Political Quotes

“I come to the House to report periodically when significant events occur in the District of Columbia. I know for new Members, the first impression might be well, that is not none of my business, Congresswoman. It really should not be, but it turns out to be because matters affecting the District of Columbia which, for every other district, would not be seen on this floor do come here. Today's Washington Times has a headline of interest to the Members of the House, Control Board Prepares to Reinstate Local Fiscal Authority. This matter is of interest to the House, because the control board was formed pursuant to a statute passed by this House when the District of Columbia encountered fiscal problems in the mid-'90s. It encountered those problems, because it is the only city in the United States that had to bear State, city and municipal functions. I am pleased that this House offered some relief when it took over the most costly State functions, the rest of it was hard work from the District of Columbia, and, of course, the good economy. The Times reports that on tomorrow, the control board will certify that the District has had its last of four clean audits, meaning that the control board period is over, and the control board itself will go out of existence on September the 30th. It is in a phase-out mode. The District has had nothing short of a spectacular turnaround. It had to dig itself out of the worst kind of fiscal crisis.”