DC is disproportionately impacted by federal budget cuts & layoffs--& so are Black DC residents. Federal jobs have long been a stepping stone to the middle class for Black workers, & the loss of these jobs is likely exacerbating racial disparities in employment. wapo.st/3NnC2QB

Fewer options, more expensive premiums, and lots of confusing changes: healthcare access in DC is a vital issue, and one that needs our focus and our funding. https://loom.ly/hCYlvbI

ICYMI, DC's CFO approved $51 million in contingency funding, which will increase support for Healthcare Alliance, HPTF, child care subsidies, PEF, and other programs. https://wapo.st/4aJK8Ng

By putting more money directly into the pockets of individuals and families with low and moderate incomes, the CTC and EITC will improve child well-being and provide critical financial support at a time when many DC families are struggling. Learn more: https://loom.ly/5Ke6IYY

Happy holidays from the DCFPI team! We're logging off for the year, but we'll be back in January for another year of defending DC's autonomy and pushing for policies that support all DC residents.

By putting more money directly into the pockets of individuals and families with low and moderate incomes, the CTC and EITC will improve child well-being and provide critical financial support at a time when many DC families are struggling. Learn more: https://loom.ly/5Ke6IYY

Are you on our email list? Make sure to sign up for the latest updates on important DC legislation, federal threats facing the District, and budget process explainers. https://loom.ly/xcjWzZw

DC child poverty spiked by 11% in 2024, a number that will increase with continued cuts to DC and Federal budgets. The CTC is one of the best tools we have to help alleviate it. We're grateful to @cmzparker5.bsky.social and all his colleagues who are pushing for this important legislation.

“There’s sort of a perfect storm brewing for folks who are on low incomes” says Erica Williams of DCFPI, which proposed an early version of the district’s child tax credit. “We really feel like we need to be taking local action to do something about that” https://loom.ly/DDT70DI

Long-delayed unemployment numbers for DC are out and the 6.2% unemployment rate is nearly a full percentage point higher than in December 2024 - showing clearly the toll that Trump's slashing of the federal workforce is having on DC.

“What’s going to happen is it’s going to fill up, & there’s going to be no way to exit, so all it means is people will be homeless for longer & likely become more & more vulnerable,” said Kate Coventry, Deputy Director of Legislative Strategy at DCFPI https://loom.ly/8qLR9ls

Don’t miss The Road Ahead: Finding Clarity Amidst the Chaos—a powerful discussion of ideas and strategies to shape DC’s future, featuring some incredible speakers. We hope you’ll join us on Tuesday, December 9th! Registration and info: https://loom.ly/S0jDMUY

We need to fully fund early education, and our friends and partners at Under3DC are here to explain why: https://loom.ly/R2qWyqA

This #GivingTuesday, every dollar you give will be matched—up to $10,000. The threats are real. The moment is urgent. The energy is here. Join us and double your impact today. Donate now: loom.ly/7kS2IEg

This Giving Tuesday, we’re not sitting back—and neither should you. Every dollar you give today will be matched—up to $10,000. That means your gift goes twice as far! Donate now: loom.ly/7kS2IEg

Looking to stay informed about how the latest federal actions are affecting the District? Subscribe to DCFPI’s Federal Threats Watch to receive timely updates on federal threats to DC’s revenue and spending. ✉️: https://loom.ly/OJeWcT0

Happy Thanksgiving from the team at DCFPI!

Don’t miss The Road Ahead: Finding Clarity Amidst the Chaos—a powerful discussion of ideas and strategies to shape DC’s future. We hope you’ll join us on Tuesday, December 9th! Registration and info: https://loom.ly/S0jDMUY

Minding the Grocery Gap in the District of Columbia – A 2025 Update, the latest report from our friends at @dchunger.bsky.social, highlights disparities that continue to exacerbate food insecurity, health inequities, & economic instability for residents. 🔗: www.dchunger.org/wp-content/u...

Last night, the House passed two bills that will unravel years of criminal justice reform in DC. This unprecedented act of federal interference is a threat to the District's right to self-governance. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

The House is voting today on two bills that will put hard-fought reforms to DC’s justice system in the crosshairs. But what happens in DC doesn’t stay here. When it’s DC today, it’s always America tomorrow. We can stop it right here, right now. #FreeDC

Cash bail penalizes residents with low incomes, no matter the ultimate result of a trial, who are unable to pay for bail. And Black DC residents have lower incomes and higher poverty rates than other races due to historic and systemic racism. Learn more: https://loom.ly/vdXS7Dc

We stand united against all 13 anti–DC Home Rule bills in Congress. DC is home to more than 700,000 residents who pay taxes, run businesses, and serve in the military. Like all Americans, we deserve the right to set our own local laws. Congress should reject this unprecedented federal overreach.

It's not a coincidence that every map of issues facing DC looks the same; it's structural racism. https://loom.ly/WPmTDrw

A Business Activity Tax is a simple reform that would make our tax system more equitable by ensuring that businesses operating within DC pay their fair share. We estimate that a 2% BAT rate could generate approximately $500 million a year. https://loom.ly/4ZBYy94

With Republicans in Congress pursuing trillions in tax cuts, DC’s wealthiest residents can afford to pay more in local taxes to help preserve funding for DC’s critical human needs programs as the District heads into a recession. https://loom.ly/JLcWbFE

#DCstatehood is a racial justice issue

Federal efforts to bring back cash bail in DC would harm Black residents and reverse decades of progress. @dcfpi.bsky.social explains why fair, risk-based pretrial systems keep communities safe and equitable. www.dcfpi.org/all/federal-...

The DC Council voted Tuesday to unlink portions of the local tax code from the federal one, a move that prevents the District from losing nearly $700 million over a 5-year period. This is a big win for tax justice in the District! https://loom.ly/zpoq3Mc

Thank you @cmzparker5.bsky.social for championing a DC child tax credit! Both the EITC and CTC reduce child poverty, improve the life trajectories of children, and boost inclusive economic growth.

Today, DC took a huge step toward combating poverty across the District.   We just passed an amendment that will deliver real cash relief to working families through the EITC and Child Tax Credit — two of our most powerful tools to lift families out of poverty.

In addition to a vote on an emergency bill to reject federal tax cuts that would cost DC $658 million in local funds, DC Council is voting today on Councilmember Parker's amendment to use funds to restore a DC Child Tax Credit.

Several of the wasteful and poorly targeted tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will be replicated in the local tax code unless the DC Council approves this emergency bill, which would protect $658 billion in local funds that can be used to support residents in need.

DC government is using local funds to cover the gap from the federal shutdown and Administration’s refusal to address this emergency and leave working families out. We will ensure our residents on SNAP and WIC are getting the food and support they need. It’s the right call to make.

Help is on the way for families who rely on SNAP/WIC benefits to help feed their families: the DC Government will use $30 million in contingency funds to ensure benefits are paid in November despite the federal government shutdown.

Live now! brianneknadeau.com/live/

NEW: We just filed a lawsuit alongside 25 states to restore SNAP food assistance during the federal shutdown. 141,000 DC residents rely on SNAP to afford their meals — including 47,000 children and 24,000 seniors. We will do everything in our power to prevent DC families from going hungry.

📣 ACTION ALERT DC lawmakers must act to protect $658 million in local funds that could be used for housing, health care, & support for residents. Send an email: the DC Council should amend DC’s tax code to prevent costly federal tax cuts from draining our budget. https://loom.ly/smq56N0

Nearly 140,000 DC residents will be cut off from food assistance at the end of the month unless the Trump Administration releases contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A disruption of food benefits on this scale would be unprecedented.

"In the two years since the state started charging a 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million, the effort has created a $5.7 billion windfall, with the surplus being used to fund bridge repairs, bolster literacy programs and address the transportation system’s budget deficit." Taxing the rich works!

Residents have been asking for a public forum to share their concerns about incidents they’ve witnessed that involve DC gov coordination with fed entities that may violate D.C. human rights laws. My committee will provide that opportunity next week. brianneknadeau.com/human-rights...

Nearly 140,000 DC residents will be cut off from food assistance at the end of the month unless the Trump administration releases contingency funds amid the government shutdown.

“Taking no action is actually a decision on the Council’s part” said Tazra Mitchell, Chief Policy and Strategy Officer at the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute https://loom.ly/MMG0FXQ

As local and federal government attacks on immigrants escalate, DC should not overlook the many ways these residents contribute to the communities they live in and the local economy, including through their tax contributions toward DC’s shared resources. https://loom.ly/UzYRGnY

"In fiscal year 2024, half of all evictions occurred in majority-Black Wards 7 and 8, according to city data." Housing 👏 is 👏 a 👏 racial 👏 justice 👏 issue https://loom.ly/mGU6ev4

Erica Williams, the executive director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, called the bill “an extreme act of federal interference in local affairs.” www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...

More than 150 organizations sent a letter to Congress urging them to protect DC’s autonomy by rejecting any federal bills that undermine its democratic institutions or overturn laws passed by DC voters or representatives. Learn more: https://loom.ly/u22Krfc

DC lawmakers must act quickly to prevent $658 million in new revenue losses resulting from federal tax cuts. Looking to understand what is going on with our local economy? Our staff analyzed the latest revenue forecast from DC’s Chief Financial Officer. https://loom.ly/K7dvw9k

DC CFO’s revenue report underscores impact of slashed federal government on DC–nearly 11k jobs lost this year, including 8,700 federal jobs.

And, of course, now there's a shutdown, meaning we're likely to see officials protect more of the revenue growth and reserves due to the uncertainty. More to come!