Mayor Anthony Williams
Transmittal of Fiscal Year 2002 Proposed Budget
March 12, 2001

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ANTHONY A. WILLIAMS
MAYOR

March 12, 2001

The Honorable Linda W. Cropp
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
One Judiciary Square
441 4th Street, N. W., Suite 704
Washington, D.C. 20001

Dear Chairman Cropp,

I am pleased to transmit to you my proposed FY 2002 Budget and Financial Plan: Building a City, that Works for Everyone — Neighborhood by Neighborhood. Every year, elected officials across the country face the same budgeting dilemma — how to aggressively improve service delivery while at the same time building a fiscally responsible budget. My proposal meets that challenge by adhering to two guiding principles. First, it focuses budget resources on the service improvements that citizens care about most: education, services for our most vulnerable residents, and neighborhood quality of life. Second, it maintains the balance of revenues and expenditures in FY 2002 and every year thereafter - and includes not one dollar of spending that is contingent on unallocated savings, unspent reserve funds, or changes in federal law. In sum, this budget sets a new standard for investing in critical priorities and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Investing in Critical Priorities

The first and foremost priority of my administration continues to be creating new opportunities for our youth through high quality education. In FY 2001 I committed to full funding for education, and I maintain that commitment in FY 2002. This proposed budget includes a- $28 million increase for the D.C. Public Schools and a $37 million increase for the Public Charter Schools. In addition, my proposal includes $750,000 to launch the Lead Principals initiative — a recruiting drive that will draw highly talented principals from across the country to our schools. My proposed capital budget includes $174 million to renovate and build quality school buildings so that our children have safe, functional, and pleasant environments in which to learn. And finally, this budget reflects my commitment that the learning process should not end after childhood, and includes $14 million in capital funding for enhancing the University of the District of Columbia.

While we rebuild our schools and school systems, however, we must also ensure that children and adults receive the necessary support they need beyond the school walls. To that end, this budget provides for three key enhancements. First, it invests $58 million in new program funding to provide better health care to those citizens who need it most through a restructured health care delivery, system. Second, I propose an expansion of the District's Earned Income Tax Credit for low income residents — increasing the local credit from 10 percent to 25 percent of the federal level. Third. my proposed capital budget includes more than $8 million for the construction of senior wellness centers, $2 million for the clean up of the Anacostia River, and $15 million to enhance the infrastructure of information and facilities that are critical to delivering human services to our most vulnerable residents.

Even with strong schools and quality human services. however, oar residents cannot reach their potential if they live in unhealthy neighborhoods. Children, youth. adults, families, and seniors cannot thrive unless they live in a clean and safe community — a community with jobs, stores, parks, and affordable homes. To move us toward that goal. this budget enhances Fire Department operations with more than $12 million for capital equipment and facility upgrades, enhances the Police Department with a $10 million increase for staffing and equipment, and includes $11 million for library renovations, $56 million to improve local streets, and $67 million to renovate recreation centers.

Perhaps most important in this area is the need to maintain and develop affordable housing. While the District experiences historic prosperity, we must ensure that everyone shares in that prosperity, and that low- and moderate-income residents can gain and maintain access to affordable homes. To this end, my budget proposal includes three key enhancements. First, it includes $17 million in capital funding for the development of affordable housing and $11 million for neighborhood revitalization projects. Second. it includes $900,000 in new funding so that when we need to shut down a slumlord's property, we can help the families living there with the transition to a better home. And third, it includes $3 million in new funding for a broad new package of homeownership initiatives for low- and moderate-income residents.

Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility

This budget not only maintains the fiscal responsibility that rescued the District, it sets a new standard for sound and transparent budgeting. First, it creates a structural balance between revenues and expenditures, ensuring that the District continues to balance its budget in FY 2002 and beyond. Second, it includes a $150 million budgeted reserve and, in addition, builds a 5100 million cash reserve that grows to S250 million in FY 2003, achieving the Congress' reserve target three years ahead of schedule.

These achievements are the result of careful management of spending, the enhanced revenues produced by economic development, and just as importantly, a government learning how to work better and cost less. My commitment to enhancing the productivity of this government remains strong, as evidenced by the fact that this budget proposal carries forward into FY 2002 the $40 million of productivity savings achieved in FY 2001. Moreover, it includes an additional S10 million of savings to complete the savings targets set four years ago. These savings are real, they are allocated, and they have been approved by the Chief Financial Officer.

Taken together, these financial achievements create a solid foundation upon which the District can continue building service improvements for decades to come.

One Government, Good Government, and Self Government

This government has demonstrated a high level of cooperation and an unprecedented level of responsiveness to the citizens of the District. By working in unity, we have made great strides in service improvements, as demonstrated through our scorecard, and have restored credibility to the District. This budget represents the next critical step in the District's evolution, and our continued cooperation and responsibility in its completion will demonstrate to the Congress and the world that we deserve not only the autonomy lost in the control period, but also the representation that comes with full self government. To that end, I look forward to our continued cooperation as you review and vote on this budget.

On behalf of the citizens of the District of Columbia, I hereby submit the FY 2002 Budget and Financial Plan for your review and approval.

Sincerely,
Anthony A. Williams
Mayor

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Mayor Williams' FY 2002 Budget Priorities
o = New Operating Funds
C = Total Capital Funding (in Italics)