The Collins D.C. Council Report: The Council Ends 2025 with a Bang

December 17, 2025

During the D.C. Council's final 2025 legislative meeting on December 16, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie announced his resignation effective January 5, 2026, after over 13 years of service, signaling potential mayoral ambitions for the 2026 race. The council addressed multiple critical issues including allegations that Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith manipulated crime statistics, with both federal investigations and Mayor Bowser weighing in on the controversy. Budget concerns dominated discussions as Chairman Mendelson highlighted upcoming fiscal challenges related to healthcare, affordable housing, and education funding, while Councilmember Parker advocated for maintaining the child tax credit despite budget pressures.

Who is affected

D.C. residents, particularly seniors concerned about ranked-choice voting complexity
Black male native Washingtonians who McDuffie championed throughout his tenure
Ward 8 youth and community members awaiting recreation center construction
Families eligible for the child tax credit (up to $1,000 per child)
District residents facing rising costs, with utility bills up 35% and childhood poverty at 17%+
Metropolitan Police Department officers experiencing alleged low morale under Chief Smith
Small and local businesses navigating economic uncertainty
D.C. residents dependent on healthcare access, affordable housing, and emergency rental assistance programs
Fannie Robinson (Riggs Park centenarian) and others recognized through ceremonial resolutions

What action is being taken

Mayor Bowser is currently selecting Chief Pamela Smith's replacement at MPD
Chairman Mendelson and City Administrator Kevin Donahue will conduct regular meetings between January and April 1 to track budget compilation progress
Councilmember Pinto is preparing for an MPD agency oversight hearing scheduled for February
The D.C. Office of the Chief Financial Officer is preparing February 2026 revenue estimates
The council is implementing ranked-choice voting for 2026 elections after rejecting the delay proposal
The Department of Justice and House Committee on Oversight are conducting investigations into MPD crime statistic manipulation

Why it matters

This period represents a critical juncture for D.C. governance as the District faces what McDuffie called "the greatest threat to our autonomy since the establishment of home rule 50 years ago" from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. The departure of McDuffie, a champion for violence interruption and racial equity who pioneered the NEAR Act's public health approach to crime, comes as the District grapples with federal control over MPD and contested crime narratives that directly impact public perception and policy decisions. The budget challenges are particularly significant given declining revenue projections from federal layoffs, forcing difficult decisions about safety net programs while residents face a 35% increase in utility bills and rising poverty rates. The ranked-choice voting implementation and recreation center funding disputes reflect broader tensions about democratic processes and equitable resource distribution, especially for historically underserved communities like Ward 8.

What's next

Mayor Bowser must submit her fiscal year 2027 budget proposal no later than April 1, 2026
The D.C. Office of the Chief Financial Officer will release revenue estimates on December 31, 2025, and February 28, 2026
The annual financial report indicating fiscal year surplus will be released February 1, 2026
Councilmember Pinto's Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety will hold an MPD oversight hearing in February 2026
Ranked-choice voting will be implemented for 2026 elections
McDuffie's council seat becomes vacant on January 5, 2026
The 2026 mayoral race will proceed with candidates including Janeese Lewis George and likely McDuffie

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer