Today, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced the “Business and Entrepreneurship Support to Thrive (BEST) Amendment Act of 2021” to streamline the licensing process for new and existing businesses.This legislation will make it easier for residents to contribute their ideas for the betterment of their communities, creation of jobs, employment of our local workforce, and generation of new tax dollars for programs and initiatives reflective of our city’s values.“Doing business in Washington, DC should be accessible, efficient, and cost-effective. As our city works to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19, it is imperative that we act quickly to reform our existing business incorporation and licensing model in order to support our entrepreneurs,” said Councilmember Pinto, “We must provide financial relief as we remove systemic barriers that prevent members from underserved communities from successfully participating in our city’s diverse marketplace – that is why I am focused on stimulating equitable economic growth in our city and region.”

With the release of the Mayor’s budget proposal on May 27, we have officially entered budget season, the time during which government and public witnesses can provide testimony to help determine how to best fund our government priorities. The DC budget should reflect the interests and priorities of residents. To ensure collaboration, I encourage you to attend and participate in the public budget hearings that will span the month of June. You can also email my team to share your budget priorities. Keep reading to learn more about the dates of specific hearings and participation instructions.

Yesterday, I joined my Council colleagues at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Ward 2 for the release of Mayor Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget and Financial Plan. During the live press conference, the Mayor shared details on how money would be spent to support Covid recovery, job creation, public safety, affordable housing, transportation, and education. I am proud to say that many of the issues for which I advocated are included in the proposed budget, and in some cases, at unprecedented levels. The additional stimulus funds from the federal government, have positioned the District to not only recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but reach new heights in years to come.

I am thrilled to report that the District of Columbia will be safely reopening and loosening most restrictions for businesses and some entertainment and fitness facilities on Friday, May 21, with a full reopening scheduled for Friday, June 11. This has been a challenging year for residents, businesses, and government alike. Vaccine appointments and walk-up vaccination clinics are now widely available across the city. If you need assistance with accessing vaccines, please reach out to my office. Additionally, residents between the ages of 12 and 15 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. To mark “Bike to Work Day” and the lifting of restrictions this Friday as we bring residents and visitors downtown, I’ll be hosting “office hours” at the Golden Triangle’s Office Park at Farragut Square from 2-4 p.m. Please stop by to say hello and share any questions or concerns you have with me and my team! I would also like to take a moment to address some community concerns around Pat Handy, Georgetown Porous Flexible Pavement, and Black Lives Matters Plaza.

I am writing to wish all the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures a very happy Mother’s Day! As we celebrate this day, I reflect on all the mothers with us in presence and in spirit. In this time of reflection, I continue to be grateful for the many sacrifices, gestures of love, and commitments to health and security that so many moms have made for their families. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all you do to nurture and care for your children and communities. Because of your love – we are eager to celebrate you today and every day! From committing to improving access to affordable and accessible maternal health, supporting our women-owned businesses, and investing in our senior spaces, moms will continue to be centered in our priorities for our community.

I heard a quote recently that I loved: “there is no service without the served” -- and this mission continues to guide us to include the voices and ideas of our community. While we have highlighted some of these events in this newsletter, I want to encourage you to continue seeking opportunities to give back and encourage those around you to do the same. Over the last two weeks, my team and I have been out in the community every day engaging with neighbors on efforts from Earth Day clean-ups, to assisting our neighbors experiencing homelessness, and helping our neighbors get vaccinated. It was great to be in-person across the Ward and have the opportunity to engage with so many of you. In addition to engaging in community service activities, my team and I held a Ward 2 Community Safety Bike Ride on Saturday, April 24, to hear from residents about their traffic and safety concerns and worked together on ideas to make our streets safer. I would like to personally thank everyone that took part and helped us to spread the word. The Vision Zero initiative will be a priority of mine as we enter budget season. On the legislative front, the Council will hold its first vote on the District’s Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, the framework that will guide the growth and development of our city over the next 20 years, and on Monday, May 10, the District is also set to receive guidance from the federal government on how we may spend recently allocated federal dollars in our upcoming budget.

Please join Councilmember Pinto and Team for the Ward 2 Community Safety Bike Ride this Saturday, April 24, at 12 noon. We will bike through various Ward 2 neighborhoods and hold listening sessions at each stop to hear directly from residents about their traffic and safety concerns.

Dear Neighbor, In the past two weeks, we have lost four people to traffic violence – 4-year-old Zy’aire Joshua; 29-year-old bicyclist and safe streets advocate Jim Pagels; Brian Johnson, a 30-year-old father expecting another child; and 54-year-old Evelyn Troyah. It is imperative that as a community, we learn and re-educate ourselves about street safety and take action to ensure that pedestrians, scooter users, bikers, and drivers can travel safely. I also remind all drivers that a moment of inattention, distraction, or speed, can result in the end of a human life. In this newsletter, you will find information regarding the Ward 2 Community Safety Bike Ride, DC Public Schools’ Full Reopening this Fall, increased funding for DC Public Schools in the Mayor's Proposed Budget, COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, the new rent relief program for District tenants, DC Statehood Advancing on Capitol Hill, and the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget.

Beginning Monday, April 19th, all DC residents ages 16 and over will become eligible to receive the vaccine. Individuals in priority groups will continue to be prioritized in securing appointments. Below, you will find updated information on how to get vaccinated. I will continue working with the Mayor, my colleagues, and other District officials to ensure that we can get all of our residents vaccinated as quickly as possible. Please get vaccinated as soon as you can, and help and encourage those around you to do the same.

Dear Neighbor, I hope that all who celebrated had a wonderful Passover and Easter week. While religious and family celebrations continue to look different this year for many of us, I know our resilient spirit is strong. Within this newsletter, I will cover some COVID-19 updates, community updates, my fiscal year 2022 budget priorities, and updates on my legislation to support tenants experiencing hardships and provide grant funding for small and local businesses in Ward 2.

On Thursday, March 25, 2021, Councilmember Brooke Pinto sent her Fiscal Year 2022 budget priorities letter to Mayor Bowser for her consideration. In the letter, Councilmember Pinto reflects on the needs expressed by her constituents during her first annual Ward 2 Budget Community Meeting and other significant matters impacting the broader DC community. In her letter, Councilmember Pinto shared that she is “optimistic we will have the resources needed to recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19… to invest in our communities who need the most support… and take bold action to further our shared goal of a more just and equitable future.”

On Wednesday, March 24, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced the“Expanding Student Access to Period Products Act of 2021.” As introduced, this legislation requires the provision of free period products in District public, public charter, and private schools and post-secondary institutions. This legislation also requires that the District of Columbia’s State Office of the Superintendent of Schools (OSSE) develop and implement comprehensive menstrual health education standards. This legislation was co-introduced by all of Councilmember Pinto's female colleagues on the Council (Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, Christina Henderson, Brianne Nadeau, Mary Cheh, and Janeese Lewis George) and Vincent C. Gray. This legislation is also a revised and expanded version of Bill 23-0887, the “Expanding Student Access to Period Products Act of 2020”, which Councilmember Pinto co-introduced last Council period with former Councilmember David Grosso.

Dear Neighbor, Once again, we are faced with the reality that white supremacy still looms and is an ever-present threat to our safety, security, and democracy. We must all take action to make #StopAsianAmericanHate more than just a hashtag. We must make it a call to action and do our part to protect our neighbors. That means educating ourselves and those around us about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Within this newsletter, I will cover the new legislation I have introduced, and share information on today's statehood hearing on Capitol Hill, COVID-19, local and federal tax deadline extensions, a new tool for understanding the District's budget, and business and community grants.

This past week marked one year since we first declared the public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While this pandemic's effects have been devastating, we are thankful that there is light at the end of the tunnel. To date, over 14% of DC residents are partially or fully vaccinated, and over 150,000 first doses have been administered. The Mayor also extended the public health emergency through May 20 and provided updated guidance for outdoor and public activity. Today, we continue to advocate for a digital record of vaccinations and clearer guidelines for our businesses, restaurants, event spaces, theaters, and music halls as we get more of our residents vaccinated.

Today, the District of Columbia launched its new vaccination pre-registration system, and over 52,000 residents and workers successfully pre-registered. This means that District residents will no longer have to race to sign-up for appointments every week. Eligible residents can now enter their information once and will receive an invitation to book an appointment when a slot has become available. Details on how to pre-register are below.

Dear Neighbor,Happy Women’s History Month! While the myriad contributions of women are seen year-round, we are excited to dedicate the month of March to celebrate the ways women continue to make our society stronger. We must also acknowledge that women have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic – as frontline healthcare and childcare workers, grocery workers, and first responders – and a demonstrated mass exodus from the workforce. This must be addressed throughout our recovery.

Today, DC Health announced that the District will switch to a pre-registration vaccination system to book appointments beginning next week! We are excited about this effort as it will eliminate a great deal of frustration among eligible individuals who navigated a very difficult system over the last few weeks. We are also grateful for other efforts announced to improve the vaccination portal for the remainder of its use.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto spoke with Channel 7's Anna-Lysa Gale about the importance of the District adopting a pre-registration COVID-19 vaccination registration process. Councilmember Pinto also shared news about the Health Committee's upcoming effort to understand recent technical failures that plagued the system during last week.

Today, District residents experienced a series of failures as they attempted to book vaccination appointments using the vaccine portal. These technical failures, coupled with the fact that residents could not get through to the call center, are unacceptable. There are no excuses. I voiced these concerns to the City Administrator during a performance oversight hearing this morning. I have also followed up with the District’s Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) to better understand why these technical failures occurred and how we can ensure it does not happen again.I have urged DC Health for the last several months to adopt a pre-registration system so residents can fill out their information and be notified of available appointments. Today, DC Health informed me that they are making these changes to the registration system and expect them will be live in mid-March. Here's what comes next.

Dear Neighbors – This week, our nation paid tribute to the 500,000 American lives lost due to COVID-19 and honored the many loved ones they left behind. Here in the District, we honor the 1,000 lives lost by continuing to ramp up our efforts to ensure that we can minimize the impacts of this virus and keep all District residents, workers, and visitors safe.Last week, Mayor Bowser announced the launch of the coronavirus vaccination dashboard. Each week, the dashboard will be updated with information regarding the number of residents vaccinated, the District’s vaccine supply, and related statistics.

Yesterday around 3 p.m., an adult male was shot in a townhome on the 1000 block of Thomas Jefferson Street in Georgetown. There is no current threat to public safety, but I know how troubling this news is, so I want to provide all of the information that we have at this time.

Earlier this month, the Council of the District of Columbia kicked off its annual Performance Oversight process, after which time, we will immediately enter budget season and begin preparing the annual budget for Fiscal Year 2022 and the accompanying five-year financial plan. To ensure that I hear directly from YOU, I will host a Ward 2 Community Budget Meeting on Thursday, February 25, at 6:30 p.m.

Beginning tomorrow, Thursday, February 18th, individuals who work in a grocery store setting, health and human services and social services outreach, manufacturing, and food packaging will become eligible to register for vaccination appointments. In addition to this great news, it has been reported that over 3,500 Ward 2 residents aged 65 and older have received their first dose of the vaccine, and the federal government also announced that additional vaccines have been secured and will be sent to our city. I am confident that progress is being made on our vaccine roll out and that more and more residents will receive their vaccines each week moving forward. We are grateful to DC Health, the entirety of the District Government, community organizations, and medical partners that have helped make this possible.

Neighbors –Thank you for your continued patience and engagement around the vaccine distribution plans. Last week, I participated in oversight roundtables to review DC Health’s roll-out of the vaccine program. Due to the constructive feedback I heard from many of you, I was able to follow up with DC Health and request updates in the system and will continue to work with DC Health to improve the sign-up process and accessibility. As of this week, the District will have received over 100,000 vaccines, and 46% of Ward 2 seniors have received at least their first dose of the vaccine; we are hopeful this number will continue to climb.

I am excited to share some important updates with you about actions that we have taken at the Council over the last two weeks to protect workers, support families and businesses, and operate the District Government more efficiently. I also want to make you aware of the Ward 2 Community Budget Meeting that I will host later this month. My goal is to provide Ward 2 residents with an opportunity to share their budget ideas and concerns directly with me.Finally, I would like to wish everyone a very happy Black History Month. I am grateful for the many contributions of Black Washingtonians, both past and present, to our educational, political, social and cultural institutions here in Washington, D.C. Be sure to follow me on social media as I celebrate and share some of the remarkable history that can be found in Ward 2 throughout the month!

Neighbors – thank you for staying engaged and committed to receiving your vaccines as soon as possible. On Friday and Monday, I participated in oversight roundtables to review the DC Health’s roll-out of the vaccine program. Due to the constructive feedback that I received from many of you, I was able to follow up with DC Health and request updates in the system. To date, the District has vaccinated over 35,000 District residents, and I will continue to work with DC Health to improve the sign-up program.

Neighbors – thank you for staying engaged and committed to receiving your vaccines as soon as possible. I want to provide an update from what we know this week including: Who is Eligible for an Appointment, How to Obtain an Appointment, Updates to the Portal and Coronavirus Call Center, and more.

I am writing to reflect on the exciting week we have had as we welcomed President Jospeh R. Biden to the White House and watched as Vice President Kamala Harris made history as the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American to hold her position. I am also writing to provide some updates from the Council over the last two weeks.

I know residents are eager to make an appointment to receive a vaccine. Many of you received an update from DC Health regarding the availability of vaccination appointments on Friday. On Friday, January 22, at 9:00 a.m., 740 additional appointments will become available to any DC resident who is 65 and older or any individual who works in a health care setting in DC.

During this exciting time, I am honored to serve as your Councilmember. I will be proudly watching from home during this significant moment in history as the President and Vice President, the first woman and the first Black and Indian American to hold this position, take the Oath of Office. I ask that you join me in watching the Inauguration virtually and avoid the downtown area due to the ongoing public health emergency and security concerns.

On this #MLKDay, we celebrate a hero who taught us that love and respect have no bounds, and we honor his example and sacrifice with our actions. Today, let's recommit ourselves to achieving his greatest dream of freedom, justice, and equality for all.

I know residents are eager to make an appointment to receive a vaccine. Many of you received an update from DC Health regarding the availability of vaccination appointments on Friday. Additional appointments were made available on Saturday for seniors in Wards 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8. I understand the frustration that Ward 2 residents were not included for these additional appointments. DC Health did not initially provide an explanation and I have relayed these concerns about communications going forward.

The 59th Presidential Inauguration will take place this Wednesday, January 20, 2021. As your Councilmember, I am honored to serve you during this significant moment in our nation’s history. On Wednesday, I will be proudly watching from home as President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and the first Black and Indian American to hold this position, take the Oath of Office. I ask that you join me in watching the Inauguration virtually and avoid the downtown area due to the ongoing public health emergency and security concerns.

Today, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto will introduce legislation to symbolically designate three roads in the District of Columbia in the memory of the late journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the honorable Congressman John Lewis, and the honorable Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "In light of the recent deadly riot on Capitol Hill, which included assaults on journalists, and the President’s lack of regard for justice, equality, and our free and fair election process, it is fitting that today we take this symbolic, but important action to acknowledge and honor three individuals who gave so much to fight for our democracy and whose examples continue to inspire the kind of action this moment requires,” stated Councilmember Pinto."

Pinto completed the term of former Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans – the longest-serving lawmaker in D.C. history – who resigned amid an ethics scandal five months prior. As she stepped into office, the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice protests were sweeping through D.C. Now, as she prepares for a full term in office as Ward 2’s first-ever female representative, Pinto said she plans to prioritize addressing COVID-19 business recovery and Foggy Bottom’s homelessness crisis. Pinto said she hopes to bankroll struggling workers and small businesses and build trust with homeless communities while working to supply them with permanent housing.

I am writing to share information about the District’s vaccine distribution plan. Many of you have contacted our office with questions, so I want to make sure you have access to this information as soon as possible. I have been working closely with DC Health to share information about the availability of the vaccine.

At 12:00 noon today, Monday, January 11, the District will open a vaccine registration portal for District residents age 65 and older. If you are not in this priority category, please refrain from registering for a vaccine at this time. If you previously registered, you will need to do so again, even if you have received a confirmation of your previous registration. A call center will also be managing the appointments, not 311. The call center can be reached at 855-363-0333. Please note, you will not be able to receive the vaccine from your primary care provider. Instead, your appointment will be made at one of the Vaccine Centers located throughout the city. You can learn more about the Vaccine Centers by visiting https://vaccinateqa.dc.gov/vaccine-centers/. Vaccines will be free and no Medical card or proof of insurance is necessary; just show up with a face mask at the time of your appointment.

I began this week with great resolve and a sense of pride as I started my first full term as the Ward 2 Councilmember. I want to thank the residents of Ward 2 for placing their faith in me to execute a vision that will help our ward and city to grow stronger and more equitable. I am also enthusiastic to report that I will be serving on four committees this Council Period: Judiciary and Public Safety; Business and Economic Development; Housing and Executive Administration; and Government Operations and Facilities. Please note: a curfew will not be in effect through the public emergency. This extension authorizes the Mayor to utilize public emergency resources and call for a curfew if circumstances require it. We are also working to get to the bottom of the actions of the United States Capitol Police yesterday to investigate how this unlawful entrance, demagoguery, and destruction were able to occur in one of the most heavily armed and protected buildings in the world.

I know many of us are scared and horrified by yesterday’s attack on the Capitol. The actions of these insurgents and the behavior of President Trump are abhorrent and reprehensible. I implore the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the United States Attorney’s Office, and the District’s Office of the Attorney General to pursue action against those responsible for yesterday’s attacks to the fullest extent of the law. To protect District residents and visitors over the next two weeks and ensure maximum safety ahead of the Presidential inauguration, Mayor Bowser has extended the current public emergency by 15 days. Our first priority will always remain to keep District residents safe, and I will always fight to keep our communities safe, and I remain grateful to have you as a neighbor as we stand in solidarity against hate and lies and stand up for democracy.

Mayor Bowser has issued a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, January 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7.

I want to ensure you have all of the information you need to keep yourselves, your families, and your neighbors safe during demonstrations planned in DC this week.Yesterday, the Council of the District of Columbia, joined by Acting Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Robert Contee, DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Rodriguez, and DC Attorney General Karl Racine for a briefing on the first amendment activities being held in Ward 2, in the downtown area this week. A number of federal permits have been approved by the National Park Service including on Freedom Plaza, the Ellipse, and around the National Monument. We expect hate groups, white supremacists, and members of militia groups will be in attendance and have stated their plans to sow division and cause chaos in our city. Please find information on street closures and parking restrictions below effective today, Tuesday, January 5, 2021- Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

This Saturday, I was sworn in to serve a full four-year term to represent the residents of Ward 2.I would like to thank all of you for once again placing your faith in me to lead during this time. My team and I look forward to working on your behalf and alongside the many community partners who will help us to make Ward 2 a great place to live, work, and visit. I would also like to thank DC Attorney General Karl Racine for administering my oath of office during the ceremony.

On Saturday, January 2, 2021, Brooke Pinto was sworn in to the office for a four-year term as the Ward 2 Councilmember. "I pursued this office with the desire to provide solutions to our greatest challenges. This year has shown that government—especially local government—is a vital actor in preserving and protecting its people. I believe that government not only can use its resources to improve lives, but it has the moral obligation to do so. This oath of office renews my commitment to serve the residents of Ward 2 and the entire District of Columbia with fervor, integrity, compassion, and respect," said Councilmember Pinto in her remarks.

Dear Neighbors, As I reflect on 2020, I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of Ward 2 in what has been an incredibly challenging year. We began this journey together just six short months ago, right as I was sworn into office following the special election of June 2020. Upon entering office, we were faced with a global health pandemic unlike any other in recent times, the task of passing a balanced budget amidst revenue shortfalls, and providing relief to families, students, workers, and businesses who needed it most.

I know that many of us are still searching for answers and justice regarding the violent and terrorizing actions instigated by white supremacists in our city last weekend. I assure that you that as elected leaders, we take this very seriously – everything from the assaults on innocent residents to the burning of Black Lives Matters flags taken from historic churches – and will be working to investigate these hate crimes and bring charges against the offenders. Violence and hate will have no place here, and it will not be tolerated in our ward or in our city.

Today, the Council of the District of Columbia convened for the forty-first and final legislative meeting of Council Period 23. This meeting presented the Council’s last opportunity to vote on outstanding legislative measures introduced between January 2019 and December 2020, and saw the passage of significant bills related to criminal justice reform and public safety, fair labor and workers’ support, racial equity, and health and social services.

This week, the District Government shared major announcements regarding our citywide COVID recovery efforts and response, including one-time stimulus payments for residents who are currently receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), the opening of the Restaurant Bridge Fund applications, and the suspension of recreational sports and activities. More information about these changes can be found in the “COVID-19 Updates and Resources” section below.

This newsletter is slightly longer than usual, but there are many legislative and community updates that I want to share with you. I would also like to share a few updates on the District’s COVID response.

This week, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced the "Minor Consent to Healthcare for HIV and AIDS Regulations Amendment Act of 2020" to increase access to medical care for minors seeking treatment of HIV and AIDS.

The holiday season is finally here! It is likely that you may be preparing to travel, welcome visitors into your home, or reconnect with loved ones. You may also be planning to take advantage of an upcoming outdoor seasonal event. Whatever the case may be, I ask that you continue to prioritize public health and safety. The number of positive COVID-19 cases in the District of Columbia is rising, and I am very concerned. Please do not forget to wear your mask, avoid large crowds, stay home if you are not feeling well, and encourage those you know to do the same.

I began this week feeling re-energized with gratitude and optimism, knowing that you have entrusted me with the opportunity to continue serving as your Ward 2 Councilmember in the upcoming term. Today, I want to reassure you that I remain steadfast in my commitment to make Ward 2 an even better place to live, learn, work, and visit. And I ask that you too stay engaged and continue on this journey with me.

At the start of November, we entered hypothermia season, the time during which individuals with increased exposure to cold weather are susceptible to sustaining abnormally and dangerously low body temperatures or frostbite.

Over the last several months, residents, advocates, and policy makers across our city have worked very hard to raise awareness about the upcoming elections and encourage civic engagement. From mailing paper ballots to each registered voter, placing ballot drop boxes across the city, and expanding hours and access to early voting centers, many steps have been taken to ensure that every ballot can be cast in a safe, socially distant, and timely manner.

Early this morning, there was a large water main break at M Street and Wisconsin Ave in front of Banana Republic in Georgetown.

We kicked off this week with the 32nd annual celebration of National Coming Out Day! Each year on October 11, millions of Americans celebrate the power and resilience demonstrated by those who have chosen to love out loud and live life in its most authentic form.

Since my last update, the Council has passed two bills that I co-introduced to help strengthen the District’s post-pandemic local economy!

Today, during the Council of the District of Columbia’s 36th legislative meeting, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto co-introduced emergency legislation and moved an amendment that helps to strengthen the District’s post-pandemic local restaurant economy and additionally, voted in favor of legislation that she co-introduced to preserve the integrity of the District’s certified business enterprise program.

Many of you joined my recent community meeting on homelessness or have shared concerns with me and my team about neighbors experiencing homelessness. I hear your concerns and you can be assured that I am working with District agencies and community partners to move people into housing and alleviate homelessness in our community.

Among the hearing topics covered this week are the reestablishment of the District’s Tax Revision Commission, the District's unemployment insurance program, and distance learning in public schools

The Council convened our first post-recess legislative meeting. During the meeting, I co-introduced legislation and also voted to support small businesses, strengthen tenant rights and protections, and support members of the D.C. arts community.

Yesterday, the Council of the District of Columbia held its first post-recess legislative meeting. Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto co-introduced legislation to protect the integrity of the District’s local business enterprise program and to provide free feminine hygiene products in District public and public charter schools.

This past week, I spent time with representatives of the Georgetown Heritage Center to talk about recent improvements made to the Canal and future plans to continue to develop the area for educational and recreational uses.

Just last week, the District welcomed thousands of visitors from throughout the region and across the country to the Commitment March on Washington.

In response to this summer's widespread calls for criminal justice reforms, on Friday, August 28th, the National Action Network, led by civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton, will host the "Get Off Our Necks" Commitment March on Washington.

In June of this year, I stood behind the seal of the Council of the District of Columbia to swear an oath and assume my role as the first woman to represent Ward 2.