Va. governor McDonnell endorses D.C budget autonomy

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has plenty on his plate right now down in Richmond. But that apparently hasn’t stopped him from trying to be a good neighbor to the District.

Earlier this month, McDonnell quietly informed key leaders on Capitol Hill that he supports budget autonomy for D.C., a major goal for city officials who want to disentangle the District’s annual budgeting process from that of the federal government.

In a letter sent Feb. 9 to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), McDonnell said he wanted to give the city the budgetary freedom that “the governors of every state enjoy.”

McDonnell did not publicize the letter at the time, but a copy was obtained by The Washington Post.

Issa, whose panel has jurisdiction over District issues, proposed a bill in November that would allow the city to start spending its own money as soon as the D.C. Council and mayor agree on a budget, without waiting for approval from Congress. That would be especially helpful in the event of a federal government shutdown, which under current law would also result in the suspension of some District government services.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-wire/post/va-governor -mcdonnell-endorses-dc-budget-autonomy/2012/02/22/gIQAbFBxTR_blog.html

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