OPINION:
ANALYSIS/OPINION:
In case you missed it or even care, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released her fiscal 2018 spending proposal Tuesday, and at first flush her plan is aligns with the city’s rosy outlook in recent years.
Basically, Miss Bowser continues status quo-type funding for education, health, welfare, social, housing services, and she doesn’t stiff-arm public safety.
Her no-zinger blueprint is likely for two reasons: 1) She knows her progressive colleagues on the D.C. Council are going to up the ante in their attempts to lift all low-income boats; and 2) 2018 is an election year, and candidates love to zing along to get along when votes are at stake.
Having said that, let’s get down to some of the real nitty-gritty.
The Bowser budget proposal rings in at $13.8 billion, marking a 3.4 percent overall increase in spending. The plan also reflects a $300 million rise in local tax revenues, which are projected to pour $7.6 billion into public coffers in fiscal ’18.
Speaking of taxes, January is the month for much-anticipated tax cuts to kick into high gear and that’s really good news. Some of the highlights of those tax cuts include:
- Raising the standard deduction from $5,650 for singles, $7,800 for heads of household, and $10,275 for married couples.
- Raising the personal exemption by $500 to $2,700.
- Reducing the unincorporated and incorporated business franchise tax from 9.0 percent to 8.75 percent.
- On the public-safety front, the mayor also budgeted for new equipment for police, fire and ambulance services and double the number of police cadets, and funds to recruit and retain officers, including a school-loan forgiveness program.
Here again, at first blush the mayor doesn’t appear to propose an out-of-the-ordinary spending plan.
Then again, the cheeks of the left-leaning are never as rosy as they’d like.
PIANO END ARTICLE RECO
Please read our comment policy before commenting.