As D.C. Council members have scrutinized and considered changes to Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s proposed $19.7 billion fiscal 2024 budget over the past six weeks, they’ve uttered one phrase ad nauseam: “tough decisions.”
The looming expiration of federal pandemic-relief funds, long-term economic concerns and increased expenses, such as those mandated by collective bargaining agreements, have required city officials to consider cuts to several popular programs, at times pitting short-term initiatives against projects with longer timelines.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) called the situation “a bit of a fiscal cliff” in remarks to fellow lawmakers last week.
Council members met Wednesday to discuss their proposed tweaks to the mayor’s budget, which Mendelson will consider and revise ahead of an initial vote May 16. While lawmakers generally agreed on the need to reverse some of Bowser’s proposed cuts to popular programs — like one that offers emergency rental assistance — other issues were more contentious.
