WASHINGTON (AP) — One branch of District of Columbia government sued another Thursday over how best to achieve a goal that both sides agree on: the ability of the city to spend its local tax dollars without authorization by Congress.

The D.C. Council and Mayor Vincent Gray office both support what’s known as budget autonomy. City leaders say they’ve earned the right to spend their own tax dollars after nearly 20 years of prudent fiscal management, arguing the requirement that the budget be submitted to Congress is unjust and causes needless complications.