The discussion The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor of the District of Columbia, had at the Economic Club with President David M. Rubenstein focused on the first budget proposal she recently sent to the DC Council. Mayor Bowser explained that jobs, affordable housing, and addressing homelessness were the guiding priorities in crafting the budget. She described the budget as “modest”, especially considering the need to close a $190 million budget gap. To help close that gap, she is proposing a sales tax increase to 6 percent, bringing the District tax on par with the current 6 percent sales tax charged in Maryland and Virginia. The current DC sales tax is 5.75 percent. The mayor also is proposing cuts to the University of the District of Columbia and Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals.
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