Press Release: Residents Speak Out Against Mayor’s Proposed Budget Cuts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, 20+ DC residents supported by the All in for DC: A Tax System for Justice campaign gathered at the MLK Memorial Library to speak out against the mayor’s budget, which makes drastic cuts to programs that help DC residents struggling to get by, and call on DC Council to raise revenue through taxes on the wealthiest residents and businesses to ensure an equitable and just future for all in DC.

“Our country and our city are witnessing a massive upward distribution of wealth,” said DC Fiscal Policy Institute Senior Campaigns Manager Nadia Salazar (she/they). “While Congress is advancing trillions in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, the mayor is doubling down on disproven, trickle-down economic policies that hand DC’s limited resources over to corporations. Her budget betrays workers and tenants and will worsen racial inequity.” 

“We need a fair tax system that gets us the resources we need,” said ATU Local 689 Political & Communications Director Matthew Girardi (he/him). “We need fully funded transit and for our transit workers and all working class people can afford to live here. We’re here to ask the wealthy to pay their fair share and for the Council and the mayor to choose DC.”

“Those of us who have well-paying jobs know that any capital gains we earn are just cherries on top of the very large sundaes we already enjoy,” said Jews United for Justice member and Ward 2 resident Mo Pasternak (he/him). “A higher capital gains tax wouldn’t change wealthy people’s behavior, but it could help a child from going hungry. DC is wonderful and we want it to have the services we need. All In for DC has outlined the way to achieve that and we hope the Council enacts these common sense proposals.”

“In a city facing enormous threats from the federal government, deciding to make cuts locally is a choice, and a bad one,” said EmpowerEd Executive Director Scott Goldstein (he/him). “DC has no business activity tax, which could raise $500 million in new revenue. We chose last year to implement a very limited mansion tax—expanding this could raise millions more. We need new revenue right now to buffer us against federal cuts and to protect DC residents.”

“Let’s be clear: tax justice is a youth issue,” said Fair Budget Coalition member and Ward 1 resident Aaron Booe (he/him). “When we talk about closing loopholes, taxing extreme wealth, and holding corporations accountable, we’re talking about whether DC will invest in its future—or keep letting Black and Brown youth fall through the cracks of our schools, housing system, and our economy.” 

“Our tax system must be made equitable and racially just by raising taxes on the beneficiaries of capital gains,” said Fair Budget Coalition Constituent Leader Charlottie Simpson (she/her). “The mayor and council can no longer two step around this must-do issue. The time is now.”

“I did 28 years of incarceration, and was released two years ago,” said Fair Budget Coalition member Damon Jones (he/him). “Since coming home, I’ve been doing well, trying to get reacclimated in my community. One of the main problems I’ve been having is with housing. Two years home, I’ve been working, but I’m still living on somebody’s couch…I’ve been waiting two years for a housing voucher, after 28 years of incarceration.”

Video footage is available here. Full speech transcripts available upon request.