered and licensed practical/vocational nurses in party states to practice in the District and for multistate licensed nurses in the District to practice in other party states. This would bring DC in line with many other states that have similar compacts to allow access to more seamless patient care even when across state lines. We are facing a serious shortage of nurses and entry into the compact can provide us with access to a larger pool of potential workers in this critical field.
The Council also continues with performance oversight hearings, and readers can find more information on oversight and hearings below.
This week, the Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) instructed Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Programs (PKEEP) (Communikids Preschool and Children’s Language Center, Two Birds Tenleytown and the St Alban’s Early Childhood Center in Ward 3) to inform parents that it cannot confirm funding in the fiscal year 2026 budget for PKEEP, which provides free PK3 and PK4 seats for District residents. Last year, there were moves to cut PKEEP funding, and I worked with Chairman Mendelson to restore full funding. Now again, the letter to parents indicates that PKEEP funding is far from secure. Indeed, there were indications that OSSE might take a step like this in the past weeks. I have already been meeting with key officials including the mayor and Chairman to urge that we once again fully fund this important program.
Cuts to PKEEP would be bad in all parts of the city, but especially so in Ward 3 where we do not have publicly funded seats for PK3 (other than at AppleTree in Spring Valley) and too few PK4 seats to serve our families. PKEEP offers a cost-effective way for the city to meet PK3 and PK4 needs in Ward 3 that cannot otherwise be met without major capital investment.
More to follow on this issue. While I have a number of priorities in this budget season, preserving PKEEP has been, is, and will be a high priority for me.
Speaking of other high priorities, DCPS released initial school budgets today. Schools are looking over what has been proposed and will be reaching back to DCPS in the next five days to ask for changes as needed to those proposed budgets. I look forward to hearing from school communities in the coming days and if need be will work closely with them to ensure our schools are fully, predictably, and adequately funded.
Sincerely,
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Matt Frumin
Ward 3 Councilmember
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Upcoming Performance Oversight Hearings and the Budget Process | |
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The Council continues holding performance oversight hearings for District government agencies. Over the last two weeks, I have been engaging in oversight hearings and conducting one-on-one meetings with key agency directors – the Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Department of General Services (DGS) (which manages our capital projects and significant maintenance for DCPS and DPR) and the Department of Buildings (DOB) – to review issues of concern in the Ward. DC Water has also been an important focus given the amount of work they are doing in the Ward and the challenges we have faced with that work as well as challenges around their treatment of bill appeals. The Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL), which serves our seniors, has been another focus in oversight. And, of course, our education agencies.
The oversight season offers an excellent opportunity to push projects along and address issues that have been significant and unfortunately persistent issues. I have been pleased with how many things we have been able to move forward in this process.
For a full schedule of remaining hearings, residents can view the Council calendar. Residents can also sign up to testify during an upcoming committee hearing, search for legislation, and watch public hearings.
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The Chief Financial Officer will release his revenue forecast tomorrow, which serves as the “ceiling” for expenditures in the coming fiscal year. Next, in March, the mayor reconciles agency requests, her vision for the District, and the available revenue to propose any cuts, increases, or changes in each agency. Then, at the start of April, the mayor will present her proposed budget to the Council. Council committees will then initiate the second piece of the agency-by-agency review, holding hearings focusing specifically on each agency’s proposed budget. The Council will vote on the budget in late May and early June.
Last month, I hosted my third annual Budget Listening Session, a chance for constituents to share their thoughts on how the District should prioritize its spending in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Residents can also share their priorities directly with the mayor at one of her upcoming budget engagement forums. There will be a forum today at 5:30 pm at Rosedale Recreation Center, 1701 Gales St NE, as well as another forum scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11:30 am at Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th St NW.
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From the Chair:
Committee on Human Services Updates
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At 4:00 am on February 21, amid freezing temperatures, DC Fire and EMS responded to an underground fire explosion near the intersection of M and 21st streets NW that caused power outages for nearby residents and businesses in the West End neighborhood in Ward 2. The Aston, a new non-congregate transitional housing facility for people formerly experiencing homelessness, was among the impacted residences. This disruption created a crisis that could have had seriously adverse consequences for a very vulnerable population. The Department of Human Services (DHS) did an exceptional job in ensuring Aston residents were temporarily relocated and were able to return home two days later when power was restored. As chair of the Committee on Human Services, I actively monitored this situation, as did Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, to ensure the process went as smoothly. Thank you to the DC Public Libraries for extending hours at the West End Library to offer a warming area, restroom access, charging docks, and other non-library services to displaced residents. Thanks also to Pepco which was responsive throughout the process and worked quickly to address a challenging situation.
I visited the Department of Human Services facilities on February 14. I received a presentation from DHS staff followed by tours of the headquarters, the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, and the Taylor Street Service Center. I was able to meet and connect with the senior leadership team, observe firsthand the intake center for families experiencing homelessness, experience a short-term family housing (STFH) program, and see how DHS connects people with benefits a benefits service center. DHS is a complex and important agency and this hands-on visit was an important step (but only one of the early steps) in the process strengthening my ability to provide maximally effective oversight of it.
The committee held a performance oversight hearing for the Office on Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment. Residents can view testimony, and watch a recording of the hearing on my YouTube page, @CMFrumin. A schedule of the committee’s upcoming hearings is below. The committee meets at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, and every hearing will stream live at https://www.youtube.com/@cmfrumin. To sign up to testify for any hearing, follow the link for each agency included below. Please note that witnesses who sign up via the HMS links below also need to sign up for a personalized Zoom link if planning to participate virtually. All witnesses will receive an e-mail 48 hours before the hearing that includes detailed instructions on how to enter the building or Zoom and participate in the hearing.
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DPW Collection Information
DPW remains on regular trash and recycling collections, and although there have been delays, crews are focusing on clearing any remaining backlog. Holiday trees can be placed at the curb for collection through the end of the month. DPW is continuing second passes to collect remaining leaves in Sections B, C, and D this week. Residents can check out DPW’s real-time leaf collection tracker for updates.
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Get the Latest Information on DC Water Projects
DC Water has several extensive ongoing projects in Ward 3. On Albemarle St NW, the latest timeline estimates the final inspection at the end of July. DC Water has committed to attending monthly ANC 3F meetings and to providing continued updates. Residents seeking more information can contact the 24/7 Dedicated Project Hotline at 202-301-8058, or the Project Email at soapstone.info@dcwater.com. Residents can email “ADD ME” to that address to receive updates directly to their inbox.
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The agency is also working on a 100-year pipe replacement project across the District, and work has been going on for some months now in Chevy Chase. This is a critical infrastructure project to replace old and aging materials. The project manager for this work is John Ingle 202-313-1541, or john.ingle@dcwater.com. | |
DC Water has committed to providing more information and to be available to residents for questions and updates, including hand-delivering project information sheets to all nearby property owners. Residents can also contact Joyous Willis, DC Water Senior Community Affairs Specialist, at 202-787-4065 or joyous.willis@dcwater.com to request their contact information be added to DC Water’s distribution list to receive the latest updates directly to their inbox. Residents can also contact the DC Water 24-hour Emergency/Command Center at 202-612-3400 with questions. Project information, including contact information of managers for specific projects, is posted to the DC Water website at www.dcwater.com. | |
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Rising Utility Bills
My office has received inquiries about high electric bills. According to Pepco, colder-than-average temperatures and changes in rates and the cost of electricity have led to fluctuations in recent bills.
Pepco is taking the following steps to help customers:
- No late payment fees for January and February 2025
- Longer repayment periods of up to 24 months
- Suspending disconnections for nonpayment in February 2025
- Waiving deposits for disconnected customers who are seeking to restore service
If you need support with bill payment options, financial assistance, or energy savings, visit pepco.com/BillSupport. Customers can also continue to reach out to their Customer Care team directly by calling 202-833-7500.
To learn more about programs to fit your needs, including financial assistance, bill management, and energy efficiency and savings information, customers can visit the company’s Assistance Finder webpage.
Customers can also visit pepco.com/BillSupport for tools to equip them with additional information on understanding their energy bills, rates, and more.
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Prepare for the Better Bus Network Beginning this Summer
The Better Bus Network, the comprehensive redesign of the bus system, is launching this summer. Residents can find information, including maps, lists of new routes and stops compared to previous ones, and other helpful resources on WMATA’s website. Residents can also sign up for the agency’s newsletter at wmata.com/BetterBus.
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Employment Resources for Residents
The District’s Unemployment Insurance program provides temporary financial assistance to qualified individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of the District of Columbia.
To receive unemployment insurance, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be unemployed through no fault of your own
- Be able, available, and actively looking for work
- Have earned enough wages to file a claim
These career support programs, provided by the Department of Employment Services and non-profit partners, provide job seekers support on their career journey.
Residents seeking more information about health insurance options can visit DC Health Link for more information.
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Celebrating the 5th anniversary of Go-Go Legislation
On President’s Day, I joined fellow community members to celebrate the five-year anniversary of go-go music as the official music of DC at “Roll Call Vol. 1: Live at the Howard Theatre.” Hosted by DC Public Library, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, the show featured performances by Junkyard Band, Backyard Band, Northeast Groovers, Pock3tBand, DJRemii, and DJ Big John. The Go-Go Music of The District of Columbia Designation Act of 2019 also implemented programs to support and archive go-go music and its rich history in the District. Residents can now experience and learn more about go-go music and its history at The Go-Go Museum & Café, which opened its new location at 1920 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE on February 19. Admission is free and open to the public.
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DCIAA Boys Basketball Championship Final
On February 20, I had the pleasure of attending a thrilling game between Cardozo and Jackson-Reed high schools in the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) tournament championship game. DCIAA is the athletic association of DC Public Schools. Both teams played terrific basketball, and it came down to the very end. Cardozo won by a final score of 53-52. Congratulations to both teams on great seasons!
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Foxhall Community Citizens Association
On Tuesday, I attended a meeting of the Foxhall Community Citizens Association for a Q & A session. Topics included the FY26 budget process, MacArthur High School updates, Home Rule, public safety, and more. Thanks to the FCCA for hosting me.
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Have a Ward 3 Service Request? | | |
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Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests you may have. My Constituent Services team is here to help you. | | |
Government & Community Calendar | |
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Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings
ANC3A: Tuesday, March 18, 7:00 pm, McLean Gardens Ballroom & Zoom
ANC3B: Thursday, March 13, 7:00 pm, Zoom
ANC3C: Monday, March 17, 7:00 pm, Zoom
ANC3D: Wednesday, March 5, 7:00 pm, Zoom
ANC3E: Thursday, March 13, 7:30 pm, Zoom
ANC3F: Tuesday, March 18, 7:00 pm, Zoom
ANC3/4G: Monday, March 10, 7:00 pm, Zoom
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Friendship Heights Survey Open Until March 12
Share your input and help shape the future of Friendship Heights by participating in a community survey about what it's like to visit, work, live, and do business in Friendship Heights. The survey, which is being conducted by the Friendship Heights Alliance, takes about 15 minutes and the deadline in March 12.
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Tour Del Taco
Hosted by District Bridges and Main Streets program, spend the month of March bouncing all over DC trying taco restaurants, earning points along the way, and voting for your favorites. There are several participants in Ward 3 so far, including in Cleveland Park. Learn more at the event page.
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Councilmember Matt Frumin
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 408
202-724-8062
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