Hallelujah! D.C. Council members finally landed in the real world, acknowledging that the city will have to reduce the size and cost of government. Even Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has offered a list of potential spending cuts — though not nearly enough. Like other states and local jurisdictions, the District’s revenues have plummeted, and tapping into the rainy day fund to cover the loss won’t be sufficient. Elected officials and managers have to close a projected two-year revenue gap of nearly $700 million.
“It’s 1995 all over again,” said At-Large Councilman David Catania. That’s when the city had a similar shortfall. Then, recalled Council Chairman Pro Tempore Jack Evans, local leaders lacked the spine to make necessary cuts. They chose gimmicks that hid the extent of the city’s financial problems. Congress stepped up. It passed legislation that turned over the District’s finances and management to a five-member control board. No one wants to return to those bad old days.
