As we ring in the new year, I was honored to celebrate one of our Ward 4 seniors, Mrs. Fannie Robinson, on her 100th birthday. 🎉💐

Merry Christmas!🎄Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and happy new year!

Today DC’s CFO certified our budget appropriations will increase by more than $51 million, due to FY25 revenue exceeding actual expenditures. Because of the contingency plan my team helped include in the FY26 budget, this $51 million will be used to fund vital programs that have been underfunded.

It’s nearly a wrap on 2025…and we’ve put together our own 2025 Wrapped highlighting some of the best moments of the year in Ward 4.

#MySchoolDC is the one-stop application for the lottery for DC’s public school options and has now opened for the 2026-2027 year! If you have questions about the My School DC process, you can call the hotline at (202) 888-6336 and get the answers you need.

Metro Rewind is now LIVE! How many trips did you take? How many miles did you ride? Were you in the top 10%? See how your rides rank: www.metrorewind.com?utm_source=b...

Mi Casa Inc. is a nonprofit leader in affordable housing development and preservation. Yesterday, I toured properties across #Ward4 to learn more about their mission to build inclusive, accessible housing and support collective homeownership opportunities.

My interview with @empowereddc.bsky.social for their Educator Wellness Revolution Podcast is live! We talked about the state of DC's school facilities. Functioning school buildings are the lynchpin of student success, and we talked about concrete policies that can drive improvement.

I have been consistent that the Council must uphold the will of the voters, whether it comes to fair wages or Ranked Choice Voting. Pausing the implementation of RCV is not the answer.

Two weeks ago, the Council heard heartbreaking testimonies from residents about the toll that the District's collaboration has taken on local families and neighbors. We must do more to protect our community.

Starting today, Green Line🟢 trains will single track between U St and Georgia Av-Petworth until Dec. 30 in preparation for the Yellow Line extension.

Congratulations to Local Maternity Thread on the grand opening of the new community maternity and nursing clothing closet at 9th & Upshur St NW! These free closets keep quality maternity clothing in circulation, reducing waste and making essential items more accessible for all expecting parents.

Temperatures are dangerous outside! Cover up to prevent frostbite and hypothermia -- and be sure to call the shelter hotline at 202-399-7093 or call 311 if you or someone you know needs help getting out of the cold.

On the first day of the Hanukkah, my heart is with all those who celebrate, especially those who are in mourning over the violent antisemitic attack in Australia. May the light of each candle replace the darkness and bring peace, protection, and blessings to you all. Chag Sameach!

Read this week's #Ward4 Dispatch: Shine Safely Act, Helping Seniors Age with Dignity, and Shop Local This Holiday Season! 🎄⬇️ janeeseward4.com/ward-4-dispa...

What an amazing day ringing in the holiday season with our seniors! Our holiday party was full of singing, games, and food. It’s always a joy to come together and celebrate community. Thank you Iona Senior Services for co-organizing and Nineteenth Street Baptist Church for hosting us! ❄️🎁🎉

I regularly hear from DC seniors who are struggling to afford their property taxes or need to move closer to family support but are deterred by higher tax burdens. I’ve introduced two bills to help our seniors age in place while retaining the tax benefits they’ve worked hard to earn. 🧵

💡 Today, the Committee on Transportation and the Environment is holding a hearing on my Shine Safely Act—moving the District away from mercury-containing lightbulbs that present serious health risks. Watch the hearing live: ➡️ dc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer....

It's always special spending time with our seniors at Hattie Holmes Senior Center! 🌲❄️🎁   Grateful to everyone who joined today’s holiday party and to the dedicated staff who make Hattie Holmes such a vital gathering space for our senior community.

🏗️ DC needs more skilled trade professionals, and #Ward4 students should have access to these growing opportunities.   Great to visit Clark Construction’s Crafting Futures event to see students learning how they can access pathways to economic opportunity and help build our future as a District.

Last week, we celebrated a major milestone: the dedication of the modernized Dorothy Height Elementary! 🏫🎉   The modernized school features 86,000 square feet of reimagined learning spaces for nearly 400 Monarchs from Pre-K3 through 5th grade.

🎄 #Ward4 seniors! Next Friday, December 12th, from 10am to 2pm, I'm joining Iona Senior Services to host a holiday party at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church!   There will be bingo prizes, live music, dancing, and lots more fun for our senior community. 🏆🎤💃

Read this week's #Ward4 Dispatch: Porchfest Permitting Passes, Petworth Library Renovations, and Senior Holiday Party! ⬇️ janeeseward4.com/ward-4-dispa...

Since day one, we knew the so-called emergency was only about projecting power and harming our residents. But @washingtonpost.com's analysis showing 80% of immigrants arrested had no criminal records only underscores Trump's sole focus on racially profiling and targeting immigrant communities.

Inspiring to be with coaches, teachers, and organizations serving and mentoring our young people at Fight For Children’s Youth Sports Town Hall. ⚽⛹️🏅
 
Youth sports are not just a nice-to-have line item in our budget—they are public safety, physical health, and mental health infrastructure.

Last night, the US District Court ruled that Trump's warrantless ICE arrests are illegal and unconstitutional. This ruling is the result of countless residents resisting and documenting experiences on the ground. We must stand firm: our immigrant neighbors deserve dignity, safety, and justice.

The misclassification of workers is wage theft. It's stealing from workers and the families and communities they support with their hard-earned money.

No employer should ever underpay their workers—especially not when that work is funded through generous public subsidies.

🏛️ Today, I'm chairing a hearing addressing one of the most fundamental quality-of-life issues facing our city: sufficient and equitable access to safe, clean, and functional @dcdpr.bsky.social recreational spaces.
 
Watch today's hearing live: ➡️ janeeseward4.com/live

This morning, I hosted something different: a hands-on simulation showing how DC could become the first place in America to let residents decide which local news outlets get grant funding.

PORCH POLICY UPDATE: The D.C. Council just passed an emergency bill introduced by @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social that will make it easier for porchfest music events (like those in Petworth and Adams Morgan) to apply for and receive permits from the city.

Big news: the Council just passed an emergency version of my Porchfest Permitting Act! Porchfest is one of the best events of the year — not only for neighbors, but for local businesses, musicians, and main streets. Today, we made it easier to neighbors to take part in these amazing events.

Did you know that when you shop locally, your dollars are reinvested by small businesses 2-4x more than they would be if you shopped at a big retailer? On Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season, shop local and shop small!

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving, #Ward4! 🗞️🦃⬇️ janeeseward4.com/have-a-wonde...

To everyone celebrating in #Ward4, DC, and beyond, wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and restful #Thanksgiving! 🦃

I unequivocally condemn today's violence in our city. I pray for the National Guard members and their families, who should be gathering tomorrow in celebration, but now face tragedy. My deepest thanks go out to DC's first responders, including MPD, DC Fire & EMS for their heroic response.

Mayor Bowser has served the District faithfully — first as an ANC Commissioner, then as a Councilmember, and now as a three-term Mayor. She has guided our city through difficult times, secured important investments, and worked hard to strengthen our communities.

🗣️ With the holidays officially here, now is a great time to familiarize yourself with DPW’s Food Waste Smart Bins! These bins are available 24/7 and help contribute to reduced rodent activity, reduced odors in trash cans, and turn leftover or spoiled holiday food into new soil.

Too many tenants in the District are enduring dangerous housing violations while court proceedings drag on and negligent landlords fail to make basic repairs.   Proud to co-introduce the STRONG Homes Act led by OAG and CM White, creating stronger tools to protect tenants across #Ward4 and DC.

What a joy to celebrate Thanksgiving today with our seniors and veterans at The Parks at Walter Reed! We came together for our annual Thanksgiving dinner, sharing a delicious meal and the warmth of community.

Special thank you to Triden Development Group for generously providing meals! 🦃

Stopped by Hair Depot on Kennedy Street to welcome them to our #Ward4 small business community!   Our small businesses are the backbone of Ward 4, and I'm so excited to see Kennedy Street continue to grow and thrive.

This morning, I had the pleasure of visiting Whittier ES to speak with the incredible 2nd graders about what it means to serve our community.   Impressed by their thoughtful questions about civic engagement and inspired by all the ways they are already making a difference.

It was a beautiful day for today’s Turkey Giveaway at Riggs LaSalle! ☀️🍂 Nobody in our community should go without for the Thanksgiving season, and I’m thankful for LRCA and all our generous community donors who made today’s event possible. Happy Thanksgiving, #Ward4! 🦃

Read this week's #Ward4 Dispatch: Fighting Anti-Home Rule Bills, Improving DPR Pool Access, and Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway: ⬇️ janeeseward4.com/ward-4-dispa...

My annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway with LRCA is tomorrow at 11am at Riggs LaSalle Rec Center! 🦃   As a reminder, proof of Ward 4 residency (driver’s license, utility bill, etc.) is required, and the event will be first come, first served, one turkey per family. Please share with a neighbor! 🍂

Since Day One of the federal occupation of DC, I have urged @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social to use every legal tool available to protect the rights of the District’s residents. Thank you AG Schwalb and your team for defending DC autonomy in the face of an authoritarian assault on our city.

I‘m aware of the delays and inoperative phone line facing ERAP applicants this morning. Residents dealing with housing instability deserve a system that reliably works. I have reached out to the Committee on Human Services who is on the ground working to ensure residents get the support they need.

🚨 DC’s ERAP portal is open! 🚨 Schedule an appointment now: 👇🏾

The two bills the House passed last night serve only to criminalize poverty and erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The Senate must vote these bills down and reject this blatant attack on DC’s local autonomy. Congress has no right to drag us backward.

🚨 Applications for DC’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program open tomorrow! 🚨   Starting at 9am on November 20th, residents can call 202-507-6666 to schedule an appointment. ERAP funds run out quickly, so make sure to have your materials on hand before scheduling begins.

Energized and inspired to be with @localprogress.bsky.social discussing what local leadership must look like in the face of rising authoritarianism.   As a District, we know that the way we turn away from fascism is by showing up for our neighbors and building community power, block by block.