Averting more cuts in D.C.'s safety net

At a hearing last week before the D.C. Council ["Gray, Fenty spar over teacher pay proposal," Metro, April 13] Mayor Adrian M. Fenty presented a budget proposal that -- despite a daunting deficit -- includes no tax increases. Indeed, during his 2006 campaign he pledged not to raise taxes.

To honor this pledge, which was made before the recession sent revenue plunging in cities and states across the country, Mr. Fenty has cut millions from such vital safety-net services as child care, adult job training and homeless shelters. By raiding the safety net, the city makes the recession more brutal for our most vulnerable neighbors. This affects the quality of life for the city as a whole.

We have other options. With Tax Day recently behind us, let's consider changing the fact that the District's top income tax bracket starts at $40,000. New brackets for the highest-earning 5 percent of taxpayers could generate as much as $50 million, enough revenue to restore some of the worst safety net budget cuts. As one of the few who would be affected by such a tax, I think it's only fair to pay a higher share in the midst of a recession that has not seriously affected me. It is a good investment in a great city.

Kristin Mikolaitis, Washington

The writer is a volunteer with the Save Our Safety Net campaign.