Marion Barry Proposes Using Budget Surplus On Disadvantage

D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry says he's going to try to force the city to spend up to $100 million of its $417 million budget surplus on services for disadvantaged residents.

Mayor Vincent Gray said Tuesday that most of the surplus automatically goes into the city's reserve fund. But Barry says the council has the authority to spend up to $100 million of any surplus without congressional approval.

He says the city's finances are in good shape, and some of the surplus should go toward job training, affordable housing, and services for homeless people and needy families.

A majority of the council would have to support Barry's plan. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember Jack Evans, who chairs the Finance and Revenue Committee, have said the money should remain in reserve.