Today, I'm joined by 8 of my colleagues in introducing the Walk Without Worry Amendment Act. It has been a tragic month for deaths on our roads, following tragic years of stalled progress on Vision Zero. We need to ambitiously improve our toolkit and standards for safe streets:
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Brianne K. Nadeau
@BrianneKNadeau
DC Councilmember, Ward 1. Advocate for affordable housing, stronger education and government transparency. Reach me and my team at 202-724-8181.
Brianne K. Nadeau’s posts
I'm introducing legislation to ban the use of tear gas by District police. It is unacceptable to use tear gas or any chemical weapon that is banned in international warfare on our residents. Full release and bill below.
As a CM, and a parent of 2 kids under 5, I am flabbergasted and angry. Why would we give up on vaccines when we have come this far? Why are we not protecting the workers in these industries? Why are we telling parents we don't care if they participate in society? I'm so F-ing mad
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Replying to @MayorBowser
Beginning February 15, 2022, indoor venues will no longer be required to verify that patrons are vaccinated.
Businesses may choose to keep vaccination requirements in place.
#DontMuteDC I'm in touch with to inform them of the important history of this corner. See my letter to them:
This week, I'm introducing the "Trick-or-Streets Amendment Act of 2022."
If passed, the bill would create an expedited permit for closing local streets to vehicles on 10/31, for pedestrian safety and fostering community connections.
More below, but tl;dr: 🚧🧛🏻♂️🍭🧟♂️🍬👻 🚧🚗🚙
Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, husband Jayson, and big sister Zoe are pleased to welcome baby Madeline Eliza. Baby and mom and doing well.
As many residents know, last February an encampment started at 18th and Columbia in Adams Morgan. I'm happy to report that all of the residents there have now been connected with safe and stable housing.
Say hello to Ward 1's newest resident who arrived at 12:51pm today. Mom, Dad and baby girl are all doing well.
Today I'm introducing legislation to further protect those seeking abortions and other essential civil liberties. DC must be a safe haven for trans youth, LGBTQ+ people who need to preserve their families, and all people who need reproductive freedom.
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And ANOTHER THING. This will have a chilling impact on businesses. People who were going out and eating indoors BECAUSE of the mandate will not do that anymore. So if this was supposed to be a pro-business thing, y'all messed up. #$%#!
I have drafted an emergency bill to reinstate the vaccine mandate. Stay tuned.
This is so frustrating. People have complained to me about this over the years, but I've always said that a small business playing go-go in Ward 1 is a thing we should celebrate. They only do it during business hours, and there are always people outside enjoying it.
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Someone who lives in The Shay, the new luxury building in Shaw, threatened to sue the long-standing Metro PCS store at 7th Street and Florida Avenue over the go-go music it has played outside for decades: dcist.com/story/19/04/08
As a new mom, I don't want to recess my committee each time I need to pump so I will be pumping for a short while as our hearing on Rapid Rehousing continues. I believe its the first time it has been done from the DC Council dais.
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The District is a sanctuary city, which means our law enforcement does not cooperate with ICE. As Councilmember, I have called for an abolition of ICE and wrote DC’s law to establish a permanent immigrant legal services fund.
Read full remarks here: brianneknadeau.com/updates/press-
Today I voted to uphold fare evasion decriminalization. The more we commit to using the lens of race equity in all we do in government, the sooner we will be able to rectify the real crime here, which is perpetuating racist government systems in our own government. #ItsNotFare
The pandemic isn’t over, and residents need up-to-date COVID-19 data to make decisions about their own risk. Today, along with my colleagues , I called on to restore public trust in our data.
One of the reasons that we do not disassemble encampments is because there are risks involved. There are risks involved in asking people to move all of their belongings and risks involved in forcibly removing people from their home.
I’m incredibly disappointed to share that I’ve withdrawn my emergency measure to reinstate the vaccine requirement in certain businesses.
I’ve just circulated emergency legislation to pause the clearings of encampments until at least the end of hypothermia season - separating the housing and support services element of the program from the clearings and evictions element. 🧵
Today we introduced a bill to decriminalize street vending in DC. Other legislation will be needed to fully address the challenges facing street vendors, but this is an essential first step. Thank you for working with me on this!
brianneknadeau.com/updates/press-
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We will require the development of standard designs for raised x-walks and other treatments in DC's engineering manual, and incorporation into all paving and sidewalk contracts. We're saying clearly: this is how we build our streets. No more begging for one-off interventions.
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1.🪜I plan to introduce legislation that will make DC a national leader in raised crosswalks, continuous sidewalks, and raised intersections. This has been in the works over the past few months as I’ve reflected on this year's crashes, especially those involving children.
The Mayor has requested a reprogramming of $43M to cover “First Amendment protests”, $28M of which comes from the Dept. of Health Care Finance(DHCF). This is concerning because when we were trying to fund even a scaled down version of an Alliance recertification legislation, 1/3
I plan on asking to call a special session of the Council this week so we don't have to wait two weeks to act.
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Replying to @nathanlukeylu and @erinfordc
I have drafted an emergency bill to reinstate the vaccine mandate. Stay tuned.
Too many fake/expired tags. My bill makes it easier to tow & impound vehicles whose owners blatantly violate the law. I’m partnering with and on a comprehensive approach to cracking down on unsafe driving in DC. brianneknadeau.com/updates/press-
Today with I called on Mayor Bowser to pause encampment clearings until the end of hypothermia season, while continuing to offer housing and support to unhoused residents. This follows prior requests to the DM and our recent roundtable.
Given his interest in managing DC's affairs, I invited to attend my upcoming committee hearings as a special guest.
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This bill will significantly expand the installation of raised crosswalks/intersections and continuous sidewalks to meet our safety needs head-on. To aid in the swift implementation of new standards, it adheres closely to 's pre-existing systems.
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After a needs assessment, outreach, and traffic study started in fall ‘21, has selected a final concept for Columbia Road! I’m looking forward to protected bike lanes, dedicated bus lanes, expanded space for commercial loading, and improved pedestrian crossings.
I'm glad the ReOpen DC report suggests repurposing streets and public space to respond to this crisis. But this can't just be for businesses, and can't just be filed under "other." If we do this on the scale other cities are acting right now, here's what Ward 1 might look like:
POTUS makes a speech doubling down on 2nd amendt, no mention of the 1st amendt, deploys every type of fed police he can find, then tear gases civilians peacefully gathered so he can walk to the church & pose with bible? No thanks. DC can handle its own business. #notmypresident
I have been waiting to announce that we're moving forward on the 18th St pedestrian zone because, as has been the case for the last 2 years, there is still a tremendous amount of stonewalling we're getting from agencies uncomfortable with the idea. It's beyond time we do it.
It's true: On March 3rd I intend to move legislation that would revive the planning process for the cancelled 9th street cycletrack and related pedestrian safety improvements. I'm continuing to build consensus around the need for this critical project.
I share in the grief many are expressing on the deaths of & Abdul Seck. Like many in the #bikedc community, I wrote to today. The best time to take decisive action on street safety was before these people were killed. The second best time is now. #VisionZero
During today’s Council breakfast meeting: pumping, eating and working on two computers with Madeline asleep in the bassinet covered by the blanket. Apologies if you could hear the white noise machine going when I unmuted! #momlife
The amendment passes first reading 8-5! With the Homes and Hearts Amendment Act of 2021, we are going to end homelessness for 2,400 households, double salaries for early childhood educators, and increase assistance for working families.
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Why raise taxes when DC is getting $2.3 billion in federal money? Janeese Lewis George's answer: "Homelessness is a choice, and displacement is a choice, and poverty is a choice. We have the wealth and the resources in our city to solve these issues."
washingtonpost.com/local/dc-polit
If property values rebound to a downtown that is unpleasant, unhealthy, and exclusive, what have we actually gained?. DC's comeback needs to be about articulating the city we want to be. I think gridlock and pollution are the anthesis of our entire future.
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Replying to @maustermuhle
"I think it's a terrible idea," says Bowser on @BrianneKNadeau's proposal for a $2 congestion charge for rideshares going in and out of downtown D.C. "Any efforts to attack the downtown right now is a terrible idea." dcist.com/story/23/04/26
This is outrageous. Being able to stay in your home is the bare minimum of what families should be able to count on right now.
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NEW: A DC judge just struck down the city’s ban on eviction filings during the pandemic.
Landlords still won’t be able to remove people from their homes right away, but they will be able to initiate eviction cases to prepare for the end of the moratorium: bizjournals.com/washington/new
Following reports of the use of force, including pepper spray, by MPD at Lafayette Park last night, I am urging Mayor Bowser to sign the emergency legislation that Council passed that bans the use of chemical irritants. Full statement here: brianneknadeau.com/updates/press-
🚨 Coming to 14th Street in Columbia Heights this Summer! 🚨
A new demonstration project will include...
- Fully Protected Bus & Bike Lane 🚍🚴
- Protected Lane and Pick-up/Drop-off zone in front of DCUSA
- Turn lane at Newton Street
Full NOI here: wiki.ddot.dc.gov/display/NOI/NO
I want to thank the Chairman for agreeing to call a special legislative meeting this Friday for consideration of this critical measure.
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.@ChmnMendelson scheduled a special legislative meeting this Friday to vote on @BrianneKNadeau's bill to reinstate DC's vaccine mandate. Needs nine votes to pass, would extend the mandate for 90 days beyond Feb. 15. Meeting starts at 10 am.
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You are too polite, my friend. This is F-ING OUTRAGEOUS.
Someone shouldn't have to die here for us to do the right thing.
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Another cyclist hit by a car on Ninth Street. Responsive but being taken away on a stretcher. There is a man who wouldn’t be hurt right now if there were a bike lane. Call your council members. Vote’s March 3. #bikedc @WABADC
The impact of policies like this don't just vanish. We (especially white residents) still have a lot of history we need to reckon with in the District.
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Racist 1926 ad touting “Largest Restricted White Community” in Washington DC:
Today and I sent a letter and proposal urging immediate action to create public spaces that are safer for people during this pandemic.
The Mayor took away metro for all. We are bringing it back by action in several committees. This by my Committee on Public Works & Operations will pay for the overnight buses so critical to workers and the businesses they work for.
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Interesting: As part of her proposed changes to the 2024 budget, @BrianneKNadeau wants D.C. to institute a $2 congestion charge on Uber/Lyft coming in/out of downtown from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. It would raise $45 million over 4 years, and help pay for the fare-free Metrobus plan.
Solitary confinement is psychological torture and ruins lives. Jails put people with mental health issues in solitary. Others for minor infractions. And DC uses it 3x the national average. That’s not only bad for them, it’s bad for public safety.
Our Clean Team member Jeffrey is out on U Street. He told me how much he has loved doing this work for 15 years. I was excited to tell him I have legislation to give them a raise annually.
Yesterday, Mayor Bowser disregarded the law when she unilaterally eliminated a District agency by completely defunding the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children in her FY 2023 budget & for the rest of FY 2022. 🧵1/8
I'm signed up for a shift this week to assemble COVID test kits for DC residents. Volunteers are still needed! You can learn more and sign up here: servedc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?n
Thank you for meeting with me today to share your experiences & recommendations. I support your calls to defund MPD, get police out of our schools & adequately fund programs that support our youth & communities.
Clearing encampments before people are placed in housing is damaging to our shared goals and doing it during hypothermia season is inhumane. We can do better.
brianneknadeau.com/updates/press-
I had an amazing time at the Adams Morgan Pedestrian Zone (#AMPZ ?) pilot this evening! Thank you to and everyone else who helped make this happen.
. and I are requesting a library be part of the redevelopment of 1617 U Street NW—home to FEMS Eng. 9 & MPD 3rd Dist. HQ—to support daytime activity and cultural programming in the neighborhood. Read our letter to . 1/3 brianneknadeau.com/updates/update
Diluting votes? 🙄 This is not complicated: Our neighbors – who pay taxes, attend our schools, and contribute to the vibrancy of our communities – now have a say in who represents them in our local government, as they should.
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Six D.C. residents — including former Republican candidates Stacia Hall and Ralph Chittams — are suing D.C. over the new law that will allow non-citizens to vote in local elections, saying it dilutes the votes of U.S. citizens and denies them the right to self-government.
In slightly more words: Jack Evans continues to demonstrate that he does not believe the rules apply to him. He has wasted countless hours and dollars of taxpayer resources in investigating his misconduct and now seems unconcerned in wasting more.
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Replying to @RobertWhite_DC
You are too polite, my friend. This is F-ING OUTRAGEOUS.
PASSED: DC's first public restrooms bill, which creates a plan for standalone public restrooms and incentivizes businesses to open restrooms to the public. This bill increases access to clean safe restrooms for all residents. lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B2
Nine of my colleagues, , , , , , , , ,& joined me in condemning the governors of TX & AZ and requesting services and funds to serve migrants arriving in DC.
The GOP House ought to get its nose out of our tent. The merits of the two bills they are trying to disapprove are irrelevant. We govern ourselves in the District of Columbia.
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There is work to do to shorten the time of this process, but this shows that we can successfully clear encampments not with force, but with housing. Anything besides this is disruptive to the process of ending homelessness.
Just returned home after being on site during the immediate response, where I received a briefing from Chief Contee and . Unfortunately MPD and FEMS presence on site were not a deterrent.
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Chief Contee and city officials provide an update regarding a shooting with multiple victims shot, including an MPD officer, that occurred this evening in the area of 14th and U Street, NW. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1
I am deeply saddened to share that we lost a member of our community last night. A man who was sleeping on the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza has died. We do not have more information at this time and MPD is still trying to reach next of kin.
I want to express great gratitude to my 8 colleagues who joined me in passing this amendment to fund critical programs in our budget. @cmdgrosso
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Today I’m introducing an amendment to our budget that reduces an ineffective business tax credit to help pay for homeless outreach, housing, lead pipe replacement, mental health services, job training and child care subsidies – all programs that help our residents most in need.
THREAD: I’ve joined my colleagues in requesting a full explanation for Reprogramming Request 23-141. Here’s what we know: the bulk of the reprogramming $$ will be used to repay overtime costs for MPD - $10M more than the entire approved overtime budget for FY21. (1/5)
PASSED its first vote: my public restroom bill that gives residents experiencing homelessness and people with unique restroom needs such as pregnant women, people with disabilities and the elderly better access to facilities. Final vote: Dec 18.
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The D.C. Council is set to approve a bill later today that would establish 2 pilot programs for public restrooms in the city. One would set up two public restrooms somewhere in the city, second would create an incentive program for private biz that offer access to restrooms.
The amendment passed 10-3.
The current pandemic is disproportionately affecting our most vulnerable residents. We are kidding ourselves if we don’t recognize that making investments in our human services is about race equity.
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Replying to @FenitN
Now up: @BrianneKNadeau's proposal to cut $28 million from a tech company tax break to fund housing, health care for undocumented immigrants and more
Mendelson proposed rolling back the tax break, but opposes Nadeau's move
To develop a more just local economy and safer communities, I've introduced the Sidewalk Vending Zones Amendment Act to establish sidewalk vending zones for sidewalk vendors to legally operate, reform the enforcement response, and launch the first designated zone. 1/3
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Tonight Baltimore City Council passed the #SlowStreets legislation introduced by @CouncilPresBMS unanimously.
It requires @BmoreCityDOT install 25 miles of #SlowStreets with at least 1 mile in each council district and no more than 15% total in any one district. (1/2)
I said from the start I was concerned that this was being investigated internally, not by a third party, and the result bears that out. This report is not enough.
My statement:
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Probe: Mayor Muriel Bowser's top aide sexually harassed staffer, exposing his “sexual organs" and sending her graphic video. Investigator spent 13 hours reviewing accuser's evidence. Mayor's office releases report on Sat night during holiday weekend.
wapo.st/444AaiL
Feels good to be back on the dais. And look who is sitting next to me!! The bond between wards 1 & 4 is strong!
My #transpoBINGO Factoid: The Near NW III Safety & Mobility Study states that btw 70-94% of residents in the study area use something other than a car for most of their trips. I also included this fact in my letter in support of 11th St PBL expansion.
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Along with oversight and policy being advanced by my Council colleagues, I look forward to moving this legislation and ensuring we fulfill our promise to DC residents for truly safe and vibrant streets, no matter where you live. Full release:
brianneknadeau.com/updates/press-
Overnight oversight win? :) How cool that one of my staffers ran across this worker on a sidewalk inspection vehicle. I did not know they exist. It has a camera, laser, GPS, and crawls sidewalks around the District looking for needed repairs!
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Glad @ZacharyforWard5 @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @charlesallen are raising the issue of months-long waits for sidewalk repairs (vs days for streets). This has come up in our new Public Works committee w/Risk Management - the speed of repairs isn't proportional to injury risk to residents.
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The District should prioritize funding B22-231, which would streamline Alliance recertifications to improve access to healthcare, with any available DHCF funds instead of giving more money to MPD. 3/3
I think we've set 17th & U up to be one of the best projects in DC:
💵 Passed a law requiring *at least* 30% deeply affordable housing on public sites
🌇 Increased density in the Comp Plan to high-density residential to maximize AH
📚 Pushed for inclusion of a new public library
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Super excited for the potential of the MPD/Fire Station redevelopment at the corner of 17th and U Streets. Right now it's a dead zone along an otherwise vibrant corridor. twitter.com/yfreemark/stat…
The answer is yes!
I introduced the Vote By Mail Amendment Act in 2019 in an effort to increase voter participation. Didn’t expect that we’d have to use it in 2020, but it worked! Now let’s make it permanent. 📬📬📬📬
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In many places, level crossings for pedestrians are a no-brainer; they should be in DC too. It indicates that vehicles are crossing through a pedestrian space rather than vice-versa.
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No, you're not dreaming: we're actually talking about the *construction schedule* for the 16th Street Bus Lanes! See below for details on tonight's meeting and where to get more information.
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Today I'm introducing legislation to further protect those seeking abortions and other essential civil liberties. DC must be a safe haven for trans youth, LGBTQ+ people who need to preserve their families, and all people who need reproductive freedom.
I strongly support the hundreds of striking workers united in . Every worker deserves fair pay, and a voice on the job. Amidst historic inflation, #AUChangeCantWait. The time for a fair contract with is now!
Today I’m introducing an amendment to our budget that reduces an ineffective business tax credit to help pay for homeless outreach, housing, lead pipe replacement, mental health services, job training and child care subsidies – all programs that help our residents most in need.
The Mayor’s veto of the Revised Criminal Code Act is a distraction and contributes to dangerous rhetoric. Today, we overrode it. Do not believe the hype: the Council is not tying the hands of law enforcement. Text of remarks at:
brianneknadeau.com/updates/update
While we are raising our voices, the Senate is telling us to be silent. They are telling us that we should have no voice. That they know better than us.
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I’ve noticed that in DC we occasionally install raised crosswalks, but only one-offs: in big capital projects, private developments, or where a community has capacity to advocate for one. Instead they should be part of our standard toolkit, similar to how we treat ADA curb ramps.
I am very supportive of keeping upper Beach Drive open to all, and have signed on to several support letters with my colleagues. Parks are for people!
🌳🚲🛴👩🦽🚶♂️🚶🌳
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Tomorrow from 12-3 p.m. at the D.C. Council transpo committee: "a roundtable about what initiatives that began during the pandemic should continue. Streateries, bus-only lanes, slow streets, and whether to ask NPS to permanently close Beach Drive to cars."
dccouncil.us/event/transpor
UPDATE: The City Administrator responded with a letter confirming MPD’s overtime costs and supporting the reprogramming. The Mayor allowed this expenditure without notifying the members of the Council directly. Now, the District must foot the bill. 1/9
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THREAD: I’ve joined my colleagues in requesting a full explanation for Reprogramming Request 23-141. Here’s what we know: the bulk of the reprogramming $$ will be used to repay overtime costs for MPD - $10M more than the entire approved overtime budget for FY21. (1/5)
I am livid that our vote on the FY21 budget is being postponed. Every day we make tough decisions as Councilmembers, & today we had measures before us that should be getting an up or down vote. 1/3
This is outrageous. Our National Parks are already starved of funds. Now they're being diverted to July 4 Ego-fest, which will further damage parks? All while and I are desperately trying to get funds for Rock Creek Park and Ward 1's Meridian Hill Park.
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SCOOP: Park Service has diverted $2.5 million in fees --normally used to improve parks around the country -- for Trump's July Fourth extravaganza as White House hands out VIP tickets to donors and Trump's campaign staff, W/@jdawsey1 and @DanLamothe wapo.st/323ctIF
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My second bill, 'Prioritizing People in Planning Amendment Act of 2022' will eliminate the use of "Level of Service (LOS)" as a metric for transportation projects, and require that we design and select projects based on metrics that prioritize safety, equity, and sustainability.
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We worked with partners to avoid unnecessary trauma and make sure the residents could stay in the encampment, rather than being moved, allowing our homeless outreach services to have consistent sustained interactions with them.
I’m sure Sen. Cotton & Rep. Comer don’t think Congress should be able to make and override the laws of Arkansas & Kentucky. But they think they should be able to dictate the laws for 700,000 law-abiding residents of the District and deny us the right to govern ourselves.
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Two Republican members of Congress say they will push to overturn a bill passed by the D.C. Council that will let non-citizens vote in local elections starting in 2024. dcist.com/story/23/01/12
I needed to share this very scary near-crash experience from last night.
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This week, I'm introducing the "Trick-or-Streets Amendment Act of 2022."
If passed, the bill would create an expedited permit for closing local streets to vehicles on 10/31, for pedestrian safety and fostering community connections.
More below, but tl;dr: 
That's right.
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A majority of the D.C. Council is introducing legislation to provide residents with $100 monthly stipends for public transit washingtonpost.com/local/traffica
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When I’ve seen encampment clearings in person, I’ve witnessed a lot of trauma, and there is no room for mistakes. I’m very concerned about today’s incident during an encampment clearing, and I’m concerned about the future of the pilot program.
