Yesterday, DC Council approved an $8.6 billion local budget. Although we’re in the middle of a global pandemic and recession that is deepening entrenched economic and racial inequities, it fails to adequately rise to what the times require.
DC Council’s budget has significant shortcomings even with modest revenue increases, largely because Council failed to put forward a truly bold revenue strategy in the face of a $1.5 billion revenue shortfall.
On Tuesday, The DC Council cast the first of two votes on their fiscal year (FY) 2021 budget, which moves the District’s fiscal policy and investments in the right direction.
Today, the District becomes a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Last week, DC Council committees voted on changes—or “markups”—to the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget, which failed to adequately meet the spike in human needs resulting from the current economic downturn and pandemic.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s largest contract funds a police presence in District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). This money could be better spent on student mental health.
Affordable housing is one area that, if supported with robust, recurring funding, can provide long-term safety and stability for low-income and Black and brown communities facing skyrocketing housing prices in the District.
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DC imposes barriers on residents trying to access health insurance through the DC Healthcare Alliance. These barriers contribute to both poor health outcomes and unnecessarily high program costs.
