    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 5, 1991]
    [Page 609]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the District of Columbia Budget and
    Supplemental Appropriations Request
    June 5, 1991

    To the Congress of the United States:
        In accordance with the District of Columbia Self-Government and
    Governmental Reorganization Act, I am transmitting the District of
    Columbia Government's 1992 budget request and 1991 budget supplemental
    request.
        The District of Columbia Government has submitted three alternative
    1992 budget requests. The first alternative is for $3,083 million in
    1992 and includes a Federal payment of $425 million, which is the
    currently authorized level. The second alternative is for $3,142 million
    and includes a Federal payment of $484 million, which is the amount
    contained in the 1992 Federal budget. The third alternative is for
    $3,288 million, which includes a Federal payment of $631 million, the
    amount requested by the D.C. Mayor and City Council. My transmittal of
    this District budget, as required by law, does not represent an
    endorsement of its contents.
        There are two specific issues to which I would direct your
    attention. First, I encourage you to continue the abortion funding
    policy enacted in the District's 1989, 1990, and 1991 appropriations
    laws. The Congress should continue to prohibit the use of both Federal
    and congressionally appropriated local funds for abortions, except when
    the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to
    term.
        Second, the 1992 budget proposes to modify and make permanent the
    1990 pilot project that requires the District of Columbia to charge
    Fedeal establishments directly for water and sewer services.
    Inappropriate charges and excessive usage have been eliminated through
    this pilot project. Taxpayers have been relieved of the burden of paying
    water bills totaling over $4 million for non-Federal entities. Further
    reductions of 6-10 percent in Federal appropriations for water and sewer
    services have also been realized because non-appropriated, self-
    financing entities are now required to pay for the services they
    receive.

                                                                 George Bush

    The White House,
    June 5, 1991.