Chairman Vince Gray‘s proposed gap closing budget is out, and a few people can breathe a sigh of relief. Funding for the following programs that had been cut in Mayor Adrian Fenty‘s version has been put back:

  • $300,000 for Healthy Grocery Initiatives
  • $404,000 for Low Income Home Energy Assistance
  • Funding for implementation of the Healthy Schools Act
  • $1,595,000 for Main Streets and Green Teams
  • $6.3 million for adult job training
  • $723,000 for small business tax relief on H Street NE
  • $45,000 for reform of the Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals

A bunch of things, though, didn’t make it. Funding for ABRA’s reimbursable details, pedestrian safety improvements, alley repaving, relief for other businesses hurt by streetscape construction, and the renewable energy incentive program is still gone.

More news as the day unfolds…