Bowser proposes $13 billion budget that includes tax increases

Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed a $13 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including some tax hikes. Bowser stated that her proposition (presented to the D.C. Council on Thursday) solves a $192 million budget gap. The proposed budget includes increases in parking, e-cigarette taxes, and a sale tax increase to 6 percent. The budget proposes to dispense $100 million to create and maintain affordable housing, $40 million for new family shelter alternatives to replace the D.C. General, and $106 million to the construction of the D.C. United stadium project. The proposal would also earmark $335 million to expand and improve the new streetcar line and $5 million to supply police officers with body cameras. The budget proposal is a 2.5 percent increase over the current budget.