New Bills Would Increase Transparency

dcogcadmin | April 14, 2010

A bill sponsored by Councilmember Michael Brown would require that the chief financial officer conduct a study of the impact of any proposed tax abatement or exemption when city officials are seeking to lure a business to the District. The proposal would allow for more rigorous and public examination of the costs and benefits of using such means to bring businesses to D.C.  The Washington Post editorial board is in favor, as is the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. Washington Post

A bill sponsored by Councilmember Michael Brown would require that the chief financial officer conduct a study of the impact of any proposed tax abatement or exemption when city officials are seeking to lure a business to the District. The proposal would allow for more rigorous and public examination of the costs and benefits of using such means to bring businesses to D.C.  The Washington Post editorial board is in favor, as is the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. Washington Post

A bill being voted on today by the D.C. Council’s Committee on Public Works and Transportation would require that a sidewalk be added on at least one side of the street during any street reconstruction.  Certain residents have objected to such a blanket requirement, so the bill provides for exemptions which the Department of Transportation must justify in a written report, "ensuring that such decisions are out in the open as opposed to backroom political maneuvers."  Greater Greater Washington