Opening Statement

Harry “ Tommy” Thomas, Jr.

2011 Budget
Council Chambers – Room 500
April 12, 2010

Good Morning

Thank you Chairman Gray for hosting our Mayor this morning for the purpose of his
presentation for the 2010 Revised Spending Plan and the Proposed 2011 Budget for the
District of Columbia.

I am appreciative the hard work Mayor Fenty and his staff have forwarded to us, fully
understanding the many competing needs of our City, they have attempted to make the
hard choices with the least impact to our residents.

I of course have concerns, which hopefully will be addressed and resolved this morning.
Specifically the reduction of the Roving Leader Program of the Department of Parks and
Recreation at a time when I would hope we would enhance and increase resources for
youth in an effort to assure positive outcomes for their lives. Proposed reductions in
recreation specialist as well have abject impacts on youth and their families. Additionally, I
have apprehensions concerning the freeze in hiring, step increases and cost of living pay for
the majority of our employees, with the exception of our School System. I would hope that
we might consider a plan with greater equity for all our employees. I fully understand the
hard choices which have to be made but want to remain respectful of the dedication,
commitment and concern of our city’s employees and the sacrifices they make daily in their
efforts to guide, assist, under-gird, and supplement the needs of our very vulnerable youth,
families and seniors.

And lastly, I will have questions concerning the need for an additional $5,000,000 this year
for the Deanwood Project, as it is my understanding that the project, nearly complete was
originally funded at $34,000,000, under your valiant work Mr. Chairman, and therefore
should not need additional funding at this time.

Thank you, I look forward to the testimony of our Mayor and his this morning.