Norton Introduces District of Columbia Full Self-Government Act
This bill is a welcome step forward as it limits the ability of Congress to meddle in our local affairs and will allow our local government to function more efficiently as the District’s local budget would no longer need approval from Congress. The Full Self-Government Act will make the DC budget planning process much more streamlined and realistic as we’ll have more time to get actual revenue projections before crafting a budget – which isn’t currently the case as the District government has to submit its budget to Congress before it has the latest projections.
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, 2010Ms. 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.
Free and Equal DC Fund Expands Radio Campaign to Mississippi and Montana
While the District of Columbia may have a locally elected mayor and council, our local laws and budgets need to approved – and are completely amendable – by Congress. The Constitution gives Congress authority in “all cases whatsoever” over local matters in the District. Nowhere else in the country do local laws needs Congressional approval.
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
Today’s My Birthday – Can You Help Me?
Today’s my birthday…I’m a Bastille Day baby, so that means I like to storm bastions of power and bring democracy to the masses. I guess that’s why I really enjoy being the “Shadow” U.S. Representative for the District of Columbia as it allows me to fight for statehood and full local autonomy for DC. It’s been a labor of love for me as well as a way to give back to the city that has given me so much.
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!!
Two DC Statehood Events This Week Sponsored by ACLU
The ACLU of the National Capital Area is hosting two statehood-related events this week.
Wednesday, July 14 at Onyx on First, 1100 1st Street SE, for the 2nd Annual “Warriors of Statehood” Celebration from 6:00-8:00 PM. The event honors DC’s military members and dedicated Statehood activists. Limited seating is available, and each attendee will receive a gift. Admission is $51. RSVP required to Beverly@aclu-nca.org. The closest Metro is Navy Yard Station (green line).
On Thursday, July 15 there is “An Evening of Education and Entertainment In Support of DC Statehood”. This event will take place on the West lawn of the US Capitol, East Capitol and 1st Streets NE, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Featured speakers include: Johnny Barnes as Master of Ceremonies, Former Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy, DC Vote Executive Director Ilir Zherka, Shadow Senator Michael Brown, and DC Councilmembers, plus performances by Batala, Backyard Band, Phil Ade, Rasi Caprice and RaTheMc. This event is free to the public. The closest Metro is Union Station (Red Line).
Hope to see you at these events!
Panetta Takes DC for Democracy Endorsement
Last night I was happy to win the endorsement of DC for Democracy for re-election to the Shadow U.S. Representative position. I’ve been a member of this group since 2004 when it was “DC for Dean” and it was the first group ever to endorse me when I first ran for office in 2006. The organization has grown into an effective group and continues to be the voice of the progressive voters here in the District and their endorsement means a great deal to me.
The member of DC for Democracy have always been the most active organization in the city when it comes to lobbying and advocating for our full representation on Capitol Hill. I thank them both for their endorsement and for their leadership and commitment to the people of Washington.
