The District of Columbia faces severe economic challenges. Declining revenues have already led to the adoption of significant budget cuts in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget. The cuts affect a wide range of programs, including parks, public safety, and transportation. However, they will fall especially hard on low-income families due to reduced funding for affordable housing, homeless services, health care, and income supports.
The health and prosperity of our city depend on public investments that expand economic opportunity in our neighborhoods and support families. In these difficult times for our economy and for our citizens, careful planning is needed to make sure we can continue to meet these goals.
The signatories to this report represent local businesses, local congregations, nonprofit organizations and advocacy organizations. The signatories encourage city leaders to partner with concerned citizens to identify a prudent and balanced approach to managing the city’s fiscal crisis.