Attorney General’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Proposal Would Protect District Taxpayers and Build Safer Communities

Proposal Would Also Leverage Portion of Millions OAG Recovers Each Year for District

WASHINGTON, D. C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine released his Fiscal Year 2017 Budget proposal, which focuses on protecting taxpayers, workers and consumers; building safer communities; and equipping the independent Office of the Attorney General (OAG) with the resources and staff to better protect and promote the public interest. After two fiscal years of being funded at essentially the same level as when OAG was a subordinate agency, the office is requesting additional funds to build on initial successes and tackle expanded responsibilities that come with OAG’s recent independence.

“The Office of the Attorney General brought in more than $113 million in revenue for the District last year and saved our taxpayers hundreds of millions more in liability avoided,” said Attorney General Racine. “Leveraging a small portion of the funds we bring in to make strategic investments in OAG’s work can significantly bolster our capacity to help District residents in the future.”

Some highlights of the proposal’s investments include:

  • Protecting Taxpayers and Workers: Additional attorney, paralegal and investigator positions as well as technology and infrastructure upgrades that would enable OAG to better enforce the District’s laws, fight abuses of the public trust, and defend the District against an increased caseload of lawsuits.
  • Building Safer Communities and Protecting Vulnerable Residents: Additional attorneys and staff to protect the District’s most vulnerable and at-risk residents, including seniors, those with mental health issues, and young people at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.
  • Protecting Consumers and Engaging the Community:Additional staff focused on combatting consumer scams through education and outreach as well as increased capacity to bring legal actions on behalf of consumers. The funds would also underwrite additional staff and resources to address other significant community concerns like affordable housing.
  • Bringing Pay Parity to OAG: Funds to restore and sustain pay parity with federal agencies, improving OAG’s ability to recruit, train and retain top lawyers and other talent.

Attorney General Racine outlined many of the budget proposal’s details during recent testimony before the Council’s Committee on the Judiciary. Attorney General Racine’s final testimony as submitted to the committee and an overview of the budget proposal are attached.

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