Washington, D.C. is the 2nd most expensive place to live in the nation. D.C. residents are being crushed by a "poverty tax" that forces families out while rewarding billionaires. This manifesto is the roadmap to reclaiming our economy, funding our future through fairness, and building a city where every neighbor—from Ward 1 to Ward 8—can thrive.
 

 

I. Fiscal Fairness: Funding the Mission
 

We will stop the "Billionaire-First" era by ensuring those at the very top contribute their fair share to the city that made their success possible.

• The 3% for the 3% Rule: We will implement a 3% tax increase on the top 3% of income earners and the highest-earning corporations in the District. This revenue will be directly locked into a dedicated fund for affordable housing, small business startups, and community safety.
   

II. Housing Sovereignty: Equity Over Extraction

• Universal Rent Control: Implementing across-the-board rent control on both new and older buildings for immediate stability.

• Micro-Housing & Miniature Homes: Building designated communities of high-quality miniature homes for residents earning $20,000–$50,000, providing a dignified path to homeownership.

• The $100,000 Home Land Bank: Abolishing tax sales to predatory investors. Distressed land will go to a District Land Bank committed to helping families resolve tax issues first so they can keep their land. If they cannot, liens will be used to transfer the land to first-time homeowners earning $20,000–$150,000.

• Eliminating Height Limits: Modernizing zoning to eliminate building height limits, maximizing resident-focused density to lower costs.

• Small Landowner Grants & Protections: Funding for small property owners to improve their buildings and strict legal protections to prevent predatory squatters from devaluing generational assets.
   

III. A Student-Worker-Small Business Economy

• $150M Annual Startup Fund: Recurring capital specifically for small and disadvantaged businesses to fuel D.C. innovation.

• The 50% Local Mandate: Requiring at least 50% of every District contract to utilize the services of local D.C. businesses.

• Ward 7 & Ward 8 Commercial Surge: Targeted, high-impact investments to grow commercial corridors "East of the River."

• Hospitality Training Grants: $100,000 grants to struggling restaurants that implement a plan to train D.C. youth in hospitality excellence.
   

IV. Ending the "Utility Tax" & Banking Fees

• Energy & AI Win-Win: We will negotiate a compact with energy providers to fund the grid upgrades needed for AI infrastructure through private corporate capital, ensuring these costs are never passed on to residential or small business ratepayers.

• Accountability Strike: Ending the negligence that led to the 13% gas rate hike. No more corporate giveaways on the backs of neighbors.

• Fee Relief: Drastically reducing banking overdraft fees and car insurance premiums, which disproportionately drain the pockets of our working-class neighbors.
   

V. Urban Resilience: Smart Snow Removal & Relief

We will end the disaster of snow-ins and the unfair penalization of neighbors.
 

• Eliminating Shoveling Fines: We will immediately stop the practice of fining residents and small businesses who cannot find help to clear their sidewalks. Poverty or lack of physical ability should never be a reason for a government citation.

• Crowdsourced Clearing Platform: We will launch a District-wide digital platform that crowdsources equipment and labor. This "Snow-Force" will connect neighbors with plows, blowers, and shovels to ensure every road and walkway in the District is clear within 8 hours of a storm's end.
   

VI. Food Justice: The "Powered By" Model

• Whole Foods-Powered Stores: Brokering partnerships between natural food giants and local nonprofits to create high-quality, community-led grocery hubs in every food desert Ward. Whole Foods provides the supply chain; local nonprofits manage the stores.

• The People’s Grocery Discount: A $2.5M fund to subsidize fresh produce and healthy staples for low-income residents.
   

VII. Integrated Mobility: A City That Moves Together

• Multi-Modal Freedom: Designing "All-In Infrastructure" where walkable paths, protected bike lanes, optimized bus routes, and drivable roads coexist without competition.

• Flying Car Readiness (eVTOL): Zoning for "Vertiports" and aerial transit lanes to make D.C. a global leader in the 3D transport era.

• No Mode Left Behind: Ending the practice of removing parking or car lanes in ways that isolate seniors and workers who depend on vehicles.
   

VIII. Protecting Generational Wealth & Community Legends

• Community Institution Chairs: Grants for "Local Legends" (community elders and leaders) to support them in investing their time in mentoring youth and advising nonprofits.

• Trusts for the Future: Encouraging children to maintain deep relationships with their parents through Family Trusts to protect assets and spur generational wealth transfer.

• Legacy Protection: Free Wills and Estate planning for 5,000 seniors to ensure District property stays in District families.