Posts by Ed Lazere — Guest Contributor
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How does the DC budget get put together every year?
As we noted earlier, the District’s fiscal year begins October 1. Each October, just as one fiscal year is starting, officials start intensely planning for next year’s budget. In other words, budgeting is a year-round process in DC. There is involvement from the Mayor and the executive branch, the DC Council, the city’s Chief Financial Officer, and residents and interest groups. Keep reading…
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Here’s a primer to help you read a city budget
Let’s say you’re a devoted user of your neighborhood library. You want to make sure your branch continues to be open on evenings and weekends, that children’s story hour happens, and that New York Times bestsellers get stocked at your branch. You want to advocate for the library system at city hall—known in DC as the John A. Wilson Building. What do you do? Keep reading…
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This handy guide will help you understand how DC’s budget works
Public transportation. Community centers. Drivers’ licenses. Cash assistance to help families make ends meet. Trash collection. Affordable housing. Teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Library books. All are made possible in the District of Columbia through one thing: the city’s annual budget. Keep reading…
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DC’s black residents aren’t benefiting as much from the city’s prosperity
The District’s long-term success depends on ensuring that everyone has economic opportunity and the chance to succeed. Yet new income and poverty data from the Census Bureau tell us while many District residents are benefitting from DC’s strong economy, many Black residents are still struggling to make ends meet. Keep reading…
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DCFPI responds to your comments on tax report
GGW last week covered recent findings that taxes paid by DC residents and car-free Virginia residents generally are the lowest in the region, based on new research from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. We at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute appreciate the coverage of our work and the many comments the story received. We would like to respond to some of the comments, including those… Keep reading…
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Don’t give away the station, DC Council
The District recently announced a budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2011, estimated from $34 million up to $100 million. Meanwhile, as of this morning the DC Council’s agenda for tomorrow included consideration of a huge, permanent property tax break for Union Station which would cost $34 million over the next two decades. Update: The bill has been pulled for now. Bill… Keep reading…
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DC uninsured rate dropped, is one of lowest in US
New figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau reveal some good news about health insurance coverage in the District of Columbia. The share of residents without insurance stood at 9.8 percent in 2007-2008, a significant decline from 12.9 percent in 2000-2001. When compared with states, DC is in the top fifth in its insurance coverage rate. (Massachusetts has… Keep reading…
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Tune up DC’s tax system: Theater tickets
Like cities and states across the country, DC is having a hard time finding enough money in its coffers to maintain the basic services that residents rely upon. Most recently, every agency was asked to propose 10 percent cuts to their budgets to address another drop in revenues. Keep reading…
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Homelessness rising in DC as shelter budgets fall
This morning, homeless individuals and advocates gathered to speak to the crisis in the lack of shelter for homeless individuals and families in DC. The Homeless Emergency Response Workgroup held a rally at Freedom Plaza at 10:00 am. They also released a report on unmet shelter need, a “Declaration of Inter-Dependence,” and a letter to the Mayor and DC Council… Keep reading…
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Filling DC’s newest revenue hole
Just a few years ago, the Chief Financial Officer’s “quarterly revenue forecast” was something DC officials looked forward to because boom times meant surplus money to spend. Now that we’re in a recession, the forecasts are increasingly gloomy because falling tax revenue causes budget shortfalls. And when that happens, Mayor Fenty and the Council… Keep reading…