Brooke’s Briefing: 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW

SIGN UP HERE TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE MY NEWSLETTER

Dear Neighbor,

As we prepare to ring in the new year, there is so much to reflect on what we accomplished and faced together in 2025. In this newsletter, I will highlight our major wins that improved public safety, catalyzed economic opportunity, supported seniors, young people, and our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and increased affordable housing in the District.

The end of 2025 marks the culmination of my third year as Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. As Chairwoman, keeping District residents and visitors safe is my number one priority. I am proud of the tremendous progress we have made together. Crime in the District has dropped to the lowest levels in decades since my Secure DC Omnibus was passed and implemented last year, and my Peace DC Omnibus that the Council passed this year will continue to help make DC safer for everyone and promote sustainable peace. And my Prosper DC plan, which I announced last month, addresses many of the opportunity gaps that can also help improve public safety in the District by reducing barriers to employment, business growth, housing, and youth development.

This year has also brought a great deal of unwelcome federal government interference. Many of our residents suddenly lost their jobs with the federal government or as federal contractors. The federal immigration policies are leading to real traumatization, fear, and separation of families in our immigrant communities. I join residents in anger and frustration over the militarization of our streets and the deployment of the National Guard. The U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills that trample on our right to Home Rule, undermine our local public safety system, and disregard our local efforts that have been effectively improving public safety.

Let me be very clear: these are real and pressing threats that continue to impact DC residents every single day, and I remain committed to continuing to stand up for District residents while protecting our right to self-governance. Together, we will continue to make DC the best city in the world for people to live, work, and play. I want to thank you all for your support and partnership throughout the year. I’m wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!  

Yours in Service,

Brooke

PUBLIC SAFETY

PEACE DC PLAN

This year, Councilmember Pinto continued to build on the success in crime reduction following last year’s passage and implementation of her Secure DC Omnibus. Over the summer, the DC Council passed Councilmember Pinto’s Peace DC Omnibus, which will help continue to drive down crime and promote sustainable peace throughout our city.

The Peace DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2025:

• continues the rebuttable presumption for pretrial detention when defendants are charged with certain dangerous crimes and crimes of violence through December 2026 and requires a report from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

• streamlines educational credit requirements for the Metropolitan Police Department to bolster recruiting and increase the number of officers on the force

• ensures that families of Fire & Emergency Medical Services personnel who die due to a performance-of-duty injury or illness are eligible for full survivor benefits; and

• closes a gap in the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 to ensure that individuals can seal their criminal records as the underlying legislation intended and truly get a second chance at housing, gainful employment, and other opportunities in our community.

Without the extension of rebuttable pretrial detention, violent crimes like first degree sexual abuse (rape), child sexual abuse, strangulation, aggravated assault, first degree child cruelty, kidnapping, manslaughter, and carjacking would have no longer had a rebuttable presumption to be held before trial. With the extension, judges have the discretion to hold defendants facing the most violent charges pretrial; defendants can overcome this presumption by demonstrating they are not a danger to the community or a flight risk.

PUBLIC SAFETY WALKS

Councilmember Pinto held public safety walks and public safety forums across the District in 2025. Public safety walks and forums are a way for residents to speak with Councilmember Pinto in their neighborhoods about public safety concerns and solutions.

• Ward 1 Public Safety Walk

• Ward 2 Public Safety Walk

• Ward 3 Public Safety Walk

• Ward 4 Public Safety Walk

• Ward 5 Public Safety Walk

• Ward 7 Public Safety Walk

• Ward 8 Public Safety Forum

POWER OUTAGES OVERSIGHT

In October, Chairwoman Pinto held a public roundtable on power outage emergency planning after two major power outages earlier this year in the West End/Dupont Circle neighborhoods and the fire at Pepco’s Benning Road facility significantly impacted DC residents.

During her oversight roundtable, Councilmember Pinto secured important commitments from Pepco and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) to improve communication, ensure prevention, and improve transparency.

PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING

Councilmember Pinto helped secure critical wins in the FY 2026 budget that continue to improve our public safety.

This year, our investments in public safety included:

• Fully funding MPD and providing additional funding for improvements at the MPD training academy facility to support recruitment and hiring efforts

• Increasing funding for officer recruitment and retention across our public safety agencies including MPD, Fire & EMS, DOC, and OUC to ensure safety and security across the District

• Approving the ability to provide retroactive pay increases for union contracts including for our firefighters

• Funding Access to Justice grants to provide low-resource residents with legal services including for housing and employment issues

• Funding Victim Services grants to ensure survivors of crime can access needed resources and supports through a continuum of care

• Funding the Safe Commercial Corridor grants to provide resources for neighborhood-specific safety interventions and promote public safety along commercial corridors in all eight wards

• Funding Safe and Secure DC Nonprofit grants to provide resources to respond to safety concerns at District faith-based and non-profit institutions at higher risk of violence or attacks including hate crimes

• Merging the District’s violence intervention programs under the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) with assurances from the Executive to improve efficiency and efficacy of our VI programs  

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PROSPER DC PLAN

In November, Councilmember Pinto introduced her “Prosper DC Plan” to catalyze economic opportunities for District residents and businesses. This comprehensive plan includes the introduction of 23 new bills to deliver economic opportunities for residents, positive youth development, supports and attraction incentives for businesses, and affordable, healthy and accessible housing.

Economic Opportunities for Residents:

1. Introducing the Apprenticeships and Credentials as Pathways to Prosperity Act of 2025: This bill supports high school graduates and other DC workers by establishing an apprenticeship and credential program targeting high-demand industries like healthcare, tech, education, hospitality, and construction management that provides on-the-job training, job placement, and zero-interest forgivable loans for tuition and living expenses.
2. Introducing the Equitable Access to Financial Services Act of 2025: This bill supports unbanked and underbanked DC residents by requiring any contract the District enters into with a financial institution that provides prepaid debit cards to require the financial institution to have physical locations in at least five wards and that a preference be given to financial institutions with physical locations in census tracks with a median household income of $50,000 or less.
3. Introducing the Expanding Fertility Treatment Options Amendment Act of 2025:This bill supports women and families by requiring health insurers in the District to cover elective egg freezing as a treatment to increase the chance of pregnancy for patients at a later, more advanced age, when they may face age-related fertility decline.
4. Introducing the Park Concessions Amendment Act of 2025: The bill supports our local economy by reinvesting in underutilized recreation centers and parks across the District and establishing a seasonal grant program to support local food and drink vendors operating at recreation sites during peak months.

Positive Youth Development:

1. Introducing the Teen Center Establishment Amendment Act of 2025: This bill supports teens by addressing gaps in recreational programming by requiring DPR to establish and operate at least four comprehensive teen centers in each quadrant of the District.
2. Introducing the Youth Villages Grant Establishment Amendment Act of 2025:This bill supports at-risk youth by establishing a Youth Villages grant program within the Child and Family Services Agency modeled after the Senior Villages program under the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) to support creation and operation of neighborhood-based organizations across DC.
3. Introducing the Youth Links App Act of 2025: This bill supports our youth by directing the Deputy Mayor for Education to contract with a third-party developer to create a smartphone application that directly connects youth and young adults in the District to flexible, paid work opportunities in the private sector.
4. Introducing the Youth Employment Program Cohort Expansion Amendment Act of 2025: This bill supports our young adults facing barriers in the workforce by extending the maximum age for participation in the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) to 30 years of age.
5. Introducing the Pathways to Prosperity for Young Parents Pilot Amendment Act of 2025: This bill helps reduce barriers into the workforce for young parents by creating a pilot program that provides 100 subsidized employment vouchers to young parents.
6. Introducing the Youth Banking Amendment Act of 2025: This bill empowers young people to take control of their finances by clarifying that financial institutions may provide deposit accounts to minors between the age of 14-18 without parental consent, and that accounts may not provide lines of credit for minors or charge fees or overdraft charges.
7. Introducing the Artificial Intelligence Literacy in Education Act of 2025: This bill supports students and educators by requiring the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to create guidance surrounding the use and instruction of artificial and generative intelligence tools.

Supporting and Attracting Businesses:

1. Introducing the Innovate DC Amendment Act of 2025: This bill grows our local tech economy by providing matching grants to DC universities and hospitals to support the development of tech research and innovation facilities, and it invests in tech commercialization research to launch new businesses.
2. Introducing the Fairness and Accuracy in Real Property Tax Assessments Amendment Act of 2025: This bill implements common-sense improvements to make the real property tax assessment process more accurate, efficient, and timely as we see an office market that is experiencing major vacancy impacts.
3. Introducing the Special Events Permit Process Simplification Act of 2025: This bill supports DC’s cultural vibrancy by streamlining the special event permitting process and creates a one-stop-shop for event permitting by establishing an Office of Special Events under the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development.
4. Introducing the Art Gallery Tax Exemption Amendment Act of 2025: This bill supports our local arts community by ensuring art galleries that are exempt from property tax may also exempt space used for business purposes that support the cultural mission of the organization.
5. Introducing the Vacant Space Art Activation Program Act of 2025: This bill supports our local arts by utilizing vacant space for arts and cultural organizations at no cost to the organizations and helps address our chronic commercial vacancies. Vibrant space leads to opportunities, activation, and safety.
6. Introducing the Job Growth Incentive Amendment Act of 2025: This bill incentivizes current business owners to grow their businesses here in DC and encourages companies to relocate to DC which is especially important for supporting residents impacted by federal government and contractor layoffs.

Affordable, Healthy, and Accessible Communities:

1. Introducing the Expanding Downtown Affordable Housing Options Act of 2025:This bill supports residents by expanding housing options downtown by reducing barriers for office-to-housing conversions and encouraging new forms of communal housing that will increase supply and drive down housing costs for residents.
2. Introducing the Portable Tenant Screening Report Amendment Act of 2025: This bill supports renters by reducing the costs of seeking a residential unit by requiring prospective landlords to accept portable tenant screening reports, which can be used for multiple applications.
3. Introducing the Disabled Veterans Complete Property Tax Exemption Amendment Act of 2025: This bill supports disabled veterans by amending the homestead deduction to include a complete property tax exemption for qualifying 100% disabled veterans and transferring the deduction to the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran or a surviving spouse of a veteran who died in the line of duty.
4. Introducing the Renter Tax Credit Expansion Amendment Act of 2025: This bill supports renters by increasing the tax credit cap to match fair market rent values and creating an option for more regular payments to tenants.
5. Introducing the Ensuring Access and Supporting Engagement (EASE) for DOC Residents Act of 2025: This bill addresses barriers to the Council legislative process for DOC residents by ensuring they can testify before the DC Council and engage with their ANC Commissioner, and it requires that DOC provides access to the technology and internet necessary to facilitate their testimony.
6. Introducing the Rodent Abatement Through Smart Solutions (RATSS) Amendment Act of 2025: This bill supports a clean and healthy DC by addressing the prevalent rodent problem by replacing public trash cans that are in disrepair with rodent-proof bins, establishing a more systematic replacement program for residential trash cans that have evidence of being chewed by rodents, establishing a home trash shed incentive program for the safe storage of trash receptacles, and establishing a trash compactor grant program for businesses.

RFK DEAL

Over the summer, the DC Council approved a deal with the Washington Commanders to bring the team back home to DC and to revitalize the RFK campus. Councilmember Pinto worked diligently for months with members of the public, the Commanders, the mayor, the Chairman, and Council colleagues to secure the best deal for our city.  

Below is a breakdown highlighting the wins including those Councilmember Pinto fought for in the RFK deal:

• New Housing: Councilmember Pinto heard from residents across the District that the deal with the Commanders must include new housing to address the housing crunch. This plan includes approximately 6,000 new housing units, one third of which will be affordable.

• Fields at RFK: Families across the District enjoy using the Fields at RFK to play and told Councilmember Pinto for years that they were concerned this access would be disrupted during the construction of a new stadium. Councilmember Pinto proudly helped ensure that the Fields will remain open and untouched throughout the entirety of construction so families can continue to enjoy that space.

• New Mixed-Use Development: The District will build a new sportsplex near the fields that will host year-round sporting events and tournaments for our kids. The District will also develop a new Kingman Park District, which will include housing, hotels, retail, and open space and recreational space.

• Job Opportunities: The redevelopment of the RFK campus is estimated to generate 14,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs in retail, hospitality, and more. Councilmember Pinto has been working with the Commanders to develop a training pipeline for formerly incarcerated people reentering our communities so they can benefit from stable employment at the site!

• Revenue to the District: Councilmember Pinto has heard from residents who want to ensure the District secured a fair deal for taxpayers and the District will be receiving parking revenue as well as a portion of sales tax revenue, elements that were not included in the initial deal.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Councilmember Pinto was proud to join ribbon cuttings for new Ward 2 businesses, including:

• Grand opening of Sixty DC in Dupont Circle

• Opening of the newly renovated Holt Building in Georgetown

• Opening of Yala Greek Ice Cream in Georgetown

BIDS AND MAIN STREETS

DC Main Streets is a comprehensive program that promotes the revitalization of business corridors in DC. A Business Improvement District (BID) is a self-taxing district established by property owners to enhance the economic vibrancy of a commercial area. This year, Councilmember Pinto worked closely with Ward 2 Main Streets and BIDS, including:

• Dupont Circle BID

• Golden Triangle BID

• Georgetown BID

• Georgetown Main Street

• Foggy Bottom West End Main Street, which launched this year after Councilmember Pinto established and funded it

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

Our investments in economic resilience and growth in 2025 included:

• Funding for our Main Streets programs to provide support and resources for local businesses and community organizations

• Funding for the Chinatown-Gallery Place Taskforce recommendations to protect existing Chinese-owned businesses and support new development in this area

• Funding for Gallery Square to invest in continued growth in this area

• Funding for the Chinatown Lease Program to provide financial assistance to small businesses in Chinatown

• Expanding the area in which housing projects are eligible for tax abatements under the Housing in Downtown program, which plays an important role in spurring development  

• Expanding access to public restrooms at MLK Library and Dupont Circle  

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Councilmember Pinto held community office hours events throughout Ward 2 to speak with neighbors about concerns and ideas to improve our city, including:

• Stead Park Recreation Center Community Office Hours

• Mitchell Park Fall Fun Day Community Office Hours

• Bread & Chocolate Community Office Hours in Foggy Bottom  

• Aslin Coffee Community Office Hours in Logan Circle

• Rose Park Farmers Market Community Office Hours

WARD 2 ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION (ANC) MEETINGS

In January, Councilmember Pinto had the honor of swearing in our new and returning Ward 2 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) for 2025.

Councilmember Pinto held an ANC happy hour to demonstrate appreciation for all our ANCs and the hard work they do every day for their communities.

Team Pinto attended dozens of monthly Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) meetings in 2025 to share office updates and ensure neighborhood concerns are heard and responded to by the Council.

SUPPORTING SENIORS

Councilmember Pinto held many community events and meetings with neighbors that focused on our continuing efforts to support our aging residents and empower them to live connected and active lives, including:  

• Meeting with seniors at St. Mary’s Court

• Meeting with seniors at Asbury Dwellings in Shaw  

• Meeting with neighbors at Inspir Embassy Row

WARD 2 SENIOR CENTER FUNDING

Seniors have greater health outcomes when we facilitate structures that curb isolation and promote connection. Councilmember Pinto established a task force to identify potential locations for the new Ward 2 senior wellness center and secured funding in the budget for it.

EARTH DAY CLEANUP

In April, Councilmember Pinto joined the 2025 Earth Day cleanup with neighbors, Shawn Main Streets, District Cleanups, and the Logan Circle Community Association.

SUPPORTING OUR LGBTQ+ NEIGHBORS

WORLD PRIDE

This year, Councilmember Pinto celebrated World Pride with neighbors. The District was proud to host this year’s global celebration of our LGBTQ+ community.

SWANN STREET RENAMING

Councilmember Pinto was honored to unveil the historic marker dedication for William Dorsey Swann, an early pioneer who fought for LGBTQ+ rights in the late 19th century. Swann was a formerly enslaved Black queer man and widely known as the first reported “queen of drag.”

HIGH HEEL RACE

Councilmember Pinto joined the 38th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race to celebrate our diversity and love in the District.

LEGISLATION TO INCREASE HIV PREVENTION AND REDUCE STIGMA

Councilmember Pinto strongly believes we must provide access to preventative care and treatment for DC residents. This is why she introduced the “Removing Barriers and Reducing Stigma to Encourage HIV Prevention Amendment Act of 2025.” This measure encourages use of the HIV prevention medication commonly called PrEP, and helps reduce the stigma associated with HIV by prohibiting insurers from factoring the use of PrEP in decisions related to the issuance of disability, life, or long-term care insurance policies.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND EDUCATION

REMOVING CELL PHONES FROM THE CLASSROOM

This year, the DC Council passed Councilmember Pinto’s legislation to prohibit students from using personal cell phones and other personal devices during the full school day. The “Disconnect Act of 2025” directs local education agencies (LEAs) to each adopt and implement a policy that prohibits students from using personal wireless communication devices during the school day including cell phones, gaming devices, and smart watches, among others.

MEETINGS WITH STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Councilmember Pinto held many meetings with students, parents, and teachers throughout the year, including:

• Meeting with Hardy Middle School Student Council

• Reading to students in Oxon Hill

• Meeting with DC Girls’ Coalition for a Youth Town Hall

• Meeting with DC teachers and EmpowerED

• Meeting with parents from Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE)

• Meeting with DC Council and State Board of Education

• Celebrating the DC teacher of the year – Ward 2’s own Christopher Alberts, Director of Performing Arts and music teacher at School Without Walls High School in Foggy Bottom

YOUTH AND FAMILY FUNDING

Councilmember Pinto’s investments to support young people this year include:

• Funding for a District Child Tax Credit to ensure parents have the resources needed to raise their families here in DC -- an effort led by Councilmembers Zachary Parker and Matt Frumin

• Funding for the Early Literacy Education Task Force recommendations to ensure all K-5 educators are trained in structured literacy so they are equipped with the tools they need to effectively teach literacy

• Funding for the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund to address the historically low wages of early childhood educators

• Funding for the childcare subsidy to provide low and moderate-income families access to high-quality education and care  

• Increasing funding for the District’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to help DC families in need  

• Expanding the DHS Truancy pilot to address the student attendance crisis and reduce chronic absenteeism

• Funding for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, which provides programming to kids from all eight wards at the Jelleff Community Center

• Funding the Community Schools Incentive Initiative grants awarded at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), which fund partnerships that coordinate educational, developmental, family, health and after-school-care programs

• Funding improvements at Bundy Field to better serve wheelchair users and to provide a water source for dogs  

• Funding to replace playground equipment at Volta Park and to resurface the playground for kids to enjoy

HOUSING

Councilmember Pinto is committed to investing in affordable, accessible, and healthy housing for DC residents.  

THE ASTON

Councilmember Pinto secured continued funding for the Aston, the first of its kind non-congregate bridge housing to help adults transition from homelessness to stable housing in the District. Since the Aston first opened in November 2024, it averages 91 monthly participants. There have been 31 exits, with ten moving to permanent housing and 21 moving to non-permanent housing.  

HOUSING INVESTMENTS

Our investments in housing in 2025 include:

• Increased funding for Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH) vouchers for families  

• Funding $11.5 million in for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)  

• Funding $2 million in FY27 and $6.1 million across the financial plan for additional emergency shelter capacity for families  

• Funding $1.5 million in one-time funds to restore funds for extended transitional housing for homeless youth  

• Funding $1 million in FY26 for 100 additional DC Flex slots. Of this, $806,000 and 80 slots are specifically for families experiencing homelessness who cannot be sheltered in a shelter or in congregate care due to a lack of available space  

• Funding 20 additional Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) vouchers for families  

• Funding $11 million in one-time funds to enhance the Housing Preservation Fund  

• Funding $1.8 million in one-time funds for the Home Purchase Assistance Program to give more first-time homebuyers a path to ownership and long-term stability  

• Funding $1 million in one-time funds to Small Housing Provider Grants for repairs to affordable housing for five to 20 units  

• Removed the Mayor’s provision that allowed families to be placed in congregate shelters, instead keeping the ban on placing families in congregate settings so that families have proper privacy, security, and dignity.

‍