Zachary Parker

The latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter—Talking Taxes: Council’s Revenue Hearing—is available now. You can read it at https://ward5.us/news and subscribe at https://ward5.us/newsletter.

The revenue hearing in the Committee of the Whole has started! Tune in as we hear from witnesses on numerous proposals 🧵 https://www.youtube.com/live/ANYAxH74GvE?si=_oIDmkA7QKJQHJ9r

The latest Ward 5 Wave podcast covered a lot of ground: public safety in Ward 5, a recap of the FILTER Act vote, and last week's hearing with DYRS. But there's one special segment of the episode I hope you listen to: the "voices of Ward 5." We set up a podcast mic at Ward 5 Day last month and captured some great audio of our beautiful community. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit http://ward5.us/podcast 🎙️

This week’s newsletter reflects on today’s tax hearing and several of the proposals under consideration. I share some of my thoughts on how I hope the Council will proceed. Read more at https://ward5.us/news and you can subscribe for future editions at https://ward5.us/newsletter

Tomorrow, the Council will hold a hearing on revenue proposals for the FY28 budget. While we grapple with sobering financial forecasts alongside an affordability crisis, it is essential for us to get ahead of our FY28 budget conversations with a particular focus on revenue. Learn more, tune in, and consider submitting written testimony 👉🏾 https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hearings/2400

Committee on Youth Affairs Markup: B26-0071 - Uniform Unregulated Transfer of Child Custody Act of 2026 https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1PJqrNmBynZxb

Today, the Committee on Youth Affairs marked up a bill to hold parents accountable for handing off their children outside the legal process and abandoning their responsibilities. If passed, DC will join a small number of states in regulating unsafe custody transfers.

I’m proud to endorse Ben Williams for reelection as Ward 1’s representative on the DC State Board of Education. As a National Board Certified Teacher and dedicated public servant, Ben brings firsthand classroom experience and proven State Board leadership to his work.

I appreciated the conversation with Zara about gaps in our enforcement regime for housing providers, where essentially many are able to rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and never face consequences. 👇🏾

I’m proud to endorse Lynn Jennings for Ward 5’s seat on the DC State Board of Education. I’ve known Lynn since my time on the State Board and have seen her commitment to our students and families firsthand.