DC Averts Budget Crisis, Avoids Layoffs | JQJO

Facing a surprise $1.1 billion budget cut due to a congressional error, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a plan to avoid layoffs and major service cuts. The city will utilize a 2009 federal law to increase spending and implement a hiring freeze and minor cuts to contracts and grants. This plan, averting a potential crisis, requires D.C. Council approval. The unexpected cut stemmed from a March 8th House resolution temporarily funding the government, which mistakenly included D.C. in a spending freeze, despite its budget's independence from federal funds.