The D.C. Council is debating whether people who live outside the District should pay a commuter tax.

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“I do not understand what is going on in this place,” says Kristopher Baumann, president of the police union.

“It’s absurd,” says Geo T. Johnson, president of AFSCME. “We’re prepared to fight this tow whatever level we have to go.”

The council took up several bills on getting more revenue out of city workers since the feds prohibit D.C. from taxing non-resident workers. One bill would require all new hires who don’t live in D.C. to give the city back 4 percent of their salary.

“How we get more people who live in the District employed by District government so we’re circulating those dollars within our city,” says Muriel Bowser, D.C. council member.

Of the city’s 31,000 employees, 42 percent live in the city and 58 percent don’t.

“I love D.C. I was born in D.C. If they want to impose more taxes on me, I’ll pay it,” says Carl Wilson.

Wilson was not at the hearing Wednesday and union officials who were read the Council members the riot to the point Chairman Bowser said the 4 percent bill.

“It’s not likely to move,” says Bowser. “We wanted to hear from the public.”

“Don’t make political statements that impact our ability to recruit people and retain them. That’s irresponsible,” says Baumann.

So no 4 percent, not now.