Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has expressed his disappointment at today’s court decision addressing the Budget Autonomy Act. 

“I hold Judge Emmet Sullivan in the highest regard,” Mendelson stated.  “Nevertheless, I am disappointed by the court’s decision.  I continue to believe there is strong justification for the law that we passed—which received overwhelming approval by voters in a 2013 referendum and has not been challenged by Congress.”

“I want to thank our attorneys—principally Karen Dunn and Brian Netter—for their hard work.  They argued this case well before the court and on behalf of the people.”

 “I am frustrated by the result, but will withhold comment today on whether we will appeal.  Obviously, we will want to read the court’s opinion.”

“Despite today’s decision, efforts by several members of Congress and the President’s own budget proposal seek to provide the District with the autonomy to spend our own local revenue.  The court’s decision will not deter the Council from continuing to push for budget autonomy through other avenues.”

Chairman Mendelson extended gratitude for the outstanding work of the Council’s pro bono legal team—consisting of Karen L. Dunn, a partner with the law firm Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP, and Brian D. Netter, a partner with the firm Mayer Brown, LLP—as well as the Council’s General Counsel, V. David Zvenyach.  “My sincerest thanks go out to our legal team, who masterfully briefed and argued on behalf of the Council.  Today’s result should not diminish the outstanding work of this group of lawyers.”  

 

 

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