District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser has unveiled her priorities for the district’s fiscal 2026 budget, even as its 2025 budget faces cuts for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Bowser outlined the top priorities for her proposal for next year’s budget on Thursday, centering on child care and early learning programs. The proposal calls for $19.5 million for Washington’s Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program, $86 million for the D.C. Child Care Subsidy Program, and $70 million for the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund.
“We know that when we invest in our children and families, there are many benefits — for our children’s learning and development, for our neighborhoods, and for keeping families in DC,” Bowser said in a statement.
“With the fiscal 2026 budget, we’re not standing still. While our economy is shifting, we’re still focused on the people, programs, and economic growth that make Washington, D.C. a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” she added.
The budget proposal will include $23 million to help renovate the former Department of Parks and Recreation headquarters building in Washington into pre-K classrooms, to boost the number of resources for early education.
The mayor said she would offer more details in the coming days on her fiscal 2026 budget proposal, which her office said “is focused on schools, a clean and safe D.C., and a transformational economic growth agenda.”
BOWSER OUTLINES ‘SIGNIFICANT’ SERVICE CUTS COMING TO DC IF CONGRESS DOESN’T RESTORE 2025 BUDGET
Bowser has warned about cuts in the interim if Congress does not pass a resolution restoring Washington’s full funding for the remainder of fiscal 2025. The bill has already passed in the Senate but needs to pass in the House before it can head to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval. Recent reporting shows the House does not plan on taking it up.
District officials have stressed that cutting the district’s funds for the rest of 2025 does not save the federal government any money, as it is local funds rather than federal. If a budget fix is not passed, police, fire, and the district’s 911 call center could face cuts to funding and facilities, officials have warned.