Dear Neighbor,
I had planned to send out this newsletter with a recap of my Earth Day clean-up and tips for rodent abatement in spring time. But with the recent news that the Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade, it’s critical that I reassure you of my commitment to protect a woman’s right to choose in the District.
Like many of you, I was shocked and upset when I read the leaked majority opinion last night. If the Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, women across the country would be prohibited from accessing abortions in their state. With recent legislation in Texas and other jurisdictions, we have seen women have to travel extraordinary distances in order to access this important reproductive health care – risking their jobs, causing mental and physical anguish, and destroying the right to choose. Even right here at home, because DC lacks statehood, Congress prevents Medicaid from covering abortion in most cases– another reminder that statehood is long overdue for District residents.
Together with my colleagues, I am committed to ensuring that the District remains a safe place for women to access abortions. Today, I was proud to stand with Planned Parenthood, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Bowser and my Council colleagues reaffirming the District’s commitment to protecting the right to choose. You can watch my remarks here.
Legislatively, the Council is working proactively to protect this right and I recently co-introduced the Enhancing Reproductive Health Protections Amendment Act. This bill would protect those who support and assist individuals seeking to self-terminate a pregnancy and shields those who provide, dispense, or transfer any product used for self-managed abortions from any penalties. I will continue to fight to protect the right to choose for all Washingtonians and all those who are forced to travel here to access care as we simultaneously work with our federal partners to codify Roe into federal law so that women across the country have this fundamental right.
Yours in Service,
Brooke
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Councilmember Pinto is excited to invite you to join her at two upcoming events:
1. On Thursday, May 5th, Councilmember Pinto is holding Community Office Hours in Georgetown at Volta Park from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Community office hours are an important way to hear directly from you about your most pressing concerns, answer questions, and hear your creative ideas on how we can work towards a stronger city!
2. Bike to Work Day is on Friday, May 20th and on Saturday, May 21st, Councilmember Pinto will be hosting her 2nd Annual Community Bike Ride through Ward 2. Last year was a great event with dozens of neighbors and reinforced the need for safe bike lanes throughout the city. Councilmember Pinto is proud that this year’s budget includes funding for an additional 10 miles of bike lanes and we have been working to implement many of the great suggestions that were raised during last year’s ride. You can RSVP for the bike ride here.
Councilmember Pinto hopes to see you at these events! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to her team at bromanowski@dccouncil.us.
TEAM PINTO IN THE COMMUNITY
In the last few weeks, Councilmember Pinto and the team were thrilled to be in the community at events. Team Pinto:
Return of the Canal Boat in Georgetown (photo credit: The Georgetowner)
- Children’s Career Fair, with Councilmember Trayon White
- Earth Day Clean-up Celebration in Partnership with Dupont Circle BID, District Clean-up, and DC Water!
- Team Pinto Joined Shaw Neighbors and the Metropolitain Police Department for a Community Day Clean-up Around Howard Theatre!
- Meeting with Mayor Muriel Bowser & Deputy Mayor for Health & Human Services, Wayne Turnage, to discuss helping our neighbors living in encampments move into housing.
- Press Conference to call on the Committee on Judiciary & Public Safety to hold a hearing on the Mobile VOTE Act introduced by Councilmember Pinto to help increase voter turnout.
- Heurich House Black owned-business celebration
- Celebrating Events DC President Greg O’Dell and His 14-Years of Service!
- Showing Support to Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, a locally owned small Business!
- Kick-off ‘Day of Play’ at RFK Stadium with Former Washington Commanders Player, Brian Mitchell
- Supported the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project in their mission to provide pro bono legal services to domestic violence victims and children
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
The FY 2023 Budget
The Committees have now amended the parts of the budget that they oversee. You can read the draft Committee Reports at the bottom of this page. Councilmember worked with all of her colleagues to champion Ward 2 priorities and projects in each committee. The next step in the budget process is for the entire Council to vote on the full budget.
The first vote on the full budget will be on May 10th. You can join and watch here. Councilmember Pinto continues to work with colleagues to ensure Ward 2 projects and priorities are included in the budget and will be certain to share updates after the budget is finalized! Stay tuned!
The Council Budget Office has a wealth of information to help understand the budget.
Here is the proposed timeline for the Budget moving forward:
- May 10, 2022: Committee of the Whole and Council consideration of the "Fiscal Year 2023 Local Budget Act of 2022" and the "Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Support Act of 2022"
- May 24, 2022: Council Consideration of the "Fiscal Year 2023 Local Budget Act of 2022," "Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Portion Budget Request Act of 2022," and the "Fiscal Year 2022 Revised Local Budget Emergency Adjustment Act of 2021"
- TBD: Council Consideration of the "Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Support Act of 2022"
Redistricting: The Ward 2 ANC Redistricting Taskforce finished its final report and submitted their proposed map to the Council. The members of the taskforce participated in a dozen public meetings, two town halls and donated hundreds of hours of time to the endeavor of redrawing the lines of the ANCs. The Subcommittee on Redistricting has concluded its public hearings and will vote on the boundaries later this month or in early June and then the full Council will have a final vote.
Legislation co-introduced by Councilmember Pinto:
Green New Deal for Housing Act: This bill will create a social housing program and accelerate the replacement of all lead pipes in the District. The social housing program will address the need for affordable housing while also making requirements for the construction to be climate friendly.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
With the change of seasons, we tend to see more rodents in our neighborhoods in Spring time. If you notice rats in your neighborhood, you can fill out a 311 request for a rodent inspection and abatement. One of the easiest ways to keep rodents away is to make sure trashcan lids are fully closed and leaky trash is not left out all week. DC Health has some additional helpful tips for residents and for business owners for rodent control.
Street sweeping has resumed! Make sure you check the signs when you park!