Budget cutting: Knives and scalpels

District elected officials, faced with a $131 million revenue shortfall, don’t have the luxury of waiting to see what action Congress ultimately takes to rescue Wall Street. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the D.C. Council are already examining ways to close the gap.

“I’m sure council members will consider all spending and revenue [enhancement] possibilities,” says Eric Goulet, the council’s budget director. He’s preparing a list that includes recurring spending initiatives inserted by legislators in the fiscal 2009 budget. It’s not clear whether that includes the $62 million in earmarks for pet organizations like Ford’s Theatre. “But, the first bite goes to the mayor.”