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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 11h

I count *73 people* running for the 12 DC Democratic State Committee (DCDSC) add-on positions getting voted on tomorrow evening! I wonder if the prospect of voting in Jan.for the interim At-Large CM has anything to do with the amount of people running lol www.dcdemocraticparty.org/add-on-candi...

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Good coverage of this bill by @benbrasch.bsky.social! “Opponents of the bill […] say that lawmakers are trying to take power away from people who want to address issues their elected representatives aren’t.” dc.citycast.fm/dc-politics/...

dc.citycast.fm

Why Is the D.C. Council Going After Ballot Initiatives? · City Cast DC

The council is considering an overhaul that would lengthen the process. Opponents say the measure would silence citizen voices.

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Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 05/10/2026

Why does the National Park Service control so much public space in DC? Washingtonians can thank the progressive movement but also Herbert Hoover and others, @jgbollard.bsky.social writes in his latest newsletter.

thebirthofacapital.info

Who made NPS the boss of DC?

Et in arcadia, Hoover.

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Alex Koma @alexkoma.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Speaking of: The Council is set to vote on two RFK transit agreements with Metro tomorrow: One would formalize the $300M the city plans to spend upgrading the Stadium Armory stop, the other sets aside $5M for the first phase of the Gold Line project.

(c) Furthermore, Council approval is necessary to ensure the frequent bus service 34 operating in dedicated, enforced center-running bus lanes along H Street and Benning 35 Road, NE, connecting the RFK stadium and redevelopment to Union Station is completed 36 in time for the opening of the new RFK stadium. 37 (d) The total amount to the District for this Agreement is $5,000,000 from capital 38 funds appropriated in FY 2027. 39 (e) The DDOT Director has the authority to enter into this Reimbursable 40 Agreement under the general authority specified in sections 3 and 5(a)(1)(A) and (1)(P) 41 of the Department of Transportation Establishment Act of 2002, effective May 21, 2002 42 (D.C. Law 14–137; D.C. Official Code §§ 50–921.02 and 50-921.04(a)(1)(A) and (1)(P)) 43 and Section 1(j-1) of An Act To grant additional powers to the Commissioners of the 44 District of Columbia, and for other purposes, approved December 20, 1944 (58 Stat. 819; 45 D.C. Official Code § 1–301.01(j-1)).

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

As DC voters begin automatically receiving their official mail-in ballots this week, a friendly reminder that all 55 official mail-in ballot drop boxes become open and available beginning at *11am on Friday, October 9*! They’ll be accessible 24/7 through 8pm, Tuesday, November 3:

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The DC Council will vote a second and final time tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 6) on the “Fairness and Accountability in Initiative Reform Amendment Act of 2026” (B26-436) - it’s a less bad bill than the originally introduced FILTER Act, but it’s still a bad bill! Tell CMs to vote NO

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Here’s the text of CM Bonds’ “Salary Adjustment Amendment Act of 2026” (B26-842)—the committee of jurisdiction is the one she chairs (Executive Administration & Labor), so it’s possible we see a hearing and markup in the next 1-2 months! Passage by Dec. though is unlikely…

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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

That huge spa that @mayorbowser.dc.gov first floated in 2023 for a portion of Poplar Point? It may actually happen. She's introduced a bill that would give spa operator Therme a 15-acre plot at Poplar Point to build a 400,000-600,000 square foot "health and wellness facility."

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

With mail-in ballots on the way to DC voters, a friendly reminder on how to approach the At-Large Councilmember race on the ballot, with RCV available for the first time! There will still be two winners, but depending on how you rank the Dem nominee, your other rankings may not be counted!

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Alex Koma @alexkoma.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

For the DC Week Without Driving, @janeese4dc.bsky.social joined @ggwash.org organizers (and @elissasilverman.bsky.social) for a bus ride from Petworth to downtown. JLG emphasized her desire to get projects like the Georgia Ave dedicated lane done quickly: “We don’t need to study the study.”

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The DC Council is holding a hearing on Nov. 12 “to hear from government witnesses, experts, school leaders, teachers, families, advocates, & students about school attendance as well as barriers to regular school attendance & how to remove those barriers” lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

And just like that, federal (and District) Fiscal Year 2026 is coming to a close.

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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

"The longer this goes on, the longer there is no accountability for what has taken place in a variety of areas," @chenderson.bsky.social told us of the current holding pattern White is in. "It does put us in a pattern where nothing is settled. I would like to see resolution."

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Trump signed an executive order yesterday directing federal agencies to develop and implement, by November 27, a campaign across Washington, D.C. to reduce, by 2028, invasive mosquito populations by 90% & tick populations by 50%: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential... @chenderson.bsky.social

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The District is an interesting blue outlier!

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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

NEWS: @robertwhitedc.bsky.social has a new package of D.C. housing-related bills he says are "designed to lower costs, speed project delivery, and make our limited housing dollars go further." Details in next few posts.

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Worth reminding folks that the DC Council unanimously passed the “Expulsion of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. Resolution of 2025” (R26-17) during *the current Council Period 26*! Feels like a very long time ago, but alas, it was only 18 months ago… lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/...

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Some #DCision26 dates coming up: (1) 450,000 mail-in ballots begin going out Sept. 28 (2) 55 official mail-in ballot drop boxes become available at 11am on Oct. 9 (through 8pm, Nov. 3) (3) 25 official early voting vote centers open between Oct. 26 - Nov. 1 (8:30am-7pm daily)

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The "Commercial Bingo Amendment Act of 2026" was introduced on Sept. 22, at the request of the Mayor. The bill "clarif[ies] the types of commercial bingo that are authorized to operate in the District & to modify the tax rate imposed on commercial bingo." lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/...

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

T-minus one day until mail-in ballots begin being sent out to all 449,417 registered DC voters!

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Today, I testified at a public hearing held by the DC Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment in support of B26-424, the Porchfest Permitting Amendment Act! We need more block parties, not less! I testify beginning at the 3:25:45 mark: www.youtube.com/live/bgGjEge...

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Among the things I’m most excited to see from the JLG Administration in 2027 :)

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The DC Council just voted to pass the “Fairness and Accountability in Initiative Reform Amendment Act of 2026” (B26-436) by a vote of 9-2-1. Thank you to CMs Zachary Parker & Elissa Silverman for voting NO on this bad bill; JLG voted present Final vote will take place on Oct. 6

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Michelle Chappell @michellechap76.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

DC folks, call your CM and ask them to oppose the FILTER Act, they are voting on it today!

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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

It looks like Ward 8 Council member Trayon White has joined the D.C. Council’s ongoing breakfast meeting… from federal court, where closing arguments in his bribery trial are expected later today. He’s the top left square on the Zoom option.

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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

In a new motion for acquittal that Ward 8 Council member Trayon White's defense team filed ahead of a hearing this afternoon, his attorneys say prosecutors say that even if he accepted $35,000 in cash he didn't intend to do anything official in exchange. Thus, no bribery.

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

CM Anita Bonds’ Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) text for the FILTER Act has been posted - she’s renamed it the Fairness and Accountability in Initiative Reform (FAIR) Amendment Act of 2026 & made a few tweaks- it’s still a bad bill! lims.dccouncil.gov/downloads/LI...

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

There are 9 ANC races with RCV on the ballot this November 3, 2.6% of all 345 SMDs: 1B03 1E02 2B02 5A08 5B02 5B05 5E02 6A02 6A06

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Make sure to rank @elissasilverman.bsky.social as your 1st choice for At-Large Councilmember! This’ll be the first time we have a general At-Large CM election under the new rules of Initiative 83 - those who rank the Democratic nominee 1st won’t have their lower rankings tabulated:

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The DCBOE has published sample ballots for the November 3 General Election - mail-in ballots start getting sent out automatically on Sept. 28! Here’s what it’ll look like for voters residing in Wards 2, 4, 7, and 8:

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I was able to stop by the federal courthouse during my lunch break today and watch an hour of T. White’s bribery trial-fascinating to watch as a member of the public! I also spotted @segravesnbc4.bsky.social, @jennygathright.bsky.social, and @sampkcollins.bsky.social in the gallery when I was there

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Here’s a really strong statement of opposition to the FILTER Act (B26-436) from Gary Thompson, former Chair of the DC Board of Elections (Jan 2022-July 2026). Worth reading all 9 pages of it:

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

While it appears that Mendo has backed off pushing emergency legislation to change how votes are tabulated in the election for two At-Large CMs this Nov., the DC Council is taking a 1st vote on Sept. 22 on CM Bonds’ FILTER Act (B26-436), which changes the initiative process in DC:

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A couple of agenda items announced today by Mendo for the DC Council's Sept. 22 legislative meeting: (1) GO ITSB Authorization (2) Food and Friends Property Tax Exemption (3) Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing Rental Vehicle Sales Tax (4) Ballpark Bonds Loan Repayment

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

“The Trump administration is currently preparing temporary signs that will accuse the National Museum of American History of ideological bias […] [NPS] is planning to add about a dozen signs outside the museum at an estimated cost of $84,000.” www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...

theatlantic.com

The Next Change Trump Has Planned for the Smithsonian

A letter from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum revealed new details about warning signs the White House will install near the American-history museum.

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The DC Council returns Sept. 16 from its 2-month recess! 2 hearings scheduled on 9/16: a COW hearing on “Society for Science Real Property Tax Exemption Amendment Act” & “Combined Reporting Amendment Act” & a Human Services hearing re: St. Elizabeth’s parcels & DCPL trustee noms:

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

With Trayon White’s trial set to begin later this week, it’ll be interesting to see whether he resigns from the DC Council *prior to a verdict being made* - if he does that, he could run for Council in the future even if he’s convicted of a felony and goes to prison…

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Here’s the ballot order for all candidates running in the Nov. 3 general election in the District - mail-in ballots start getting sent out beginning on September 28:

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Fun fact: ANC Single-Member District 6A06 is the only ANC race this November (out of 345 SMDs) with *4 candidates* on the ballot! Good thing we have RCV now!

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The DCBOE’s ballot order lottery begins at 10am today for all races on the Nov. 3 ballot, from Delegate and Mayor all the way down to ANC! us06web.zoom.us/j/89949276394

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Members of the Free DC slate won 4 of the 5 DCDSC leadership positions tonight! Here are the results: Chair: Chioma Iwuoha: 72 votes Deirdre Brown: 9 votes 2 abstentions Vice Chair: Aliyah McNeely: 65 votes Melissa Irby: 15 votes 3 abstentions

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The last batch of bills the House will vote on before the election:

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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Today D.C. CFO Glen Lee spoke to the D.C. Chamber of Commerce about the state's the city's economy, and, well, he said "economic and revenue signals are flashing red." More than 36,000 jobs lost since last year, unemployment higher than nation, home price growth down.

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The DC Council's COW is holding a hearing at 10am, October 23 on the "Soccer Stadium Redevelopment and Maintenance Act of 2026" (B26-769), which authorizes a public-private financing agreement to redevelop Audi Field - the registration deadline is Oct. 21: lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...

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Alex Koma @alexkoma.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Things are getting tense ahead of tonight’s DC Dems leadership elections. There’s lingering tensions after a dust up between the old guard and the new at a DNC meeting in August. Heated emails have flown back and forth today, including this missive from incoming shadow rep Franklin Garcia

I am not condoning disrespect or excusing anyone's behavior, but people move at different paces. I hope that instead of seeing "takeovers" or adversaries, we can use these as teaching opportunities to engage the new generation of party leaders. No doubt Mr. Bonar's actions offended you. From the external feedback I am hearing—including from him—he regrets some of his actions. However, to be fair, the DC Primary was on June 16th, and the DNC Summer meetings were held two months later. Knowing for certain that nearly all of our representatives would not be continuing in their roles, it makes no strategic sense for the party to send outgoing representatives. The party leadership could have handled this situation much better.

This transition is for the benefit of the party, not the individual. In fact, you see this exact strategy deployed with Democratic nominees who haven't even been officially elected in the general election yet

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

“Chairman Comer raises concerns that the initiative could subject District property owners to excessive fines, mounting tax debt, and potential foreclosure and requests a briefing and information about the [DC Department of Buildings] plan” oversight.house.gov/release/come...

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Zach Israel @zachisrael.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

“The investigation appears focused on whether city officials are adequately supervising children in & out of classrooms […] Prosecutors appear to be examining how the city addresses truancy & whether officials are taking sufficient steps to protect children from abuse or neglect.” archive.is/v1pzX

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