$1 Billion More Voted For Schools

Others warned against having the council micromanage a school building plan.

"I don't think we're the only 13 people on earth who care about our children," said council member Carol Schwartz (R-At Large), referring to the Board of Education. "I don't think of them as the enemy."

The modernization plan uses sales tax revenue that now is dedicated to pay for other programs in the city's budget. To make up for this hole, the city plans to tap into past and future budget surpluses, said Evans and co-author Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3). If the surpluses did not appear, the bill would raise the city's deed and recordation tax on commercial and retail properties to make up any difference.

Also yesterday, the D.C. Council gave final approval to a "living wage," $11.75 an hour, which would be paid by the District government and private employers who benefit from government tax breaks, incentives or other assistance. The bill would give raises to roughly 4,000 workers, said Mackenzie Baris, organizer with D.C. Jobs With Justice, which pushed the effort.

Entities that receive a city contract of more than $100,000 would be required to pay a living wage to employees working on that contract.

More than 130 communities nationwide have passed similar living-wage legislation, including Alexandria and Arlington, Prince George's and Montgomery counties.

Staff writer V. Dion Haynes contributed to this report.