Low-Income Advocates Protesting at Wilson Building Over Proposed Budget Cuts

Advocates for low-income residents are planning to protest in front of the John A. Wilson Building at 9 a.m. today in anticipation of the D.C. Council's budget vote set for this afternoon.

The advocates say low-income residents would bear a disproportionate burden of the cuts that lawmakers are proposing for fiscal '09. The council announced last week its proposal to take an additonal $50 million out of the budget in order to create a reserve fund as the economy continues its downward spiral. The cuts include housing programs and shelter for domestic violence victims.

Low-income residents would face $58 million in less funding, once the cuts are combined with the already $131 million in budget cuts proposed by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's administration, according to the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. The think tank advocates for low-income residents.

The council is set to vote at 1 p.m. today, but opponents to the cuts are hoping to delay the vote in order to buy time to offer possible alternatives to the current proposal.

Nikita Stewart.

By Marcia Davis |  November 10, 2008; 8:30 AM ET  | Category:  Budget , City Finances , D.C. Council
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