Bowser announces 2026 budget priorities as 2025 spending fight continues
Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C.has presented her budget priorities for fiscal year 2026, focusing primarily on child care and early education initiatives. Amidst ongoing discussions about budget cuts for fiscal 2025, Bowser’s proposal includes significant funding allocations: $19.5 million for the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program, $86 million for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program, and $70 million for the Early childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. Additionally, the budget plans to allocate $23 million to convert a former Department of Parks and Recreation building into pre-K classrooms, aimed at increasing early education resources.
Bowser emphasized the importance of investing in children and families for the overall benefit of communities and the local economy. She stated that her fiscal 2026 proposal is committed to enhancing schools, ensuring a clean and safe D.C., and promoting economic growth.However, she also warned that without congressional action to restore funding for the fiscal 2025 budget, essential services such as police and emergency response may face cuts. Further details on her budget proposal are expected to be released soon.
Bowser announces 2026 DC budget priorities as current spending fight plays out
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has unveiled her priorities for the district’s fiscal 2026 budget, even as the district’s 2025 budget faces cuts for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Bowser outlined her top priorities Thursday for her proposal for next year’s budget, centering largely around child care and early learning programs. The proposal calls for $19.5 million for D.C.’s Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program, $86 million for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program, and $70 million for the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund.
“We know that when we invest in our children and families there are many benefits – for our children’s learning and development, for our neighborhoods, and for keeping families in DC,” Bowser said in a statement.
“With the fiscal 2026 budget, we’re not standing still. While our economy is shifting, we’re still focused on the people, programs, and economic growth that make Washington, DC a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” she added.
The budget proposal will also include $23 million to help renovate the former Department of Parks and Recreation headquarters building in D.C. into pre-K classrooms, to boost the number of resources for early education.
The mayor said she will offer more details on her fiscal 2026 budget proposal, which her office said “is focused on schools, a clean and safe DC, and a transformational Economic growth agenda,” in the coming days.
BOWSER OUTLINES ‘SIGNIFICANT’ SERVICE CUTS COMING TO DC IF CONGRESS DOESN’T RESTORE 2025 BUDGET
Bowser has warned about cuts in the interim if Congress does not pass a resolution restoring D.C.’s full funding for the remainder of fiscal 2025. The bill has already passed in the Senate, but needs to pass in the House before it can head to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval. Recent reporting shows the House does not plan on taking it up.
District officials have stressed that cutting the district’s funds for the rest of 2025 does not save the federal government any money, as it is local funds rather than federal. If a budget fix is not passed, police, fire, and the district’s 911 call center could face cuts to funding and facilities, officials have warned.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Auto Amazon Links: Could not resolve the given unit type, . Please be sure to update the auto-insert definition if you have deleted the unit.