WASHINGTON – The D.C. Council today passed The Local Budget Act for fiscal year 2027 on its final vote. The Local Budget Act sets spending appropriations for each District agency and provides the legal authority necessary to spend those funds. This act will go into effect on October 1, 2026, at the same time as the Budget Support Act, on which the Council is expected to hold a second vote on July 7.
In response, Alicia Yass, policy advocacy director at the ACLU of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.) said:
"Our local budget plays an important role in providing meaningful safety and security to all D.C. residents, workers, and visitors. This specific budget is particularly critical because the federal government has targeted our nation's capital as a testing ground for extremist policies that have cost people their incomes as well as their rights and freedoms.
"Today, the D.C. Council passed a budget that will make the District stronger and safer in many important ways. The budget:
- Restores funding for the Childcare Subsidy Program, so more families can afford high-quality childcare while parents or guardians work.
- Increases funding for the Department of Parks and Recreation, so everyone – and especially our young people – have access to safe parks, facilities, and programming.
- Restores funding for the Access to Justice Initiative, so people do not have to be wealthy to access legal help for civil matters like protection from domestic abuse.
"But the Local Budget Act also falls short in some important ways. This budget continues to over-invest in punishment instead of boosting a preventive approach to public safety. The budget:
- Retains some cuts to the Paid Family Leave program, so working families will have less paid time to care for themselves and their loved ones.
- Expands capacity to incarcerate more young people instead of investing in preventive measures, so young people won’t get the support they need to get back on track.
- Does not fund improvements to the horrific conditions of the D.C. Jail, so residents will be forced to endure unsafe and unsanitary conditions like sewage back-ups and improperly locking doors, in addition to food that does not meet nutrition standards.
"Ultimately, to keep everyone in D.C. safe and secure, D.C. leaders need to reach people with the resources they need when they need them most.
We urge the Council to continue to work with the Chief Financial Officer to identify available funds for vital programs and services."
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