Letter to DC Council Members

Dear Councilmember:

 

The District’s budget is plagued by a deficit that is expected to reach $150 million in 2010 and could climb as much as $1 billion annually unless significant steps are taken to reduce the city’s bloated budget.  Instead of taking bold steps to reduce District spending, council members are threatening to raise taxes during an economic recession with District unemployment over 20% in some areas of the city.

 

Council member Jim Graham has proposed tax increases to the top tax bracket of District residents. Council member Tommy Wells has suggested a gas[1] and food[2] tax. Any tax or fee increase on District residents will be a further drag on the city’s economy and impact low income residents the most. The District of Columbia Republican Committee urges you to cut spending from the budget, starting with salaries.

 

Since 2004, the District budget increased 42%. Council members annually receive $350,000 for their staff salaries and an additional $350,000 if they Chair a Committee. Each Council member is Chair of a Committee. Annually, each Council member receives $700,000 for staff and that does not include their personal salaries.

 

Since 2006 Council salaries have increased from $92,500 to $125,000. DC Council members now earn more than the national average than what governors earn[3]. The DC Council Chair makes $190,000, higher than 49 states pay their governors and more than Members of Congress make. The Mayor makes $200,000, only $6,000 less than what the highest paid Governor in the nation receives[4].

 

An example of the Council’s spending problem is best displayed at a July 10^th interview on WAMU’s Kojo show when Council member Mary Cheh said, “How much we each get in our offices, $350,000 dollars for the office itself and an additional amount ($350,000) for our Committees and I must say, that money in my own case… it may sound unrealistic but I could use more money.”

 

The DC Republican Committee encourages our elected leaders to govern by example. If the District’s deficit is to be effectively addressed, council members should demonstrate leadership by cutting their own salaries and that of their staff as well as looking for cost saving opportunities within the District budget. DC Council members should trim their bloated District budget and avoid any further tax and fee increases.

 

Sincerely,

Robert J. Kabel

Chairman, District of Columbia Republican Committee

 

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[1] Three cent gas tax.

[2] Tax on snack food.

[3] According to stateline.org, the average salary for Governors was $124,398.

[4] According to stateline.org