(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget and Financial Plan, entitled “A Fair Shot,” to the DC Council. This is the District’s 21st consecutive balanced budget and makes key investments in education, affordable housing, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, job training and employment services that give residents a fair shot at a pathway to the middle class.
These investments are key priorities as identified by District residents at the Mayor’s public engagement forums, which were held during the budget formulation process.
“In a city as prosperous as ours, every resident deserves a fair shot – no matter who you are, or what ward you live in,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “The Fair Shot Budget is geared toward making life better for Washingtonians today, as we prepare for a strong, healthy and prosperous future.”
Key investments in the FY 2017 Budget:
- $100 million to the Housing Production Trust Fund, to continue the District’s record-setting production and preservation of affordable housing
- An additional $220 million dollars for full modernizations of DCPS schools in FY 17 & 18, to ensure that school modernization is equitable and done right
- $12 million for the Fire & Emergency Medical Services Third Party Ambulance Initiative(as part of EMS reform), which will put more ambulances out on the streets during peak times
- $2.5 million to the Office of United Communications for additional training, call takers and dispatchers (also as part of EMS reform)
- $75 million enhancement for schools (to account for enhanced programming, and a student enrollment increase)
- $10 million to delay the TANF “cliff
- $5.9 million for DC Corrections Reform, to better support returning citizens
- $4.8 million for full funding of the Mayor Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, for more than 12,000 14-21 year olds and 1,000 22-24 year olds
For more information on the Budget, visit mayor.dc.gov/FairShot.