The Opportunity DC Newsletter: Post-election analysis, budget updates, and flashing red lights

In this edition:

• DC voters in key Council primaries

• DC's FY25 budget nears completion

• Unlikely allies sound the alarm on DC's budget

Primary Color: DC Voters Side with Pragmatic Leaders

We were cheering last week when all three candidates that Opportunity DC endorsed for DC Council won their primary races. The June 4th victories of incumbent Councilmembers Brooke Pinto (Ward 2) and Trayon White (Ward 8), along with Wendell Felder for the open seat in Ward 7, validate that voters across the District want DC to move forward in a more practical, less ideological direction. The primary results reinforce our diverse electorate’s preference for pragmatic leaders who will bring more housing to the District, support DC’s small businesses, remove regulatory obstacles that hamper local entrepreneurs, and improve DC's competitiveness within our region.

Opportunity DC’s endorsement in the Ward 7 race helped propel Wendell Felder to victory over 9 other primary candidates. A post-election article in the Washington Informer noted Opportunity DC’s engagement in the Ward 7 contest and highlighted what earned our endorsement for Felder’s candidacy – his “voter-friendly, even-keeled approach to governing” and “supporting small businesses.” Felder’s 426-vote margin of victory suggests that his late communication with voters, focus on substantive issues, and high-profile endorsements set him apart in a crowded field.

Leading up to and following November’s general election, Opportunity DC looks forward to working with these dedicated public servants to realize our shared vision for a thriving and inclusive District of Columbia.

Budget Update: Council Advances Final Budget

Week by week, DC’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year has evolved. On Wednesday the DC Council voted on a final package to fund local government services and programs for FY25.

We are pleased that the budget passed by the Council fully restores cuts to programs that Opportunity DC prioritized to promote our economy and central business district, including the Vitality Fund to attract and retain businesses in high-growth sectors and the conversion of vacant downtown spaces into vibrant activity hubs.

In addition to funding for Secure DC’s public safety measures, the budget devotes $44 million in the next two fiscal years for a long overdue replacement of DC’s jail. The total price tag for the new correctional facility is projected to be $463 million. The budget also restores $2.7 million for security services via the Department of General Services, which is needed to keep recreation centers and other government facilities safe.

However, the Council’s budget fails to restore cuts to two key programs. The Council’s $3.8 million cut to the Mayor’s new anti-truancy program, a $1 million increase from what the Housing Committee originally removed, could undercut efforts to improve school attendance. The Council also cuts $9.5M for capital improvements in Downtown, which slows down efforts to reimagine DC’s core commercial corridor.

The Council will vote on the final Budget Support Act on Tuesday, June 25th. 

Budget Warnings from Unlikely Allies

While we applaud many investments in the FY25 budget, we agree with two voices who share Opportunity DC’s concerns about the sustainability of District finances. The fact that these two – the Washington Post editorial board and former Councilmember Elissa Silverman – have often disagreed with each other reinforces that our elected officials should take their warnings seriously.

In an editorial headlined, “Raising Taxes This Much in D.C. Will Backfire,” the Post warns, “Raising so many taxes, in lieu of spending cuts, signals to businesses and residents that legislators are unable to focus on what truly matters… As the council makes its final tweaks, there has to be a reality check on taxes and spending. Scaling back is hard. But making tough choices now is better than losing business to Virginia and Maryland.”

Silverman, writing a letter to the Post, observes, “D.C.’s budget is structurally unbalanced, with expenditures far outstripping revenue growth. We’re living way beyond our means, and we’re not getting value for all the dollars we’re spending. We should be meeting this challenge by performing rigorous oversight of essential services, right-sizing our budget to put resources where we get demonstrated return on investment, and focusing on what really matters.”

Yes and YES!