The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! Head to ward5.us/news for lots of important updates, and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every week at ward5.us/newsletter.
Time is running out to submit nominations for this year's Ward 5 Awards! Nominate a neighbor who goes above and beyond for Ward 5 now at ward5.us/nominate.
Catch up on yesterday's hearing with OSSE: www.youtube.com/live/0WEVcH8...
I remain troubled by the lack of public information provided about how the executive decided that the childcare subsidy program needs to be slashed. We've worked hard in recent years to right size this program, and cutting it will impact the neediest children in the District.
It's still CHILD TAX CREDIT FOR ALL, and we won't be swayed by what Congress does, what the Mayor's budget says, or what the CFO does with revenue. If we are serious about fighting poverty and growing DC's economy, there's no more clearly proven way than this policy.
Welcome to our new student intern, Paris!
Transparency and accountability are how we rebuild damaged trust and ensure our local police force is not complicit in the federal government’s inhumane immigration enforcement. I was proud to co-introduce and vote in favor of the FAAR Act.
And thank you to @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social, @anitabondsdc.bsky.social, CM Crawford, @cmchenderson.bsky.social, @brianneknadeau.bsky.social, @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social, and @robertwhitedc.bsky.social for co-introducing!
Today, March 2, 2026, Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and I are jointly introducing the Eric’s ID Amendment Act of 2026. This bill is co-introduced by Councilmembers Allen, Bonds, Crawford, Henderson, Nadeau, Pinto, and R. White. As we recognize the beginning of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, this legislation is especially important as it serves to create more equity for our disabled neighbors. The bill will provide protections to our residents who have hidden disabilities and ensure that our police officers engage in interactions appropriate for these residents. This bill is the result of meaningful collaboration and support from the family behind Eric’s ID Law in Maryland – Eric and Linda Carpenter-Grantham – and the District Department of Motor Vehicles. By expanding the reach of Eric’s ID law, we can help champion dignity and respect for residents with nonapparent disabilities and foster safe interactions with law enforcement and other officials who may request ID.
Allow individuals to choose to indicate that they have a nonapparent disability on their license, permit, or identification card. Define a nonapparent disability as a disability or health condition that is not immediately obvious or visible, including developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and immunodeficiency conditions. Require DDOT to coordinate with the Office of Disability Rights to conduct public outreach efforts. Prohibit DDOT from disclosure of information related to an individual’s nonapparent disability except in certain circumstances, and from charging fees to add or remove a nonapparent disability notation on an initial or renewal application. Require MPD to implement training concerning interactions with individuals with nonapparent disabilities.
As we kick off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,
@cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social and I are proud to introduce the Eric's ID Amendment Act. This legislation will help us champion the dignity of residents with nonapparent disabilities.
Read the bill 👉🏾 zacharyparkerward5.com/wp-content/u...
Ward 5 Weekly - February 27, 2026 - Ward 5 Awards - Nominate a Neighbor Now! - Last Chance to Complete Ward 5 Budget Survey - My School DC Lottery Closes for PK3-Grade 8 - March 2 - Carver Langston Park Meeting - March 11 - Crummell Community Center Meeting - March 17 - Harry Thomas Rec Community Meeting - March 19 - Final Performance Oversight Hearings - Next Week and more!
Ward 5 Wave - Season 3, Episode 4 Potomac Interceptor Collapse: What Happened, Current Status, and What's Next with special guest, Charles Allen, Ward 6 Councilmember and Chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment February 27, 2026
The latest editions of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter and Ward 5 Wave Podcast are available now! You can read at ward5.us/news, listen at ward5.us/podcast, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.
"We're a city on two rivers," @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social reflects on today's Ward 5 Wave. Following the devastating environmental impact of the Potomac Interceptor collapse, CM Allen shares updates and what is ahead for the region as we work to restore our waterways. Tune in! 👉🏾 ward5.us/podcast
Members of ANC 5F, and affiliated Civic Associations, pose for a photo with Councilmember Parker.
This evening @cmzparker5.bsky.social hosted a gathering of Ward 5 leaders to discuss the many things going on in the District, and to hear about what issues and concerns are top of mind in our corners of the District. I appreciated this opportunity to advocate for Edgewood!
@joe5f6.bsky.social
Are you accidentally growing DC's rat population?
I've heard from many Ward 5 neighbors with concerns about DC Water's response to the Potomac Interceptor Collapse. They will be hosting a community meeting for DC residents this Wednesday:
⏰️ February 25, 7:00 p.m.
📍 DC Water HQ (1385 Canal St SE)
🔗 More info: www.dcwater.com/about-dc-wat...
Performance oversight for DPR w/ gov't witnesses is 3/5. I will ask about capital projects in Ward 5 (especially Crummell, Langdon, Harry Thomas, Brentwood), & overall agency performance. If you missed the hearing for public witnesses, there's still time to submit written testimony: t.co/ZITh6KizlE
🌳 - Riggs & South Dakota Park Community Meeting is Thursday, 2/26 at Lamond Riggs Library: riggsandsouthdakota.splashthat.com
🛝 - K.C. Lewis Park (adjacent to Ward 5) Community Meeting is Wednesday, 2/25 at St. George's Episcopal: kclewis.splashthat.com
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🧵Several @dcdpr.bsky.social updates for Ward 5 neighbors:
🏊🏾♀️- Turkey Thicket pool will be offline until at least March 10 for annual maintenance.
🏊🏾♂️ - Dunbar pool is reopening tomorrow (2/24)! Normal operations resume, 6am-8am and 5pm - 9pm, Mon-Fri.
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Hey Christopher. I secured funds in this year’s budget specifically to address flooding along this section of the MBT. DDOT’s latest update on their progress:
Ward 5 Weekly - February 20, 2026 - Potomac River Update - Ward 5 Awards Nominations - Ward 5 Budget Survey - Ward 5 Leadership Gathering - Mayor's Budget Forum in Ward 5 - Riggs and South Dakota Park Meeting
Ward 5 Wave - Season 3, Episode 3 Listen at ward5.us/podcast Facing budget challenges, advancing adult education opportunities, and remembering rev. jesse jackson.
The latest editions of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter and Ward 5 Wave Podcast are available now! You can read at ward5.us/news, listen at ward5.us/podcast, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.
This week's Ward 5 Wave podcast features adult learners and advocates from some of the District's adult charter schools. I hope you'll tune in to hear their stories! We also discuss the recent Mayor-Council breakfast, budget challenges, and reflect on the life of Rev. Jesse Jackson. ward5.us/podcast
A blessed Ash Wednesday to neighbors in Ward 5 and beyond who began the Lenten season today. May this time of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving cultivate communities of justice. ✝️
We cannot balance this year’s budget on the backs of working class and low-income residents. Thank you to everyone who joined the Rally for DC Families to make it clear that if and when we face tough budget choices, we won’t put the District’s most vulnerable neighbors on the chopping block first.
Ramadan Mubarak to neighbors in Ward 5 and beyond beginning their fast. May your month be blessed and your fasting and prayers be rewarded. ☪️
Rally for DC Families - 2/18/26 - 9:00 a.m. - Wilson building steps
📢 Join us tomorrow morning on the steps of the Wilson building as we rally for DC families! We cannot and will not balance this year's budget on the backs of low-income and working class families.
Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate! In this Year of the Fire Horse, may you find the strength to break down barriers to growth and spark new energy in your community. 🧧🧨🐎
Ward 5 Weekly - February 13, 2026 This week's highlights: - CM Parker on Politics Hour - Today - Ward 5 Awards Nominations - Open Now! - Trash Collection Update - Potomac River Sewage Spill Update - Modified Government Services for Presidents Day - February 16 - Rally for DC Families - February 18 and more!
The latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! You can read at ward5.us/news, and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter
Going live on Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood shortly! Tune in by clicking "Listen Live" here: wamu.org
Congress' vote to pass H.J. Res. 142 and overturn the District's local tax policy is not only an affront to Home Rule, but also a direct attack on the very working people to whom the Council sought to provide relief through a historic Child Tax Credit and an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Any suggestion that Congress' move is meant to benefit working people doesn't square with the fact that the OBBBA was largely a handout to the wealthy and the well-connected. Likewise, any suggestion that the Council's decoupling denies District residents the federal tax provisions touted by the president is simply a lie. Every Washingtonian was and is still set to receive the same federal tax forms as every other American tax-payer. Make no mistake, today's vote is an attack on all Washingtonians. While DC government explores options for protecting the interests of all our residents, 1 remain committed to resisting continued federal overreach and ensuring that the District claws back from this unprecedented action executed by Congress.
My full statement on the Senate’s vote today 👇🏾
I just sent an email to Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter subscribers with the latest updates on trash and recycling collection. Check it out at ward5.us/trashupdate
Reminder! Join us online for the Ward 5 Budget Forum tomorrow evening. Register at ward5.us/budgetforum
