Dear Neighbor,
We are off to a busy start in 2022 with getting folks more access to testing, vaccines, and boosters, and working to address the troubling rise in public safety concerns we continue to see. Please also know there is a new Ward 2 COVID Center at 926 F Street NW offering tests and vaccinations – more details below!
The Council is focusing on agency performance oversight hearings and the Fiscal Year 2023 budget over the course of the next several months. During this time of year, the Council conducts Agency Performance Oversight hearings to evaluate the delivery of services to DC residents. This is an important time of year to hear neighbors' concerns and recommendations and hold our agency partners accountable. These hearings will conclude on Friday, March 10th and the full oversight schedule can be found here: I encourage folks to sign up to testify or watch these hearings.
In addition during this time, the Mayor is meeting with her cabinet to evaluate Agency spending and determining proposed spending for the upcoming fiscal year. I will send our Ward 2 budget priorities to the Mayor to request that she include them in her budget next week. On January 13th, I held a Ward 2 Budget forum to hear directly from neighbors on the budget. Community input in this process is critical and I hope you will continue to reach out to me and my team to share your recommendations.
As we continue to grapple with the pandemic and the rise in the Omicron variant, I know that this time is especially challenging for students, families, seniors, and businesses. The resilience of residents as we come together to support each other is inspiring and it remains my priority to work every day on behalf of each of you as we get through the immediate threats with an eye towards longer term investments and recovery for our city.
Yours in Service,
Brooke
Over the last few weeks, Councilmember Pinto and her team were excited to connect with neighbors in their communities and at other public events.
A few of Team Pinto’s highlights from these events included:
- Introduction to ANC 6E (Shaw Neighborhood) which is now part of Ward 2.
- Meeting with the National Park Service Superintendant of Rock Creek Park.
- CelebSalon with Dupont Circle Village to connect with senior neighbors in the Dupont Circle Neighborhood.
- Ward 2 Community Budget Forum to hear from neighbors about priorities for the upcoming FY23 budget.
- Attending ANC meetings for ANC 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E,2F, and 6E.
- Welcoming Dr. Mark Wrighton as the new President of George Washington University
- Support for Georgetown Main Streets #TakeoutTuesday initiative to support local restaurants.
Legislative Updates and Council News
Legislation passed! Expanding Student Access to Period Products Act: Last year, Councilmember Pinto introduced legislation to require the provision of free period products in District public, public charter, and private schools and post-secondary institutions, as well as to require comprehensive menstrual health education. Councilmember Pinto secured funding for this legislation in this year’s budget and the Council unanimously passed the bill at the first meeting of the year. You can read the report from the Council Office of Racial Equity on how this legislation advances racial equity in our city.
Small Business Relief Fund: The Council passed legislation to expand the small business relief fund to give businesses more flexibility – a fund which Councilmember Pinto helped to design and get funded. The fund totals $40 million in relief and Councilmember Pinto championed including these funds in the budget. The Bridge Fund is now open for applications! You can learn more here.
Oversight Hearings: The full oversight schedule can be found here. In one recent hearing reviewing the performance of a number of agencies that work with seniors in the Committee on Housing and Executive Administration, Councilmember Pinto asked a number of questions about aging in place, ensuring older residents have supports, and the need for a senior center in Ward 2.
Redistricting: The new Ward 2 boundaries are now official! The Ward 2 ANC Redistricting Taskforce is now meeting to provide the Council with recommendations on how the ANC boundaries should be redrawn. The next meeting is Thursday, January 27th and is open to the public to view.
Announcements
We’re Hiring! Councilmember Pinto’s office is seeking a Communications Director to join our team! You can find more information about the position here.
Residents are encouraged to get COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Please click here to view the information presented at the District’s comprehensive website for the coronavirus vaccine and pandemic recovery.
The new Ward 2 COVID Center is now open at 926 F St. NW. You can get vaccinated, boosted, tested and pick up tests all in the same location!
The school lottery deadlines are approaching! Visit www.myschooldc.org for more information.
