Each passing budget is an opportunity to ‘build back better’ from the pandemic and put the District on a path toward economic inclusion and a racially just future. Read about what’s in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget after DC Council’s first vote and what work remains ahead of the second vote on May 24.
Investment Priorities for the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget
Two years after the city first shut down in response to COVID-19, not all of DC’s residents are on the path to recovery. There remains a huge gap between the city’s wealthier, largely white, residents and its Black and brown residents, who are disproportionately experiencing hardship. DC can narrow the longstanding racial inequities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic by
- Keeping promises made last year to residents struggling the most;
- Building on our progress towards a just recovery by continuing to meet urgent needs;
- Leveraging DC’s growing revenue and avoiding costly tax cuts; and
- Providing transparent information on how money is spent and get community input on the results.
See DCFPI’s budget priorities for the revised FY 2022 and FY 2023 budgets.
DCFPI staff testified at DC Council hearings in March and April to offer recommendations on FY 2023 budget investments.
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Hearing for the Department of Behavioral Health on the need for additional investments in the School-Based Behavioral Health program
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Hearing for Events DC, Finance Duties, and the Office of Chief Financial Officer on ensuring the District’s recovery is inclusive of undocumented and otherwise excluded workers and equitable and sensible tax policy
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Hearing for the Office of the State Superintendent on compensation for early childhood educators
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Hearing for the DC Department of Health Care Finance on the need for services for residents with low incomes who have traumatic brain injuries
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Roundtable for the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services on ending encampment evictions and no camping zones
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Hearing for DC Public Schools on stabilizing school budgets for the long term
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Hearing for the Department of Housing and Community Development on transparency and oversight
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Hearing on the District of Columbia Housing Authority on allowing self-identification of identity
- Testimony at the Budget Oversight Roundtable on the Department of General Services on building two standalone public restrooms
- Testimony at the Committee of the Whole Budget Oversight Hearing on investments to end homelessness and affordable housing
- Testimony at the Committee of the Whole Budget Oversight Hearing on ensuring the budget is inclusive of undocumented and otherwise excluded workers
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Timeline
DC’s fiscal year begins October 1 and ends September 30. In the spring, the Mayor presents a budget to the Council, which then reviews, changes, and approves it before it is sent back to the Mayor to sign into law and submitted to the US Congress, which can choose to modify or reject it.
Further Resources
- “First Look” at the Mayor’s Budget Reveals Major Investments in Housing Affordability, Racial Equity, but Unmet Need for DC’s Most Excluded
- DCFPI’s Priorities for the Revised FY 2022 Budget and FY 2023 Budget
- Principles for Sustaining an Equitable Recovery
- A Resident’s Guide to the DC Budget
- Revenue: Where DC Gets Its Money
- Guide to School Funding
- Visualizing the DC Police Budget
- Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Resources
Become a Budget Advocate
The DC budget is the is the cornerstone of the public services and resources residents, businesses, and neighborhoods need to thrive and the central tool for addressing racial inequities in access to affordable housing, health care, and a quality education. To learn more about the budget, including the annual process for creating the budget and how to read budget documents, check out our Resident’s Guide to the Budget.
The fight for equity and justice can’t happen without you. Sign up to DCFPI’s email list or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram so we can send you regular updates on our efforts and ways you can get involved. You can also learn more about the Just Recovery DC campaign on Twitter.
