Category Archives: news

Statement on GAO Budget Autonomy Act Opinion

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Council Chairman Phil Mendelson expressed his disappointment in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) opinion issued today on the legal effect of the Local Budget Autonomy Act of 2012 (Autonomy Act).  The Council unanimously adopted, and the Mayor subsequently signed, the Autonomy Act in December 2012, and voters overwhelmingly approved a Charter Amendment to effectuate the Autonomy Act in April 2013.

“I strongly believe that the amendment to the D.C. Charter, to provide the District with autonomy to spend its own local dollars, is right, legal, and proper,” Mendelson stated.  “Although the opinion of the GAO is not law, today’s opinion will certainly be cited by those opposing District control over its own local funds.  Contrary to GAO’s opinion, the Autonomy Act retains Congress’ role and authority in local budget matters, and the new procedure meets the requirements of the Anti-Deficiency Act.”

Mendelson continued, “Given the ambiguity caused by GAO, Congress should take this opportunity to acknowledge explicitly the right of District residents to determine how their tax dollars should be spent.”

The District is unfairly tethered to the federal appropriations process, causing local government services to be jeopardized by purely unrelated national squabbles in the federal appropriations process.  Adding insult to this injury is the fact that the District’s budget is derived approximately 98 percent from local revenue and federal grants available to every jurisdiction.

DC Paperwork Reduction Act Introduced by Congresswoman Norton

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Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced the District of Columbia Paperwork Reduction Act, which effectively would eliminate the congressional review period for legislation passed in the District of Columbia.

“The congressional review process is a counterproductive procedure that hampers speedy enactment of laws in the District of Columbia,” said Chairman Mendelson. “Congresswoman Norton’s bill promotes efficiency and will end costly delays for the District. Further, this bill will eliminate the need for emergency and temporary legislation, and will pave the way for more streamlined government .”

The District of Columbia Paperwork Reduction Act will bring the city’s procedures more in line with the federal policy of diminishing time-consuming and unneeded paperwork.

 

Legislative Meeting Media Briefing Jan. 6

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WHO:      DC Council Chairman Phil MendelsonWHAT:     Legislative Meeting Media Briefing

WHEN:     Monday, January 6,  2014

                10:00 am

WHERE:  John A. Wilson Building, Room 412

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC

Background:

Chairman Mendelson will hold a media briefing to preview major actions to be taken at the upcoming legislative meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 10 am.

For additional information, please call: 202.724.8032.

Legislative Meeting Media Briefing Dec. 16

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WHO:       DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson

WHAT:     Legislative  Meeting Media Briefing

WHEN:     Monday, December 16, 2013

                 10:00 am

 WHERE:  John A. Wilson Building, Room 412

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC

Background:

Chairman Mendelson will hold a media briefing to preview major actions to be taken at the upcoming legislative meeting, which   will be held on Tuesday, December 17,  2013 at 10 am.

For additional information, please call: (202) 724-8032.

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Legislative Media Briefing (Dec. 16th)

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DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to Hold
Legislative Media Briefing on December 16, 2013

  

WHO:       DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson

WHAT:     Legislative   Meeting Media Briefing

WHEN:     Monday, December 16, 2013 at 10:00 am

 WHERE:  John A. Wilson Building, Room 412, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Background: 

Chairman Mendelson will hold a media briefing to preview major actions to be taken at the upcoming legislative meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

For additional information, please call: Karen Sibert at (202) 724-8164

 

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