JCRC Statement
March 12, 2025
The following is a statement from Ron Halber, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
“The proposed spending bill currently being considered by the U.S. Senate would cut approximately $1.1 billion from the District of Columbia’s budget, which is funded by local taxes. This is completely inappropriate and will be devastating for the District. Money paid by DC taxpayers, who have long advocated for statehood, should be used at their discretion.
“This will have immediate and widespread impacts on the delivery of critical services like transportation, public safety, health care, and education. It would jeopardize the new DC security grants for nonprofits at risk of hate crimes and would decrease the Pay Equity Fund, a program that DC's Jewish preschools rely on for nearly a third of their budgets.
“We are continuing to monitor this situation and are making our voice heard with elected officials about the severe damage this would do.”