预算缺口逼近 华盛顿特区议会开始讨论增税选项
据《华盛顿太阳报》10月16日报道，面对逼近的预算缺口，华盛顿特区议会已开始讨论增税的可能性。报道指出，议员们普遍不预期今年内会批准任何增税，但相关讨论可能为明年春季的预算编制季预先铺垫方案。
议员弗鲁明表示，他希望谨慎推进，并会顾及该市疲弱的经济状况。他说，必须对不同的提案可能赶走企业或高收入人群保持敏感，「也要小心那些压垮骆驼背的稻草」。
特区财政前景是市议会今秋的核心议题之一。市长穆丽尔·鲍泽此前还致信议会，请求承诺一笔长期支持——每年1000万美元、为期六年、共6000万美元——以扶持位于第八区的雪松山地区医疗中心（Cedar Hill）产科，该院去年亏损860万美元。
With Budget Gap Looming, D.C. Council Starts Talking About Tax Increases
With a budget gap looming, the D.C. Council has started talking about tax increases, the Washington Sun reported on October 16. There's little expectation the council would approve any tax increase this year, but the discussion could tee up options for budget-writing season next spring.
Councilmember Frumin said he wants to proceed carefully given the city's weak economy. 'I will be sensitive to the possibility of different proposals driving away businesses or high-income people,' he said. 'You do have to be careful of straws that break camels' backs.'
Separately, Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked the council to commit $60 million — $10 million a year for six years — to support Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center in Ward 8, whose labor and delivery unit lost $8.6 million last year.
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图片来源：华盛顿特区约翰·A·威尔逊大楼（市政厅） / John A. Wilson Building, Washington, D.C. (Wikimedia Commons)
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