Press Release: Mayor’s Budget Is Not a Fair Shot

News Release — DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                      

Wednesday March 22, 2023

CONTACT: Lindsey Walton

WASHINGTON, DC — Chairman Phil Mendelson released the following statement following the Mayor’s initial presentation of the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget:

Although next year’s budget will have more money to spend than this years’, and the Mayor has chosen the theme of “recovery,” a closer look reveals budget choices that set back recovery for low and middle income residents.

• A cut in Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) from $43 million this year to $8 million in the proposed budget. Current demand is double the $43 million.

• A 60% reduction in Civil Legal Services – which primarily helps tenants facing eviction – from $31.6 million to $18.6 million.

• The elimination of 22 inspectors in the Department of Buildings, which will set back efforts to curb slumlord conditions for tenants and prevent illegal construction. 

• Elimination of fare-free bus service, including overnight service for the 12 busiest routes, which especially impacts lower-income residents and workers.

• Cuts 125 FTE’s from the Department of Forensic Sciences at a time when the Department is seeking to recover from scandal and regain accreditation.

• Eliminates the Council’s wealth-building initiative that provides “Baby Bonds” for children born into poverty.

The Council has 56 days to fix these poor choices before its first vote on the budget.

“The budget reflects choices and priorities,” Mendelson said. “Our choice and priority is to focus a ‘recovery budget’ on the recovery of our citizens.”

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