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Associated Press
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
DC Guaranteed Income Coalition Hosts Day of Action to Protect Critical Programs for DC Families
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the DC Guaranteed Income (DCGI) Coalition hosted a Day of Action to demand that the DC Council protect and invest in transformative programs for families. The Day of Action highlighted urgent efforts to preserve the Child Tax Credit for DC,Baby Bonds, the Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot, and Child Care Subsidies among other critical programs that build economic security and opportunity for families across the District. Despite Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing in April that she would maintain funding for early education programs in DC's FY26 budget proposal, the level of funding proposed for Child Care Subsidies is not enough to serve the current number of enrolled families, and the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund will be completely eliminated starting as early as next year. 'Slashing the Child Tax Credit isn't just a budget decision—it's a moral one. We came ready to deepen the investment in families, to expand support beyond children under six. Instead, we're now forced to fight to restore what should never have been taken away,' said Ward 5 DC Councilmember Zachary Parker. 'The federal child tax credit cut child poverty in half—it's one of the most effective anti-poverty tools in a generation. So why would we walk that back? These are choices, but they are not ones we have to accept. I stand in solidarity with our community to say: we're not backing down. We're fighting together—for our families, our futures, and our right to thrive.' The District Child Tax Credit Act sought to provide up to a $420 tax credit per child for up to 3 children to low- and middle-income families in D.C., while the Baby Bonds plan is an anti-poverty program that includes creating a trust fund for newborns in D.C. born to parents who make less than 300% of the federal poverty level. The Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot was a direct cash assistance program providing $900 per month for one year to 132 new and expectant mothers in Wards 5, 7, and 8 to address financial stressors. 'We need DC to invest in its families instead of cutting programs that help them achieve financial mobility and build a future in which they can succeed and thrive,' said Melody Webb, Executive Director of Mothers Outreach Network, which convenes the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition. 'Research shows that additional cash support allows families to build financial stability, reduce stress, and improve healthcare access. It is integral that the Mayor's budget reflects that we value equity, care, and opportunity for our city's families.' The event was held from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the Wilson Building during the Council's final budget deliberations. Organizational sponsors included Mother's Outreach Network, Bread for the City, My Sister's Place, DC Action, Let's GO DMV, ONE DC, Save Us Now, SPACEs in ACTION, Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid, ROC-DC, and LIFT, Inc. DCGI Coalition invited all community members, families, and advocates to join and raise their voices for a just, inclusive budget that meets the needs of all DC residents. About the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition The DC Guaranteed Income Coalition, convened by Mothers Outreach Network, is a network of DC-based organizations and individuals committed to achieving a permanent guaranteed income program for residents to ensure that all our District neighbors live above the poverty line and can afford basic necessities. Contact: DCGI Coalition Email: [email protected] Website: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Business Upturn
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Upturn
DC Guaranteed Income Coalition Hosts Day of Action to Protect Critical Programs for DC Families
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the DC Guaranteed Income (DCGI) Coalition hosted a Day of Action to demand that the DC Council protect and invest in transformative programs for families. The Day of Action highlighted urgent efforts to preserve the Child Tax Credit for DC, Baby Bonds , the Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot, and Child Care Subsidies among other critical programs that build economic security and opportunity for families across the District. Despite Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing in April that she would maintain funding for early education programs in DC's FY26 budget proposal, the level of funding proposed for Child Care Subsidies is not enough to serve the current number of enrolled families, and the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund will be completely eliminated starting as early as next year. 'Slashing the Child Tax Credit isn't just a budget decision—it's a moral one. We came ready to deepen the investment in families, to expand support beyond children under six. Instead, we're now forced to fight to restore what should never have been taken away,' said Ward 5 DC Councilmember Zachary Parker. 'The federal child tax credit cut child poverty in half—it's one of the most effective anti-poverty tools in a generation. So why would we walk that back? These are choices, but they are not ones we have to accept. I stand in solidarity with our community to say: we're not backing down. We're fighting together—for our families, our futures, and our right to thrive.' The District Child Tax Credit Act sought to provide up to a $420 tax credit per child for up to 3 children to low- and middle-income families in D.C., while the Baby Bonds plan is an anti-poverty program that includes creating a trust fund for newborns in D.C. born to parents who make less than 300% of the federal poverty level. The Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot was a direct cash assistance program providing $900 per month for one year to 132 new and expectant mothers in Wards 5, 7, and 8 to address financial stressors. 'We need DC to invest in its families instead of cutting programs that help them achieve financial mobility and build a future in which they can succeed and thrive,' said Melody Webb, Executive Director of Mothers Outreach Network, which convenes the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition. 'Research shows that additional cash support allows families to build financial stability, reduce stress, and improve healthcare access. It is integral that the Mayor's budget reflects that we value equity, care, and opportunity for our city's families.' The event was held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the Wilson Building during the Council's final budget deliberations. Organizational sponsors included Mother's Outreach Network, Bread for the City, My Sister's Place, DC Action, Let's GO DMV, ONE DC, Save Us Now, SPACEs in ACTION, Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid, ROC-DC, and LIFT, Inc. DCGI Coalition invited all community members, families, and advocates to join and raise their voices for a just, inclusive budget that meets the needs of all DC residents. About the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition The DC Guaranteed Income Coalition, convened by Mothers Outreach Network, is a network of DC-based organizations and individuals committed to achieving a permanent guaranteed income program for residents to ensure that all our District neighbors live above the poverty line and can afford basic necessities. Contact:DCGI Coalition Email: [email protected] Website:
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DC Guaranteed Income Coalition Hosts Day of Action to Protect Critical Programs for DC Families
Event organized in response to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser cutting the Child Tax Credit for DC, Baby Bonds, Strong Families, Strong Futures pilot, and Early Childcare Funding from 2026 budget DC Guaranteed Income Coalition Day of Action WASHINGTON, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the DC Guaranteed Income (DCGI) Coalition hosted a Day of Action to demand that the DC Council protect and invest in transformative programs for families. The Day of Action highlighted urgent efforts to preserve the Child Tax Credit for DC, Baby Bonds, the Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot, and Child Care Subsidies among other critical programs that build economic security and opportunity for families across the District. Despite Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing in April that she would maintain funding for early education programs in DC's FY26 budget proposal, the level of funding proposed for Child Care Subsidies is not enough to serve the current number of enrolled families, and the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund will be completely eliminated starting as early as next year. 'Slashing the Child Tax Credit isn't just a budget decision—it's a moral one. We came ready to deepen the investment in families, to expand support beyond children under six. Instead, we're now forced to fight to restore what should never have been taken away,' said Ward 5 DC Councilmember Zachary Parker. 'The federal child tax credit cut child poverty in half—it's one of the most effective anti-poverty tools in a generation. So why would we walk that back? These are choices, but they are not ones we have to accept. I stand in solidarity with our community to say: we're not backing down. We're fighting together—for our families, our futures, and our right to thrive.' The District Child Tax Credit Act sought to provide up to a $420 tax credit per child for up to 3 children to low- and middle-income families in D.C., while the Baby Bonds plan is an anti-poverty program that includes creating a trust fund for newborns in D.C. born to parents who make less than 300% of the federal poverty level. The Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot was a direct cash assistance program providing $900 per month for one year to 132 new and expectant mothers in Wards 5, 7, and 8 to address financial stressors. 'We need DC to invest in its families instead of cutting programs that help them achieve financial mobility and build a future in which they can succeed and thrive,' said Melody Webb, Executive Director of Mothers Outreach Network, which convenes the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition. 'Research shows that additional cash support allows families to build financial stability, reduce stress, and improve healthcare access. It is integral that the Mayor's budget reflects that we value equity, care, and opportunity for our city's families.' The event was held from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the Wilson Building during the Council's final budget deliberations. Organizational sponsors included Mother's Outreach Network, Bread for the City, My Sister's Place, DC Action, Let's GO DMV, ONE DC, Save Us Now, SPACEs in ACTION, Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid, ROC-DC, and LIFT, Inc. DCGI Coalition invited all community members, families, and advocates to join and raise their voices for a just, inclusive budget that meets the needs of all DC residents. About the DC Guaranteed Income CoalitionThe DC Guaranteed Income Coalition, convened by Mothers Outreach Network, is a network of DC-based organizations and individuals committed to achieving a permanent guaranteed income program for residents to ensure that all our District neighbors live above the poverty line and can afford basic necessities. Contact:DCGI CoalitionEmail: Events@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Trump Administration Is Shutting Down a Gay Landmark Ahead of WorldPride
The Trump administration is in an ugly fight with the LGBTQ+ community in Washington. But instead of focusing on political issues like trans rights, the outrage involves a neighborhood park — and highlights theabsurdity of the federal government's vast landholdings across the capital. At issue is the National Park Service's decision to fence off Dupont Circle ahead of the upcoming Pride parade. The park is the traditional heart of the local gay community, one that's especially vibrant during the first weekend of June. Closing it during Pride is like shutting down the landmark site of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. The Park Service claims this is to prevent damage by revelers. But plenty of outraged locals see a more sinister motivation. 'Dupont Circle is sacred ground for the LGBTQ+ community — a place with a rich history of protest, pride and joy,' said Zachary Parker, an openly gay Democratic member of the city council. 'Closing it during one of the most significant global celebrations of our community sends the wrong message.' Coming days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the Navy to strip the name of gay-rights pioneer Harvey Milk off a naval vessel, it's hard not to wonder whether that wrong message was something other than an accident. 'It seems motivated by animus,' said Zar, a one-named LGBTQ+ community advocate and events planner who organized some political programming around the city's ongoing WorldPride festival. 'It's pushing an agenda. It seems tactical, like somebody said, 'let's mess with people.' ... Maybe they think they're going to cause people to act up, to see if people knock down fences and push a police officer. They want to shut it all down.' Anywhere else, the regulation of a grassy traffic circle would be a strictly a question for city hall. But in Washington, where the federal government owns 90 percent of the open space, many neighborhood parks are ultimately under the control of the White good news for D.C. is that it gets to have one of the nicest park systems in the country. The bad news is that the National Park Service isn't really built for folks who want to do things like play pickup basketball, stage a political protest or take part in a weekend of Pride festivities. In places like Yellowstone, the kinds of activities that happen in a city park are seen as hazards. Over the years, this culture clash has led to a bunch of completely inane controversies, like the time the Park Service ejected a bocce ball league from nearby Logan Circle because of National Park regulations against organized sports. But in the second Trump term, where the administration has sought to put its MAGA cultural stamp on Washington landmarks ranging from the Kennedy Center to the now-erased Black Lives Matter mural on 16th Street, the decision to close Dupont Circle during Pride is not going to be treated as another contretemps between an obtuse federal bureaucracy and a big-city neighborhood. The National Park Service declined to comment but shared documentation of a finding that 'this closure is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety and protection of natural and cultural resources in Dupont Circle Park.' According to the Park Service documents, the initial request for a closure came from the city's police chief, Pamela Smith, herself a former Park Service official. Smith cited alcohol use, unpermitted sound systems and physical damage during prior Pride weekends. After a noisy backlash from neighbors (i.e., the people who elect Smith's bosses) she rescinded the request. But the Park Service (which answers to the White House) decided to stick with the closure. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to comment, but speaking on a radio show Friday afternoon, she called the initial request an 'unfortunate error' that should have been reversed as a matter of course. She said talks continued, but her administration was working on finding another space. 'I think it's important to have an alternate plan that we do control,' she said. Given that the circle during Pride weekend is a place to hang out rather than a locus of official events, it was a strange assertion. (Until last year, Dupont Circle was the traditional endpoint of the parade, but it has since been rerouted to the National Mall, leaving the park as an informal gathering spot.) But Bowser, who needs to stay on Trump's good side in order to salvage the city budget and possibly fend off a federal takeover, can't respond the way another big-city mayor might: by playing to the gallery and telling off the president. In the long run, the whole thing also ought to be a spur for getting the feds out of the business of local parks in Washington. It's nuts that taxpayers in Kansas or California pay for maintaining a bandstand at Fort Reno, policing off-leash dogs in Stanton Park or mowing the lawn at 356 minor patches of grass around the District of Columbia. And it's nuts that neighbors in Washington have to bring concerns about a Pride festival to a federal agency designed to preserve national treasures like Yosemite. And it's especially nuts that a bureaucratic decision about one circular park is plausibly understood as a rebuke from the president's administration against a nationwide identity group. But it's also another reminder that day-to-day life in the capital — even after work, even far away from the White House — is a lot more subject to federal whims than most locals like to admit. The same WorldPride festival has already been rocked by the abrupt withdrawal of private-sector philanthropic donors, many of whom turned out to be federal contractors who decided that supporting Pride was a bad look in the age of Trump's anti-DEI campaign. The president has changed Washington life in a myriad of ways that longtime residents didn't expect. All in all, it's a terrible look for Washington. The city spent millions to support WoldPride, an event that was supposed to showcase the city's vibrant gay community and tolerant local culture in front of visitors from around the world. And now the heart of that community is surrounded by giant fences and the locals apparently can't do a thing about it.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Uncertainty lingers over Dupont Circle's status ahead of WorldPride Parade
WASHINGTON () — With just two days left until the Parade in Washington, D.C., accessibility to Dupont Circle remains unclear, and city leaders are sending mixed signals about what to expect. Earlier this week, both D.C. and U.S. Park police over the weekend due to safety concerns. The decision stemmed from previous Pride weekends, when police said the area saw property damage, looting, underage drinking, and even reports of gunfire. The historic fountain at the center of the circle was reportedly damaged as well. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | DC police recinds request to close Dupont Circle park during WorldPride after pushback from DC community But following public pushback, including opposition from Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker, D.C. police have backed off their initial request. While the National Park Service has not yet made a final decision, many residents are calling for a solution that balances celebration and safety. 'It's a symbol for the gay community. It's a symbol for this neighborhood. It's one of the best neighborhoods in the city,' said Richard Lewis, who has lived near Dupont Circle for more than 20 years. 'I was disgusted and embarrassed [by the behavior last year]. I thought, this is not how we treat our neighborhoods. It was a slap to the gay community, knowing fully well that the parade wasn't even there.' Instead of a full closure, some neighbors are advocating for a compromise — keeping the park open, but with increased law enforcement. WorldPride underway in DC for first time 'I understand both sides of the story,' added Lewis. 'I'd like to see it remain open with increased police presence so people know there's accountability and that they shouldn't be damaging public or private property.' In a statement, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith confirmed the department's shift, saying, 'After hearing from community leaders and residents, I am formally withdrawing MPD's request to close Dupont Circle Park… While US Park Police will make the final call, MPD will have resources available if needed.' As of now, with a little more than 48 hours until the start of the parade, no final word has come from the National Park Service or U.S. Park Police about whether the park will remain open or closed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
