DC Government

“Protecting DC Residents from Unauthorized Poll Monitoring and Voter Intimidation” – “Can federal officials send the military, National Guard, and/or federal law enforcement to monitor the polls? No.”

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by Victoria Pickering

From the Office of the Attorney General (OAG):

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today issued a know-your-rights advisory on poll monitoring and voter intimidation for District residents. DC and federal law protect the rights of District residents and all Americans to vote in a free and fair election without intimidation, coercion, or outside interference.

“Voting in DC is simple, secure, and reliable,” said Attorney General Schwalb.

“Anyone who experiences or witnesses interference with our local elections should report potential violations to our office and the DC Board of Elections.”

For guidance on your rights as a District of Columbia voter, read the FAQs provided below. (more…)

Updated with Statement from I.M.P./9:30 Club – “Statement from Councilmember Allen on Lawsuit Seeking to Block RESALE Act’s Relief for Live Music Fans”

By Prince Of Petworth

Update from Audrey Fix Schaefer, Director of Communications, I.M.P./9:30 Club:

“Just because you, your stockholders and the parasitic scalpers you profit off of don’t like a law, it doesn’t mean it’s not valid.

The DC Council voted unanimously to protect its citizens and homegrown businesses from the predatory gouging by scalpers who siphon millions each year out of consumers’ pockets and the DC tax base. While StubHub, Vivid Seats and the front groups like Ticket Policy Forum pay millions to influence consumer protection laws, I’m grateful that the Council and the Attorney General’s office care about their constituents and the letter of the law.

The RESALE Act is a huge win for concert and theatre ticket buyers in DC, and I suppose it’s unsurprising when the predatory resellers fought and lost at the Council, they decided to turn to other outlandish means in hopes of continuing to take millions of dollars out of the district and into the pockets of the scalpers who don’t pay the artist, the venue’s rent, our employees, and they curtail people’s ability to enjoy more shows and frequents more restaurants.

Last month alone, I.M.P. tracked $13.9 million worth of listings on resale platforms for our venues, across more than 111,000 tickets; 92% of those tickets were listed above face value. We look forward to the RESALE Act taking effect January 1.”

From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen:

“The following statement is from DC Councilmember Charles Allen regarding the lawsuit filed seeking to block the RESALE Act from taking effect on January 1, 2027. Councilmember Allen is the author of the RESALE Act, which passed the DC Council unanimously and went into law on September 25, 2026. The RESALE Act would reign in the secondhand ticket market, which depends on bots and technology to mark-up tickets at steep increases. The law will also ban the practice of selling tickets that do not yet exist. (more…)

DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG): “This is not normal, or legal, and we cannot become numb to it.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG):

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb issued the below statement following today’s hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) lawsuit to end the federal government’s illegal deployment of National Guard troops in the District.

“It violates the law and the principles on which this country was founded to have the U.S. military policing the streets of any American community, including the District of Columbia,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “For over a year, thousands of armed soldiers who are not from here and have limited law enforcement training have occupied our streets, spreading fear and confusion by patrolling near our schools, deploying next to ballot boxes, and marching through our neighborhoods. This is not normal, or legal, and we cannot become numb to it. It is long past time for this illegal deployment to end and for the National Guard to return to their homes, their families, and their regular jobs.”

On November 20, 2025, U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the federal government’s deployment of National Guard troops to the District is illegal. Judge Cobb granted the Office of the Attorney General’s request for a preliminary injunction but the D.C. Circuit temporarily stayed the order while it considered defendants’ appeal. Today, the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments regarding the federal government’s appeal of the District Court’s order.

The lawsuit alleges that the federal government is violating the U.S. Constitution and federal law by: (more…)

“Councilmember Henderson introduced the Restricting Editing and Alterations in Listing Photos Amendment Act of 2026 to protect District residents from misleading real estate advertisements that use digitally altered or AI-generated photos.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Councilmember Henderson:

“Today, Councilmember Henderson introduced the Restricting Editing and Alterations in Listing Photos Amendment Act of 2026 to protect District residents from misleading real estate advertisements that use digitally altered or AI-generated photos. This bill would increase transparency in real property listings and establish new consumer protections for renters and homebuyers. (more…)

DC AG: “Amazon deceived thousands of its customers who live East of the River, collecting their Prime membership fees while secretly excluding them from full Prime membership benefits.”

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by Tim Brown

From the Office of the Attorney General (OAG):

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon) will pay $8.25 million in refunds and penalties and change its business practices to resolve the District’s lawsuit alleging that Amazon deceived tens of thousands of DC residents by failing to inform them that their ZIP codes were excluded from Amazon’s in-house delivery services and misleading Prime members about the true cause of shipping delays. (more…)

“Councilmember Matthew Frumin introduced the “Pied-à-Terre Property Tax Amendment Act of 2026,” to address a reality that certain owners of luxury second homes strategically avoid paying DC income taxes.”

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by Clif Burns

From the office of Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin:

“Councilmember Frumin Introduces Legislation to Address Income Tax Avoidance Strategy and Raise Over $130 Million for District Services

On September 16, 2026, Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin introduced the “Pied-à-Terre Property Tax Amendment Act of 2026,” to address a reality that certain owners of luxury second homes strategically avoid paying DC income taxes.

“Across the District, there are homeowners who are careful to live here for one day less than the 183-day statutory residency test and instead establish residency in a low- or no-tax state,” said Councilmember Frumin. “These wealthy owners benefit from District infrastructure, services, and amenities for nearly half the year, but pay zero income tax to DC. This tax avoidance strategy shifts the financial burden onto resident taxpayers. This bill ensures that those who use DC as a part-time residence pay their fair share.”

The bill establishes a new Class 1C property tax category that applies to select non-owner-occupied residential properties that carry an assessed value of $2.558 million or greater and for which the owner does not claim the District’s homestead deduction.

Key Features of the Bill: (more…)

“Tenants at this 10-story building have been without air conditioning and working elevators since early July and face shocking, dangerous housing conditions.” OAG files lawsuit

By Prince Of Petworth

1400 Florida Ave, NE

From the Office of the Attorney General (OAG):

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today sued the owner and manager of Delta Pearl, a large affordable apartment building located at 1400 Florida Ave NE, for extreme neglect at the property that is actively endangering the health and safety of tenants. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found evidence of severe and pervasive housing code violations at the building, which is owned and managed by developer Buwa Binitie through two of his companies.

“The conditions at Delta Pearl are shocking, as has been ownership’s refusal to promptly address them,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “This extreme level of disrepair and neglect, and the health risks it poses to tenants, are unacceptable. We are suing to force Binitie and his companies to make critical safety repairs and to do so immediately.”

“Just two short years ago, I helped cut the ribbon on 1400 Florida Ave NE and welcomed neighbors into a beautiful space that was funded with tens of millions of dollars in tax credits and public financing. What has happened since then defies reason,” said Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker. (more…)

311 Issues Persist – Blood and Graffiti

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to T. for passing on Joy’s disturbing report:

“explain why my 311 service request was closed without action, stating “rain will clear it”? Why couldn’t DPW be bothered to send a crew to clean up actual biohazardous blood on a heavy trafficked public sidewalk?”

And regarding the graffiti issue: (more…)

“Short term rentals / current and proposed legislation concerns”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’m reaching out regarding Mayor Bowser’s proposed changes to short term rentals. Please indulge me with some context first that powers my alarm. And I’d like to be anonymous please.

I saw your recent posts on rats. In Brightwood they are bad, and on our block getting worse due to a short term rental that isn’t owner occupied and appears to be owned by a VA resident. There are numerous large parties generating lots of garbage. And in recent months no one is putting the trash in the alley. The piled up garbage on the property is feeding a surge in rats on our block.

For many, many months my neighbors and I have been going from DC department to department and to Airbnb directly to try to address the non-owner-occupied full time Airbnb (violation of current law) on our street and as noted the numerous parties that often exceed quiet hours and generate uncontrolled garbage.

In researching links to share with Airbnb, (more…)

Janeese Lewis George: “When I think about how government should work, I think about Christmas trees.”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by C. from Takoma DC taken August 9th 2026

K. writes “Oh no!Last Christmas Tree in Town may be in peril! 🤣 We’ll see.” and passes on the fundraising note from current Councilmember and the presumptive next Mayor Janeese Lewis George: “When I think about how government should work, I think about Christmas trees. Stay with me – the city is supposed to pick up Christmas trees soon after they’re placed on the curb in January. But I have friends and neighbors who’ve told me about trees that are still sitting out there months later. It sounds like a small thing, (more…)

View More Stories