The D.C. Council unanimously passed a $20 billion budget for fiscal year 2024 on Tuesday, which Mayor Muriel Bowser says is focused on preserving social services amid a difficult budget season.
In a statement, Bowser celebrated the vote’s result, while acknowledging challenges in its passage.
“The fiscal constraints of waning federal dollars combined with increased costs and the prolonged impacts of telework, including reduced commercial property tax revenues, created the most challenging budget in more than a decade,” Bowser said.
The budget invests in the “future of D.C.,” Bowser said, with a focus “on preserving our robust social services and ensuring we can build on them for years to come.”
The budget includes a temporary $40 million boost for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It adds millions of dollars in funding for renovating schools and building recreation centers, and directs money toward raises for teachers, emergency assistance and housing vouchers.
Also in the budget is funding for capital improvements, including those under a plan from Bowser’s office to transform downtown.
The key to that comeback, Bowser said, is bringing more people downtown — meaning residents, visitors and workers.
“We are investing in our workforce and city services, especially our public safety teams and teachers,” Bowser said. “We are staying true to our commitment to fund affordable housing and the programs that support our neighborhoods across all eight wards and keep D.C. families in D.C.”
In the realm of capital improvements, Council member Brianne Nadeau of Ward 1 tweeted about including funds to evaluate the need for a public library on U Street and to add a metered parking zone in that area to create “a dedicated revenue source for public safety, business support, and nightlife management initiatives.”
Further in the FY24 budget: funds to create a new Performance Parking Zone in the U Street area, creating a dedicated revenue source for public safety, business support, and nightlife management initiatives. Looking forward to working w ANCs and neighbors on implementation! https://t.co/rLUI2ICm5t
— Brianne K. Nadeau (@BrianneKNadeau) May 31, 2023
Council member Charles Allen from Ward 6 tweeted about the improvements in the budget, including transportation funding to evaluate dangerous roads and introducing 24/7 service for 13 bus lines.
The District’s FY24 budget has passed the final vote at the Council and it includes some great things for Ward 6! (1/4) pic.twitter.com/fcZIzjCaHe
— CM Allen’s Team (@CMCharlesAllen) May 30, 2023
The full budget can be read on the council’s website.
