House subcommittee holds hearing on DC autonomy
Associated Press
11/18/09 12:31 PM EST
WASHINGTON — D.C.'s mayor and city council chairman are urging members of Congress to pass legislation that would give the city greater autonomy over its budget and laws.
Washington's budget and laws currently have to pass a congressional review. A House subcommittee held a hearing Wednesday on two bills that would eliminate that requirement. Such reviews can take months.
The mayor, city council chairman and others told members of a House subcommittee that oversees the District of Columbia on Wednesday that congressional review hampers the efficiency of the city and that Congress rarely weighs in on laws.
The bills were proposed by the city's nonvoting representative in Congress, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. Congress would retain authority to review the city's laws, but review would not be automatic.


