Evans: District Cannot Make up for Federal Budget Cuts

As President Obama and Congress debate budget cuts that will affect nationwide and D.C. area projects alike, the District government will be doing its own soul searching and belt tightening. The bottom line, according to Councilmember Jack Evans, is that any cut made at the federal level cannot and must not be offset by District funding.

The District is "not in a position to pick up what the federal" government cuts, said Evans Monday.

President Obama released his proposed budget Monday including large cuts in federal funding, though the Republican proffered continuing resolution would make even more severe cuts in spending.

Evans cited two specific cuts proposed by Republicans that would directly and severely affect the District and the region. First, cuts to metro to the tune of $150 million would have a "very negative impact" on the District and the region said Evans. The funding began last year as an annual capital contribution to WMATA from the federal government.

Another proposed Republican cut would affect the District by removing $15 million in funding for the new Southwest Forensic Lab already underway. Such cuts are unacceptable, even to the fiscally conservative Evans.

The Republican plan is not the only one that impacts District agencies. DC Water requested $51 million from the federal government for the , but under President Obama's proposed budget the agency would receive $25 million.

Alan Heymann, a spokesperson for DC Water said, "In light of the fact that many other important federally-funded programs across the country are being cut entirely, we’re actually pleased at this recommendation." The allocated funding must be match by DC Water and goes to the agency's $2.6 billion Clean Rivers Project.

No matter what happens at the federal level, Evans said the District cannot afford to make up the funding, especially in light of the in New York.

The rating agencies are closing watching the District, "whatever we raise is what we get to spend," said Evans.