Fenty orders $100M cut from D.C. budget

Mayor Adrian Fenty has ordered dozens of D.C. agencies to slash spending by a total of nearly $100 million in the wake of dire economic news, expectations of department overspending and a budget-busting snowstorm.

An executive order signed Jan. 29 reduces 44 agency budgets by a total of $99 million and threatens employees with suspension or termination if they take any action to exceed lower spending limits. The D.C. Public Schools, Child and Family Services Agency, Metropolitan Police Department, and Fire and Emergency Medical Services were spared, but most other agencies were hit hard.