Rainy Days Ahead
The D.C. Council wisely moves to get in front of a budget crunch that could soon get worse.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

ACROSS AMERICA, people who are worried about uncertain economic times are cutting back. They're economizing at the grocery store, delaying major purchases, warning their children to expect less at the holidays. Just as they are right to be prudent, so is the D.C. Council right to make some hard decisions that can only help the city if things get worse.

Council members voted unanimously this week to cut $131 million to close a projected budget gap forecast by Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi. What's noteworthy is that they didn't stop there but also froze an additional $46 million in new spending; the money will be placed in a reserve fund until a clearer fiscal picture emerges. The caution is understandable. Mr. Gandhi delivered his estimate in September, and the economy has worsened since. It's quite possible that city revenue will continue to plunge. There is no question that the affected programs are worthy, but it's better that the council demonstrate restraint now, before the situation becomes so dire that more drastic action is needed.

As sensible as these actions were, they were not popular with human services advocates who lobbied members relentlessly and packed the council chambers. In not backing down -- either to the crowd or to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who resisted some of the reductions -- council members showed resolve. Credit goes to Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D), who wouldn't allow demagoguery to obscure the need for the council to make these tough but necessary decisions. "No one here today is happy to be here," he said in a display that helped stiffen the spines of his colleagues. Also helpful were council members such as David A. Catania (I-At Large), who -- putting money where his mouth is -- targeted some of his own health initiatives for the freeze, and Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), who warned of the political fallout from not getting the city's fiscal house in order.

The last serious fiscal crisis experienced by the city was marked by a spree of spending and borrowing that ended in insolvency and the takeover of the city's finances by a control board. The contrasting responsibility of today's council can only bolster the District's hopes of winning voting rights from a new Congress and president.