Welcome Back!  The summer is over, although we will still enjoy some fabulous days and nights, fall is in the air.  As my Aunt Karen always said, you can tell fall is here by “shadows getting longer.”  This week, the City Council is back in session and the hurried pace of the Nation’s Capital picks up.

Nationally, President Obama has his hands full. Healthcare reform, the War in Afghanistan, the continuing financial crisis are but a few of the issues before us. Locally, the Council’s last action on July 31st before summer recess was to pass a balanced budget in the face of revenue declines. Mayor Fenty has vetoed a small portion of the budget concerning school reform. This must be resolved quickly.

My sense is we are not finished with revenue declines.  Naturally sales, income and property taxes continue to fall, particularly commercial property. When our next revenue estimates are available in later in the year, the Mayor and the Council will have more difficult decisions to make. By comparison, the city’s finances are far better off than Maryland, Virginia and other cities. But it will take enormous political courage to help us stay that way.

The Council also has a full legislative agenda for the fall. Look for hearings regarding many issues we deal with on a daily basis, including crime, schools, and public services.

This September also starts the beginning of the next election cycle. The Democratic primary for Mayor, Council Chair, and six Council seats is Tuesday, September 14, 2010, less than one year from now. Mayor Fenty is running for reelection – and we’ll see if he draws a challenger or two. Several other Council seats are already in play. The next several months will be interesting. So we begin a new season in Washington and look forward to the events of fall.

Articles

10th Street Park Groundbreaking

Evans Cuts Ribbon for Walter E. Washington Convention Center Outdoor Art Gallery

Evans Attends Groundbreaking at New N Street Park

S + T Park Opening

Neighbors and Friends Enjoy Annual Blagden Alley Picnic

Watha T. Daniel Library – UPDATE

First Lady Helps Celebrate Opening of Vermont Avenue Farmers Market

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