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Alex Koma

@alexkoma.bsky.social

Senior D.C. politics reporter, WAMU 88.5. Pittsburgh born and forever a Hokie. Send story ideas or spam to akoma(at)wamu.org

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Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2d ago

Every election cycle I save every piece of political mail I get: you never know when it’ll come in handy for a story! But today, it’s time to say goodbye. This photo somehow undersells just how we got during that wild DC primary.

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Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 7d ago

The word is out! I’m so excited to be joining one of the most exciting outlets covering DC. I’ll be focused on all the drama surrounding DC government and politics in a time of huge change for the city: reach out if you have story ideas for when I start later this month.

The 51st@51st.news · 7d ago

This August, our newsroom is tripling our reporting capacity — and deepening our politics coverage. Today's news: Alex Koma (@alexkoma.bsky.social) is joining our team later this month. More about Alex's work — and the reporting he's excited to dig into as part of our team:

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 7d ago

I may be off work…but there’s been a major development in the push to replace Robert White on the council. Phil Pannell plans to present this proposal at a DC Dems retreat tomorrow, calling for a 1,000-member state convention to vote on who to appoint to fill White’s seat.

In early January 2027 the DC Democratic State Committee (DCDSC) will be tasked with electing an interim At-large Councilmember to fill Robert White's vacancy. I think that the DCDSC should seek input from other Democrats before the voting to fill the vacancy. Therefore, I recommend that the DCDS have a state convention this November that will include advisory voting regarding the vacancy. I propose a state convention that will be historically noteworthy and groundbreaking in its delegate composition. There would be 1,000 delegates with each ward allotted 115 delegates and 10 alternates. The delegations would consist of • Persons who have leadership positions in any official DC Democratic Party organization (i.e. officers, precinct representatives, committee chairpersons) • Public elected Democratic office holders (mayor, council, congressional delegate, shadow representative and senators; AN members not included) • Registrants who are 17 years of age and will turn 18 by the special election to fill the at-large council vacancy •Any candidate who was on the June 16, 2026 Democratic primary ballot • Rank-and-file Democrats chosen by sortition (lottery) • Other constituencies of Democrats identified by the convention planning committee At the convention the candidates seeking the at-large council interim appointment would speak. Each delegate would be permitted to vote for up to three candidates. The results of the voting would be advisory and no DCDSC member would be bound by the results. The state convention would also present the opportunity for the delegates to weigh in on policy platforms and/or resolutions. I recommend that the convention be held in a venue that is affordable and Metro accessible. I recommend Matthews Memorial Baptist Church at 2616 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE). Its sanctuary seats 1400 and it is two blocks from the Green Line Anacostia Metro Station. I have spoken with its pastor, Reverend Joseph Turner, and he is amenable to hosting, the …
Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2w ago

I couldn’t leave WAMU without one last story: a controversial utility project is getting a second look. wamu.org/story/26/07/... I’ll be talking all this and more for a Politics Hour swan song: then I’m taking a few weeks off before the new gig starts so hold your tips til then!

A controversial pipeline replacement project is getting more scrutiny from D.C. regulators amid fears of rising utility bills

A $150 million plan from Washington Gas to replace pipes leaking natural gas across the city won an initial approval this spring. But the D.C. government and environmentalists successfully pressed for...

wamu.org

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2w ago

Thompson just made it official. In his resignation letter, he ends with one last argument that "rising energy prices are not attributable to any one agency, group or thing." "To meet this moment, a finger pointing approach will not work," he added.

Dear Mayor Bowser: Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation as Chairman of the D.C. Public Service Commission, effective August 14, 2026. It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve District residents and advance the Commission’s vital mission. Having devoted my career to public service, serving as Chairman has been one of my greatest honors. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues, protect the public interest, and help ensure the fair and efficient delivery of utility services. I sincerely appreciate the guidance, support, and professional growth I have experienced during my tenure, as well as your support as Mayor. Your leadership has helped advance the District’s clean energy goals and reinforce its position as a national leader in this field. I am proud of the work we have accomplished over the last five years. The Commission has initiated public planning frameworks that will allow the public to truly engage in utility planning in a manner that was not previously possible. It is my hope that the Commission finalizes these frameworks, because the public deserves a seat in their energy future. Additionally, we have made substantial progress in developing a District specific BCA framework that considers equity and will be used on future utility projects. We also signed the first PPA for 5% of the SOS load and awarded three of the four pilot projects funded by the merger. These pilot projects re-envision the energy landscape in the District – without any cost to everyday ratepayers. Equally as important, we ensured that Pepco and WGL followed through with their merger commitments – including the provision of top decile electric service reliability, reductions in gas leaks, and the development of 10 MWs of clean energy by WGL. I would also note that the District is exceeding its solar carveout requirements, and compliance with solar interconnection regulations is at an all-time high – without the need fo…that advocates on behalf of the states at FERC and PJM. I testified multiple times before FERC about the importance of a well-functioning regional transmission organization (RTO), data centers' cost allocation, and the need for an effective capacity market. I also served as a member on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), an advisory member of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the Chair of the Critical Infrastructure Committee at NARUC and on the advisory committee of the Critical Consumer Issues Forum. One item must be emphasized. Rising energy prices are not attributable to any one agency, group or thing. This phenomenon is occurring across the nation. To meet this moment, a finger pointing approach will not work. All stakeholders must be willing to engage in honest conversations and thoughtful introspection. Every regulation that creates cost, incentives, taxes or surcharges must be revisited to ensure the benefits are commensurate with the cost. Further, stakeholders must be honest with ratepayers about the costs and benefits of these policies and preferences. As the issue of affordability is debated, the other three legs of the table - reliability, safety and conservation of environmental resources must be considered. Over reliance on any one of these legs creates an energy system table that is greatly unbalanced and surely set to fail. Finally, for the Commission to continue to do its job effectively, it must continue to operate as an independent entity. Commissioners are appointed and confirmed by the Council across Mayoral terms for just this reason. While Commissioners must be responsive to political leadership, the Commission was created to be independent. To ensure a seamless transition of my responsibilities, I am committed to working with the team over the next two weeks to provide essential guidance. Please let me know how I can best support the Commission during this transition per…
Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2w ago

News: Emile Thompson, the chair of the Public Service Commission regulating electric/gas utilities, is resigning Aug. 14, per multiple sources. He's been under a ton of pressure amid rising bills: and just chaired a lengthy hearing on a major Washington Gas project. Background:

But this has not quieted criticism from advocates, who have long charged the commission is too deferential to the needs of the utility companies. They’re urging the council to block the reappointments of Trabue and Thompson—both of their terms expire later this year. However, many environmental activists would like to see new appointments held until a new mayor and council are elected. (Allen said he’s withholding judgment on that request, for now, but noted he is hearing overwhelming frustration from residents over the commission’s leadership.) “We need a commission that’s actually going to move forward planning for a managed and clean energy transition in the city,” said Claire Mills, an organizer with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “And we just feel like the current leaders haven’t shown over the last four years that they’re really willing to take that on.” In the meantime, Mills would like to see the commission more closely scrutinize Washington Gas’ plans for making the most badly needed pipe repairs first before moving on to full pipe replacements (an issue Beverly also raised in his dissent). The PSC will have several more decisions to make on the next steps of the pipe project over the coming months.
Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2w ago

News: Emile Thompson, the chair of the Public Service Commission regulating electric/gas utilities, is resigning Aug. 14, per multiple sources. He's been under a ton of pressure amid rising bills: and just chaired a lengthy hearing on a major Washington Gas project. Background:

But this has not quieted criticism from advocates, who have long charged the commission is too deferential to the needs of the utility companies. They’re urging the council to block the reappointments of Trabue and Thompson—both of their terms expire later this year. However, many environmental activists would like to see new appointments held until a new mayor and council are elected. (Allen said he’s withholding judgment on that request, for now, but noted he is hearing overwhelming frustration from residents over the commission’s leadership.) “We need a commission that’s actually going to move forward planning for a managed and clean energy transition in the city,” said Claire Mills, an organizer with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “And we just feel like the current leaders haven’t shown over the last four years that they’re really willing to take that on.” In the meantime, Mills would like to see the commission more closely scrutinize Washington Gas’ plans for making the most badly needed pipe repairs first before moving on to full pipe replacements (an issue Beverly also raised in his dissent). The PSC will have several more decisions to make on the next steps of the pipe project over the coming months.
Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2w ago

"My letter in no way says 'Congress, change what the council did'...but it is clear that what the council did sets up big pressures that will need to be solved next year," Bowser says at a news conference, when asked if her decision not to sign the budget invites interference.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2w ago

There it is: as has been rumored for the last few weeks, Bowser is letting the budget become law without her signature. In her letter, she blames the council's decision to "simply kick the can down the road" on big spending decisions for her choice.

Dear Chairman Mendelson: I am returning unsigned Bill 26-659, the "Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026" and Bill 26-660, the "Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Emergency Act of2026." Throughout this budget season, I have consistently raised my concerns with the Council. I raised them when I transmitted my proposed budget in April and again before first reading in June. I have warned that choosing to fund recurring programs with one-time money is setting up the next Mayor and Council with an $837 million fiscal cliff. Nothing that Council did between first and second reading on the budget changed that assessment. I want to be clear about what my proposed budget did. It closed a $1.1 billion gap through real, difficult decisions, including spending reductions, budgetary savings, and the use of prior-year surplus rather than one-time measures. It made only minimal changes to taxes and fees - and it · even delayed a sales tax increase. These were not easy choices, but they were responsible ones, and I believe they were the right ones for the District's long-term financial health. During its deliberations, the Council restored a number of those reductions: one-time addition of $61.5 million to childcare worker subsidy programs; one-time addition of $27 million in grants to nonprofits for legal services; $15 million in hospital graduate medical education subsidies; and $13 million to reverse much needed TANF reforms. Each of these programs has laudable goals that we have funded in fiscally healthier times. Taken together now, however, they are a significant part of why the District faces an $800 million gap. And even with $420 million in newly OCFOcertified funds, the Council still failed to fully fund what our District Government union workers needed as their contracts expire.
Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2w ago

There it is: as has been rumored for the last few weeks, Bowser is letting the budget become law without her signature. In her letter, she blames the council's decision to "simply kick the can down the road" on big spending decisions for her choice.

Dear Chairman Mendelson: I am returning unsigned Bill 26-659, the "Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026" and Bill 26-660, the "Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Emergency Act of2026." Throughout this budget season, I have consistently raised my concerns with the Council. I raised them when I transmitted my proposed budget in April and again before first reading in June. I have warned that choosing to fund recurring programs with one-time money is setting up the next Mayor and Council with an $837 million fiscal cliff. Nothing that Council did between first and second reading on the budget changed that assessment. I want to be clear about what my proposed budget did. It closed a $1.1 billion gap through real, difficult decisions, including spending reductions, budgetary savings, and the use of prior-year surplus rather than one-time measures. It made only minimal changes to taxes and fees - and it · even delayed a sales tax increase. These were not easy choices, but they were responsible ones, and I believe they were the right ones for the District's long-term financial health. During its deliberations, the Council restored a number of those reductions: one-time addition of $61.5 million to childcare worker subsidy programs; one-time addition of $27 million in grants to nonprofits for legal services; $15 million in hospital graduate medical education subsidies; and $13 million to reverse much needed TANF reforms. Each of these programs has laudable goals that we have funded in fiscally healthier times. Taken together now, however, they are a significant part of why the District faces an $800 million gap. And even with $420 million in newly OCFOcertified funds, the Council still failed to fully fund what our District Government union workers needed as their contracts expire.It is Council's prerogative, of course, to either solve tough budget problems or simply kick the can down the road. I regret that Council chose to add this $83 7 million burden on top of other inflationary or macroeconomic factors that could impact next year's revenue estimate. I want to be clear: this choice was made by the Council, not me. We know the District's economy will continue to feel the painful effects of federal DOGE cuts for the foreseeable future. We must keep creating jobs, revitalizing Downtown, and protecting the progress we have made in public education and public safety - and doing so requires more constrained and sustainable spending decisions. I remain proud of my Administration's record of fiscal stewardship and am optimistic about the District's people, talented workforce, businesses and future. In my remaining months in service to the people of Washington DC, I am committed to identifying more bold growth opportunities that will help us supercharge our economic trajectory.
Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 2w ago

A little news about me: I'm leaving WAMU later this week. It's been a great year+ here learning the ropes on the radio, and it is bittersweet to leave a newsroom full of talented colleagues. But don't fret, I'm not leaving local DC journalism! More on what's next for me very soon.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 3w ago

Woah! A bit offhand but it sounds like @chairmanmendelson.com also just said on The Politics Hour that he plans to revive the council's education committee. He's kept education under his Committee of the Whole for years, much to the chagrin of advocates, so this would be a big shift.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 3w ago

This just came up as @chairmanmendelson.com appears on The Politics Hour: he says Bowser has yet to reveal her intentions on the budget (her deadline to act is July 29). But he says it would be a "bad image" for DC in Congress if she doesn't sign the budget...

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

Is Mayor Bowser going to sign the 2027 budget? I've spoken with several sources around the Wilson Building who fear she may not. She wouldn't veto the spending plan, but allowing it to become law without her signature would signal her frustration: especially to Congress.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 3w ago

New: How on earth does ranked choice voting impact the two at-large council seats on the November ballot? The council considered but ultimately postponed changes to the vote counting system amid concerns about voter disenfranchisement. I tried to understand how it works: wamu.org/story/26/07/...

D.C.'s move to ranked choice voting complicates two council races. Could lawmakers change how the city counts votes?

The new system has set up a complex process for determining the winners of two citywide council races, prompting accusations of voter disenfranchisement. The council is weighing a major change just a ...

wamu.org

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 3w ago

A new report from DC Auditor Kathy Patterson shows public safety agencies spent ~$220 million(!) on overtime last year. But she also found leave, not staffing, accounted for a lot of that. And she said agencies are paying "exorbitant amounts" of OT to a small number of employees.

D.C.’s Public Safety Agencies: High Overtime Costs, High Leave Use New data brief outlines apparent need for more staff to reduce overtime costs July 22, 2026 (WASHINGTON) The District of Columbia’s public safety agencies spent nearly $220 million on overtime in the last fiscal year based on staffing numbers that are well under the number needed for the hours of work required, according to a new data brief by the Office of the D.C. Auditor. The report also found public safety workers took an average of nine weeks of various types of leave last year, rendering them unavailable for duty, increasing the number of staff needed, and contributing to the high overtime costs. Most acute is the situation at the District’s Department of Corrections where there is a two and a half to one gap between the number of staff needed to fill all 24/7 operational posts (1,762) and the number now employed (704). At the Office of Unified Communications in Fiscal Year 2025 dispatchers were unavailable for duty an average of 11 weeks while on a variety of leave statuses, including an average of one work week “away without leave.” And while the drop in the number of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers was debated in the recent election, officers last year took an average of eight weeks of leave while firefighters took leave on average between eight and 11 weeks, periods of time they were not available for duty. “Our emergency call takers, police officers, firefighters, and corrections guards do critically important work for District residents,” said D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson. “We need a better understanding of what the staffing should actually be in these agencies as well as better management of leave use to bring down the high costs of overtime. That may well include more attention to worker healthcare needs – whatever is driving the numbers unavailable for duty.”
Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 3w ago

I think Zach's assessment of the situation is correct: and I spoke with a few folks who talked to McDuffie at the big Democratic Party unity breakfast this weekend, they believe he is likely to run for Robert White's at-large seat when it comes open next year.

Zach Israel@zachisrael.bsky.social · 3w ago

It’s worth noting that Kenyan McDuffie still hasn’t pulled nominating petitions for the Independent At-Large CM seat up for grabs on November 3 - with 3,000 signatures due in just over 2 weeks, I don’t see him pursuing this. Next Spring’s special At-Large CM election however…

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

Elissa Silverman is getting sworn in by Council Chair Phil Mendelson for her new, five month term (which I’m sure he’s just thrilled about) after winning the special election to replace Kenyan McDuffie. She’s got to run again in the November general, so we could see a repeat soon.

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WeMakeWAMU is a union@wemakewamu.bsky.social · 4w ago

WAMU began newsroom changes this past May that leadership announced as an expansion in local journalism. What was missing in that announcement: WAMU also recently ousted two people essential to the local journalism it says it’s expanding.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

Lewis George says "we can't kick the can down the road any longer" on an "honest conversation" about raising revenue/growing the economy in response to the city's economic challenges. "I want us to be smarter as a District about how we spend our money."

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

If she gets the chance to meet with Trump, Lewis George says she'd tell him "I too want D.C. to be safe and beautiful, and here's my plan to beautify it, to make it safe." She identifies Southwest development/Union Station as potential areas to collaborate.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

If she gets the chance to meet with Trump, Lewis George says she'd tell him "I too want D.C. to be safe and beautiful, and here's my plan to beautify it, to make it safe." She identifies Southwest development/Union Station as potential areas to collaborate.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

The Politics Hour stars @janeese4dc.bsky.social this week! So far, she's been getting a lot of q's on education: She reiterates she isn't interested in changing the system of mayoral control right away, but supports more OSSE independence. She also favors less screen time for students.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

The Politics Hour stars @janeese4dc.bsky.social this week! So far, she's been getting a lot of q's on education: She reiterates she isn't interested in changing the system of mayoral control right away, but supports more OSSE independence. She also favors less screen time for students.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

An interesting ruling from the DC appeals court yesterday in AG Brian Schwalb's lawsuit against Meta (aka Facebook/Instagram). The company wanted to withhold access to files the AG believes showed Meta suppressed "unfavorable research" showing the platforms' impact on kids: the court won't let them

In reply, the District argued that it had met its burden to show probable cause that the documents “show advice from lawyers in furtherance of a consumer fraud.” Specifically, the District argued that the documents, understood in the context of other documents that Meta had produced, showed that Meta’s attorneys “were part of such a scheme to defraud” by suppressing unfavorable research while publicly claiming that it was not hiding internal research. The District subsequently filed a notice of supplemental authority in support of its crime-fraud argument, citing congressional testimony in which a former Meta researcher testified that Meta stopped research projects into child safety because Meta did not want to know the results, restricted the information researchers could collect, altered research designs 6 and modified research results, and required Meta researchers to delete data showing harms to children that were occurring on Meta’s platforms.
Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

The Free DC slate won control of the DC Democratic Party in June, but I hear there's still plenty of infighting raging. The current leadership is engaged in a spat with the newcomers over when to have leadership elections. This email from Phil Pannell lays out some of the drama:

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Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

New: A "bottle bill" could soon pass in D.C., but faces big complaints from local businesses (not to mention a major industry lobbying campaign) about its impacts on the economy. Will it make things harder on brewers/liquor stores? Or open up new avenues for entrepreneurs? wamu.org/story/26/07/...

A ‘bottle bill’ is meant to clean up D.C.’s parks and rivers. Some businesses are wary, but others see opportunity

A new bill would charge a 10-cent deposit on bottles and cans sold in the city, and allow people to earn that money back by recycling them. It's drawing opposition from some local businesses, and forc...

wamu.org

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · 4w ago

Is Mayor Bowser going to sign the 2027 budget? I've spoken with several sources around the Wilson Building who fear she may not. She wouldn't veto the spending plan, but allowing it to become law without her signature would signal her frustration: especially to Congress.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · last mo.

It may not be local unions, but sure seems like unions are involved in this. A labor-aligned law firm in NYC, Pitta LLP, is listed as the registered agent for the cheekily named Coalition for Accountability and Road Safety (aka CARS), incorporated just a month ago.

Martin Austermuhle@maustermuhle.bsky.social · last mo.

With the D.C. Council set to hold a hearing on Monday on a bill that would legalize Waymo and other self-driving cars, I've started getting ads urging residents and lawmakers to oppose the bill. It's unclear who is behind them, but a number of local unions tell me it's not them.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · last mo.

A judge has tossed out a lawsuit filed against D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson over a report she put out four years ago on MPD officers who were fired and eventually reinstated. Three officers included in the report claimed she violated their privacy/defamed them by publishing it:

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Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · last mo.

As discussed in this story, @janeese4dc.bsky.social just passed a BSA amendment that specifies the Rock Creek tennis money can only be used for renovations to bring the center up to professional standards and requires DMPED to update the public on its progress/impacts on residents

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · last mo.

New: D.C. is pressing ahead with plans to spend $9.6M renovating the Rock Creek Tennis Center: but there's no telling how that money will be spent or who will spend it. The drama over the aging center is heating up once more as the Mubadala DC Open comes to town this month: wamu.org/story/26/07/...

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · last mo.

Hearing some rumblings there will be some debate about the Aston, the controversial West End homeless shelter. Brooke Pinto seems to be seeking to cap its capacity at 140 residents: it was originally designed to hold closer to 190. Unclear if this amendment will pass...

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · last mo.

The DC Council takes its final vote on the '27 budget today via the Budget Support Act: basically the laws implementing the budget. Shouldn't be too much drama, but lobbyists for DoorDash etc are pushing lawmakers to remove the new tax on food delivery: including via panel truck.

Alex Koma@alexkoma.bsky.social · last mo.

The DC Council takes its final vote on the '27 budget today via the Budget Support Act: basically the laws implementing the budget. Shouldn't be too much drama, but lobbyists for DoorDash etc are pushing lawmakers to remove the new tax on food delivery: including via panel truck.

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