WASHINGTON — A budget battle is brewing in D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reacted to news that she can expect major changes to her proposed budget.
Earlier this month, Mayor Bowser presented what she described as a sober $21 billion operating budget to the DC Council. The mayor's plan prioritizes public safety, education, and downtown. But the proposal calls for some deep cuts, including to the Childcare Educators' Pay Equity Fund.
The program was created in 2021 to achieve pay parity between day care providers and K-12 teachers. The mayor said slashing the program would save the city $70 million. That is money the chief financial officer insisted must go to the city's reserve fund. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson released a statement Friday saying the fund is robust and the Council will restore the program's funding against the advice of the CFO.
“I tend to agree with the Chairman on this point," said Councilmember At-Large Kenyan McDuffie. "Here's what I believe, strongly. The council is going to pass a balanced budget within the mandated 70 day in which we have it. And we'll present that balanced budget that we pass to the mayor for her consideration."
However, Bowser disagrees.
“I think the chief financial officer is wrong and is wrong on just the common sensical decisions that have to made now versus five years from now,” said Mayor Bowser. “I sent the council a budget that does not include income tax increases or residential property tax increases. I will not support a budget that amps up those taxes for increased spending on programs that don't increase our growth in revenues.”
The mayor believes instead that the reserve money could be better spent.
"Occasionally in government people disagree and I think that can be healthy," she said. "Ultimately, I think the residents of the District of Columbia are best served if we are able to free up the money that is being required by the CFO to be in reserves.”
The Council will present their budget in late May. The CFO should certify the budget before going to Congress, but it is unclear if or how that will happen.