[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER SALARY 
                             HOME RULE ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 14, 2018

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the District of Columbia 
Chief Financial Officer Salary Home Rule Act. This bill would give the 
District of Columbia the authority to set the pay of the D.C. Chief 
Financial Officer (CFO). There is no reason the District should not 
have the authority to set the wage of a local official who is paid with 
local funds.
  In 2013, Congress enacted a law that gave the District more authority 
to set the CFO's pay. However, Congress did not give D.C. full and 
complete authority over this local matter. This bill would give D.C. 
the authority to set the CFO's pay as it sees fit. The 2013 law amended 
the Home Rule Act to change the CFO's pay from a fixed rate of pay that 
was tied to a federal pay schedule to a maximum allowable pay, or 
ceiling, tied to a federal pay schedule. The ceiling was and is 
substantially higher than the fixed rate, but the CFO's pay is now 
$1,000 below the maximum.
  I introduced the 2013 bill after a D.C. CFO search committee 
indicated that the fixed rate of pay was not high enough to attract the 
best talent needed for this complex and demanding job. The 
responsibilities of the CFO, a position created by Congress, are unique 
in the United States. The CFO is extraordinarily powerful and 
independent. The District cannot obligate or expend funds without the 
CFO's approval, and the CFO can be terminated only ``for cause.'' The 
District needs the authority to be able to pay the rate demanded by the 
market and necessary to retain and attract the best CFOs, especially 
since the District must compete with the private sector for highly 
qualified CFOs.
  This is an important step to increase home rule for the District, and 
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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