Council Committee of the Whole Holds Budget Hearing on Council and Statehood Commission – May 1, 2026
Council Committee of the Whole Holds Budget Hearing on Council and Statehood Commission – May 1, 2026
On Friday, May 1, 2026, at 9:31 a.m., the Committee of the Whole of the Council of the District of Columbia, chaired by Phil Mendelson, held a public hearing on the Mayor's proposed FY27 budget. The hearing covered the Council's own budget and the New Columbia Statehood Commission's budget. The meeting was the fourth of eight hearings on the budget, which includes a revised FY26 budget, the FY27 Local Budget Act, the Budget Support Act, the Federal Portion Budget Request Act, and emergency legislation. The hearing concluded at 10:27 a.m.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Robert Vincent Branham (President Emeritus, DC Federation of Civic Associations; former ANC commissioner; military veteran) testified on the Council budget, urging the Council to fund a full-time position to defend DC rights against U.S. Attorney Janine Pirro, whom he accused of lying about DC and seeking to take over prosecution of youth. He later testified on the Statehood Commission, criticizing its lack of activity and calling for increased funding and mobilization for DC statehood. He noted that the FY26 approved budget for statehood initiatives was $266,883 and that the proposed FY27 budget shows no change. He recalled an April 11, 2014 march on Capitol Hill where 41 were arrested, including then-Mayor Vincent Gray and Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Discussion Items
- Council Budget (FY27): Secretary Naasha Howard presented the Council's proposed budget of $39,934,656 with 233 FTEs, unchanged from FY26. She highlighted employee benefits: 3% retirement match (70% uptake, $170,000 spent), $1,000 per employee professional development, student loan repayment, and $100/month WMATA transit subsidy (128 of 200 employees enrolled, $67,000 spent). The fringe benefit assessment rate decreased from 26.3% to 25.8%. The Uniform Law Commission receives $65,000. Chair Mendelson asked about costs for the mayoral transition and council turnover; Howard confirmed the Council covers swearing-in ceremonies and expects substantial costs due to historic turnover. No other questions were asked.
- New Columbia Statehood Commission Budget (FY27): Senator Paul Strauss (co-chair) presented the agency's request of $266,883 (identical to FY26), consisting of $162,000 for personnel and $105,000 for non-personnel. He noted the budget supports education, advocacy, and the 51 Star Celebrity Endorsement Program. He emphasized the commission's collaborative efforts with the executive and delegate's office. Senator Anke Chain (also referred to as Senator Jane) then testified, advocating for a $100,000 increase (or reallocation within existing funds) to provide staff raises. She detailed that the full-time staff assistant has not received a raise in four years and that the agency's budget has increased only 18% since FY15 (from $225,800), a 14.9% decrease after inflation. She proposed specific grade/step increases for the acting executive director (to Grade 14 Step 4) and the staff assistant (to Grade 13 Step 1). She also criticized the new bylaws changes on spending procedures as redundant and inefficient, while Senator Strauss defended them as improving efficiency. Chair Mendelson questioned the delegation's outreach to Capitol Hill; Senator Chain described her regular meetings with congressional staff to defeat anti-DC riders and bills, clarifying she does not lobby on appropriations specifics. Senator Strauss noted coordination with the delegate's office and executive.
Key Outcomes
- No votes were taken during the hearing. Chair Mendelson outlined the budget schedule: first vote on the FY27 Local Budget Act on June 9, second vote on June 23; first vote on the Budget Support Act on June 9, with a second vote later. The next hearing is on Monday, May 4, regarding the DC Auditor, DC Retirement Board, and Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The hearing was adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
I'm calling order of this hearing. This is a public hearing of the Committee of the Whole of the Council of the District of Columbia. I'm Phil Mendelson. Chair of the Council and Chair of the Committee of the Whole. Today is Friday, May 1st, 2026. The time is 9.31 in the morning. And we are in room 412 of the Johnny Wilson building. This is the fourth of eight hearings that the Committee of the Whole is having on aspects of the Mayor's proposed budget. The mayor on April 14th sent down several legislative measures. One is a revised budget for the current fiscal year. The second is a proposed budget for next fiscal year, which begins October 1st and is fiscal year 2027. The third is the Budget Support Act, which supports the budget with legislative changes. And the fourth is the Federal Portion Budget Request Act. I think there's also emergency legislation in there to enact some of this on an emergency basis. Today we're going to hear testimony from the witnesses, government and government and public sector. First, regarding the Council of the District of Columbia's proposed budget for next fiscal year, and then from the New Columbia Statehood Commission regarding their proposed FY27 budget. Witnesses are, of course, welcome to testify about any changes to the current fiscal year budget. Our next hearing will be on Monday, May 4th, when we will hear testimony regarding the DC Auditor, the D.C. Retirement Board, and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. On Wednesday, testimony regarding the budgets for the Commission on Arts and Humanities, the Office of Zoning, Office of Planning, and the Department of Buildings. Next Thursday, May 7th, we will hear testimony regarding the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, otherwise known as the ASI. And on Wednesday, May 13th, we will have testimony. We invite testimony from public witnesses regarding any of and all of the budget measures and any aspect of it, not just specific agencies. That will be May 13th. I expect that will be an all-day hearing, because it does concern all of the budget measures. And people who have testified before individual committees may wish to testify at that May 13th hearing. The council is scheduled to vote on the budget. We vote twice on the fiscal year 2027 Local Budget Act. And our second vote will be on June 23rd. We also will have our first vote on June 9th on the Budget Support Act, but the second vote will be sometime later, but before the council's recess. No, you don't. So you don't get 15, 20 minutes. If you try to take 20 minutes, you're going to hear a thump when I fall off my chair falling asleep. Greetings and salutations, Chairman Mendelson and members of the Committee of the Whole. I am Robert Vincent Branham. I am President Emeritus of the DC Federation of Civic Associations Incorporated, former advisory neighborhood commissioner, and a military service connected disabled veteran. I present this testimony not just as a private citizen, but also as a concerned and hopefully engaged community activist willing to fight and to go to jail in defense of freedom and faith. Mr. Chairman, today, Friday, May 1st, is May Day, a day also known as International Workers' Day. Every year on May 1st, working people around the world joined together for a day of remembrance and demonstrations. On this day, workers in D.C. and across the nation and the world unite as a labor movement with advocates for immigration rights and other community organizations. At this current moment in the future of D.C. At this current moment in the future of DC politics, it is my hope and prayer workers and unions will consider the gravity of his support for future leaders of DC. Workers' rights should not be manipulated for political purposes. As I proceed, I pause to ask this question. Who among you is willing to risk going to jail in defense of freedom and faith? On two separate occasions, I have been arrested, protesting the denial of full freedom and exercise of faith for the people of the District of Columbia. As a member of the United States military, I was willing to sacrifice my life in service to America and to the District of Columbia. Mr.
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