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Mayor Vincent Gray has vetoed the city’s fiscal year 2015 budget, citing the so-called “yoga tax,” cuts to the streetcar and the defunding of a senior property tax relief bill.
“I cannot, in good conscience, sign a budget that hurts seniors, taxes wellness, dramatically delays and drives up the cost of the D.C. Streetcar system, and ties the hands of future Mayors to respond to fiscal problems,” Gray said in a release. “I am asking Chairman Mendelson and the other members of the Council to work with me so we can craft a reasonable compromise that resolves these problems and better serves the 647,000 residents of our city.”
Specifically, Gray is asking the Council to delay summer recess by 30 days to work on the budget. An override vote is scheduled for Monday. The budget passed 12-1 earlier this year, and nine votes are needed to override the veto.
“Although I will not be in office when the majority of this budget is implemented, I cannot turn a blind eye to the impact that it will have on the next administration and District residents,” Gray said in the release.
Update: Speaking by phone to NewsChannel8, Councilmember Jack Evans said the Council consensus seems to be to “keep the budget as it is.” Evans was a vocal opponent to the so-called “yoga tax” and also opposed defunding the senior property tax relief bill. But Evans said it will be a “tall order” for Gray to get the five votes he need to keep the veto.
