1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

As one of your constituents I am writing to express my solidarity with the people of the District of Columbia and to tell you to VOTE NO on H.J. Res 142 and S.J. Res 102. In November, DC Council passed temporary legislation—D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025—to unlink the DC tax code from a number of costly federal tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Tax cuts in OBBBA overwhelmingly benefit DC households with incomes over $1.3 million. Those households will still get their federal tax cut. DC chose not to replicate those costly tax cuts at the local level, and avoided losing nearly $700 million in local revenue over the next five years. That made it possible for DC to continue running its balanced budget and also increase local tax credits aimed at reducing poverty for children and families. But now Congress thinks it knows better. Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) have introduced bills in the House and Senate to "disapprove" this local law and block DC from using our own local money to support DC children and families. Congressman Gill and Senator Scott offered no rationale or reason for this interference. This effort is anti-family, it’s destabilizing for DC’s finances, and it’s wrong. I am writing to ask you to VOTE NO on H.J.Res 142 or S.J.Res 102. Here are a few more things to know about why DC's existing law should be respected and not overturned. — DC Councilmembers used a portion of the saved revenue to expand the DC Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and reestablish a DC Child Tax Credit (CTC), which are both proven tools for tackling poverty, reducing racial inequities, and boosting inclusive economic growth. Investment in the two credits is expected to reach 78,000 children and reduce child poverty in DC by 20 percent. — DC delinked from certain federal tax changes in the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025. DC is not an outlier in this, as many other states have done this in some form or fashion, making local decisions about use of local taxpayer dollars. — At least 10 other states have decoupled. It is highly common for states to choose where and where not to link to the federal tax code. — The DC legislation does not interfere with the federal tax cuts going to people and businesses in DC. It only keeps the District from replicating these tax cuts at the local level so that DC can prioritize local tax dollars for other uses. — Unlinking portions of the local tax code from the federal one will prevent the District from losing $658 million over a 5-year period. — Forcing this revenue loss will likely result in cuts to DC schools, first responders, and human services because those areas make up half of the local budget. — Federal layoffs and safety net cuts have already put major downward pressure on our revenues and are making it tougher to maintain our commitments to DC’s 700,000 residents. — DC’s credit ratings are at severe risk of being downgraded again as federal interference in the stability and adequacy of our revenue factors into their confidence in DC’s ability to meet its financial obligations. DC was downgraded just last year by Moody’s when the federal continuing resolution adopted by Congress in March 2025 forced DC to spend $1 billion less in local taxpayer dollars in DC’s FY25 budget. Fitch Ratings also noted that federal decisions resulted in it putting the District on its Rating Watch Negative list. A downgrade means higher borrowing costs for infrastructure projects that will exacerbate already intense budget pressures.This is despite the fact that DC has excellent financial management with 28 consecutive clean audits and balanced budgets. — In addition, a portion of the revenue saved through delinking from federal tax changes was invested in DC’s local Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and a local Child Tax Credit (CTC).