The city's local government, particularly during the mayoralty of
Marion Barry, has been criticized for mismanagement and waste. During Barry's term as mayor,
Washington Monthly magazine labeled the city "the worst city government in America" in 1989. In 1995, at the start of Barry's fourth term, Congress created the
District of Columbia Financial Control Board to oversee all municipal spending. Mayor
Anthony Williams won election in 1998 and oversaw a period of
urban renewal and budget surpluses.
