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Dear Neighbor,
Today the Council cast our final vote on the fiscal year 2025 budget. Our budget is a financial document, but it also is a chance to advance a vision for the District. I'm proud of the progress my team and I were able to make through the FY 2025 budget to move us toward a more equitable and functional DC.
Watch my brief video below for highlights on:
- The gaps I fought to fill in the housing budget (emergency rental assistance, housing vouchers, home purchase assistance program, and more)
- My progress on expanding vocational education to give DC's young people hope and a pathway to a successful future
- Budget reforms I got included in the budget to make DC government more efficient and effective. When we reduce wasteful government spending and ensure agencies are meeting their missions this will free up more dollars so we can invest even more in our residents in next year's budget
- Funding for teacher retention to keep amazing educators in our schools and supporting students
- Support for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, DC's unique, hyperlocal elected officials
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The FY 2025 budget that the Council passed today is undoubtedly an improvement from the harsh, inequitable proposal the mayor put forward in March, but there is still so much more work to be done. My focus will continue to be on solving problems, getting residents the housing and human services they need, and digging into government spending to find inefficiencies so we're not facing the same dilemma of whether to raise taxes or cut funding again next year.
I want to thank residents like you who got in touch with me and my office throughout the budget process to share what you wanted to see funded and your vision for DC. I hope you see much of what you pushed for reflected in the budget, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to make the District a better, safer, more equitable place for all of us.
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When you share your perspective, you help create better laws. Below are upcoming hearings in my Committee on Housing and on legislation I've introduced. I encourage you to sign up to testify and share your opinions and insights! You can view all upcoming Council hearings here. To register to testify, click on the hearing link and click the "Register to Testify" button. If you'd rather submit written testimony, click the "Submit Testimony" button.
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Upcoming Community Events | | |
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I'm committed to making myself and my team available and accessible for community members like you. I'll continue spending time in all 8 wards to meet with you in your neighborhood and hear about the concerns on your mind.
My next Community Office Hours will be in Ward 2 on Wednesday, July 10th, from 12:30-2:30 pm at the West End Library
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Below are various resources that I hope will help solve issues you or your family may be facing. And if you have a specific need, my Constituent Services Director, Andre Strickland, is available to support you.
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On July 1st, the Emergency Rental Assistance Portal (ERAP) will re-open. If you plan to apply, you can start pulling your application materials together now. Here's a link to the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) Frequently Asked ERAP Questions for more info on how and what to prepare.
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DC Special Education Hub Family Empowerment Series: Terminology 101: The Who, What, and How of Special Education - Online Training Monday, July 15, from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Zoom
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Free summer meals for youth under 18! From June 26th - August 25th young people have access to no-cost meals at over 100 sites across the city, no application or ID required. Check out meal sites by ward here.
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For landlords, DC Housing Authority will present Keys to Success as a DCHA Partner at 10 a.m. Friday, June 28 in the 5th floor auditorium of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP by noon Wednesday, June 26. Keys to Success is an in-person town hall hosted by the Housing Choice Voucher Program to review the HCV Program, including voucher issuance, inspections, leasing, recertification, special programs, mediation and landlord-tenant issues; describe the rent reasonableness process; and present an overview of the Owner Portal.
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Earn with DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) this summer! DC DPR is currently hiring for hundreds of positions. Learn more and apply here.
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Did you know that DC's DPR gardens host free veggie giveaways every week? Check out available veggies and pick-up locations here.
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Summer trash pick-up alert: Starting in June, through September 6, DPW will begin trash and recycling collections at 6:00 a.m. to beat the heat! On code red days, collections will start at 5:30 a.m.
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Upcoming "Roll-Off Days" for residents to responsibly dispose of bulk trash, debris, and electronics to E-Cycle!
- July 27th: Roll Off Day Ward 5, 10 am - 2 pm, North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson Street NE
- September 7th: Roll Off Day Ward 6, 10 am - 2 pm, King Greenleaf Recreational Center, 201 N Street NW
- October 5th: Roll Off Day Ward 1, 10 am - 2 pm, Banneker Community Center, 2500 Georgia Ave NW
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Are you in a rent-controlled unit and you want to calculate your upcoming 2024 rent increase? For those who have increases taking effect in June, it's a little complicated. The Office of the Tenant Advocate created a rent calculator to help.
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Apply for SUN Bucks: grocery-buying benefits for families with low incomes to use when schools are closed for the summer. Learn more and apply here.
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Need to Reach me or a Member of my Team? | |
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My office is available to you. Connect with me and my staff via phone or email. Please call my personal office at (202) 724-8174, or my committee office at (202) 727-8270, or email any of my team members in the staff directory, below.
Your feedback is incredibly valuable! If you have a moment, please take my 3-question constituent survey:
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Robert C. White, Jr. Councilmember, At-Large | Council of the District of Columbia
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