The coming clash over funding the RFK Stadium deal

Driving the news: Lawmakers unexpectedly and unanimously voted Tuesday — the day after the mayor's splashy stadium announcement — to ask for Bowser to submit her budget books by May 15.

Friction point: Bowser wants to spend $1.1 billion to prepare the RFK land for a new football stadium, including parking and a new public recreation center.

• Approve the deal by July 15, the mayor says.

But Council Chair Phil Mendelson tells Axios that the deadline "may be impossible for us to meet."

• "It's virtually impossible to consider the RFK legislation when we're in the middle of the budget," he says.
• The deal with the Commanders would fail, he says, if there were a council vote today.

Mendelson's angry: "The Legislature has been played."

The big picture: The District's economy is slowing because of federal downsizing. At the same time, Congress has required the city to slash $1.1 billion from its current budget, the bulk of which Bowser has been putting off.

• Residents who depend on rent assistance are waiting to hear whether it'll be preserved, for example. The same is true for organizations that rely on arts funding.
• Other cuts could hit homeownership programs that cover down payments for first time buyers. (Education and crime fighting are less likely to be impacted.)

• "Everything is in limbo," said Councilmember Robert White.

Balancing next year's budget is expected to be even more painful — especially with a new stadium in the mix.

What they're saying: Mendelson says he'd consult the council's general counsel about suing the mayor if the May 15 deadline is missed.

• Councilmember Christina Henderson tells Axios she blames Congress for the mess, not the mayor.
• Bowser is considering announcing parts of her budget to the public as early as Thursday, Henderson says the mayor told her.

The bottom line: The mayor needs the council for her legacy-making RFK Stadium project. The budget quagmire is terrible timing.