NEWS BYTES

BY ROBERT DEVANEY, KATE OCZYPOK AND PEGGY SANDS

Sexual Harassment Allegations Banish Deputy Mayor Falcicchio

Bowser’s only mention of her longtime aide and confidant was in the final words of the March 17 press release: “We also thank Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio for his years of service to the District as he transitions to the private sector.”

Falcicchio is now under investigation by the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel for allegations of sexual harassment.

MAYOR’S BUDGET REDUCED

Mayor Bowser presented her final $19.7 billion, 2023 budget to the D.C. Council on March 22. After much more optimistic revenue sums dominated town hall meetings, an estimated $1.7 billion deficit is projected for late 2022, reducing Mayor Bowser’s wish-list of proposals significantly.

P. WESLEY FOSTER (1933-2023)

P. Wesley “Wes” Foster, Jr., founder and chairman of the Long & Foster Companies, parent entity of Long & Foster Real Estate, died March 17. Foster, who was 89, started the real estate firm in 1968 with then-partner Henry A. “Hank” Long. He bought out Long in 1979 and over the next 40 years, built the business into a powerhouse. In 2017, Long & Foster was sold to HomeServices of America, an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway. Long & Foster real estate sales reached $34.5 billion by 2020.

campaigns with us for years. We just had a lovely relationship,” recalled Sonya Bernhardt, publisher of The Georgetowner. publisher of The Georgetowner.

HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES DISAPPROVAL RESOLUTION OF D.C. POLICE REFORM LAW

Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio, Chief-ofStaff to Mayor Bowser, suddenly resigned on March 17. The second most powerful person in D.C.’s executive branch, he served as Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development — and was widely admired and well known around town.

The mayor unexpectedly announced Falcicchio’s successors on the same afternoon — new Chief of Staff Lindsey V. Parker and Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Keith Anderson.

D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson criticized the new budget. “Although next year’s budget will have more money to spend than this year’s, and the Mayor has chosen the theme of recovery, a closer look reveals budget choices that set back recovery for low-income and middle-income residents,” he wrote. “This budget reflects many tough choices, but we’re also fortunate that even in tight times, the District remains well-resourced and able to continue delivering world-class programs and services,” said Bowser.

A final vote on the new city budget by the Council – expect changes and negotiations – is expected by May 20.

“I found him to be such a consummate gentleman, a sort of father figure, so characteristic of his generation — I just adored him. He was such a positive, humble and downto-earth gentleman. And he was so supportive and encouraging in his whole demeanor. He supported The Georgetowner by doing

Another joint congressional resolution of disapproval of a D.C. law — this one on police reform — was passed by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on March 28, sending it directly to the House floor for a vote possibly in the next week or two. The committee vote came after more than four hours of testimony by D.C. officials, including Council Chair Phil Mendelson, Ward 6 Council member Charles Allen, D.C. Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee and D.C. Police Union President Greggory Pemberton.

The one-page joint resolution (JHR 42) sent to the House reads: “Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the [United States] in Congress assembled that the Congress disapproves of … The Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24–781), enacted by the [D.C. Council] on January 19, 2023.”

The proposed law would prohibit certain previously common police restraining actions and increase accountability measures of on-duty police officers among other reforms.