💸 DC Council passes 2025 budget

What's CITY Talking About?

DC Council Passes 2025 Budget

After months of debate, the D.C. Council finalized the city’s fiscal year 2025 budget. It raises D.C.’s “mansion tax” and universal paid leave tax in an attempt to stave off program cuts proposed by Mayor Bowser. It also funds more than 600 additional housing vouchers for residents at risk of homelessness, a new D.C. jail, and a youth indoor sports complex. Now, the budget goes to Bowser for approval. [Washington Post 🔒]

Who’s Paying for a New Football Stadium?

D.C. released a portion of its $400,000 economic impact study for sports in the city, but one key piece is missing: how will D.C. pay for a new Commanders football stadium? Although the study predicts a new stadium would be an economic windfall, it also says construction will cost $3.8 billion. This includes the stadium, office space, a hotel, and residential housing. But last we checked, D.C. is still over $1 billion in debt. [WUSA9]

Miss MD Makes History

Bailey Anne Kennedy is breaking records as the newly crowned Miss Maryland. She’s the first Asian American woman to claim the title, and the first trans woman to win since the Miss USA pageant started allowing trans women 10 years ago. To top it all off, this was her first-ever pageant. Kennedy will compete for the Miss USA crown in August. [NBC4]

What To Do

What Is DC’s Best Park?

We have a winner! The biggest, the baddest, the granddaddy of all D.C. parks – Rock Creek Park has taken the crown!

While it might not be surprising, it is certainly well deserved. The 1,750 acre park has everything from hiking and biking to campfires and mysterious alligators. Besides that, she’s also got history! It was only the third national park established in the U.S., following Yellowstone in 1872 and Mackinac National Park in 1875.

Thank you all for voting! What D.C. bracket should we do next?

DC Insider Trivia

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

What is D.C.'s official tree?

1. The Scarlet Oak ⭐
2. The Maple Tree
3. A Pine Tree
4. The Flowering Dogwood

Yep! The Scarlet Oak is the official tree of D.C., and was approved in 1960. It is also often called black oak, red oak, or Spanish oak, and is known for its brilliant red autumn color. It can thrive in various soils and can withstand significant dry spells, making it particularly hardy.

The Scarlet Oak is one of the trees available through Casey Tree’s residential planting program, where you can get a tree planted in your yard for free!

🏆 Congratulations to readers Liz T., Heather N., and Rick S. for guessing correctly first!

Now Onto This Week’s Question:

Next up, how well do you know José Andrés? Bonus points if you tell me your favorite spot and what to get there!

How many José Andrés restaurants are there in D.C.?

1. 4
2. 8
3. 12
4. 15

Today on City Cast

WaPo Pivots, Parks Quest Continues, and DC Chefs Sweep Awards

The Washington Post is making news, we’ve got James Beard award winners in our own backyard, and we get an update on the “Ultimate D.C. Parks Quest.” Ann Limpert from Washingtonian and Jacob Fenston get into all of it.