$20 Million Buys a Lot

D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi called the loss of millions in an alleged tax revenue scam "immaterial" to the overall financial stability of the District. But that $20 million could have paid for a lot. A few alternative uses:

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-- Hire, train and equip 285 police officers ($70,000 each).

-- Offer intensive drug treatment for 1,166 addicts ($17,141 a person).

-- Hire 472 teachers ($42,370 each) or 531 librarians ($37,648 each) for the public schools.

-- Buy uniforms for 1,142 school bands ($250 a uniform, 70 students per band).

-- Purchase 1.8 million HIV oral swab kits ($11 each).

-- Provide insurance for 13,000 uninsured children ($1,536 a child).

-- Open five senior wellness centers ($3.6 million each).

-- Purchase 40 firetrucks ($500,000 each).

-- Assist 259 low- and moderate-income home buyers with $70,000 down-payment loans, plus closing costs, under the Home Purchase Assistance Program.

-- Buy 40 hybrid Metrobuses or 10 rail cars to help alleviate congestion.