The District built up 60 days of cash to use during hard economic times, but restrictive rules make only 9 days of cash easily available for lawmakers to use to help residents and businesses struggling in the pandemic, according to a new analysis by the DC Fiscal...
Tazra Mitchell
(she/her)
Chief Policy and Strategy Officer
Tazra works with the Executive Director to develop and execute DCFPI’s strategic vision and goals, policy and legislative strategies, and policies and practices for a healthy, thriving team. She leads the policy team and provides strategic direction for policy and research, working closely with the senior leadership team to enhance cross-team and cross-functional collaboration for improved policy impact and team cohesion. Prior to joining DCFPI, Tazra was at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center. She also had roles in the North Carolina government, working on fiscal policy. Tazra holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University and a master’s from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.
Recent posts by Tazra Mitchell
DC’s Revenue Picture is Improving but Substantial Financial Challenges Remain
The District’s economy and tax collections are doing somewhat better than projections in September, but very substantial financial challenges remain, especially this year and next, according to the CFO’s December 30th revenue forecast.
ACA Repeal Lawsuit Would End Health Coverage for 40,000 DC Residents, New Data Show
A lawsuit scheduled to go before the Supreme Court next month could repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and leave 40,000 District residents without health coverage, nearly doubling the share of residents who are uninsured, a new analysis from the nonpartisan Urban Institute estimates.
5 Things You Should Know about the District’s Latest Revenue Forecast
A deeper-than-expected drop in District revenue, due to the pandemic-ravaged economy, could mean budget cuts to education, child care, health care, and other vital services.
Testimony of Tazra Mitchell at the Committee of the Whole Budget Public Hearing on the Tax Revision Commission Reestablishment Amendment Act of 2019
Chairperson Mendelson and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Tazra Mitchell. I am the Policy Director at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is a nonprofit organization that promotes budget choices to reduce DC’s...
The Mayor and DC Council Balanced the FY 2020 and FY 2021 Budgets Using a Variety of Tactics, Including Revenue Increases
Budget and Revenue Highlights $8.6 billion: The total FY 2021 Local Fund budget, representing a 1.8 percent increase over the revised FY 2020 budget, after adjusting for inflation. $7.9 billion: DC’s projected baseline Local Fund revenues in FY 2021. $774 million: The...
Pandemic is Throwing Many DC Residents into Financial Distress
With tens of thousands of DC workers laid off and the ongoing spread of COVID-19 limiting economic activity, a substantial number of DC households are struggling to afford food and pay rent. O
DC Council Approves Budget that Increases Investments in Critical Programs, But Falls Short of What this Unprecedented Moment Requires
Yesterday, DC Council approved an $8.6 billion local budget. Although we’re in the middle of a global pandemic and recession that is deepening entrenched economic and racial inequities, it fails to adequately rise to what the times require.
Testimony of Tazra Mitchell at the Committee of the Whole Budget Oversight Hearing
Chairperson Mendelson and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. My name is Tazra Mitchell, and I am the Policy Director at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is an anti-poverty non-profit organization that promotes...
Testimony of Tazra Mitchell at the Committee on Business & Economic Development Performance Oversight Hearing
Chairperson McDuffie and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. My name is Tazra Mitchell, and I am the Policy Director at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is an anti-poverty nonprofit organization that promotes...
Federal Aid Package Shortchanges DC, Forces District to Rely More Heavily on Reserves
DC is receiving $495 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for calendar year 2020, while each of the 50 states is receiving at least $1.25 billion.
DC Officials Are Moving Swiftly to Protect Residents and Local Economy, but More Steps are Needed
This week Mayor Bowser and the DC Council quickly enacted critical measures that will deliver work and income supports to people and small businesses that are struggling economically amidst the coronavirus pandemic. District officials had already taken quick and...
Now is the Time for DC to Dip into Reserves, Waive Restrictive Repayment Rules
Mayor Bowser, the DC Council, and other District leaders are taking quick and decisive action to protect all DC residents from the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including declaring a State of Emergency in the District, closing schools, and proposing...
A $10,000 Idea to Ensure that No Family Spends Nearly Everything on Rent
High and rapidly rising housing costs are squeezing family budgets in the District. The disappearance of affordable housing in DC has left most extremely low-income residents paying more than half their income on rent and utilities each month, leaving many at risk of...
$100 Metro Subsidy Proposal Would Help Residents, But Fails to Center Equity and Fiscal Transparency
DC Councilmember Charles Allen introduced a bill to make public transit more affordable. Yet, these highly laudable goals are wrapped up in a bill with serious flaws. Rather than subsidizing families that can already afford transit on their own, a more equitable approach for the subsidy program would be to cap income eligibility and target assistance to those with the greatest need.
DC Needs a Budget that Adequately Supports Economic Opportunity, Helps All Residents Thrive
The FY 2021 budget starts October 2020, but the debate is already underway. DCFPI has a series of recommendations on using the budget to raise and allocate DC’s resources to address our city’s challenges and create a promising future for all DC residents.
Testimony of Tazra Mitchell At the Hearing on the Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2019
Chairman Mendelson and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. My name is Tazra Mitchell, and I am the Policy Director at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is an anti-poverty non-profit organization that promotes...
Taxes: Advance Tax Policy that Centers Equity, Adequacy, and Inclusive Growth
The fiscal year (FY) 2021 DC budget should raise sufficient revenue to address DC’s challenges and invest in things that build equitable, inclusive state economies—such as high-quality early learning and schools in all wards, affordable housing, human services, and workers’ well-being.
A Path to Better Budgeting: Move Tax Policy Responsibilities to the Committee of the Whole
The resignation of Jack Evans from the DC Council presents an opportunity for the Council to reconsider how it manages the duties of the Finance and Revenue Committee, which Evans chaired for over two decades. Revenue decisions affect the ability to...
Testimony of Tazra Mitchell at the Committee on Business & Economic Development Performance Oversight Hearing
Chairperson McDuffie and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. My name is Tazra Mitchell, and I am the Policy Director at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). DCFPI is an anti-poverty non-profit organization that promotes...