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Also breaking tonight in the last 30 minutes, the DC council rolled back some proposed budget cuts for next year. Our Raphael Centers crew is live outside of the Wilson building for us this evening. And Raphael, what programs are impacted by these changes? Look, Larry, we're talking about the pay equity fund. That's the program that helps pay the salary for child care workers. We're also talking about victim services for those victims of domestic violence. But you might be wondering how we got this additional money. Well, essentially the these are um about $400 million that the DC's chief financial officer withheld. So, it's money that Mayor Bowser didn't tap into her budget proposal, and it's money that the
district has now given the uncoupling of the DC tax code. Another $150 million were tapped in from the city's reserves. Mayor Muriel Bowser's final budget proposal is facing a series of roll backs. and we made the choice to use available reserves to prevent deeper harm. This budget is also not perfect, but we did not accept the devastating cuts proposed by the mayor as inevitable. The DC council is reversing some of the proposed cuts in the 2027 fiscal year budget. That includes reversing the cuts to the paid family and medical leave for DC workers, allocating 173 million for 569 housing vouchers for low-income
renters, and adding $15 million for DC public charter schools. These investments matter. They will improve lives. Families will be able to access childare. The DC council has added $60 million to the program that increases a salary for early childhood educators. Nothing works in DC without childcare and council members know that. Travis Bali and the coalition under 3DC has been pushing for additional funds for weeks. The pay equity fund still needs $2 million. What is that $2 million for?
It's to make sure that our early educators are held constant, that they do not experience another pay cut in their lives. We also need additional funding for the childcare subsidy program. We want the weight list for the childcare subsidy program eliminated. The council has also designated $300 million from the DC capital budget to expand the stadium armory metro station. Improvements that are needed before the new RFK stadium opens in 2030. Now, the second budget vote is scheduled for June 23rd. And I can tell you, Larry, there's still a lot of questions about what can change between now and then. Uh my colleague Randy Hilddrth will be following up with some council
members, their reactions on what further changes they are proposing, including potentially attacks on the rich. We'll have more coming up at the 11:00 hour. I'm Rafael Sanchez Cruz. Back to you. And no doubt we are all tuned in. and Raphael Central Cruz.
