The recent news of DC’s hefty $500 million budget surplus in 2019 marks a really important moment in DC’s finances. The surplus allowed DC to fill its reserve requirements—after nearly a decade—with $324 million left over to fund affordable housing and DC government...
Ed Lazere
Recent posts by Ed Lazere
Remove Barriers that Deny Health Coverage to Thousands of Immigrants
by Ed Lazere
The District should use the fiscal year (FY) 2021 budget to address inequities in access to health care, by removing barriers put in front of immigrant families and individuals.
Testimony of Ed Lazere At the Public Hearing on the Rental Housing Act Extension Amendment Act of 2019
by Ed Lazere
Chairperson Bonds and other members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ed Lazere, and I am the Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. DCFPI is a non-profit organization that promotes budget choices to...
What’s In the Approved Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for PreK-12 Education?
by Ed Lazere
Summary: 3% increase in per-student funding, less than increased per-teacher expenses. Base funding per student ($10,980) is $860 below amount recommended in 2013 Adequacy Study. Budget cuts at many DCPS schools, disproportionately impacting schools in Wards 7 and...
Help Shape DC’s Health Exchange Budget
by Ed Lazere
On Wednesday, November 6, the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority wants to give you a sneak peek at their proposed budget for the coming year, and get your input.
What’s in the Approved Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for Early Childhood Development?
by Ed Lazere
Summary: $9.3 million increase for DC's child care subsidy program for children in low-income families, the third consecutive year of increases. Funding to cover roughly half of FY 2020 goals of the multi-year "Birth-to-Three for All DC" Act. $4 million to...
Testimony of Ed Lazere At the Public Oversight Roundtable on Implementation of the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016
by Ed Lazere
Chairwoman Silverman and other members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ed Lazere, and I am the Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. DCFPI is a non-profit organization that promotes budget choices to reduce...
What’s In the Approved Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for Health Care?
by Ed Lazere
Summary: $3.8 billion in federal and local funds, a 4% reduction adjusting for inflation. $9 million to expand school-based mental health to 107 schools. $3 million to support community-based residential mental health facilities $22 million to support operations of...
A Path to Better Budgeting: Suspend the Council Finance Committee
by Ed Lazere
The full Council should take over the Finance Committee’s tax policy role, since revenue decisions affect the ability to fund Council-wide priorities.
Transparency: A Key to Education Equity and Better School Budgets
by Ed Lazere
The budget will grow 3 percent per student, yet average DCPS teacher costs are rising over 4 percent, meaning resources won’t be enough system-wide to maintain staffing and services.
Fair Business Incentives Are OK. Tax Giveaways Aren’t. DC is Making the Right Move on the Line Hotel
by Ed Lazere
When DC offers tax cuts to companies, we should get something in return, like good jobs for DC residents. That’s why the District is right to withhold the generous tax abatement it offered the Line Hotel almost 10 years ago.
Testimony of Ed Lazere At the Public Oversight Roundtable on the Matter of Qualified High Technology Tax company Tax Incentives
by Ed Lazere
Chairman Evans and other members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ed Lazere, and I am the Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. DCFPI is a non-profit organization that promotes budget choices to address DC’s...
Funding Equity: How to Find Money for a Better Budget
by Ed Lazere
The DC Council can do more to support crucial programs— and make progress on their stated commitment to racial equity— by making smart choices to find more revenue for the FY 2020 DC budget.
News Flash: DC Budget Has Been Growing at a Normal Rate
by Ed Lazere
While some leaders have raised concerns about the growth in the proposed fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget, taking a longer view suggests that the DC budget is growing at a standard pace.
What Do Children Need to Succeed? Hint: It’s More than Good Schools
by Ed Lazere
As the Council completes the FY 2020 budget, it should respond to the complexity of children’s lives and needs by strengthening all of the supports that children need to thrive. Addressing just one area—such as schools—will not be enough.
Reversing School Budget Cuts in Wards 7 and 8 Should Be a Top Priority
by Ed Lazere
The proposed FY 2020 budget shortchanges all DCPS schools, but particularly schools in Wards 7 and 8, which have the largest concentration of low-income students of color.
Testimony of Ed Lazere At the Budget Oversight Hearing on the “Fiscal Year 2020 Local Budget Act of 2019,” “Fiscal Year 2020 Federal Portion Budget Request Act of 2019” and the “Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Act of 2019”
by Ed Lazere
Chairman Mendelson and other members of the Council, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ed Lazere, and I am the Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. DCFPI is a non-profit organization that promotes budget choices to address...
Testimony of Ed Lazere At the Budget Oversight Hearing on the Department of Health
by Ed Lazere
Chairman Gray and other members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ed Lazere, and I am the Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. DCFPI is a non-profit organization that promotes budget choices to address DC’s...
Testimony of Ed Lazere At the Public Oversight Hearing on the Office of the State Superintendent of Education
by Ed Lazere
Chairman Grosso, Chairman Mendelson, and other members of the Council, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ed Lazere, and I am the Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. DCFPI is a non-profit organization that promotes budget...
What’s In the Proposed Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for Early Childhood Development?
by Ed Lazere
Summary: $5 million increase for DC’s child care subsidy program for children in low-income families, the third consecutive year of increases Funding increase is just ¼ of what’s needed in FY 2020 to support the multi-year plan to create universal high-quality care...