@tazramitchell.bsky.social
Pronouns: she/her. Ward 7. Chief Policy & Strategy Officer at DCFPI. All views are my own.
lol. Yes, I have it going back several years.
October 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
lol. Yes, I have it going back several years.
And, of course, now there's a shutdown, meaning we're likely to see officials protect more of the revenue growth and reserves due to the uncertainty. More to come!
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
And, of course, now there's a shutdown, meaning we're likely to see officials protect more of the revenue growth and reserves due to the uncertainty. More to come!
We’ve seen the CFO reject such lists in the past, even when there was revenue growth due to other budgetary needs. The report didn’t signal whether he’d allow the budgeted items to go into law.
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
We’ve seen the CFO reject such lists in the past, even when there was revenue growth due to other budgetary needs. The report didn’t signal whether he’d allow the budgeted items to go into law.
A big question is whether the CFO will approve the contingency list? We’re seeing a significant upswing in revenue (again!) due to his tendency to publish overly cautious forecasts. (Hence the need for a contingency list..)
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
A big question is whether the CFO will approve the contingency list? We’re seeing a significant upswing in revenue (again!) due to his tendency to publish overly cautious forecasts. (Hence the need for a contingency list..)
First, we’d need to know how much overspending DC did in FY 2025 and how much is needed to top off reserves--and perhaps other factors. DC officials haven’t published those figures, making it difficult to determine carryover levels and what's possible.
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
First, we’d need to know how much overspending DC did in FY 2025 and how much is needed to top off reserves--and perhaps other factors. DC officials haven’t published those figures, making it difficult to determine carryover levels and what's possible.
There’s also the $400 million that Congress prohibited us from spending that should carry over into FY 2026.
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
There’s also the $400 million that Congress prohibited us from spending that should carry over into FY 2026.
Again, DC isn’t facing a budget shortfall, but big questions remain. How much of the revenue bump can be used for new spending, such as the contingency budget list that the DC Council approved in July, for things like early education and the Alliance?
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Again, DC isn’t facing a budget shortfall, but big questions remain. How much of the revenue bump can be used for new spending, such as the contingency budget list that the DC Council approved in July, for things like early education and the Alliance?
The CFO reiterated that DC is still on track for a recession---starting in FY 2026, or today. The outlook isn’t projected to improve until next Oct, w/an eventual full recovery thereafter. He cautions significant uncertainty due to federal decisions.
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The CFO reiterated that DC is still on track for a recession---starting in FY 2026, or today. The outlook isn’t projected to improve until next Oct, w/an eventual full recovery thereafter. He cautions significant uncertainty due to federal decisions.
It is an urgent imperative for DC to decouple from the federal tax changes. Look at how much we'll lose absent further action--with 66% of the tax cuts flowing to businesses that are doing well.
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It is an urgent imperative for DC to decouple from the federal tax changes. Look at how much we'll lose absent further action--with 66% of the tax cuts flowing to businesses that are doing well.
Overall, revenue grew in nearly all major categories except property taxes in FY25 vs FY24. Looking ahead, DC will have less revenue in FY26 than in FY25, but revenue will grow slowly each year thereafter. We need every dollar available to shore up DC’s budget.
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Overall, revenue grew in nearly all major categories except property taxes in FY25 vs FY24. Looking ahead, DC will have less revenue in FY26 than in FY25, but revenue will grow slowly each year thereafter. We need every dollar available to shore up DC’s budget.
The economy is benefitting the elite the most: corporate profits & non-wage income like capital gains are the biggest drivers of the revenue bump. Yet, the Mayor's statement doubles down on a disproven “growth” agenda w/no mention of struggling residents.
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The economy is benefitting the elite the most: corporate profits & non-wage income like capital gains are the biggest drivers of the revenue bump. Yet, the Mayor's statement doubles down on a disproven “growth” agenda w/no mention of struggling residents.
Failing to decouple from these tax cuts that primarily benefit the elite (see the chart) ASAP, will put much-needed local revenues at risk, as DC faces growing budget pressures and continues to suffer from extreme federal decisions that are driving down local revenues.
October 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Failing to decouple from these tax cuts that primarily benefit the elite (see the chart) ASAP, will put much-needed local revenues at risk, as DC faces growing budget pressures and continues to suffer from extreme federal decisions that are driving down local revenues.
To the extent that the Mayor runs out of tools (we assume she is considering them all), and by then she is deeper into the process of making the remaining $400m in cuts, DCFPI hopes she will work w/community leaders to target those cuts in ways that lead to the least amount of harm.
April 15, 2025 at 10:51 PM
To the extent that the Mayor runs out of tools (we assume she is considering them all), and by then she is deeper into the process of making the remaining $400m in cuts, DCFPI hopes she will work w/community leaders to target those cuts in ways that lead to the least amount of harm.
Once they return from the April recess in 2 weeks, the US House could still take up the DC “fix” legislation, undoing the $1.1b in cuts. The Senate has already approved the bill and Trump has signaled his support. But, the end of the fiscal year/deadline for absorbing the cuts is fast approaching.
April 15, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Once they return from the April recess in 2 weeks, the US House could still take up the DC “fix” legislation, undoing the $1.1b in cuts. The Senate has already approved the bill and Trump has signaled his support. But, the end of the fiscal year/deadline for absorbing the cuts is fast approaching.
We’re grateful Mayor Bowser found a pathway to protect residents from $700M in cuts by invoking a rarely used, congressionally approved DC law allowing the city to raise its budget mid-year by up to 6% x.com/tomsherwood/...
Tom Sherwood on X: "#BreakingNews - DC Mayor Muriel Bowser - using an obscure budget law provision - intends to reduce a looming $1.1 billion cut imposed by Congress by legally increasing city spending 6% ($679 million) and cutting spending by $410 million. Details to council next few weeks." / X
#BreakingNews - DC Mayor Muriel Bowser - using an obscure budget law provision - intends to reduce a looming $1.1 billion cut imposed by Congress by legally increasing city spending 6% ($679 million) and cutting spending by $410 million. Details to council next few weeks.
x.com
April 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
We’re grateful Mayor Bowser found a pathway to protect residents from $700M in cuts by invoking a rarely used, congressionally approved DC law allowing the city to raise its budget mid-year by up to 6% x.com/tomsherwood/...
And for what? The federal overreach doesn’t save the federal government a single penny and DC has proven itself fiscally responsible—as evidenced by clean audits, balanced budgets, and stellar credit ratings www.dcfpi.org/all/five-mis...
Five Misunderstandings About the Congressional Bill to Protect the District’s Budget
Unless the US House takes action, DC will be forced to cut $1 billion from its current budget, in an attack on residents’ fundamental right to self-govern.
www.dcfpi.org
April 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
And for what? The federal overreach doesn’t save the federal government a single penny and DC has proven itself fiscally responsible—as evidenced by clean audits, balanced budgets, and stellar credit ratings www.dcfpi.org/all/five-mis...
Being forced to pull back from critical public investments when the CFO is already projecting a mild recession (largely due to federal layoffs) will deepen DC’s bleak economic outlook. www.dcfpi.org/all/dc-expec...
DC Expected to Lose $1 Billion in Revenue Through the Financial Plan
Local revenues are expected to decline by more than $1 billion over the next three years compared to previous estimates, largely due to federal layoffs steep enough to throw DC into a mild recession, ...
www.dcfpi.org
April 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Being forced to pull back from critical public investments when the CFO is already projecting a mild recession (largely due to federal layoffs) will deepen DC’s bleak economic outlook. www.dcfpi.org/all/dc-expec...
@maustermuhle.bsky.social has a helpful thread that lays out the timing of how some of these cuts could work x.com/maustermuhle...
x.com
April 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
@maustermuhle.bsky.social has a helpful thread that lays out the timing of how some of these cuts could work x.com/maustermuhle...
..that all would lead to detrimental harm to city services.
April 15, 2025 at 10:48 PM
..that all would lead to detrimental harm to city services.
She identified “extraordinary measures” she'd have to apply b/c of US House’s refusal to move forward the DC “fix” that would right the $1.1B wrong. These include freezes on contracts, overtime, & hiring and possibly furloughs and facility closures....
April 15, 2025 at 10:48 PM
She identified “extraordinary measures” she'd have to apply b/c of US House’s refusal to move forward the DC “fix” that would right the $1.1B wrong. These include freezes on contracts, overtime, & hiring and possibly furloughs and facility closures....