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Appropriations for FY2004: District of Columbia (CRS Report for Congress)

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Release Date Revised Jan. 13, 2004
Report Number RL31813
Report Type Report
Authors Eugene Boyd, Government and Finance Division
Source Agency Congressional Research Service
Older Revisions
  • Premium   Sept. 11, 2003 (25 pages, $24.95) add
Summary:

On February 3, 2003, the Bush Administration released its FY2004 budget recommendations. The Administration ' s proposed budget included $420.5 million in federal payments to the District of Columbia. This includes $166.5 million for the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia, an independent federal agency that has assumed management responsibility for the District ' s pretrial services, adult probation, and parole supervision functions. In addition, the Administration requested $163.8 million in support of court operations, and $32 million for Defender Services. These three functions represent 86.3% of the President ' s proposed $420.5 million in federal payments to the District of Columbia. On July 9, 2003, the Bush Administration transmitted the city ' s $5.7 billion proposed operating budget to Congress for its review and approval. In addition, the District requested $916 million in special federal payments, including $159 million for emergency preparedness assistance and $75 million for public safety. On July 17, 2003, the House Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 2765 , the District of Columbia Appropriations Act for FY2004 (H.Rept. 108 - 214). On September 9, 2003, the House approved H.R. 2765. The House bill recommended $466 million in special federal payments for the District of Columbia. The bill includes $17 million for a college tuition assistance plan, $15 million for security planning, and $163.1 million for court services and offender supervision. H.R. 2765 also includes $10 million in special federal payments for a school choice program designed to provide financial assistance to families of District school - age students attending private and parochial schools. On November 18, 2003, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 2765 (S.Rept. 108 - 142). As passed, the bill recommended an appropriation of $545 million in special federal payments to the District. This includes $17 million for a college tuition assistance program; $15 million for emergency planning and security; and $377.5 million in court and criminal justice - related assistance. The bill also includes $40 million for public education, charter schools, and school vouchers, including $13 million for a school voucher program. On November 25, 2003, a House and Senate conference committee reported H.R. 2673 (H.Rept. 108 - 401), the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2004, which combined six appropriations bills -- including the FY2004 District of Columbia Appropriations Act -- that Congress was unable to complete before the close of the first session of the 108th Congress. The House agreed to the conference report on December 8, 2003, while the Senate postponed final consideration of the measure until Congress reconvenes in January 2004. The conference bill includes $13 million for a school voucher program, and would continue to allow the District to use its local funds to administer a domestic partners health insurance act, prohibit the use of District or federal funds to prepare a medical marijuana ballot initiative, and restrict the use of federal or District funds for a needle exchange program and for abortion services, except in instances of rape or incest or a threat to the mother ' s health. This report will be updated as warranted.