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tazramitchell.bsky.social

@tazramitchell.bsky.social
203 followers 126 following 51 posts

Pronouns: she/her. Ward 7. Chief Policy & Strategy Officer at DCFPI. All views are my own.

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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
DC Fiscal Policy Institute @dcfpi.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Join us in taking action. Call these Senators and tell them to VOTE NO ON S.J.RES.102. bsky.app/profile/dcfp...
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
@centeronbudget.bsky.social adds their voice to this federal overreach: "Congress should respect D.C.’s decision-making and allow this law to stand, rejecting calls by some to override the judgement of D.C.’s elected officials." www.cbpp.org/blog/congres...
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
Nikki Metzgar @nikkimetz.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Not one Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Committee should vote yes on this effort to overturn a local DC law. 10 states made the same choice to decouple from tax cuts in the OBBA--only DC gets its law overturned because we don't have the same rights as other Americans.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Congress is meddling into DC affairs yet again. They now want to overturn a local law that would drain *local* revenue by $700m AND spike child poverty by eliminating expansions in our DC EITC & CTC. DC residents & state/national partners--please make the calls below!
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
One of the most fundamental problems for dealing w/ ICE is the GOP provided years of ICE agent funding in the “Big Beautiful Bill.” No govt shutdown will end that funding stream, and there aren’t 2/3s votes in each chamber to rescind the funding & override a veto. Means resistance is what we have.
Graph showing historical and projected funding for ICE personnel. Huge amount provided in OBBBA.
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
Jennifer Sullivan @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
This week, the House is expected to vote on a bill to extend the Premium Tax Credit enhancements. This would reduce 2026 premiums for the average #ACA marketplace enrollee by more than half, improving affordability for millions of people struggling with health costs. www.cbpp.org/research/hea...
cbpp.org
Marketplace Enrollees In Every Congressional District Face Steep Premium Increases Unless Tax Credit Enhancements Are Extended
Annual premium increase, 60-year-old couple with income of $85,000 (401% FPL), by congressional district, 119th Congress Note: FPL = federal poverty level. Examples are based on 2026 average...
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
lol. Yes, I have it going back several years.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
And, of course, now there's a shutdown, meaning we're likely to see officials protect more of the revenue growth and reserves due to the uncertainty. More to come!
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
We’ve seen the CFO reject such lists in the past, even when there was revenue growth due to other budgetary needs. The report didn’t signal whether he’d allow the budgeted items to go into law.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
A big question is whether the CFO will approve the contingency list? We’re seeing a significant upswing in revenue (again!) due to his tendency to publish overly cautious forecasts. (Hence the need for a contingency list..)
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
First, we’d need to know how much overspending DC did in FY 2025 and how much is needed to top off reserves--and perhaps other factors. DC officials haven’t published those figures, making it difficult to determine carryover levels and what's possible.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
There’s also the $400 million that Congress prohibited us from spending that should carry over into FY 2026.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Again, DC isn’t facing a budget shortfall, but big questions remain. How much of the revenue bump can be used for new spending, such as the contingency budget list that the DC Council approved in July, for things like early education and the Alliance?
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
The CFO reiterated that DC is still on track for a recession---starting in FY 2026, or today. The outlook isn’t projected to improve until next Oct, w/an eventual full recovery thereafter. He cautions significant uncertainty due to federal decisions.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
It is an urgent imperative for DC to decouple from the federal tax changes. Look at how much we'll lose absent further action--with 66% of the tax cuts flowing to businesses that are doing well.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Overall, revenue grew in nearly all major categories except property taxes in FY25 vs FY24. Looking ahead, DC will have less revenue in FY26 than in FY25, but revenue will grow slowly each year thereafter. We need every dollar available to shore up DC’s budget.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
The economy is benefitting the elite the most: corporate profits & non-wage income like capital gains are the biggest drivers of the revenue bump. Yet, the Mayor's statement doubles down on a disproven “growth” agenda w/no mention of struggling residents.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Failing to decouple from these tax cuts that primarily benefit the elite (see the chart) ASAP, will put much-needed local revenues at risk, as DC faces growing budget pressures and continues to suffer from extreme federal decisions that are driving down local revenues.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
The forecast offers good news: DC isn't facing a budget deficit, as revenue is ticking up compared to June. The report also signals a new urgency--DC must act quickly to pass tax changes to save $658M due to reckless federal tax cuts that will flow into DC's tax code automatically.
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Here’s my article on how a government shutdown works. Shutdowns are complicated, and each shutdown is different. Some things stay open. Some stay open for a bit and eventually close. Some close immediately. I did my best to explain it all here:
americanprogress.org
What Happens During a Government Shutdown?
Learn how a government shutdown affects you.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
DC is battling austerity policies at the national & local levels. As Republicans have us barreling towards a local recession, Mayor Bowser is adding fuel to the fire w/her budget proposal. See DCFPI's new blog that pulls back the curtain and offers our first take on Bowser's proposal. ⏬⏬⏬
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
DC Fiscal Policy Institute @dcfpi.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Today, the House approved a budget bill that included devastating cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicare, programs that tens of thousands of people in DC rely on every day. These plans would create new cuts and barriers that would have sustained effects on the District.
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
ericawilli.bsky.social @ericawilli.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Spending local tax dollars in fy26 and beyond on RFK is a bad deal, but like @tazramitchell.bsky.social says to @jakesherman.bsky.social let's not conflate that issue with Congress keeping us from using our own tax dollars this year... x.com/TazraMitchel...
x.com
Tazra Mitchell on X: "I appreciate all the attention Punchbowl has brought to Congress's sabotage of DC's budget. However, the tweet below is conflating issues. A DC budget fix remains unresolved regardless of the potential Commanders deal. That's b/c the sabotage is a FY 2025 issue, not FY 2026+." / X
I appreciate all the attention Punchbowl has brought to Congress's sabotage of DC's budget. However, the tweet below is conflating issues. A DC budget fix remains unresolved regardless of the potential Commanders deal. That's b/c the sabotage is a FY 2025 issue, not FY 2026+.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
To the extent that the Mayor runs out of tools (we assume she is considering them all), and by then she is deeper into the process of making the remaining $400m in cuts, DCFPI hopes she will work w/community leaders to target those cuts in ways that lead to the least amount of harm.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Once they return from the April recess in 2 weeks, the US House could still take up the DC “fix” legislation, undoing the $1.1b in cuts. The Senate has already approved the bill and Trump has signaled his support. But, the end of the fiscal year/deadline for absorbing the cuts is fast approaching.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
We’re grateful Mayor Bowser found a pathway to protect residents from $700M in cuts by invoking a rarely used, congressionally approved DC law allowing the city to raise its budget mid-year by up to 6% x.com/tomsherwood/...
x.com
Tom Sherwood on X: "#BreakingNews - DC Mayor Muriel Bowser - using an obscure budget law provision - intends to reduce a looming $1.1 billion cut imposed by Congress by legally increasing city spending 6% ($679 million) and cutting spending by $410 million. Details to council next few weeks." / X
#BreakingNews - DC Mayor Muriel Bowser - using an obscure budget law provision - intends to reduce a looming $1.1 billion cut imposed by Congress by legally increasing city spending 6% ($679 million) and cutting spending by $410 million. Details to council next few weeks.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
And for what? The federal overreach doesn’t save the federal government a single penny and DC has proven itself fiscally responsible—as evidenced by clean audits, balanced budgets, and stellar credit ratings www.dcfpi.org/all/five-mis...
dcfpi.org
Five Misunderstandings About the Congressional Bill to Protect the District’s Budget
Unless the US House takes action, DC will be forced to cut $1 billion from its current budget, in an attack on residents’ fundamental right to self-govern.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Being forced to pull back from critical public investments when the CFO is already projecting a mild recession (largely due to federal layoffs) will deepen DC’s bleak economic outlook. www.dcfpi.org/all/dc-expec...
dcfpi.org
DC Expected to Lose $1 Billion in Revenue Through the Financial Plan
Local revenues are expected to decline by more than $1 billion over the next three years compared to previous estimates, largely due to federal layoffs steep enough to throw DC into a mild recession, ...
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
@maustermuhle.bsky.social has a helpful thread that lays out the timing of how some of these cuts could work x.com/maustermuhle...
x.com
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
..that all would lead to detrimental harm to city services.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
She identified “extraordinary measures” she'd have to apply b/c of US House’s refusal to move forward the DC “fix” that would right the $1.1B wrong. These include freezes on contracts, overtime, & hiring and possibly furloughs and facility closures....
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
A $400M cut by September is significant—it'll harm vulnerable residents in need of vital services and the beloved city workers who care for our residents & keep DC functional. The Mayor’s letter lays out the path she is forced to take to achieve those cuts: x.com/SegravesNBC4...
x.com
Mark Segraves on X: "Furloughs of DC government employees and partial closures of some government facilities now being considered by @MayorBowser Mayoral Order imposes spending and overtime freeze. Capital projects like Cap One Arena deal exempt. @nbcwashington https://t.co/ohjdmWTrk2" / X
Furloughs of DC government employees and partial closures of some government facilities now being considered by @MayorBowser Mayoral Order imposes spending and overtime freeze. Capital projects like Cap One Arena deal exempt. @nbcwashington https://t.co/ohjdmWTrk2
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Thank you to @mayorbowser.bsky.social for using tools to protect DC’s local budget by reducing the Congressional budget cut to $400M from $1.1B. Even w/this progress, today she made clear the drastic measures necessary to make remaining cuts, including furloughs & contract pauses.
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DC Fiscal Policy Institute @dcfpi.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
The Mayor’s budget may be delayed, but we do have some insight into her priorities by way of her office’s Guiding Principles. How does a program like the Pay Equity Fund stack up against these principles? Let’s dig in 🧵
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
DC Fiscal Policy Institute @dcfpi.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
More than 140,000 residents of the District are at risk of not having enough to eat if the proposals in Congress to make cuts to the nation’s primary food assistance program are not defeated. loom.ly/XbDZL9c
loom.ly
Cuts to Federal Food Assistance Will Hurt Residents Just As DC Enters Recession
More than 140,000 residents of the District of Columbia are at risk of not having enough to eat if the proposals in Congress to make substantial cuts to the nation’s primary food assistance program ar...
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Exaggerated claims of “tax flight” should be set down once and for all. Let’s focus on the facts as DC stares down massive federal fiscal threats on top of a looming $1 billion loss in local funds.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
In fact, the combined federal and state top marginal income tax rate needs to reach 68 percent to induce a problematic level of millionaire tax flight. @DCFPI’s capital gains tax report summarizes the research well—see page 2. www.dcfpi.org/all/taxing-c...
dcfpi.org
Taxing Capital Gains More Robustly Can Help Reduce DC’s Racial Wealth Gap
DC Should End Special Tax Treatment that Makes the Wealthy Even Wealthier.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Tax rates would have to be A LOT higher to actually motivate masses of rich people to leave home. The magnitude of the effects of taxes on migration would need to be 8 to 15 times higher for it to be a relevant consideration in tax policy decisions, according to Dr Cristobal Young’s research.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
After the increase, TRC found there were *more* high-income taxpayers than before. drive.google.com/file/d/1_R_j...
drive.google.com
DC reidents taxpayers' response to 2022 income tax changes.pdf
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
DC's Tax Revision Commission published a memo confirming that wealthy residents didn’t flee DC after it modestly raised income taxes on individuals with taxable income over $250k a year (or $500k for married couples) in 2021.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Also, state tax levels have little effect on where people choose to live, despite Axios buying into the tax flight myth. Evidence shows that people choose where to plant roots based on job opportunities, family, and the cost of housing—not taxes. www.dcfpi.org/all/state-ta...
dcfpi.org
State Tax Levels Have Little Effect on Where People Choose to Live
New analysis of interstate migration again disproves “tax flight” myth
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Income taxes are just part of the puzzle. ORA’s analysis takes this into account, showing an apples-to-apples comparison of regional differences across taxes. This chart shows DC taxes its residents *lower* vs neighboring jurisdictions across income levels ora-cfo.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Simply comparing top tax rates doesn’t provide an accurate picture of how DC compares to other areas. In fact, it’s misleading given that statutory rates don't reflect all the adjustments & provisions made to the tax base, such as tax deductions, credits, and other preferences.
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tazramitchell.bsky.social @tazramitchell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Today’s @Axios DC newsletter includes some misconceptions about taxes in DC. Looking at top tax rates, rather than effective rates, tells only part of the story. @ORAdcgov’s analysis consistently finds that DC residents’ level of tax responsibility is lower than our neighbors.
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ericawilli.bsky.social @ericawilli.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Mass federal layoffs mean cuts to crucial public services and major strains on our local budget and economy. A new blog from @centeronbudget.bsky.social's @wesleytharpe.bsky.social dives into the harmful effects of these layoffs 🧵 www.cbpp.org/blog/sweepin...
cbpp.org
Sweeping Federal Worker Layoffs Leave States Reeling | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Communities across the country have been reeling in recent weeks as billionaire Elon Musk, the DOGE team he leads, and the Trump Administration broadly continue their campaign of sweeping and...
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ericawilli.bsky.social @ericawilli.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Further confirming what @tazramitchell.bsky.social wrote in her blog addressing the misunderstandings of the Senate fix to the fed CR that will cut $1b from DC's budget-->CBO score shows $0 cost to fed govt b/c Congress is limiting use of local NOT federal tax dollars www.cbo.gov/publication/...
cbo.gov
S. 1077, District of Columbia Local Funds Act, 2025
As passed by the Senate on March 14, 2025
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
Peggy Bailey @peggybaileydc.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Impact explained by Vince Hall @feedingamerica.org With inflation rising & fundraising down - food banks are at a moment of extraordinary demand that is taxing them 2 the breaking point. Any interruption of food sources will mean serious consequences to our neighbors facing hunger. wapo.st/41Xz09A
wapo.st
USDA cancels $500M in food deliveries, leaving food banks scrambling
The Trump administration’s latest move, which follows $1 billion in cuts to food aid programs, puts more pressure on groups trying to feed hungry Americans.
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
DC Fiscal Policy Institute @dcfpi.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
The US Senate has approved a bipartisan bill that would undo the $1 billion cut Congress forced on DC's current budget. The House should act next week to do the same. Our Chief Policy and Strategy Officer, @tazramitchell.bsky.social, debunks 5 myths about the bill: www.dcfpi.org/all/five-mis...
dcfpi.org
Five Misunderstandings About the Congressional Bill to Protect the District’s Budget
Unless the US House takes action, DC will be forced to cut $1 billion from its current budget, in an attack on residents’ fundamental right to self-govern.
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Reposted by @tazramitchell.bsky.social
Brendan Duke @brendanvduke.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
No sign DOGE significantly cut spending or the deficit in February according to CBO. Federal outlays grew 7% compared to last year and the deficit grew 5%.
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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
It would also restrict DC's ability to set its budget. bsky.app/profile/mlea...
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