PRESS RELEASE

Council of the District of Columbia

Office of Chairman Vincent C. Gray
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004

For Immediate Release: Contact: Doxie A. McCoy

October 19, 2010 202-724-8032; 202-664-9862-cell
dmccoy@dccouncil.us

Gray Commits to Cutting Transition Costs

Washington, D.C. – In light of the financial challenges facing the District of Columbia, Council Chairman Vincent
C. Gray today won unanimous Council passage of a bill that provides for the orderly transition of a new Mayor and a
new Council Chairman, without tapping into “precious taxpayers’ funds.”

Instead of appropriating transition money, as has been the custom in the past, Gray’s bill authorizes the sitting Mayor
to provide only in-kind services to support the office transitions. These services include providing office space,
furniture, computers, and supplies.

Chairman Gray said, “If I may also speak for Councilmember Kwame Brown, our intent is to refrain from tapping
into government funds because of the District’s budget crisis, and to try to cover whatever limited costs that may be
necessary with private resources.”

Gray said a transition fund will be established to hold these private monies and he will consult with the Office of
Campaign Finance and the General Counsel to comply with all rules. The use of private transition donations is not
unprecedented. President Obama’s transition was partially supported by private donors.

Four years ago the Council appropriated $250,000 for the Mayor’s transition and $150,000 for the Chairman’s. Gray
said his office used less than half of the latter amount for transition from his Ward 7 Council office. “During this
difficult period,” he said, “I am committed to making all efforts to significantly reduce transition costs and to raise
private dollars for this purpose.”

The Council today also passed Gray’s emergency bill to reduce from 114 days to 70 days the waiting period for
holding special elections to fill a vacancy for the offices of the Mayor or any Councilmember. A permanent bill that
the Council passed in 2008 to reduce the waiting period for filling vacant ward seats only is pending in Congress.
However, Gray said today it is more appropriate to be consistent with all special elections and offices. He said this
emergency bill and a permanent measure he introduced on October 5th show the District’s clear support for Congress
to broaden the pending legislation, which requires a change to the District’s charter.

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