Give back the money

The District’s recent announcement of a $240 million surplus for fiscal 2011 has had the city and John A. Wilson Building buzzing with plans for spending that cash. Here’s my simple proposal: Give the money back to the people.

I admit there are a couple of obstacles to implementing that plan. Natalie Wilson, a spokeswoman for Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi, told me last week, “After other requirements were met,” the surplus total was reduced to $194 million. Further, she said, the Sustainable Capital Investment and Fund Balance Restoration Act of 2010 “require[s] the funds be deposited” in those two reserves.