=-=-=-=-=

TESTIMONY OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PANETTA
RENAMING PORTION OF PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE TO
PROMOTE FULL DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS THROUGH DC STATEHOOD
JANUARY 13, 2011

Thank for the opportunity to testify today on this important issue. I applaud Councilmembers Michael Brown and Harry Thomas, as well as Chairman Kwame Brown for their leadership within the Council on statehood-related issues, and I know I speak for the entire elected Statehood Delegation when I say that we are supportive of any and all attempts to raise volume on the national dialogue regarding the District’s lack of basic democratic representation in Congress and autonomy on local affairs.

Of course, I am supportive of the proposal to re-name a portion of Pennsylvania Avenue and to use the District’s gateway signs to inform and educate visitors about our unique status our beloved republic. It’s a great opportunity to promote our collective goal of statehood to thousands of people every year.

I do have some experience with this type of approach and I have long been a proponent of using the District’s buildings and infrastructure as messaging platforms. As you may recall in 2005, when the Washington Nationals were looking to secure naming rights for the RFK Stadium, I started a campaign to name the venue “Taxation Without Representation Field at RFK”. At the time we called our efforts a “grassroots campaign to name the grass.” Not only did the campaign secure thousands of dollars in pledges – only to be collected if the proposal was adopted – it amplified the message of DC’s lack of voting representation and reached entirely different audience than otherwise would not have been exposed to the issue.

Using a similar approach, in early 2006 I started a tongue-in-cheek “Olympic” committee for the District of Columbia and proceed to organize a curling team as the Winter Olympics were getting underway in Turin, Italy. I figured if other American territories with non-voting delegates in Congress could field Olympic team, then the District of Columbia should certainly have that right as well. This effort resulted in explosive media coverage on television and print publications around the world – it was even covered in TIME magazine. Granted it was seen as a good laugh, however every single story on the “Olympic” team featured the District’s lack of voting representation in Congress.

Additionally, the re-naming of District streets as a form of protest has been used in the past for other issues. For example during the Cold War, the block of 16th Street NW between L and M streets, in front of the then Soviet embassy was renamed “Andrei Sakharov Place” as a form of protest against his 1980 arrest and detention. I’m sure it pained the Kremlin to have to use that address.

The current plan to rename portions of Pennsylvania Avenue follow the same creative path of naming public spaces as a way to reach new audiences. However, given my experience in these matters, I feel a critical piece is missing. What is lacking from this proposal is the “hook” to make this worthy of sustained interest and not just a one-day local story. The question we have ask ourselves is whether or not this will move the needle on the making the District of Columbia the 51st state of the union. I think it will, but only if its done a certain way.

My suggestion is to brand the aforementioned blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue with a purely statehood-based message – perhaps labeling it as the “Avenue of Statehood”, akin to the Avenue of the Americas in New York or “51st State Way” as real-world visualization of our path towards statehood – leading us down the street towards the U.S. Capitol.

I also suggest, as part of this statehood centric plan to commission a plaque that commemorates the dates of admission of the current 50 states to the union – starting with Delaware and ending with Hawaii. The last line listed on this plaque, and one of the hooks, would be “New Columbia” with a date of admission yet to be determined. As an additional hook an American flag with 51 stars could be installed near the plaque along with signs with additional information about the campaign for DC statehood.

I urge the Council to reject any naming that does not promote statehood. Names that feature “voting rights” or “democracy” will not be clear in their intent – nor will they inspire any reaction or movement towards the ultimate goal. This is not the time to be timid, but to clearly articulate what we want.

I’d like to end my time by reminding the Council that while the adoption of this resolution is definitely a worthy cause – and has my support – it’s largely symbolic. If we are serious about achieving our goal of statehood, then we’ll need to be just a serious about finding the resources to get there. I’m well aware of the budget gaps we are facing a government, and the painful cuts to essential social services that are on the table. Yet, we need to find a way to make the necessary investment in the political future of the District. Only with a sustained investment and focused awareness campaign will be achieve our goal. I urge you to increase the funding dedicated to lobbying for statehood in next year’s District budget and to work with your own funding sources to raise additional resources for this fight.

Thank for the opportunity to present my thoughts on this issue.

##

REMARKS OF “SHADOW” U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
MIKE PANETTA
JANUARY 2, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC

Some of you may know this is my 3rd time being sworn-in as the U.S. Representative for the District of Columbia – but it’s the first time I know I’ll be serving the full two years. You see, the first two times I was sworn in, I thought it would be the last time we needed to swear in anyone for this position – as we were on the cusp of a real vote in the House of Representatives.

When I was first sworn in – back in 2007, we had just seen the Democrats take over the House and Senate – and the District of Columbia Voting Rights was poised for swift passage in Congress. It did pass the House that year, but as you may remember, we failed by 3 votes in the Senate.

Fast forward, two years later, in 2009 — not only did we still have Democrats in control of both Houses of Congress – but we were about to inaugurate President Obama. And on top of that, we picked up additional votes in the Senate. The District of Columbia Voting Rights Act seemed like a slam dunk – and indeed it did pass the Senate, but not without a poison pill “gun amendment” that would have eliminated the ability of our local council to pass any laws pertaining to firearms or ammunition as a condition for the vote in the House. That was a deal that we were just not willing to make.

So here we are, 4 years later and things are little different now on Capitol Hill.

We have new leadership in the House that is in all likelihood not going to be very supporting of expanded home-rule for the District.

Thing are somewhat better in the Senate, but we have a smaller number of known supporters and we will likely face attempts to limit our self-determination from Senators in both parties…

And, the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act, the legislation that we spend so much time and energy working to pass over the past 5 years has imploded. That particular bill was founded on a mutually beneficial arrangement with the State of Utah. The state had just missed getting an extra Congressional district in the 2000 Census…and was actively lobbying for additional representation.

It was a partnership that made sense at the time and the legislation was crafted for a very specific Congressional and political environment.

That time has passed. After the 2010 Census, Utah is getting additional representation in Congress– we are still not getting any – but Utah’s population has grown enough to get the seat that was in play during the DCVRA.

We all need to understand that the circumstances that birthed the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act no longer exist.

The stars are not aligned for reviving this legislation in the next Congress. The next state in line to get a seat is North Carolina – which has not of the political properties that Utah did. Key members of the state’s current Congressional district actively opposed passage of the first DC voting rights act. It would be a waste of time and effort to try to craft another piece of legislation along these lines.

I’m not going to sugar coat things, the next few years will not be easy ones on Capitol Hill for the District. We’ll all need to be vigilant and work to protect the gains we’ve made for budgetary and legislative autonomy over the past several years, and in just a few days I’ll be up on the Hill with DC Vote to protect our Delegate’s symbolic vote in the Committee of the Whole.

So yes, we’ll have our short-term battles to keep the progress we’ve made…and I’ll continue to be on the front lines of those struggles.

However, now….now is the time to re-commit ourselves to the only lasting, and permanent solution to our second-class citizen status.

All of us need to focus our passion, energy, and creativity into making the District of Columbia the 51st state.

Now is the time to look at the American flag and ask ourselves, Congress, and President Obama: Where’s My Star?

Only by removing the yoke of Congressional control and becoming the state of New Columbia will we be free and equal partners in the country we call America.

Only through statehood will change shed our colonial status in a way that can not be overturned by change in Congressional leadership or court ruling.

It’s not the easiest way but it’s the best way…in fact I feel it’s the only way to move forward.

If we are going to fight, let’s fight for what we want, for what we deserve: Full Statehood

This is not going to be a quick fix. It’s going to take time. It won’t happen this Congress, but let’s start moving things forward. Let’s introduce legislation, find co-sponsors, rally our supporters. Let’s be active in elections across the country to identify our supporters and do whatever we can to ensure they become members of Congress.

It’s not going to be a free ride. It will take more resources than we’ve ever committed to this issue. The modest sum allocated in the current budget is a start…but it’s going to take much more.

And most importantly it’s not going to just be given to us – we’re going to need to fight for it. We’ll need the kind of leadership at all levels that can and will energize and mobilize a truly national movement – bigger and better than anything that’s been done to date.

This is not the time to “fight the last war” — the strategies and tactics of the past will not achieve victory in the present. We need bold action, creative thinking, and the financial resources to engage at the level needed to get a new star on the American flag.

I’m very excited to have Vincent Gray as our mayor, Kwame Brown as our Council Chair, and the continued service of our Delegate on Capitol Hill…Eleanor Holmes Norton. I know the leadership of the District is 100% committed to this fight, but only with greater community involvement – from all wards in this city – can we can bring about a permanent change to our status.

Delegate Norton, could I ask you to join me at the podium?…it’s after Christmas, but I have a little gift for you.

Ladies and Gentleman, what I have here is an American Flag. However this is no ordinary flag, for this is one of the few American flags that truly represents everyone in this country.

For this flag…has 51 stars.

Let it serve as reminder of what we are fighting for. With your leadership, and with the passion and energy of everyone here today soon ALL American flags will have 51 stars.

Until then, we all need ask a simple question of President Obama and Congress. Three simple words that encapsulate over two hundred years of frustration of District citizens:

WHERE’S… MY…. STAR?

Thank you!

I invite you to join me as I re-affirm my commitment to statehood, full Congressional representation, and self-determination for the people of the District of Columbia.

Following the ceremony, I’ll be hosting a reception in my office in the John A. Wilson building. Details for both events are listed below. I hope to see you at one or both of these events!

Swearing-in of “Shadow” U.S. Representative Mike Panetta

January 2, 2011
1:00 pm (Doors open at noon)
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW

Post-Ceremony Reception:

January 2, 2011
3:30 p.m.
Office of U.S. Representative Mike Panetta
John A. Wilson Building, Suite C-09
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

For more information please give me a call at 202-253-6534 or at mike@mikepanetta.com

First, there was a blog post a few months back by the Washington Post’s Mike DeBonis about the new plates from Maryland commemorating the War of 1812. Those plates are functional, but I don’t find them very inspirational. They don’t do much to emphasize Maryland’s role in that war or how our national anthem was penned at Fort McHenry in Baltimore during that conflict. It’s just very “meh” in my opinion, and a wasted opportunity for the state to educate and inform others about that historic event.

Then, a few weeks ago, I saw a posting on the Washington CityPaper’s blog about someone on Capitol Hill who had a license plate cover that said “DC’s Not A State….Get Over It!“. I was shocked someone who lives and pays taxes in the District had that opinion, and was so vocal about sharing it. Granted it’s everyone’s right to have an opinion and voice it, but I didn’t really care for that particular expression.

Of course, here in the District we have our own “Taxation Without Representation” plates, but they are about 10 years old at at this point, and I think they’ve lost their effectiveness. More importantly, they are out of line with what we really deserve – full statehood.

Then I saw a Delaware plate, with the motto, “The First State“, based on the fact they were the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

That got me thinking….why don’t we have DC Statehood Plates?? So I took sometime to mock one up, what do you think?

How hard would this be to roll out? Let’s make it happen. This is the kind of bold move we need, and it would generate a lot of attention for the cause.

If you want to help me push this forward, or have other ideas, please email me or comment below.

This is the legislation I had written about last week that would give the District some expanded sense of home-rule – which of course I support. I still maintain that these steps forward are always at risk of being overturned by a Congress that isn’t as friendly to DC as the current one. Only statehood solves that problem permanently.

Here’s the full text of the bill and the PDF is here.

HR 5968 IH
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5968

To establish the charter for the government of the District of Columbia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 29, 2010

Ms. NORTON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To establish the charter for the government of the District of Columbia.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may cited as the `District of Columbia Full Self-Government Act’.

TITLE I–STATUS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

SEC. 101. STATUS OF THE DISTRICT.

(a) In General- All of the territory constituting the permanent seat of the Government of the United States shall continue to be designated as the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia shall remain and continue a body corporate, as provided in section 2 of the Revised Statutes relating to the District (sec. 1-102, D.C. Official Code).

(b) No Effect on Existing Laws- No law or regulation which is in force on the effective date of this Act shall be deemed amended or repealed by this Act except to the extent specifically provided herein or to the extent that such law or regulation is inconsistent with this Act, but any such law or regulation may be amended or repealed by act or resolution as authorized in this Act, or by Act of Congress.

(c) No Effect on Boundary Line- Nothing contained in this section shall affect the boundary line between the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia as the same was established or may be subsequently established under the provisions of title I of the Act of October 31, 1945 (59 Stat. 552).

SEC. 102. LEGISLATIVE POWER OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Except as provided in section 202, the legislative power of the District of Columbia shall extend to all rightful subjects of legislation within the District consistent with the Constitution of the United States and the provisions of this Act subject to all the restrictions and limitations imposed upon the States by the tenth section of the first article of the Constitution of the United States.

TITLE II–LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL.

(a) Establishment- There is established a Council of the District of Columbia (hereafter in this Act referred to as the `Council’), and the members of the Council shall be elected by the registered qualified electors of the District.

(b) Powers, Organization, and Procedure- The powers, organization, and procedure of the Council shall be set forth under such laws as may be enacted by the District of Columbia consistent with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 202. LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORITY.

The Council shall have no authority to pass any act contrary to the provisions of this Act except as specifically provided in this Act, or to–

(1) impose any tax on property of the United States or any of the several States;

(2) lend the public credit for support of any private undertaking;

(3) enact any act, or enact any act to amend or repeal any Act of Congress, which concerns the functions or property of the United States or which is not restricted in its application exclusively in or to the District of Columbia;

(4) enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to any provision of title 11 of the District of Columbia Official Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the District of Columbia courts);

(5) impose any tax on the whole or any portion of the personal income, either directly or at the source thereof, of any individual not a resident of the District (the terms `individual’ and `resident’ in this paragraph to have the meaning given such terms in section 47-1801.04, D.C. Official Code);

(6) enact any act, resolution, or rule which permits the building of any structure within the District of Columbia in excess of the height limitations contained in section 5 of the Act of June 1, 1910 (sec. 5-405, D.C. Official Code), and in effect on the effective date of this Act;

(7) enact any act, resolution, or regulation with respect to the Commission of Mental Health;

(8) enact any act or regulation relating to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or any other court of the United States in the District other than the District courts, or relating to the duties or powers of the United States attorney or the United States Marshal for the District of Columbia; or

(9) enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority established under section 101(a) of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995.

TITLE III–EXECUTIVE BRANCH

SEC. 301. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR.

(a) Establishment- There is established the Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and the Mayor shall be elected by the registered qualified electors of the District.

(b) Powers and Duties- The powers and duties of the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and the organization of the Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia, shall be set forth under such laws as may be enacted by the District of Columbia consistent with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 302. TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES FORMERLY COVERED BY FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM.

In the case of persons employed by the District government immediately preceding the effective date of the personnel system established by the District government pursuant to section 422(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, the personnel system of the District government may provide for continued participation in all or part of the Federal Civil Service System and shall provide for benefits, including but not limited to pay, tenure, leave, residence, retirement, health and life insurance, and employee disability and death benefits, all at least equal to those provided by legislation enacted by Congress, or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, and applicable to such officers and employees immediately prior to such date, except that nothing in this Act shall prohibit the District from separating an officer or employee subject to such system in the implementation of a financial plan and budget for the District government approved under subtitle A of title II of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995.

SEC. 303. RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN MUNICIPAL PLANNING ACTIVITIES.

The Mayor’s planning responsibility shall not extend to Federal and international projects and developments in the District, as determined by the National Capital Planning Commission, or to the United States Capitol buildings and grounds as defined in chapter 51 of title 40, United States Code, or to any extension thereof or addition thereto, or to buildings and grounds under the care of the Architect of the Capitol.

SEC. 304. EMERGENCY CONTROL OF METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

(a) Authority of President To Exercise Control in Emergencies-

(1) AUTHORITY- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the President of the United States determines that special conditions of an emergency nature exist which require the use of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes, he may direct the Mayor to provide him, and the Mayor shall provide, such services of the Metropolitan Police force as the President may deem necessary and appropriate.

(2) LIMITATION OF DURATION OF AUTHORITY- In no case shall services made available pursuant to any direction of the President under this subsection extend–

(A) for a period in excess of 48 hours unless the President has, prior to the expiration of such period, notified the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, in writing, as to the reason for such direction and the period of time during which the need for such services is likely to continue; or

(B) for any period in excess of 30 days, unless the Senate and the House of Representatives enact into law a joint resolution authorizing such an extension.

(b) Termination-

(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), the services made available in accordance with subsection (a) shall terminate upon the end of such emergency, the expiration of a period of 30 days following the date on which such services are first made available, or the enactment into law of a joint resolution by the Congress providing for such termination, whichever first occurs.

(2) SPECIAL RULE IN CASE OF ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS SINE DIE- Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in any case in which services are made available in accordance with subsection (a) during any period of an adjournment of the Congress sine die, such services shall terminate upon the end of the emergency, the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which Congress first convenes following such adjournment, or the enactment into law of a joint resolution by the Congress providing for such termination, whichever first occurs.

TITLE IV–JUDICIAL BRANCH

SEC. 401. JUDICIAL BRANCH.

The judicial powers of the District of Columbia, and the provisions of the charter of the District of Columbia government which are applicable to the judges and courts of the District of Columbia, shall be those set forth in part C of title IV of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1-204.31 et seq., D.C. Official Code), as in effect on the effective date of this Act.

TITLE V–BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

SEC. 501. APPLICATION OF LAWS ESTABLISHED BY DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

(a) Budget and Financial Management- Subject to this Act, the process by which the District of Columbia develops and enacts the budget for the District government for a fiscal year, and the activities carried out with respect to the financial management of the District government for a fiscal year, shall be established under such laws as may be enacted by the District.

(b) Borrowing- Subject to this Act, the process and rules by which the District of Columbia issues bonds or otherwise borrows money shall be established under such laws as may be enacted by the District.

SEC. 502. FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF UNITED STATES NOT PLEDGED.

The full faith and credit of the United States is not pledged for the payment of any principal of or interest on any bond, note, or other obligation issued by the District of Columbia, and the United States is not responsible or liable for the payment of any principal of or interest on any bond, note, or other obligation issued by the District.

SEC. 503. FEDERAL TAX EXEMPTION.

Bonds and notes issued by the District of Columbia and the interest thereon shall be exempt from all Federal taxation except estate, inheritance, and gift taxes.

SEC. 504. LEGAL INVESTMENT IN BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED BY DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Notwithstanding any restriction on the investment of funds by fiduciaries contained in any other law, all domestic insurance companies, domestic insurance associations, executors, administrators, guardians, trustees, and other fiduciaries within the District of Columbia may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys, trust funds, or other funds belonging to them or under or within their control in any bonds issued by the District of Columbia. National banking associations are authorized to deal in, underwrite, purchase and sell, for their own accounts or for the accounts of customers, bonds and notes issued by the District to the same extent as national banking associations are authorized by paragraph seven of section 5136 of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 24), to deal in, underwrite, purchase and sell obligations of the United States, States, or political subdivision thereof. All Federal building and loan associations and Federal savings and loan associations, and banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, and savings and loan associations, domiciled in the District may purchase, sell, underwrite, and deal in, for their own account or for the account of others, all bonds or notes issued by the District of Columbia. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as relieving any person, firm, association, or corporation from any duty of exercising due and reasonable care in selecting securities for purchase or investment.

TITLE VI–RETENTION OF FEDERAL AUTHORITIES

SEC. 601. RETENTION OF CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, Congress reserves the right, at any time, to exercise its constitutional authority as legislature for the District of Columbia, by enacting legislation for the District on any subject, whether within or without the scope of legislative power granted to the Council by this Act, including legislation to amend or repeal any law in force in the District prior to or after the effective date of this Act and any act passed by the Council.

SEC. 602. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY OF DISTRICT OVER CERTAIN AGENCIES.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as vesting in the District of Columbia government any greater authority over the National Zoological Park, the National Guard of the District of Columbia, the Washington Aqueduct, the National Capital Planning Commission, or over any Federal agency, than was vested in the Commissioner of the District of Columbia established under Reorganization Plan Numbered 3 of 1967 prior to January 2, 1975.

TITLE VII–TERMINATION OF EXISTING CHARTER; TRANSITION

SEC. 701. TERMINATION OF EXISTING CHARTER.

(a) In General- Except as provided in section 401 and subsection (b), the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1-201.01 et seq., D.C. Official Code) is repealed.

(b) No Effect on Amendatory Provisions- Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to affect any provision of law which is amended or repealed by the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.

SEC. 702. NO EFFECT ON EXISTING OBLIGATIONS.

(a) Budgets- Nothing in this Act or in the amendment made by section 701 may be construed to relieve the District of Columbia of any contractual or other financial obligations incurred by the District under a budget enacted for a fiscal year prior to the effective date of this Act.

(b) Borrowing- Nothing in this Act or in the amendment made by section 701 may be construed–

(1) to relieve the District of Columbia of any obligation incurred with respect to bonds or other forms of borrowing issued prior to the effective date of this Act; or

(2) to waive the application to the District of Columbia of any other Federal law governing the borrowing of funds by States or units of local government, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 703. NO EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS HOLDING POSITIONS WITHIN DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.

Nothing in this Act or in the amendment made by section 701 may be construed to affect the status of any individual who holds elective or appointed office in, or is an officer or employee of, the government of the District of Columbia as of the effective date of this Act.

SEC. 704. NO EFFECT ON PENDING ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS.

No suit, action, or other judicial proceeding lawfully commenced by or against any officer or agency in his or its official capacity or in relation to the exercise of his or its official functions, and no administrative action or proceeding lawfully commenced, shall abate by reason of this Act or the amendment made by section 701.

TITLE VIII–EFFECTIVE DATE

SEC. 801. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the effective date of legislation enacted by the District of Columbia after the date of the enactment of this Act which establishes–

(1) the powers, organization, and procedure of the Council of the District of Columbia; and

(2) the powers and duties of the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and the organization of the Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia.

END

It also allows for the District to make changes to the way its government operates without getting Congressional approval – so we eliminate Congressional holds on changes to the school board structure, for example.

Of course, Congress would still have power to enact laws that affect the District – so guys like Tester and Childers can still go after our local gun laws or attempt to overwrite other laws passed by our own Council. Therefore, we’d still be subject to the whims of meddling Congressmen, but their opportunities would be greatly diminished with this legislation as the appropriation process has usually been the magnet for this type of interference.

I am concerned that even if this passes, it’s not permanent. A new Congress could change the law back to the way it is now – and at the same time strike down same-sex marriage, medical marijuana, and impose new restrictions on how we spend our local tax dollars. I welcome this bill as it’s a big step forward, but until we achieve full statehood, there is always the risk of moving backwards with each new Congress.

I’ve attached Delegate Norton’s remarks below. Please let me know what you think in the comments.

INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FULL SELF-GOVERNMENT ACT — (Extensions of Remarks – July 29, 2010)
[Page: E1477]
—

SPEECH OF HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2010

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the District of Columbia Full Self-Government Act. The bill would grant the District of Columbia almost complete home rule. It would mark the most significant advancement in the District’s local autonomy since Congress first created the District government’s structure and operating rules in the Home Rule Act of 1973. The bill would eliminate almost all of the requirements and limitations imposed on the District by Congress in the Home Rule Act, so that the District could structure its operations and provide services in any manner that it chooses. Aside from a statehood or voting rights bill, no bill would do more to grant the federal taxpaying citizens of the District of Columbia their equal citizenship rights.

Under the bill, the District’s government would be able to operate similarly to how most state and local governments operate. For example, the District, like every state, would be able to set its own fiscal year. Under the Home Rule Act, the District’s general government fiscal year must begin in October, while its fiscal year for schools must begin in July. In contrast, almost every state and local government’s fiscal year for all operations begins in July, enabling these jurisdictions to better plan and coordinate their operations and services.

In addition, the District would no longer have to come to Congress before it could make changes to its operations. For example, the District’s major change in school governance structure that eliminated the school board and placed responsibility for schools in the mayor was held up for weeks because it had to be enacted by Congress, which caused serious problems for the opening of schools. Recently, I had to introduce a bill to reduce the waiting period for holding special elections to fill vacancies on the D.C. City Council from 114 days to 70 days. Previously, Ward 4 and Ward 7 were left without representation because the council could not reduce the period to fill vacancies.

The bill would accomplish what I have been fighting for since I entered Congress: legislative and budget autonomy for the District. The bill, like my stand-alone budget and legislative autonomy bills, would eliminate the requirement that the city’s laws layover in Congress for 30 or 60 days before they take effect, and would eliminate the requirement that the city’s local budget be affirmatively approved by Congress before it takes effect.

The bill would not only remove Congress from the District’s legislative process, it would free the District to operate and provide services as it sees fit. The bill would eliminate all of the budget, financial management, audit and borrowing requirements imposed on the city by the Home Rule Act, and would permit the city to set the powers, organization, and procedures of the Office of the Mayor and the city council. It is important to note that the bill would have no effect on existing contractual or other financial obligations incurred by the District, on any elected or appointed District official or other District employee, or on any pending legal actions or proceedings.

Even with this bill, however, there would be two important limitations on the District’s autonomy. First, Congress would retain its ultimate legislative authority over the District under the U.S. Constitution. The only way to completely eliminate congressional authority would be to amend the Constitution or to make the District a state. Second, like the Home Rule Act, the bill specifically precludes the city council from legislating over certain matters, such as height limitations on buildings.

One would think that with Democrats in charge of both houses of Congress, there would be less meddling in the local affairs of the District, but that’s not the case.

Recently Senator Tester of Montana and Congressman Travis Childers of Montana introduced legislation that would completely eliminate any locally-enacted regulation of firearms or ammunition in Washington. That’s right – anybody would be free to walk around with a semi-automatic rifle in DC. Talk about a threat to national security!

It’s a slap in the face to local governments everywhere, and was only done to gain cheap political points with the National Rifle Association. It’s clear Tester and Childers don’t give a rip about the people of DC, or the countless families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.

We’ve had enough of Congressional meddling with DC, and now we’re fighting back. My PAC, the Free and Equal DC Fund, will be running radio ads in Montana and Mississippi starting this week. We’ll be letting Tester’s and Childers’ constituents know that they don’t have full-time representatives in DC…and that maybe their Senator or Representative should be a DC City Councilmember instead.

You can see a sample of the ad below:

Please make a donation to keep them on the air at:
http://www.actblue.com/page/montanaradio

As you may know, I’m up for re-election this year, and the primary is September 14th. I need to step up my outreach efforts over the next two months, and like any campaign I need to raise a little bit of money to do help do that.

Of course I’d like to have some cash from you (hint, hint) but it would really mean a lot to me if you would take a minute and forward a message to your friends via email, Facebook, or Twitter. I’ve taken the liberty of writing up who awesome I am, but of course feel free to edit.

I’m now able to raise money through the Democratic fundraising site, ActBlue.com, which makes it very easy for people to give a little something to my campaign. The link to my page is here: http://www.actblue.com/page/happybirthdaymike

Everything you need is below. I hope you can take a few minutes and help me out – it would be a super-special birthday present.

THANK YOU!!

- Mike Panetta

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Twitter:

Help me wish my friend “Shadow” U.S. Rep @MikePanetta a happy Bastille Day Birthday with a campaign donation today: http://bit.ly/aJcL2Q

Facebook:

Help me wish my friend, “Shadow” U.S. Mike Panetta a happy birthday today with a campaign donation. He’s been working hard for the people of DC, so please think about helping him out. Thanks! (Add this link:
http://www.actblue.com/page/happybirthdaymike/)

Email You Can Send:

Subject: Help my Friend Mike Panetta

Today is Bastille Day, but it’s also my friend Mike Panetta’s birthday.

If his name sounds familiar it’s because he’s the “Shadow” U.S. Representative for the District of Columbia and a leading voice in the drive for statehood and full local autonomy for DC.

He’s up for re-election this year and the primary is two months away. I hope you can join me consider giving him a campaign contribution today. He’s been working hard for everyone in DC and has a proven
track record in working to end taxation without representation, including:

• Generating over 20,000 constituent grassroots communications to congressional offices in support of the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act
• Starting the Free and Equal DC Fund, a PAC to elect congressional candidates who support statehood and expanded home rule for the District
• Deploying radio campaigns in Montana and Mississippi targeting the Congressmen and Senators attempting to revoke our locally enacted gun laws
• Launching the “Where’s My Star?” campaign to re-brand the DC Statehood movement
• Organizing a District of Columbia “Olympic” curling team to raise awareness

Please help Mike continue to do the good work he’s been doing for everyone in the District by making a contribution to his campaign here: http://www.actblue.com/page/happybirthdaymike

You can find out more about Mike Panetta here: http://www.mikepanetta.com

Thanks!!

Mike Panetta won the “Shadow” U.S. House poll with 41% of the votes in a 6-way race.

“Thanks to all the Democrats who came out on a hot, sweaty Saturday to support my efforts. I truly appreciate the vote of confidence in what I’m doing for congressional representation and statehood,” said Panetta.

You can read more about the results here: http://www.dcdsc.org/events/stawpoll2010.htm