The D.C. Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Act, a document aimed at reversing many of the proposed cuts made by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. The council voted on a budget that funded the early childhood educator pay equity fund and child subsidy program, maintained adequate funding for existing housing vouchers, partially restored paid family leave, increased healthcare investments, and delayed D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s TANF decrease in benefits.

Local Priorities

D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) said more could’ve been done in direct benefit to residents living east of the Anacostia River. White represented Ward 8 this budget cycle without chairmanship of any council committee and pushed for his budget priorities in other ways.

The Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act included amendments to preserve LGBTQIA funding and finance a financial literacy pilot program. The goal of the financial literacy pilot program centers on addressing chronic absenteeism.

Budget Support Act

The Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act included an amendment to launch a curbside management program and an amendment to establish an Art All Night Fund. Another amendment requires the D.C. Office of Planning to submit a comprehensive plan with policies and maps aimed at addressing inequitable industrial land use.

Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.