Political Quotes

“as this body is aware, it has imposed a Control Board on the District of Columbia, which has become insolvent. The only reason there are not more cities in this category, of course, is because most cities have States. Nevertheless, New York, Philadelphia, and Cleveland, long before the District became insolvent, themselves became insolvent and had control boards. Control boards, of course, are necessary, because insolvent cities cannot borrow. One of the first things such cities need to do is to downsize their governments. That is exactly what is happening in the District of Columbia as I speak. The fact is, however, that every other city that has become insolvent had a dual strategy or they never would have become solvent. The State provided either some direct aid, as in the case of Philadelphia, or a takeover of functions and aid, as in the case of New York City. The District is a unique entity, and I have proposed a unique bill, the only alternative I can see, that provides any realistic way to counter the serious problems of the capital of the United States. The unique fact about this city, of course, to face first and foremost, is that it has no State to help it in any way. The Congress, which, of course, has an obligation to help it with a payment in lieu of taxes, because we cannot build on the best land in the District, has not raised the District's Federal payment in 5 years.”