💰Bowser defends budget cuts and disapproval ratings

What's CITY Talking About?

Bowser Wants to Remake Federal Buildings

For years now, Mayor Muriel Bowser has been struggling to force federal workers back to the office. On today's City Cast DC podcast, she proposes a new solution: repurposing those majestic but empty buildings to serve the community better. [City Cast DC 🎧]

• Our chat with the mayor also touches on the upcoming primaries, Bowser's low approval rating, and why it took the city so long to contend with its major crime problem. [City Cast DC 🎧]

New Bill Targets Pet Fees

City Council introduced a bill that would cap apartment pet fees to $25 per month and $300 for a security deposit. The bill would also ban breed restrictions and ensure that at least one homeless shelter is pet–friendly. Advocates say the bill simplifies the rental process for people experiencing housing insecurity and bans restrictions that disproportionately affect Black and Brown renters. [ABC7]

All In On Fanduel

Fanduel raked in $1.9 million in its first month. The sports betting app is on track to bring in almost $20 million more than its predecessor GambetDC in its first year. Fanduel took over the city’s sports betting in April, after years of messy service. [Axios, City Cast DC 🎧]

DC Noncitizen Voting Shot Down…Again

The House voted to block noncitizens from voting in local elections for the second time in two years. While the bill had bipartisan support, critics are calling this another Republican attack on home rule. Local officials are worried that this could “sow chaos” on the rapidly approaching June 4 elections, with over 500 noncitizens having already registered to vote. [Washington Post 🔒]

What To Do

DC Insider Trivia

First, Let’s Answer Last Week’s Question:

Which company currently produces Senate Beer?

1. Old Heurich
2. Senate Brews
3. DC Brau
4. Right Proper ⭐

Yep! Senate Beer is a light corn lager produced by Right Proper Brewing. But that’s not the whole story.

The brew is a revival of the Heurich Brewing Co. Senate Beer that was popularized in the 1890’s. The beer was produced out of Heurich House until 1955, even surviving prohibition.

In 2019, decades after production stopped, fermentation scientists analyzed a 20-page laboratory report on Senate Beer to recreate the historic hometown favorite. Besides a couple of extinct yeast strains, the beer is exactly the same as the original, down to the label.

The wildest part? It’s pretty dang good. But it’s not the best locally brewed beer out there!

🏆 Congratulations to Hey DC readers Sarah S., Courtney D., and Kata C. for being the first three to respond with the correct answer!

Now Onto This Week’s Question:

How many parks does D.C. have?

1. 17
2. 57
3. 226
4. 697

Today on City Cast

Mayor Bowser Exclusive: From Budget Cuts To Disapproval Ratings

We sat down with Bowser to ask what we're all wondering: How worried should we really be about crime? What was she really doing at the Masters tournament? And why are her approval ratings so low?