Public Hearing, Nov. 30 on Mayor’s Budget Gap Closing Plan

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

One reader has already expressed dismay that “school lunches [are] under attack”. She notes a post by Better DC School Food:

“Fenty has targeted nearly $4.7 million in funds designated under the Healthy Schools Act to pay for healthier breakfasts and lunches and to encourage schools to use locally grown products in school meals.”

Obviously there are many many cuts that are needed to erase a $188 million shortfall. If this or other programs slated to be cut are important to you – there is a special council hearing tomorrow morning to address the issue.

From Ward 4 Council Member Bowser:

As many of you are aware, the Chief Financial Officer recently announced that the District was facing a budgetary shortfall. In order to balance the District’s books, just before the Thanksgiving holiday, the Executive released a spending plan that would see relatively minor reductions to many city agencies. The District continues to fare better than most jurisdictions and thankfully, our schools and police services are spared the brunt of the proposed cuts. But, services and projects important to Ward 4 may be affected. In fact, funding for capital projects—like schools and parks—might be delayed as a result of the plan. This is a chance to streamline government services and focus on what is most important to you and to Ward 4 and I plan to fight to make sure that Ward 4 continues to receive its fair share, and that our long-awaited projects continue on track. But to do that, I want to hear from you. Please send any concerns you have to me at [email protected]. Please also note that the Committee of the Whole is hosting a hearing tomorrow. Below is information about how to sign-up to testify, as well as several hyperlinks, including one to the proposed spending plan, as well as other documents.

* Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray announces a public hearing by the Committee of the Whole on B18-1101, the “Fiscal Year 2011 Revised Budget Request Act of 2010”, and B18-1100, the “Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act of 2010” on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

* At this hearing, the public will have an opportunity to testify on the gap-closing plans. Immediately following public testimony, the Executive and the Chief Financial Officer will brief the public and the Council on their proposals to close the Fiscal Year 2011 budget gap. An abbreviated notice is given to comply with Council Rule 501(a)(2).

* To testify at the public hearing, please contact Maria Villars, Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Budget Director, by telephone at (202) 724-8139 or by e-mail at [email protected], and furnish your name, address, telephone number and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business on Monday, November 29, 2010.

* Witnesses should bring 20 copies of their written testimony to the roundtable or submit one advance copy of their written testimony by close of business on November 29, 2010.

* Persons presenting oral testimony may be limited to 3 minutes in order to permit each witness an opportunity to be heard. Written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record in their entirety.

* All statements should be submitted to the Office of the Budget Director, Council of the District of Columbia, John A. Wilson Building, Suite 508, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.

* Spending plan

* Mayor Fenty’s press release

* Chairman Gray’s press release