Mid-Year D.C. Budget Autonomy and Freer Use of Emerg. Funds Goes to Senate Floor- June 15, 2006

Bill Making Mid-Year D.C. Budget Autonomy and
Freer Use of Emergency Funds Permanent Goes to Senate Floor
Also Long Sought Increase in Superior Court Judges Moves Forward
June 15, 2006

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that two bills to assist the District of Columbia in carrying out major judicial and operational responsibilities were approved by the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee today.

Already passed by the House earlier this session, the D.C. Omnibus Authorization Act sponsored by Norton and Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) includes permanent mid-year budget autonomy in a collection of crucial provisions that have been approved or passed by the District, but must come to Congress before becoming law. Norton said that the most important Omnibus Authorization provision, long sought by the District since Home Rule was granted, allows the city to spend local funds without coming back to Congress for approval through the congressional mid-year supplemental appropriations process. Congress is allowing the District to use this process beginning this year, but a permanent bill is needed. “It is impossible to overestimate the hardship to this or any city of being unable to carry on normal business and engage in fiscal transactions--from spending funds in the bank for vital city needs to floating baseball stadium bonds-- without coming to Congress,” Norton said. “Budget autonomy from the congressional supplemental process essentially enacts part of the D.C. Budget Autonomy Act that Chairman Davis and I have introduced to give the District greater freedom from the annual congressional appropriations process that redundantly requires the District’s balanced budget to come to the Congress before it becomes effective.”

The Omnibus Act includes many other vital provisions, including greater city control and use of reserve funds--up to 50 per cent--with specific procedures for reimbursement. Norton said that the District’s sound fiscal practices and unique congressional limitations not found anywhere else in the country, have led to an impressive reserve fund. However, Norton said, “Residents watch the neglect of basic services, and must send their children to dilapidated public school buildings while the District grows an ever larger reserve fund that cannot be tapped.” D.C. already is spending part of its reserves that had been piling up.

The Governmental Affairs Committee also approved S. 2068, sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) as the companion to Norton’s House bill. This legislation will increase the number of Superior Court judges by three to 61 and correct an anomaly created by Congress when the Family Court Division was reformed.

Norton believes that she can get both the judges bill and the Omnibus Authorization Act through Congress this session.