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Dear Neighbors,
The DC Council has cast its first of two votes on the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget. While this has been one of the most difficult budget years in recent memory, and there is still more work to be done to address remaining challenges, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved to date.
Despite obstacles posed by Congressional delays in passing a Continuing Resolution, which froze hundreds of millions of local tax dollars in FY25, and a $1 billion decrease in projected revenue over the District’s financial plan due to federal actions, I believe we’ve managed to strike a thoughtful balance. We remain committed to fiscal responsibility while continuing to invest in the priorities that matter most. I appreciate Chairman Mendelson and my colleagues for working together through difficult choices to land where we are today.
I’m especially pleased that we’ve protected critical funding for our schools, which I fought for from day one. School budgets across the city, including in Ward 3, are in a very strong place. We also successfully maintained funding for the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP) next year, another critical program for Ward 3 and the city as a whole that helps keep early educators in the classroom. These are major wins for families and our youngest learners that were at the top of my priority list from the outset of the budget process. It is great to have been able to bring them home.
The budget also preserves economic development and incentives to help retain and grow small and local businesses, including funding for support programs run by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), grants and technical assistance for workforce development programs and businesses, as well as Main Streets and commercial corridor revitalization programs. The Council also restored cuts that would affect seniors, safety net programs, housing assistance, and legal aid for residents.
At the first budget vote, I supported a successful amendment to fund the implementation of the Ranked Choice Voting portion of Initiative 83 (I-83), and I appreciate the leadership of Councilmembers Lewis George and Nadeau in introducing the amendment. As a citizen of the District, I believe this strengthens our democracy.
While there have been some positives in the budget process, there also remain gaps in funding for health care and social services (more on that below in the “From the Chair” section). The current budget would result in thousands losing health insurance, and I am concerned for those residents who may not easily transition to other coverage.
The budget also significantly under invests in the District’s environmental agenda. With a lot of credit to my predecessor Mary Cheh, the District has been a leader in urban environmental policy. The Transportation and Environment Committee had a herculean task in trying to reverse major cuts in the mayor’s budget proposal. One focus for me before the second budget vote will be to work to identify additional fixes, including support for stormwater infrastructure maintenance.
I will also be continuing to work on policy issues that are still in motion, including tipped worker wages, support for the University of the District of Columbia, and preserving funding for programs and services like the DC Oral History Project and support for young people with disabilities at St. Coletta of Greater Washington.
The second vote on the budget is July 28. There is more work to do between now and then, but I am pleased with what we have been able to accomplish so far in our constrained budget context.
As always, thank you for your engagement and support. It makes a difference. Read more about the entire FY26 budget as well as the specific work of the Committee on Human Services below.
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Matt Frumin
Ward 3 Councilmember
| | July 14 Legislative Meetings: Budget, Ballot Initiatives, & More | | |
On Monday, July 14, the DC Council held a pivotal session at the Wilson Building, advancing a wide-ranging budget and weighing in on key policy issues that will shape the District’s future, from health care and housing to elections and economic development.
As we do every year, the Council reviews and refines the mayor’s proposed budget to ensure it reflects the values of our city and meets the needs of all our residents. The mayor’s budget had strong investments in key areas, including public safety, education, and economic development, but there were still critical gaps that needed to be filled. On Monday, the Council gave preliminary approval to a $22 billion budget for FY26. While we were able to soften some of the most painful proposed cuts, this budget still leaves concerning issues.
Among the areas where we made progress:
- Legal Services: We were able to restore funds for the Access to Justice initiative, which supports legal aid for residents facing eviction and domestic violence.
- Public Safety: We restored cuts to victim services and consolidated violence interruption programs under the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE), while ensuring ONSE is resourced to take on this work responsibly. We also funded MPD to ensure they are able to properly recruit and retain officers.
We also protected a number of investments I was able to secure during the committee budget process, including:
- Enhanced funding for Main Street organizations citywide
- Additional funding for Senior Villages citywide
- Funding for Iona’s Dementia Navigators program, which serves those suffering from dementia and their caregivers in all eight wards
- Funding for public space maintenance in Friendship Heights through a new commercial corridor Clean Team
- Tax abatement for So Others Might Eat (SOME) to support affordable housing in Ward 3
- Other important investments described below in the “From the Chair” section
However, deep concerns remain:
- Health Coverage: Roughly 27,000 residents are at risk of losing coverage through the Healthcare Alliance program, and more than 25,000 others will see reduced benefits through Medicaid, exacerbated by coming cuts at the federal level. These are unacceptable outcomes, especially for patients, our safety net, and pediatric hospitals like Children’s National. I will continue working with colleagues ahead of the July 28 vote to explore every avenue to mitigate these impacts.
- Climate and Environment: The Department of Energy and Environment saw steep cuts in the mayor’s proposed budget. While the Council was able to partially restore funds for solar initiatives and Anacostia cleanup, the city’s commitment to its climate goals remains under threat.
The Council also advanced funding for Ranked Choice Voting, fulfilling a core part of I-83, which voters approved last year. While some colleagues raised concerns about potential confusion among voters, I support Ranked Choice Voting as a tool to empower residents with more voice and choice in our elections. An essential part of this rollout will be an extensive education campaign to ensure all voters, especially seniors and new voters, understand the new system ahead of elections. The Council declined, for now, to fund the second part of the initiative that would allow independents to vote in party primaries, which I also support, and this is a debate that will continue.
On Initiative 82 (I-82) and tipped wages, I joined a majority of my Council colleagues in rejecting a last-minute proposal to restructure pay for tipped workers. The mayor’s original proposal would have fully repealed I-82. Some of my colleagues tried to strike a compromise that included a hybrid base wage of $8 along with an elevated wage of $20; employers would make up the difference if a worker didn’t earn that elevated wage through tips. The Council voted 7 to 5 against that compromise. As a result, I-82 was not repealed either, so the issue remains unresolved, and further discussions are ongoing ahead of the final budget vote.
In addition to the budget vote, the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants and Landlords (RENTAL) Act, which promises to make important changes to the legal landscape for our rental properties, was on the agenda. The bill would change eviction procedures in situations that could affect the safety of a tenant or a landlord’s employee, change timelines for evictions, and change rules relating to the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) that gives tenants rights when the building they live in is put up for sale. During debate, it became clear that more time was needed to work through divisions around those policies, so a first vote was postponed until July 28.
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From the Chair:
Committee on Human Services Updates
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As Chair of the Committee on Human Services, my focus during the budget process has been on restoring essential programs, improving efficiency, and making sure our human services agencies are set up to successfully deliver for District residents. This budget season, my committee worked with our agencies to improve how they operate, streamlining both case management and grantmaking processes so they can deliver services more effectively and within budget. We also identified $11 million to keep the District’s public libraries open, accessible, and in good condition. Libraries are spaces that serve not just as places to read, but as vital community hubs.
One major proposal from the mayor would have made significant changes to cash assistance for families through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Rather than rush those changes, we pressed pause, delaying implementation for a year to allow for a full public hearing and working group to better understand the impacts and hear directly from the community. We also made a meaningful change for families receiving cash assistance by increasing the amount of child support that is passed directly through to families from $150 to $200 per month. That’s $600 more per year, per child, going straight into the pockets of families who need it most.
The committee also restored local funding for domestic violence services, ensuring continuity for survivors who rely on this support. For young people experiencing homelessness, we expanded access to extended transitional housing, providing more youth with a safe place to stay and a chance to stabilize. We also took action to protect the dignity of families staying in shelter by putting strong guardrails in place for a new short-term placement site at the Salvation Army Harbor Light facility.
Over the past several weeks, I’ve worked closely with Chairman Mendelson and the Council Budget Office to push for further investments in housing stability. I’m proud that the final budget includes:
- 100 new DC Flex shallow subsidies to help families avoid homelessness
- 160 new Targeted Affordable Housing vouchers
- 20 new Permanent Supportive Housing vouchers for residents with more complex needs
- $11.5 million enhancement to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
The Committee on Human Services’ efforts reflect broad input from residents, advocates, businesses, and homelessness services operators. I was proud to have put forward a committee report that won broad support from stakeholders, but I am equally proud of my team for continuing to work between the issuance of that report and the first vote to refine proposals in response to input from stakeholders. That work continues between first and second vote, but again here, the accomplishment to date has been significant.
To learn more, view the full Committee Report on my website
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Get Help Navigating the New Bus Network
On June 29, WMATA officially launched the Better Bus Network, the most significant overhaul of our Metrobus system in 50 years. To help you adjust to the changes, WMATA’s Trip Planner now reflects the new routes. You can also sign up for the Better Bus Dispatch newsletter or view past issues for more information.
Do you still have questions about the new bus network? Join an upcoming community forum to help residents navigate the new system. The Chevy Chase Community Association (CCCA) and Friends of Bus Transit (FoBus) are hosting a virtual forum on Wednesday, July 23, from 7:00 to 8:45 pm on Zoom. This event, “Clarifying the New Bus Network,” will provide an in-depth look at how the changes impact routes in and around Ward 3 and beyond.
The forum will feature:
- A detailed presentation by FoBus covering route changes, new line numbers, stop relocations, and transfer points.
- Specific information about service to and from key locations.
- A live Q&A during which residents can ask how the new network affects their specific travel needs, such as commuting or reaching appointments.
Whether you’re a frequent bus rider or just trying to figure out your new commute, this event is a great opportunity to get your questions answered. Registration is required, and residents can register to attend here. For more details, visit cccadc.org, or email questions to fobus-input@groups.io.
Over the past year, my office worked closely with Ward 3 residents to ensure our community’s needs were represented in WMATA’s feedback process. More than 350 individuals and organizations provided input, and I hosted the Ward 3 Better Bus Forum to bring WMATA staff and constituents together. The feedback we gathered informed a detailed letter I submitted to WMATA last July, which helped shape the final network.
As your Councilmember, I remain committed to ensuring that these system changes work for Ward 3 residents. While WMATA is no longer collecting formal public comments, my team and I will continue to listen closely to your experiences. If you would like to share feedback on the bus network with my office, you can submit an email message or call at 202-724-8062.
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Higher Pepco Bills and Storm Readiness
Many Ward 3 residents are noticing a rise in their Pepco bills this summer. This is partially due to hotter weather and higher air conditioning use. However, there are several other contributing factors, and increased energy costs are a result of multiple regional and national trends affecting how electricity is sourced and priced.
Pepco, like many utilities across the country, doesn’t generate much of its own electricity. Instead, it purchases electricity through annual capacity auctions run by regional grid operators. For our area, that’s PJM Interconnection, which coordinates electricity across 13 states and Washington, DC. Although it stands for Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Maryland, PJM serves more than 65 million people, far beyond just those three states.
The most recent auction, held in July 2024, set prices that went into effect starting June 2025. These rates reflect a tighter energy market caused by a combination of factors:
- Decommissioning of older fossil fuel plants has reduced available supply.
- Delays in connecting new renewable energy sources to the grid have slowed the growth of clean energy.
- Demand for power is rising, due to everything from higher summer temperatures to growing use of electricity across sectors, including data centers and electrified transportation.
All of this adds up to higher prices for energy, which are now being passed on to consumers. Pepco encourages customers to explore bill assistance and energy-saving programs:
Be Prepared for Summer Storms
Recent severe thunderstorms have brought damaging winds and lightning to the area, increasing the risk of outages. Pepco crews are monitoring the grid and are ready to respond quickly to restore power when needed.
In the event of an outage:
- Report downed wires immediately at 1-877-PEPCO-62 or via the Pepco app or website.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors.
- Use generators safely—never operate them indoors or connect them directly to home wiring.
During restoration efforts, Pepco prioritizes:
- Life-threatening emergencies and critical facilities like hospitals and fire stations.
- Major power lines serving large groups of customers.
- Individual neighborhoods, homes, and businesses.
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Heads-Up: Nighttime Roadwork on Canal Road NW Begins Today
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin a roadway resurfacing project on Canal Road NW, from Foxhall Road NW to Clark Place NW, starting Thursday, July 17, 2025. Work will take place from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am, Monday through Friday, weather permitting.
The project is expected to be completed by Friday, August 22, 2025.
What to Expect:
- Nighttime lane closures: At least one lane will remain open at all times.
- Possible Saturday daytime work (only with prior DDOT approval).
- Temporary parking restrictions along the work zone. Look for posted “Emergency No Parking” signs, which will go up at least 72 hours in advance and include details on hours and duration of the work.
- Traffic control: Flaggers, signs, and arrow boards will guide traffic safely around work zones.
- Bus routes will not be affected, but drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians should use caution and be alert for detours or route adjustments near the project area.
Cyclists are encouraged to plan alternative routes when possible during active work hours.
For updates and project info, visit www.ddot.dc.gov or check out goDCgo.com for travel alternatives around the District.
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Health Insurance for Recently Unemployed Workers
DC Health Link has quality, affordable health insurance available to residents impacted by the downsizing of the federal government. Free help is available. To learn more about your health insurance options:
For support services offered through the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs, please visit communityaffairs.dc.gov. Residents may also access additional resources at fedsupport.dc.gov.
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August Pet Adoption Event
The District contracts with Brandywine Valley SPCA to administer animal welfare services. BVSPCA is excited to be teaming up with NBCUniversal for its annual Clear The Shelters adoption event on Saturday, August 2. Join them at either of their locations, 1201 New York Ave NE or 4 DC Village Lane SW, where adoption fees for all pets will be waived. You can learn more about Brandywine Valley SPCA and its services at bvspca.org/dc. To report an animal in distress in the District, please call BVSPCA at (202) 888-PETS.
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Palisades 4th of July Parade
My team and I kicked off Independence Day weekend by marching in the Palisades Community Parade on the Fourth of July. It’s one of my favorite traditions, a true neighborhood celebration of community pride and local spirit. I loved seeing familiar faces lining the route, waving flags, and cheering alongside neighbors, youth groups, and local businesses. It was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with purpose and joy.
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Fort Stevens Day Commemoration
On Saturday, July 12, I joined neighbors and local historians at the Fort Stevens Day commemoration to honor the brave individuals who fought in the only Civil War battle to take place in the District. Standing on those historic grounds, I was reminded of how vital it is that we preserve our city’s history and continue to support the parks and public spaces that keep that history alive.
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Bastille Day Celebration
I also stopped by Fessenden Park on July 12 for the annual Bastille Day celebration hosted by Tenleytown Main Street. It was a joy to celebrate French culture, enjoy music and good food, and connect with so many residents in a festive, welcoming setting. Events like this highlight the international spirit and rich cultural diversity that make our community thrive.
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Rosedale Community Picnic
On Saturday, I spent the evening at the Rosedale Community Picnic, a truly heartwarming event filled with families, local artists, and dedicated volunteers. I had great conversations, listened to music, and saw firsthand the power of community-driven programming in bringing people together and strengthening our neighborhoods.
| | 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 you. | | | Government & Community Calendar | | |
Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings
ANC3A: Tuesday, September 16, 7:00 pm, McLean Gardens Ballroom & Zoom
ANC3B: Thursday, September 11, 7:00 pm, Zoom
ANC3C: Monday, July 21, 7:00 pm, Zoom
ANC3D: Wednesday, September 3, 7:00 pm, Zoom
ANC3E: Thursday, July 22, 7:30 pm, Zoom
ANC3F: Tuesday, September 16, 7:00 pm, Zoom
ANC3/4G: Monday, July 28, 6:30 pm, Zoom
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National Night Out
On Tuesday, August 5, celebrate National Night Out at Guy Mason Recreation Center from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. This annual event brings together community members, local officials, and law enforcement to strengthen neighborhood spirit and promote public safety. Hosted in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department, National Night Out is a chance to enjoy an evening of connection, food, and family-friendly activities, all while showing that our communities are united and looking out for one another.
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Cleveland Park Night Market
Join fellow residents for the Cleveland Park Night Market on Thursday, July 24 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm along Connecticut Avenue. This lively outdoor market brings together local artisans, makers, and small businesses for an evening full of shopping, community, and summer fun. It’s a great way to support our local economy while enjoying all that makes Cleveland Park so vibrant. Come out, stroll the avenue, and soak up the atmosphere.
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Chevy Chase DC Day
Mark your calendars for Chevy Chase DC Day on Saturday, September 20 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. This annual celebration is a fantastic way to enjoy the heart of our Chevy Chase community, with festivities taking place around the Chevy Chase Commons, including the Library, Community Center, and Connecticut Avenue. It’s always a great day filled with local flavor, family-friendly fun, and neighborhood pride. Celebrate everything that makes Chevy Chase such a special part of Ward 3. More details to come, so stay tuned.
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Councilmember Matt Frumin
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 408
202-724-8062
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