D.C. Coucilmember pushes residency requirement for workers

D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry is introducing a bill that would require newly hired District of Columbia workers to either live in the district or move to the city in 180 days.

Barry says the bill would have a positive effect on the city, as it would collect property, income, and other taxes from government workers. Eight out of 12 other councilmembers have signed on as co-introducers of the bill, which Barry plans to introduce on Wednesday.

Barry notes that only 43 percent of the district’s government workers live in the district. Forty-seven percent live in the Maryland area and nine percent live in Virginia. Both states have lower unemployment rates than the district.

The bill would not affect current government workers or police officers and firefighters.