DC Council walks back some cuts proposed in Bowser’s budget
The Council of the District of Columbia has decided to reverse approximately $63 million in budget cuts that were initially proposed in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s budget, aimed at addressing a $1.1 billion deficit caused by congressional spending cuts. The original cuts targeted crucial social services, including assistance for low-income families, libraries, domestic violence services, and youth job support programs. In response to community outcry, the council restored funding for essential programs, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), wich would have faced a loss of over $7 million. Key figures in the Council, like Ward 3 Councilman Matthew Frumin, emphasized the need for public engagement and collaboration when making budgetary changes.
Additionally, funding was allocated to keep libraries open and support youth workforce development. The Council also took measures to address housing issues, increasing funding for home purchase assistance and supporting the housing trust fund. As the city grapples with meaningful revenue losses and the potential impact on its residents, the council is anticipated to finalize the budget by the end of July 2026.
DC Council walks back cuts to low-income assistance, youth programs proposed in Bowser’s budget
The Council of the District of Columbia decided to reverse an estimated $63 million in budget cuts this week, which were proposed in Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser‘s budget. She sought to address the $1.1 billion deficit forced onto the city by congressional spending cuts.
Bowser’s budget included major cuts to assistance for low-income families, libraries, domestic violence services, and job support programs for youth. With the scaled-back budget, Bowser wanted to offset the district’s sizable revenue loss.
However, the local community criticized the proposal. Earlier this month, D.C. residents and community organizations argued that the cut programs would harm working-class families and youth.
The Council restored some of the key services that residents expressed concerns over, including the district’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The program would have lost over $7 million if the Council hadn’t intervened.
“I oppose making changes without the best information and the most public engagement possible,” Ward 3 Councilman Matthew Frumin told a local ABC affiliate. “The committee was able to roll back changes to TANF in fiscal year 2026 for $7.5 million, that pause allows the council, DHS, and residents to come together and engage more thoughtfully on the future of TANF.”
Frumin took charge of restoring the cut programs, finding $6.5 million to keep local libraries open and returning $600,000 to youth workforce development grants. The councilman also returned $50,000 to domestic violence services.
The Council made the changes by taking money from other parts of the budget. It also moved to address funds for housing shortages, a major problem in the city.
At-large Councilman Robert White moved to increase the funding for a home purchase assistance program by $2 million, while supporting the mayor’s move to restore the housing trust fund to $100 million.
“My family and many others were swept out of D.C. during the last budget deficit,” White said. “I don’t want that to happen again, and preservation is one of our best cost-effective tools to keep people in their homes as we work through this, but it has not been a high enough priority for the city. We’re going to change that.”
White also added $200,000 to the Office of Tenant Advocates as one solution to address housing problems in the revised budget.
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Bowser’s office is trying to limit the adverse effects on the city from the Republican-controlled Congress. The federal spending bill approved by Congress last month is estimated to cost the city more than a billion dollars in tax revenue over the next four years and some 40,000 government jobs.
Bowser presented the fiscal 2026 budget last month. The Council is expected to pass the final budget by the end of July, with two votes taking place on July 14 and July 28.
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