Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. has announced a freeze on new spending as the city faces a significant budget problem caused by a $1.1 billion cut to its Fiscal Year 2025 budget by Congress. The freeze includes no hiring of new employees, raises, bonuses, new contracts, or overtime pay after April 27, with waivers being required for any exceptions. Employee furloughs may be on the horizon as a drastic measure to address the budget crunch.
The D.C. police union has raised concerns about the impact of these freezes on public safety, citing potential staffing shortages and reduced response times. They are advocating for exemptions for overtime and hiring, and are calling on Congress to restore the District’s full fiscal year 2025 budget. Although there are currently no plans for closures or service stops, the city may need to consider drastic measures to reduce spending in the coming days.
Mayor Bowser expressed frustration with Congress’s failure to address the budget cut, despite bipartisan support in the Senate and the president’s backing. The City Administrator is tasked with developing a plan to further reduce spending through potential furloughs or facility closures. If the House does not pass a fix upon its return at the end of the month, the District and its residents could face more significant impacts. The uncertainty surrounding the situation leaves the exact nature of the effects unclear at this time.
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