I am very pleased to have worked on and passed a progressive budget for the District yesterday. As one of the first big tasks as your Councilmember, this budget has been months in the making. It fully funds every function of our government, and also provides a package of progressive tax relief. I am also very proud of working to create new resources for the working poor and needed initiatives in Ward 6.  

To name just a few examples, Ward 6 received the funds needed to rebuild Eastern Market, build a new recreation center at Rosedale, continue support for the Main Street program on Barracks Row and H Street, purchase trolley cars for the upcoming light rail system, develop river quality testing in Southwest, and much, much more.

This budget also increases funding for infrastructure improvements such as alley resurfacing and sidewalk replacement (although, I think this could use even more money); new investments to prevent child abuse and neglect; and substantially increases resources for rat abatement – a Ward-wide problem but particularly in Southwest near the waterfront.

We provided money for intervention in youth crime and the creation of new summer programs for children and youth.  I also worked very closely with Kwame Brown (Councilmember at-large), to identify funds for community programs at the Eastern Branch of the Boys and Girls Club.

As to tax relief, resident homeowners and small businesses will receive smaller tax bills.  The personal exemption has been greatly increased helping all tax filers.  I am very proud, that the tax cuts, coupled with providing new funding for the rent supplement program for the working poor, are part of a broader effort to provide more affordable housing in DC.

Over the next two weeks, there will still be an opportunity to make adjustments to the budget prior to the final vote on June 5th. As the lone councilmember to vote against eliminating funding for the DC Historical Society, I will work with my colleagues to restore its funds in the city budget.  I will also continue to look for funding for improving our public infrastructure.

Tommy Wells 

Readers have left 2 comments.

(1) Untitled
2007-05-17 12:32:32

Mr. Wells --

Can you explain why you voted for a budget that included a massive cut for DC Public Schools?

Now that you are no longer a member of the Board of Education, do you feel that DCPS is over-funded, top-heavy, perhaps? If so, what did you do or try to do while on the Board to fix this, so at least classrooms and schools are fully funded?

Thank you.
- Marc Borbely

\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' title='Click to send email'>Written by Marc Borbely ()

(2) Untitled
2007-05-17 18:59:53

What a great job you have done by obtaining funding for my coummunity to rebuild the Rosedale Recreation Center and funding for the Boys and Girls Club.What a wonderful thing to do for these comunities that have been neglected for so long.I want to thank you and your staff for all your hard work and dedication.

\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' title='Click to send email'>Written by Sondra Phillips-Gilbert ()

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