There was an alarming amount of violence in the streets of Columbia Heights over Halloween night.  Councilmember Jim Graham responded to the violence with a message this morning.

Message From Councilmember Jim Graham

Positive Crime Solutions After A Rough Night Of Violence

Dear Friends: Last night was a tough night for our neighborhoods...with an armed car jacking, one homicide, four wounded two critically, another wounding on Sherman Avenue, robberies ... more robberies.

Press Release from Councilmember Jim Graham

Councilmember Graham calls for WMATA to Focus on Transportation and Not Immigration

Washington, DC - In a Council oversight hearing on Tuesday on transportation, Councilmember Graham questioned WMATA’s Executive Director and CEO John Catoe on his knowledge of reported Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) interrogations of Latino commuters in the Washington Metro area.

Washington DC - Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) praised Mayor Adrian Fenty today for proposing to fund arts and community-based programs in Ward One.

“The Mayor has clearly made his mark,” said Councilmember Graham.  “I am pleased to see funding for the arts, community festivals, and our local parks in Ward One.”

Washington DC - Older drivers would no longer be required to take road tests, if a bill introduced by Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) and eight of his colleagues is enacted into law.

"Seniors are being unfairly targeted and I am not convinced that these tests serve a useful purpose," said Councilmember Graham.

Washington, DC – Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) authored legislation to give a woman the right to breastfeed anywhere she has the right to be with her child.  

“New mothers often choose formula feeding to avoid embarrassment and other negative consequences,” said Councilmember Graham. “This legislation will hopefully promote breastfeeding as a positive and not a negative.”

Press Release from Councilmember Jim Graham

Washington, DC - New construction in the District would have to meet strict environmental standards starting in late 2007, under a bill unanimously passed by the DC Council today. 

"This bill means cleaner air and water, healthier students and more productive employees," said Councilmember Jim Graham, who introduced the Green Building Act with Chairman Linda Cropp, Councilmember Phil Mendelson (At Large) and Councilmember Sharon Ambrose (Ward Six). "Here, we also have the chance to take the lead among green cities." 

Councilmember Jim Graham breezed through the Democratic primaries with a landslide victory over challenger Chad Williams for the Ward 1 Council seat.  With 93 percent of the precincts reporting, Councilmember Graham captured 87 percent of the votes with Chad Williams claiming the remaining 13 percent (as of late Tuesday evening).

The following is a message from Councilmember Jim Graham:

Every Contribution Counts

My good friend,

It has been, and continues to be, a great honor to serve all of DC and represent the residents of Ward One – the most diverse area of our city.

Working together, we have achieved much. But there is still more work to be done. That is why I am seeking reelection, to continue my service for our community.

Press Release from Councilmember Jim Graham

Washington, DC - A stronger, simpler rent control law is on its way to Mayor Williams for his signature.

A unanimous DC Council today gave final approval to a rent control reform bill, authored by Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One). This is the most significant change to the District's rent control laws in more than 20 years. This law applies to an estimated 100,000 apartments in the city.

(Message from Councilmember Jim Graham)

Dear Friends,

The DC Council unanimously passed on first reading the most significant reform of the District's rent control laws in more than 20 years. The final vote on this measure will occur in June. I was the primary author.

Press Release from Councilmember Jim Graham

Washington, DC - The District of Columbia would have its first plan to give residents free access to immediate treatment for drug addiction and alcoholism, under a bill introduced yesterday by Councilmembers Marion Barry (D-Ward Eight) and Jim Graham (D-Ward One).

The DC Council today passed a resolution approving $2.7 million in projects for Ward One neighborhoods - including three parks and a major investment in job training. The spending is part of the current fiscal year's budget, and was included at the request of Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One).

Washington, DC - The DC Council voted unanimously today to permanently stop the unlawful eviction of unsuspecting tenants - whose apartments would then become luxury condominiums.

Washington, DC - Councilmembers Jim Graham (D-Ward One) and Adrian Fenty (D-Ward Four) today introduced a resolution opposing development plans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH).

Councilmember Jim Graham - Press Release.

Washington, DC - The District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled today that individual tenants in buildings sold in so-called "95/5" transactions cannot sue to challenge those transactions. The Court also ruled that 95/5 sales did not trigger the tenants right of first refusal.

On March 7, real estate developer and media entertainment executive, Chad Williams, filed a statement of organization and candidacy for DC Council seat for Ward One.  Williams will invest $100,000 of his personal funds to finance his campaign.

Washington, DC - Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) has accepted an invitation to be an international monitor in El Salvador's national legislative elections March 12. Graham's chief of staff Ted Loza will accompany him and serve as an interpreter as well as an election monitor.

Washington, DC - The first significant strengthening of rent control in 20 years will come to its first Council vote tomorrow. The bill would limit rent increases to once a year, and would finally place a cap on how much rents can be increased in rent-controlled buildings. It would also abolish the ability of landlords to take vacant apartments with affordable rent and convert them into luxury apartments with market-rate rents.

Dear Friends:  Here's an interesting analysis on the Mayor's baseball deal from The Wall Street Journal. A lot of details on the development (for example: it was a sole source to favored developers) were obviously not considered. But the essential point of the article is near the heart of this matter: We have struck a bad deal financially. I have said before that it has all been a (failing) struggle to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. We want baseball, but we want it on a fair deal. Its of interest to know that WSJ agrees.