The Ward 5 Wave

Fight for Funding and Happy Pride!

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on budget markups, concerns with remaining gaps in the FY27 budget proposal, and look ahead to the June 9 vote on the budget. Conversations center around juvenile justice, Credible Messengers program, funding for housing vouchers, childcare, and SNAP benefits, securing retail grants for 12th St NE and Rhode Island Ave NE, adding funds for the Langdon Park Recreation Center modernization project, rerouting of Metrobus routes, and more. They also wish neighbors a Happy Pride Month and reflect on recent events including Councilmember Parker's 4th Annual Black Pride Celebration and the May 30 Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning. Melissa shares the latest updates from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news [ward5.us.news], subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter [ward5.us/newsletter].

Housing in the FY27 Budget, Youth Roundtable Reflections, and Talbert Street Homes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage welcome At-Large Councilmember Robert White, Jr. to the show to talk about housing concerns in the Mayor's proposed FY27 budget, reflections on last week's youth rountable on "teen takeovers," and CM White's legislation on behalf of residents impacted by the Talbert Street homes saga. Melissa shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news [ward5.us/news], subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter [ward5.us/newsletter].

Teen Takeovers, SOUL Act, Future Land Use, and More

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on the coversations buzzing in the Wilson building about "teen takeovers" and juvenile curfews, with proposals on how to respond and the announcement of Councilmember Parker's youth-centered roundtable on April 30. They also talk about the SOUL Act and its impact on youth within DC's foster care system. Finally, they reflect on recent budget hearings and the draft Future Land Use Map put out by the Office of Planning. Melissa gives highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news [ward5.us/news], subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter [ward5.us/newsletter].

DC's Social Safety Net, Safeway Closing, and Economic Development

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage sit down with SPACEs in Action Policy Strategist Maneesh Horshin to talk about DC's child care subsidy, Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, the child tax credit, and how all these programs work together to stabilize our workforce and grow the economy. UPO Director of Legislative Advocacy, Ed Lazere, talks about TANF and how this cash assistance supports rougly 25,000 children in the District and why we must avoid cuts to the program. Councilmember Parker also details his FY27 Budget Letter to Mayor Bowser, reflects on the announcement that the Safeway at Hechinger Mall is closing, and shares some of his vision for community-centered economic development in Ward 5. Melissa shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news [ward5.us/news] and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter [ward5.us/newsletter].

Potomac Interceptor Collapse Update with Councilmember Charles Allen

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, chair of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment. Councilmember Allen shares updates about the Potomac Interceptor Collapse, what he learned when he visited the site, and what neighbors can expect as work continues to repair the interceptor and begin remediation of the District's rivers. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news [ward5.us/news], subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter [ward5.us/newsletter].