[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3674-S3675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. 
        Akaka, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Durbin):
  S. 800. A bill to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to 
provide the District of Columbia with autonomy over its budgets, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  Ms. Collins. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation that 
includes the District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act of 2005 and the 
District of Columbia Independence of the Chief Financial Officer Act of 
2005. Last Congress, I introduced this legislation, which passed the 
Senate unanimously. This legislation would provide the District of 
Columbia with more autonomy over its local budget and make permanent 
the authority of the D.C. Chief Financial Officer.
  Providing the District of Columbia with more autonomy over its local 
budget will help the Mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia 
better manage and run the city. Currently, the District of Columbia 
must submit its budget through the normal Federal appropriations 
process. Unfortunately, this process is often riddled with delays. For 
example, the average delay for enactment of an appropriations bill for 
the District of Columbia has been 3 months. The result of this delay is 
clear. For a local community these delays affect programs, planning and 
management initiatives important to the everyday lives of the residents 
of the city.
  The ability of D.C., like any other city in the Nation, to operate 
efficiently and address the needs of its citizens is of utmost 
importance. Unlike other budgets that are approved by Congress, the 
local D.C. budget has a direct effect on local services and programs 
and affects the quality oflife for the residents of D.C. Congress has 
recognized the practical issues associated with running a city. As a 
result, in the 1970s, Congress passed the D.C. Home Rule Act which 
established the current form of local government. Congress also 
empowered D.C. to enact local laws that affect the everyday lives of 
District residents. And, now, I believe it is time for Congress to do 
the same with regard to the local budget.
  The District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act of 2005 would address 
these problems by authorizing the local government to pass its own 
budget each year. This bill would only affect that portion of the D.C. 
budget that includes the use oflocal funds, not Federal funds. In 
addition, the bill still provides for congressional oversight. Prior to 
a local budget becoming effective, Congress will have a 30-day period

[[Page S3675]]

in which to review the local budget. In addition, the local authority 
to pass a budget would be suspended during any periods of poor 
financial condition that would trigger a control year.
  Having the locally elected officials of those providing the funds 
that are the subject of the budget process decide on how those funds 
should be spent is a matter of simple fairness. There are also the 
practical difficulties that the current system causes when the local 
budget is not approved until well into the fiscal year. By enacting 
this bill, Congress would be appropriately carrying out its 
constitutional duties with respect to the District by improving the 
city's ability to better plan, manage and run its local programs and 
services. This is what the taxpayers of the District of Columbia have 
elected their local officials to do.
  The legislation also includes the District of Columbia Independence 
of the Chief Financial Officer Act of 2005 which would make permanent 
the authority of the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer. The 
current Chief Financial Officer for the District of Columbia is 
operating under authority it derived from the D.C. Control Board, which 
is currently dormant due to the city's improved financial situation. 
That authority was set to sunset when the D.C. Control Board was phased 
out; however, the CFO's authority continues to be extended through the 
appropriations process, until such time as permanent legislation is 
enacted.
  Ensuring continued financial accountability of the D.C. government is 
crucial for the fiscal stability of the city. The CFO has played a 
significant role in maintaining this stability. While providing the 
District with more autonomy over its budgets, it is also important that 
the CFO's authority is made permanent and that its role is clear.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.
                                 ______