Financial crash forecast for D.C.

Washington Times ^ | 3/15/02 | Guy Taylor

[kattracks]

The D.C. Federal City Council issued a report yesterday warning that Mayor Anthony A. Williams' government is well on its way to a major financial crisis just six months after the dissolution of the D.C. financial control board.

The study, released by the private group of influential Washington civic and business leaders headed by former Sen. Bob Dole, predicts a $500 million budget deficit for the city by fiscal year 2005 if spending isn't brought under control.

[GeronL]

District of Zimbabwe

[knarf]

"The real question is will the federal government step up to the plate and do its part," the spokesman added. "They cannot continue to ignore the reality which is that their presence here in our city is an enormous burden to the city government. We see no property taxes from the federal government; we're not able to tax the federal income being made in this city; and we're prohibited from taking sales tax from the federal museums."

This is something I never knew.
I think we should rally around DC's efforts to tax the Fed. If it's true that the largest employer is the Fed. government, and from what I understand the annuals of most employees is in the 20 - 50K range, I would think DC could get healthy real quick.

[Uncle Bill]

They should call this number for advice

[thedilg]

I suspect that DC is much like most local governments that pay for government education. Education costs dominate the budget. My county has 68% of its budget directed towards education.

Why not allow school choice? Their present $10,000 tax liability per student could be reduced to $5,000. A huge savings and A far better education for those that opt for the choice option.

Godspeed, The Dilg