The D.C. Council advanced a major crime bill earlier this week, but not without a few changes. A second and final vote is expected in a few weeks as the Council continues its debate about the Secure D.C. omnibus bill. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson joins the show to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the discussions going on with the bill. Plus, the Council voted in favor of moving forward with a restaurant relief bill. WAMU reporter Amanda Michelle Gomez breaks down the legislation for us.

Many residents still have lots of questions about the potential deal that would build a new sports arena in Alexandria. Debate gets underway in the Virginia General Assembly on legislation this week, with traffic, needed Metro improvements, and parking topping locals’ concerns. Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson gets behind the mic to answer questions from Kojo, Tom, and listeners about the new arena that could be coming to his community. Plus, what are his thoughts on the potential of a retail cannabis market debuting in Virginia as early as January 2025?

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As part of a weeklong series of stories, we’re marking 50 years of Home Rule in the District.  President Richard Nixon signed the Home Rule Act on December 24, 1973 granting D.C and its residents to right to elect its own local government, which they did in November 1974. But Home Rule was and remains limited. For example, D.C. still does not have voting representation in Congress.

Historian and co-author of Chocolate City: A History Of Race And Democracy In The Nation’s Capital George Derek Musgrove gets behind the mic to discuss the compromises that led to the passage of the Home Rule Act. He will be joined by Arrington Dixon, who was elected to the very first D.C. Council to talk about what it was like to take on this historic responsibility.

Then, WAMU’s criminal justice reporter Jenny Gathright will discuss how today’s political moves to limit D.C.’s autonomy follow an old playbook. Finally, President of the D.C. Young Democrats and co-founder of 51 for 51 Jamal Holtz talks us through the fight for D.C. representation in Congress and what comes next for D.C. self-governance. Could statehood be on the horizon?

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D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto’s hefty Secure DC crime bill is moving forward, after being approved by the Public Safety and Judiciary committee last week. Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White joins the show to discuss his thoughts and critiques of the bill. Plus, Councilmember White discusses a potentially new ticket amnesty program, emergency rental assistance, and a controversial recent appearance at a protest.

A report released this week suggests Montgomery County Public Schools did not do an adequate job of investigating claims of sexual harassment by a school principal. This came a day after Superintendent Monifa McKnight said the school board had asked her to resign. Montgomery County Councilmember and Education and Culture Committee chair Will Jawando weighs in. Earlier this month Councilmember Jawando pulled a bill that would have phased out tipped minimum wage by 2028. The councilmember explains why and what comes next.

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The Virginia General Assembly’s 2024 session is in full swing as lawmakers consider legislation on casinos, cannabis, and data centers. State Senator Adam Ebbin (D-39) joins the show to discuss what’s on the docket in Richmond. Plus, we get his thoughts on the proposal to move the Wizards and Capitals to a new arena in his district in Alexandria.

The Prince George’s County Council reconvened this week with a budget shortfall and potential spending cuts at the top of its list. Washington Post reporter Lateshia Beachum gets behind the mic to walk us through what to watch for from the council. Plus, who might be planning a run for County Executive?

Metro’s budget crisis has the entire region on edge with big service cuts potentially in store. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Executive Director Clark Mercer talks with Kojo and Tom about how local leaders are banding together to prevent this from happening.

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Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced a hefty new crime bill this week. The legislation is over 90 pages long and includes provisions pulled from other recently proposed public safety legislation. It’s a direct response to the still-high crime rates in the city. Pinto joins us in the studio to walk us through the bill and explain why she thinks it will help curb crime in the District. Plus, what’s next for Gallery Place and Chinatown with the Wizards and Caps likely leaving Capital One Arena?

The Virginia General Assembly went back into session this week. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s budget, Metro funding, and approvals for the new Alexandria arena are all on the docket. WAMU’s Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel breaks it down for us.

The Montgomery County Council swore in a new president last month and is already setting sights on a big legislative agenda. MoCo 360 politics reporter Ginny Bixby gets behind the mic to tell us what to expect from the Council this year. Plus, county lawmakers were front and center as Maryland opened its General Assembly session. Bixby was there and shares the sights and sounds from the first day.

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D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says the city will provide funding for additional SNAP benefits, ending a month-long saga between her administration and D.C. Council.

Last month, Mayor Bowser argued the extra revenue from city taxes to increase SNAP benefits was needed for other city services. This decision went against D.C. Council-passed legislation that required her to do so. Then, earlier this week, a resolution supported by several Council members started kicking around that suggested the D.C. Council could sue the Mayor for not adhering to the law. After Legal-Aid D.C. also threatened suit this week, Bowser’s administration changed course. At-large D.C. Councilmember Robert White joins the show to walk us through what happened and why he supported a potential lawsuit against the Mayor. Plus, he explains why the partial reaccreditation of D.C.’s beleaguered crime lab is a big deal.

The Maryland General Assembly heads back into session next week and huge transportation cuts, budget concerns, and juvenile justice reforms are all on the docket. Maryland State Senator William Smith, who represents Montgomery County, comes into the studio to discuss his priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

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It was quite a year in local politics. Last spring, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s longtime top aide resigned amid scandal; Congress blocked D.C.’s overhaul of its criminal code; and Arlington eliminated single-family zoning. Then, over the summer, Maryland legalized recreational marijuana, the District got a new police chief, Montgomery County passed rent control legislation, and the D.C. Council approved an emergency crime bill. The fall and winter had the District moving closer to gaining control of the RFK Stadium site, Prince George’s County being selected as the new home for the FBI, and, finally, the Wizards and Caps announcing a plan to move to Alexandria.

Our panel of reporters provides insight and analysis of the year that was and what might be in store in 2024. Josh Kurtz of Maryland Matters, Washington Post’s Teo Armus, and WAMU reporter Jenny Gathright join us.

We also sit down with Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey to talk about the vote this week that makes ranked choice voting a permanent fixture in county elections. And we ask what’s next for the long-time board member after he steps down from the role at the end of this year.

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It’s been a big news week. On Wednesday, Virginia officials and Monumental Sports announced a region-shaking deal to move the Washington Wizards and Capitals from D.C.’s Capital One Arena to a new complex to be built in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood by 2028. The announcement left D.C. officials reeling, and some local sports fans happy, others very unhappy. Virginia state Senator and soon-to-be Majority Leader Scott Surovell discusses what the proposed deal could mean for Alexandria and the General Assembly’s role in all of this.

Metro unveiled its budget earlier this week, proposing massive service cuts as a budget crisis looms. The closing of Metro stations, eliminating bus routes, layoffs, and fare hikes are all on the table if Metro does not receive the additional subsidies from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia it’s asking for. General Manager Randy Clarke joins the show to lay out what’s needed to avoid the catastrophic cuts.

Finally, controversy continues to swirl around the General Services Administration’s decision last month to relocate the FBI headquarters to Maryland. This week, a U.S. House hearing was held where an FBI official again questioned the process in which the Greenbelt was chosen. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks weighs in and explains why she thinks Prince George’s County is the right place for the FBI headquarters.

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We are talking land use this week on The Politics Hour. A major vote on a massive data center in Prince William County is set for next week. The issue has split local Democrats and will have huge ramifications on the future of the suburban county. Virginia state Senator-elect (and current Delegate) Danica Roem joins the show to weigh in on data centers and what the Board of Supervisors should be doing with the land. Plus, the Democratic sweep in the Virginia General Assembly elections last month has the local party making big legislative plans. Sen.-elect Roem gives us a preview of the upcoming session.

The Alexandria City Council voted to eliminate single-family-only zoning as part of its "Zoning for Housing" plan with the goal of boosting the city's housing supply. City Councilmember John Chapman gets behind the mic to discuss why, despite voting in favor it, he still has some reservations. And Councilmember Chapman tells us what's being done to keep schools and students safe.

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This week, the public weighed in on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's latest crime and policing bill. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson was there for the hours of testimony. He joins us in the studio to give his thoughts about the issue and what comes next. Plus, the Washington Teachers Union is urging the school system to come back to the table for contract negotiations. We ask Chairman Mendelson what the Council can do to get the two sides to agree on new terms.

A judge ruled earlier this week that a Montgomery County gun law that bans the concealed carry of a firearm outside of one’s home or business is not allowed under state law.  The judge said he will issue a permanent injunction preventing the county from enforcing the provision. County Executive Marc Elrich joins Kojo and Tom in the studio to weigh in on the ruling. And a new council bill would loosen parking requirements for new housing developments. How might this legislation tackle two pressing problems at once?

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