Obama Budget Plan Pushes D.C. Budget Autonomy

President Barack Obama's budget proposal includes a legislative provision that would give the District of Columbia greater control over its municipal budget.

District leaders have been fighting for years for budget autonomy, saying the city has proven its fiscal responsibility and that they should be allowed to spend local tax dollars without Congressional approval.

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat who represents D.C. in Congress, asked the White House to add the legislative provision in the budget and said Wednesday she was delighted to receive it. Obama has voiced his support for budget autonomy in the past but has not gone so far as to suggest legislation.

To become law, the language would need to remain in appropriations bills passed by both the House and Senate.