Fenty: State of D.C. stronger than ever

Citing quick improvements in public safety, health care, human services and the environment, Fenty said the state of the city “has never been stronger,” and the progress is expanding districtwide.

“My vision is one of a world-class city with no neighborhood left behind,” he told about 100 seniors gathered at the Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center.

In an unusual, early-administration state of the District speech, Fenty also continued to lobby for congressional voting rights, urging residents to participate in an April 16 march on the Capitol, and his public schools takeover proposal.

“We can’t afford any more daydreams or nightmares when it comes to the future of our kids,” he said. “I’ve laid out my vision, and it’s time to act.”

Fenty spoke only superficially about his 2008 budget proposal, scheduled for release Friday. The $8 billion spending plan will include money for 300 new police officers and increase spending for public libraries by 12 percent, for public school students by 4 percent and for the University of the District of Columbia by 8 percent.

“We’ve gone agency by agency and line by line, looking at what works and what doesn’t,” Fenty said. “The result is a budget that will invest in some areas and reduce in others.”

The spectacle of previous State of the Districts was missing during Fenty’s first. The mayor said he chose the smaller Congress Heights venue because neighborhoods east of the river are rarely highlighted during major events.

D.C. Council Chair Vincent Gray, who attended the address with most of his fellow council members, said the “very upbeat” address “covered a lot of ground.” But other audience members were more cautious with their praise.

“Everything sounds really good, but I’m waiting to see what will happen,” Ward 8 advisory neighborhood commissioner Tijwanna Phillips said.

[email protected]