District of Columbia Council Approves Preliminary Budget with Tax Hikes and Program Reversals
Disagreement Persists Between Council Chairman and Mayor Over Budget Priorities Amid $700 Million Budget Gap
According to a published article in the Washington Examiner, the Council of the District of Columbia has given a first approval for next year’s budget, which includes raising taxes and reversing some big program cuts. They still need to vote again on June 12 before it goes to Mayor Bowser. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Mayor Bowser both agree they need to cut some programs and raise taxes because the city has a $700 million budget problem, but they don’t agree on which programs to cut or which taxes to raise.
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DC Budget Boost: Council Approves $700 Million Plan with Tax Hikes and Reallocated Funds – Mayor Bowser Warns of $530 Million Impact on Taxpayers (PHOTO: Washington Examiner)
Mendelson’s Budget Proposal Targets Tax Increases for Wealthy Homes and Businesses
In the approved plan, Mendelson wants to raise taxes on homes worth more than $2.5 million and on businesses paying into the Paid Family Leave program. He also wants to put back $70 million for early childhood education, which Bowser had planned to cut. Mendelson isn’t entirely happy with the budget because he feels it doesn’t do enough for things like affordable housing and public education. Mayor Bowser is concerned about Mendelson’s plan because she thinks it will mean $530 million in new taxes and fees for taxpayers. Despite Bowser’s own tax increase ideas, Mendelson’s plan aims to make about $100 million in new taxes and moves money around to help schools, housing, and emergency rental assistance.
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