FINDINGS.

SEC. 11401. FINDINGS. Congress finds as follows: (1) The District of Columbia government sold accumulated deficit financing bonds in 1991. (2) Between 1991 and the end of fiscal year 1997 the District of Columbia government is expected to accumulate an operating deficit in excess of $500,000,000. (3) Requiring the District of Columbia budget for fiscal year 1998 to be balanced will ensure that no further addition is made to the accumulated operating deficit. (4) In every other example of an American city in financial crisis, a vital and necessary component of recovery was to finance the accumulated operating deficit. (5) Carrying forward an accumualted operating deficit of more than $500,000,000 has a significant negative impact on the District of Columbia's cash flow and financial condition and on its ability to improve its credit rating. (6) It is not feasible to carry forward such a debt with an expectation of paying it off gradually from future budget surpluses. (7) Financing the accumulated deficit would improve the District's cash management position and allow more normal cash management techniques.