PRESS RELEASE: Councilmember Pinto Submits Budget Priorities to Support Safety, Affordability, and Economic Development

For Immediate Release

Contact: Communications Director, Samantha Graubard Sgraubard@dccouncil.gov

‍PRESS RELEASE: COUNCILMEMBER PINTO SUBMITS BUDGET PRIORITIES TO SUPPORT SAFETY, AFFORDABILITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Washington DC — Today, Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety Brooke Pinto sent a letter to the mayor outlining her budget priorities for FY 2027, which focus on supporting public safety, affordability, and economic development in the District.

The letter highlights critical investments that include but are not limited to:  

Public Safety:

• Funding for hiring/recruitment/retention at our public safety agencies like MPD/Fire & EMS, and OUC

• Funding for domestic violence and crime survivor support

• Expanding security grants for religious institutions and other nonprofits  

Affordability:

• Funding the childcare subsidy and early childhood pay equity fund

• Expanding the renter tax credit

• Funding emergency rental assistance  

Economic Development:

• Funding Councilmember Pinto’s Prosper DC plan, including:

• Apprenticeships and Credentials as Pathways to Prosperity Act of 2025, which establishes an apprenticeship and credential program targeting high-demand, high-growth industries.

• Innovate DC Amendment Act of 2025, which grows our local tech economy by providing matching grants to DC universities and hospitals to support the development of tech research.

• Vacant Space Art Activation Program Act of 2025, which 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.

• Job Growth Incentive Amendment Act of 2025, which incentivizes current business owners to grow their businesses here in DC and encourages companies to relocate to DC. 

• Funding Main Streets and Clean Teams programs

“As the District continues to face a shifting federal landscape, we must diversify our local economy and provide innovative economic opportunities that help all District residents prosper,” said Councilmember Pinto.  “I am urging the mayor to include my critically important budget requests that focus on public safety and security, new economic opportunity and federal workforce support, and affordable, healthy, and vibrant communities and education.”

You can read the full budget request letter here.

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