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Christian,


I've had nearly a month to settle into my new role and now have begun the first push of 2023: budget season. The FY 24 budget process will consume most of the first half of this year, presenting numerous opportunities to secure needed funding for schools, affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, recreation centers for our ward and city.


As I prepare to send Mayor Bowser a list of my own funding requests, I continue to seek feedback about your budget priorities. This week's newsletter highlights three easy ways to make your voice heard this budget season. In the coming months, I'll champion funding priorities that will create a more welcoming, inclusive Ward 3. Your advocacy can help us cross the finish line.


My newsletter also includes updates about the Revised Criminal Code Act, Chevy Chase Public Surplus discussion, government services, legislative news, and more.

Best,

Matt Frumin

Councilmember for Ward 3

Participate in the Budget Process

This budget season presents many opportunities for Ward 3. In the coming months, we have a chance to fully fund our schools, revitalize commercial corridors, and make Ward 3 a more affordable, welcoming home. To accomplish these goals, your input throughout the entire budget cycle is critical. This section highlights recent opportunities and looks ahead to how you can make your voice heard during the upcoming performance oversight hearings.

 

Budget Priority Listening Session

On Saturday, January 21, 50+ Ward 3 residents attended my first annual budget priority listening session.


Residents' funding requests covered affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and pickleball courts.


Their feedback will help me draft budget priorities that reflect the needs of Ward 3 neighbors.

Budget Input Form

If you couldn't attend the listening session or would prefer to submit detailed written feedback, use our budget input form.


We're still collecting responses, but the form will close on Monday, January 30 to ensure ample time to prepare our funding requests. Click here to share your priorities.

 

Performance Oversight


Starting this week, the Council will hold performance oversight hearings for each DC agency. These hearings are an opportunity for residents to share their concerns with agency leadership.


I will actively participate in as many performance oversight hearings as I can, advocating for Ward 3 and demanding improved services and agency accountability. I strongly encourage you to join me in attending these hearings and make your voice heard.


You can find information about testifying at performance oversight hearings here. Each committee has its own sign-up process, but you can typically testify virtually and by voicemail. Language interpretation, closed captioning, and other accessibility services are available by request.

Performance Oversight Hearing Information
 

Have a question about participating in the budget process? Team Frumin is here to help. Contact Elias Benda, Legislative Assistant, (ebenda@dccouncil.gov) for assistance.

MPD 2D MEETING


On January 25, I met with MPD 2D Commander Bedlion to discuss critical public safety issues facing Ward 3. I toured the station, participated in dialogue on the Revised Criminal Code Act, and reiterated my support for a community-focused policing strategy. After recent gun violence in our ward, I represented residents’ concerns and advocated for continued partnership between law enforcement, the community, and the Council. We need to do more to address the real public safety concerns facing our city.

Legislative News

I voted to override the Mayor's veto of the Revised Criminal Code Act, clarify implementation of the tipped minimum wage increase, and commemorate the service of former State Board of Education Rep. Karen Lee Williams.


I also co-introduced critical legislation that will incentivize greener, more sustainable transportation options.

 

Addressing the Revised Criminal Code


I understand there is deep concern about crime in the city and the recent series of frightening episodes in our community. I share those concerns and seek to work with MPD and specifically with the 2nd District to address them. 


For my first substantive vote, the Council was called upon to vote on the mayor’s veto of the Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA). I joined 11 of my colleagues in voting to override that veto. 


The politics of crime are difficult, but I regret the mayor’s decision to veto the RCCA. 


Our current criminal code was drafted by Congress before World War I and an update was desperately needed.  The RCCA is the product of a 17-year process, input from an independent commission of experts, and three Council hearings. The provisions in the RCCA will not begin to take effect until 2025 and will fully phase in by 2030.


You may have heard that the RCCA softens penalties for violent crime. It simply is not the case that it will lower such penalties as a practical matter. See this recent article from Slate, here.  Everyone involved in the debate, on all sides, acknowledges that at last 95% of the 500-page bill made important, consensus changes and that the project to get it done was Herculean. If the Mayor had issues with the RCCA, the appropriate step was to come forward with legislation outlining her specific proposed changes that she wanted to see fixed before the RCCA began to take effect in 2025. It may be that she will do that now and, if she does, I will take a hard look at those proposed changes. 


Throwing the 500-page baby out with the bathwater, in my opinion, was a mistake. Therefore, I joined all but one of my colleagues in voting to override the veto. 


Public safety must be a top priority.


I look forward to working with all stakeholders in the effort to make our city safer. I will be guided by two principles – (1) that accountability is critical and (2) we will not make our way to safety by incarceration alone. As I work to keep neighbors safe, I am determined to be guided not by the politics of crime but by evidence-based solutions. 

Get the Facts about the RCCA
 
 

The E-BIKE Act

I ride my e-bike almost daily around DC, avoiding traffic and lowering my carbon footprint. The environmental and health benefits of e-bikes are unmatched, but their cost makes them out of reach for too many DC residents.


I proudly co-introduced Councilmember Brooke Pinto's E-BIKE Act, which will subsidize a portion of an e-bike's cost. The bill would cover up to $1200 for residents making less than 80% MFI or $400 for those earning at or above 80% MFI. This will make e-bikes more affordable for all DC residents and incentivize choosing a greener transportation option.

Learn More

Revitalizing the Chevy Chase Civic Core


There has been substantial concern raised about the process for considering proposed changes to the Chevy Chase Civic Core. I have long supported the idea of remaking the library and recreations center and adding housing, especially affordable housing, on the site. I see the planning for the Civic Core as an extraordinary, once-in-a-generation opportunity. I also acknowledge that it is a process that has risks.


A focus in the last months has been concern that the process will move too quickly and the city will give away the property before the community has meaningful input into what happens there. I am determined not to let that happen.


I have been clear with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) that I do not want to vote on surplussing until there has been a meaningful community input in the creation of any Request for Proposals (RFP) for the property. I have been clear that I expect such an RFP to emphasize the need for adequate green and play space, any building having appropriate transitions to the residential neighborhood behind it, the inclusion of significant affordable housing, and underground parking that can also be accessed to support the commercial corridor. I intend to work with DMPED, ANC 3/4G and members of the community to ensure input into the RFP. I know that I will be judged in Chevy Chase in part by this project. I intend to do all I can to ensure it is something I and as many as possible in the community can be proud of.


It is my hope that when the dust settles, we can have a great new library and recreation center complete with added housing on this site. I look forward to working with ANC 3/4G and the Chevy Chase community to make that happen. 

Recent OSSE Bus Service Delays


Since the start of 2023, persistent significant bus delays have disrupted families' school routines. These delays primarily impacted students with disabilities, leading to unnecessary absences and learning difficulties.


As OSSE implements its plan to navigate driver and attendant shortages, it should be more communicative with parents about delays and service interruptions. I am committed to ensuring OSSE has the resources to provide special education students the transportation they are entitled to.


If your child experienced routine service delays, costs for both self-travel and ride-share for commutes to and from school can be reimbursed. To request reimbursement and learn more about OSSE's plan to address these delays, click here.

Learn more about OSSE Delays

#YourMetro Survey


Metro invites customers to provide feedback on its strategic transformation plan, #YourMetro, The Way Forward. During the public comment period, customers can express viewpoints on the plan’s goals and learn more about Metro’s initiatives.

Share #YourMetro Feedback

Ready2Play Master Plan


Ready2Play, DPR's 20 year master plan for parks and recreation, is now open for public comment.


Click here to review the master plan and share your views about how DC can improve its parks and recreation offerings in the coming decades.

Learn about Ready2Play

We're Hiring!

Join my team! I'm seeking an organized, highly detail-minded individual with an interest in serving the Ward 3 community to fill the Scheduler and Staff Assistant position in my office. Visit dccouncil.gov/jobs-solicitations21/ to review current openings.

Need Help?

 

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests. Our Constituent Services team is here to help.

Contact our Constituent Services Team
 

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

(202) 724-8062

 
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