D.C. Council member Anita Bonds got funding for housing programs and seniors. (AFRO File Photo)
On May 27, the District’s $13 billion fiscal year 2016 budget was passed by the council on its first reading without significant objection. The budget centered heavily on housing and education but shies away from revenue enhancing measures like new taxes. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), for the most part, was pleased with the budget.
“Residents elected me mayor of my hometown last year to deliver a fresh start and with my first budget that is exactly what we have done,” Bowser said. “With a focus on ensuring all of our residents share in the prosperity, our budget will create pathways for the middle class in all eight wards. Put simply: the budget the council voted on fulfills our key priorities, thus is a win for District residents.”
Bowser did have some reservations, particularly with the expansion of the summer youth jobs program. The mayor signed legislation on May 26 extending the eligibility of the program up to 24 years old, and while the council voted for that in the budget, the extension will have to be voted on again for the next budget year. Bowser was not happy about that.
“The council failed to fund this vital program in the next fiscal year,” she said. “I will work with this year’s class of summer youth employment participants to ensure it is a success and then we will redouble our efforts to expand the program for other young Washingtonians in need of a hand up, not a hand out.”
The mayor also expressed displeasure with the council for not raising the sales tax and supporting measures to bring in revenue through parking. Nevertheless, she said, “I look forward to signing the budget into law and working with members of the council to implement the FY 2016 budget in a thoughtful, responsible way.”
The council will hold its second and final reading of the budget on June 16.
D.C. Council member Anita Bonds (D-At Large) was also happy with the budget. “The FY 2016 budget is one that moves the District of Columbia forward,” Bonds said. “I am proud of our significant investments in affordable housing, education, combating homelessness, and services to our most vulnerable residents.”
Bonds lauded the $100 million investment in the Housing Production Trust Fund and the $2.3 million for targeted affordable housing, $5 million for the Local Rent Supplement Program vouchers and an additional $1.8 million for permanent supportive housing. A strong advocate for seniors, Bonds got the budget for the D.C. Office of Aging increased by $200,000 to support senior meals and senior wellness programs.
A spokeswoman for Councilmember LaRuby May (D-Ward 8) said she was pleased with the restoration of funds to the St. Elizabeth’s East projects, the Anacostia Recreation Center, and the Congress Heights Great Streets project. In a move last month, Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) attempted to cut funding for those projects.
Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) was elated that his pet education project, Books From Birth was funded in the budget. The project will mail a book to each child in the District every month from birth through age 5, while also working to connect families with D.C. Public Library resources and educational information that includes adult literacy.
“We will take an important step forward for early childhood literacy in the District,” Allen said. “Our support for Books From Birth shows we are serious about confronting the District’s literacy and achievement gaps at their starting point, well before those gaps show up in the classroom. Books are direct building blocks for learning but children must be exposed to them to use them.”
At-large Council member David Grosso (I) scored major victories in the budget by reversing cuts to the city’s library system, restoring funding to the University of the District of Columbia, and making up funding losses to schools such as Wilson and Ballou Senior High schools. Grosso worked to fund urban farming projects, a comprehensive citywide cultural plan, and supporting teen pregnancy programs.
“For this council period, education and housing were designated as the council’s two top priorities,” Grosso said. “I am pleased that a comprehensive budget to benefit District of Columbia residents was developed in the areas of education, workforce development, transportation, and health and human services, with historic investments for a strategic pathway to end homelessness.”