FY27 Budget Priorities for Ward 3

March 5, 2026 – Today, Councilmember Frumin submitted his Fiscal Year 2027 budget letter to Mayor Bowser. The letter reflects months of engagement with Ward 3 residents, school leaders, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, service providers, and community organizations.  

This will be a challenging budget year. Economic uncertainty and federal workforce reductions are affecting the District’s revenue base. At the same time, protecting Home Rule requires that we demonstrate sound fiscal management. Councilmember Frumin’s approach is disciplined and targeted: protect what works, fix what does not, and invest carefully in areas that preserve stability and quality of life. 

Key Budget Priorities 

• Education & Early Childhood Stability: Fully fund the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund; sustain Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP) funding; support school-based social-emotional staffing; address targeted needs at Horace Mann Elementary and John R. Thompson Jr. High School; complete critical HVAC repairs at Janney Elementary. 

• Protecting and Strengthening the Safety Net: Preserve non-congregate family shelter; maintain and expand housing voucher turnover paired with supportive services and case management; invest in transitional and bridge housing; protect food access programs; prevent benefits theft; strengthen employment supports. 

• Housing Production & Stability: Sustain strong Housing Production Trust Fund investments; support affordable housing in high-cost neighborhoods; maintain targeted behavioral health housing supports along Connecticut Avenue. 

• Public Safety & Emergency Response: Support Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) recruitment and retention incentives; fund improvements to the Second District station; maintain funding for the Office of Unified Communications; expand behavioral health crisis response. 

• Support for Seniors: Increase Lead Agency funding; strengthen Senior Villages; advance a Ward 3 Senior Wellness Center; expand Safe at Home and home-delivered meals. 

• Thriving Public Spaces & Commercial Corridors: Invest in Main Streets, libraries, parks, transportation infrastructure, and climate protection and resilience.  

Read the full letter below.