By Wasim Ashshowwaf
Not a long time ago, I was observing a homeless guy searching for food in a trashcan close to AU''s shuttle stop in D.C.
When I see things like this but hear about the D.C. $400 million budget surplus which the local government refused to spend, it just doesn't make sense to me.
If the D.C. government thinks that reserving that surplus will maintain its economic strength then it is, with no doubt, wrong.
What would stable the city's economy is when we give those who are in need the opportunity to stand up for themselves, to find jobs and to live a secured life.
I am not saying that we should spend all the budget surplus and leave nothing for rainy days, but I am saying that the D.C. local government should be mindful to consider spending some of its budget surplus to cover its present needs.
It is truly devastating to realize that such decisions, made by the D.C. local government, are implemented on the expense of the city's most vulnerable.
Who said we don't need to touch the $400 million budget surplus because things are going well? According to Thrive DC, "Homelessness in D.C. increased by 6.2 percent from 2011 to 2012 and now stands at 6,954 individuals – a 9.3 percent increase since 2008".
Thrive DC also indicated that 70,000 people and households are pending for subsidized housing. Moreover, D.C. is facing an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent as of March, according to The Washington Post.
Putting all these facts in mind, wouldn't $400 million alleviate these challenges? Not only spending the surplus would do so but it would also prevent these challenges from escalating.
Is it possible for the surplus to be spent? Yes, there is a regulation that permits the usage of $100 million from the budget surplus, as The Washington Post has indicated. According to ABC7, a member of the D.C. Council implied that "...the council has the authority to spend up to $100 million of any surplus without Congressional approval..." That also reflects that spending the surplus is indeed possible.
So why should we wait? Only to make the situation worse.
As to what can be done about the issue, there are a number of things. First, a petition could be signed. One way to do that is through an online petition website titled Change.org. The website already has some petitions that indirectly demands the surplus to be spent on other specific needs.
Second, you could also join organizations that reflect on the D.C. budget surplus issue. Some of those organizations are Thrive D.C., Greater Greater Washington and Think Progress.
Finally, you could also have your voice heard by contacting the D.C. council members, whom can be reached through their website.
Keep in mind that it is our voice that will get us closer to the solution.
When we respond to such policies and demand change, we also contribute to the city's welfare and to our economy as a whole.
Wasim Ashshowwaf is a sophomore in the Kogod School of Business.
edpage@theeagleonline.com
