Councilmember Anita Bonds Supports Declaring All DC Employees Essential

 

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

   OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER ANITA BONDS     

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2013

Contact: David Meadows

(202) 724-8143 

BONDS SUPPORTS DECLARING ALL DC EMPLOYEES ESSENTIAL

 

Councilmember Anita Bonds (D – At Large) called today for the Council of the District of Columbia to declare all District employees essential in the event of a federal government shutdown. The shutdown, which would furlough up to a third of public employees and cease vital services in the District, would have devastating effects on the residents, workers, and economy of the District of Columbia.

“The services that the DC government provides are a necessity for the safety and health of every resident, employee, and visitor,” stated Councilmember Bonds. She added, “The District of Columbia is exceptional in that it performs the functions of a municipality, a county, and a state—and all of these services are interrelated and codependent.”

Noting that the budget autonomy referendum unlinking the local DC budget from congressional oversight was passed overwhelmingly last spring by District voters, Councilmember Bonds pointed out that "the money that the District would spend during the federal shutdown is local taxdollars, and not federal taxes.  Our residents expect to see local taxdollars spent on the services that make the local government work every day, and which include vital services to Capitol Hill neighborhoods, families, and workers."

"Given that the District of Columbia's Delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, has served for more than two decades without a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives and during recent years has been silenced in Committee hearings on District matters, it is imperative that District leaders remind their fellow Americans of the important role that District the plays in the nation."

An emergency measure could be introduced next Tuesday by Chairman Phil Mendelson which would declare all District of Columbia government essential. Councilmember Anita Bonds is supportive of such action.

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