"DC Mayor Bowser's Tough Choices: Cuts, Taxes, and Funding Priorities for 2025 Budget"

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's $21 billion budget plan includes significant program cuts and targeted tax hikes to address a projected $4 billion budget shortfall over the next four years, with about $500 million in cuts proposed for this year. The plan involves eliminating the Circulator bus and the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, while also proposing tax increases on sales and businesses. The budget aims to make strategic investments in public education, public safety, and downtown revitalization, but faces pushback from advocates and city council members.