Norton says referendum passage has led to new talks about budget autonomy bill

WASHINGTON — Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton says the approval of a budget autonomy referendum by District of Columbia voters has led to new talks about a bill that would accomplish the same thing.

If Congress allows it to take effect, the charter amendment approved by voters Tuesday would allow the city government to spend local tax dollars without congressional approval. Proponents say it's a way to free the district's budget from maneuvering on Capitol Hill.

But there are questions about whether the charter amendment is legal because it takes power away from Congress.

Norton, a Democrat who represents the district in Congress, says she's seen no push so far to invalidate the referendum. Instead, she says the measure has led to "more robust discussions about congressional action on budget autonomy."

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