[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.