Latest news with #D.C.Council
Axios
5 days ago
- Health
- Axios
95,000 D.C. residents at risk of losing Medicaid due to Trump bill
About 95,000 D.C. residents are at risk of losing health care coverage through Medicaid due to the Republican spending bill recently approved in Congress, the District estimates. Why it matters: President Trump's so-called " big, beautiful bill" impacts about 32% of D.C.'s Medicaid recipients, the District says, while also posing funding threats to hospitals and clinics across the region. The big picture: There are about 300,000 D.C. residents on Medicaid. To comply with the new law, D.C. (and other states) will need to build an employment verification system, so that residents 19-64 years old can document they completed 80 hours of work or service a month to be Medicaid eligible. "That is the biggest concern that I have," Wayne Turnage, D.C.'s deputy mayor for health and human services, told NBC4 in an interview. "It will bring some cost to implement." The work requirement takes effect on Dec. 31, 2026. Between the lines: The new federal rule comes as the D.C. Council is poised to pass the mayor's budget that takes 25,000 residents off Medicaid. More than 20,000 of those people will automatically be moved into a federal program called the Basic Health Plan, per NBC4. Zoom out: In Maryland, 175,000 people are projected to lose Medicaid coverage, according to the state Department of Health's new analysis. "Passage of this bill means families will lose access to essential health care, and hospitals and clinics will face funding shortfalls," David McAllister, a spokesperson for Maryland's Health Department, told the Washington Post. A congressional analysis estimated about 166,000 people in Virginia will lose Medicaid, in addition to 136,500 people losing Affordable Care Act coverage. What we're watching: Virginia hospitals are bracing for cuts to Medicaid payments that they rely on for funding. That's expected to begin in 2028, Axios Richmond reports.
The Hill
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Oversight Chair Comer warns DC council to approve Commanders stadium before August recess
A top House Republican is urging Washington, D.C., leaders to expedite approval of redevelopment plans for the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium site before district lawmakers break for the month of August. 'The federal government transferred administrative control of this valuable property with the clear expectation that the D.C. Council would act decisively to maximize its potential,' House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) wrote in a letter to D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson on Thursday. 'The Committee understands the need for deliberation and the availability of financial analyses and expects all required votes to be completed before the Council's August recess.' Congress approved legislation last year to help facilitate the redevelopment of the area known as the RFK Stadium site and the Washington Commanders' return to D.C. after playing in Maryland for nearly three decades. The D.C. Council recently delayed finalization of its RFK Stadium deal amid public pressure over costs and housing priorities. Mendelson said in a statement to The Hill that the Council is 'moving as quickly as possible' to finalize a deal. 'I've had and am continuing to have meetings with representatives from the Commanders and those meetings have been very productive and pleasant and constructive and we're working well together,' he said. 'The Council is trying to move towards a positive vote on the stadium.' The Commanders franchise vowed a $2.7 billion private investment in exchange for the redeveloped site. In a tentative agreement, the District said it would invest $1.1 billion over eight years to build a new stadium, housing and green space on the federal owned site along the Anacostia River. Comer urged the Council to promptly act 'without unnecessary and politically motivated delays.' WTOP News reported this week that the D.C. Council missed a crucial deadline to vote on the site, possibly jeopardizing the $3.7 billion project. Legislation formalizing the deal is scheduled for public hearings later this month.
Axios
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Axios
New D.C. Council bill would allow Waymo to begin robotaxi service
Waymo says it'll begin offering robotaxis in the District next year if the D.C. Council passes a new bill allowing driverless cars. The big picture: The legislation, from Council member Kenyan McDuffie, comes as Waymo continues testing more than a dozen cars in D.C. Waymo operates its robotaxi service in LA, Phoenix, San Francisco, Atlanta and Austin, with D.C. and Miami being eyed next. In its advocacy to get the bill passed in D.C., the company touts that it offers 250,000 fully driverless rides per week in those cities. How it works: The cars being tested in Washington have a specialist behind the wheel, per D.C. regulations. If the bill passes, the next step will be testing with no one inside, before opening the service to the public for rides. Between the lines: The legislation could also invite other autonomous-vehicle companies, like Tesla, into the D.C. market, the Washington Business Journal notes.
Hamilton Spectator
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Despite scandal and a looming corruption trial, Trayon White wins vote to return to the DC Council
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Washington, D.C., Council member is returning to his seat, five months after he was kicked out for his involvement in a federal bribery investigation. Trayon White defeated three challengers in a special election Tuesday to fill the Ward 8 council seat that has been vacant since his expulsion in February . White, 41, was arrested by the FBI last August. After an internal investigation, the remaining 12 D.C. Council members voted unanimously to oust him from the council. However, White was free to enter the special election because he had not been convicted of a felony. He won reelection just a few months later in an indication of a scandal-proof popularity that echoes his political mentor, former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry. In a victory speech Tuesday night, White thanked his supporters and described his return to office as a tale of resilience and redemption. 'So we sent a message loud and clear to D.C. City Council that Trayon White is here to stay,' he said. White's federal trial won't start until January 2026, but preliminary evidence includes videos of him pocketing cash-stuffed envelopes from a city contractor, allegedly in return for securing lucrative city contracts. White's victory essentially prolongs an uncomfortable standoff with his D.C. Council colleagues — who now face the question of whether to expel him again, in defiance of the will of the Ward 8 voters. Or they could simply carry on with him among their ranks again and wait for the federal corruption trial to begin early next year. Council members felt White damaged credibility In advance of the February expulsion vote, multiple council members made it clear that White's continued presence would be damaging to the institution's credibility. 'Bribery of elected officials is quintessential corruption,' Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said in February. 'Trust is precious. Trust is critical for an elected government, and we must act.' White faced a trio of challengers: Mike Austin , Sheila Bunn and Salim Adofo . All three had experience either working as staffers for D.C. Council members or in the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions — hyper-local bodies that frequently serve as training grounds for future council members. Adofo lost to White in the 2024 Democratic primary, securing 28% of the vote. All three challengers pointed to White's legal troubles and emphasized a need to restore credibility and public trust to the Ward 8 council seat. White did minimal public campaigning or fundraising, skipped multiple candidate debates and left early from one debate. White came up in local politics as a protege of Barry. And he has been channeling his mentor's defiant, populist playbook since his arrest. White refused to cooperate with the internal D.C. Council inquiry. His lawyer, Frederick D. Cooke Jr., also served as Barry's defense attorney. And White has sought to stoke lingering suspicion of the FBI among Black Washingtonians, many of whom believe Barry was unfairly targeted by the 1990 FBI sting that caught him on camera smoking crack cocaine. Declaring victory Tuesday, White said: 'It's a testament, man, that if you fall down — because we're all going to fall down — but can you get back up? Today Ward 8 stood up.' How The Associated Press declared White the winner The AP declared White the winner with an estimated 80% of the vote counted. The only ballots left to be counted are those that were returned in drop boxes Tuesday and any mail ballots postmarked as of Tuesday that arrive by July 25. Among the ballots counted, White was leading in both mail ballots and those cast in person, either early or on Election Day. White's three competitors split the rest of the vote, none rising significantly above the others, preventing any one of them from having a path to catch White. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
16-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Despite scandal and a looming corruption trial, Trayon White wins vote to return to the DC Council
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Washington, D.C., Council member is returning to his seat, five months after he was kicked out for his involvement in a federal bribery investigation. Trayon White defeated three challengers in a special election Tuesday to fill the Ward 8 council seat that has been vacant since his expulsion in February. White, 41, was arrested by the FBI last August. After an internal investigation, the remaining 12 D.C. Council members voted unanimously to oust him from the council. However, White was free to enter the special election because he had not been convicted of a felony. He won reelection just a few months later in an indication of a scandal-proof popularity that echoes his political mentor, former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry. In a victory speech Tuesday night, White thanked his supporters and described his return to office as a tale of resilience and redemption. 'So we sent a message loud and clear to D.C. City Council that Trayon White is here to stay," he said. White's federal trial won't start until January 2026, but preliminary evidence includes videos of him pocketing cash-stuffed envelopes from a city contractor, allegedly in return for securing lucrative city contracts. White's victory essentially prolongs an uncomfortable standoff with his D.C. Council colleagues — who now face the question of whether to expel him again, in defiance of the will of the Ward 8 voters. Or they could simply carry on with him among their ranks again and wait for the federal corruption trial to begin early next year. Council members felt White damaged credibility In advance of the February expulsion vote, multiple council members made it clear that White's continued presence would be damaging to the institution's credibility. 'Bribery of elected officials is quintessential corruption,' Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said in February. 'Trust is precious. Trust is critical for an elected government, and we must act.' White faced a trio of challengers: Mike Austin, Sheila Bunn and Salim Adofo. All three had experience either working as staffers for D.C. Council members or in the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions — hyper-local bodies that frequently serve as training grounds for future council members. Adofo lost to White in the 2024 Democratic primary, securing 28% of the vote. All three challengers pointed to White's legal troubles and emphasized a need to restore credibility and public trust to the Ward 8 council seat. White did minimal public campaigning or fundraising, skipped multiple candidate debates and left early from one debate. White came up in local politics as a protege of Barry. And he has been channeling his mentor's defiant, populist playbook since his arrest. White refused to cooperate with the internal D.C. Council inquiry. His lawyer, Frederick D. Cooke Jr., also served as Barry's defense attorney. And White has sought to stoke lingering suspicion of the FBI among Black Washingtonians, many of whom believe Barry was unfairly targeted by the 1990 FBI sting that caught him on camera smoking crack cocaine. Declaring victory Tuesday, White said: "It's a testament, man, that if you fall down — because we're all going to fall down — but can you get back up? Today Ward 8 stood up.' How The Associated Press declared White the winner The AP declared White the winner with an estimated 80% of the vote counted. The only ballots left to be counted are those that were returned in drop boxes Tuesday and any mail ballots postmarked as of Tuesday that arrive by July 25. Among the ballots counted, White was leading in both mail ballots and those cast in person, either early or on Election Day. White's three competitors split the rest of the vote, none rising significantly above the others, preventing any one of them from having a path to catch White.
