At DC for Democracy, we know that government is best when it reflects the will of the People. That is why we are outraged that the DC Council is using the COVID-19 crisis as an excuse to limit public voices in this year’s budget process.

The DC Council must set a uniform standard for every committee to conduct live hearings with public witnesses on a virtual platform. In addition, the Council should creatively incorporate unofficial public feedback about the budget into official committee records. Given the budget decisions that are at stake, we need to expand the voice of the public, especially the voices of those who are suffering most from the pandemic.

The COVID-19 crisis is not a reason to suspend or diminish democracy. If DC4D has figured out a way to continue our grassroots work in this pandemic, so can the DC Council.

Email the DC Council now to demand the public’s right for a robust voice in the budget debate.