No taxation without representation...except for DC

[MattUMASSD]

"We condemn the Chinese for yanking democratic rights in Hong Kong. We're spending billions to try to establish democracy in Baghdad. . . . It is crystal clear, to me at least, that the capital of the free world ought to have a vote in Congress," said Davis, a 55-year-old House leader who has oversight of the District and federal government operations and who chaired the GOP majority's 2000 and 2002 election efforts."

This is a qoute from an article in the Washington Post about how there is a bill on the floor that would give DC voting priviliges in Congress. Currently we have a Delegate in the house. She can vote in committee but not on the floor.

In 2002 DC had 571,000 residents which is more than the state of Wyoming, which has a population of 499,000.

Theres talk of having DC residents vote for Senators and Congressman in Maryland, Maryland strongly opposes this.

here is a link to the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Jun22.html

[PhiPsiRuss]

D.C. originally was formed by land from Maryland and Virginia. The Virginia land went back to Virginia. If its that important to give D.C. residents representation, cede the land back to Maryland, and they'll be able to vote in statewide elections, and they'll get 1 representative.

Granting statehood to every 571,000 person entity (less than the size of a congressional district) that wants it is absurd. With that line of reasoning, New York City could become a dozen states.

[MattUMASSD]

I would be happy with our Delegate becoming Congresswoman and being allowed to vote on the floor. Getting 2 senators would be ideal, but would not happen.

D.C. originally was formed by land from Maryland and Virginia. The Virginia land went back to Virginia. If its that important to give D.C. residents representation, cede the land back to Maryland, and they'll be able to vote in statewide elections, and they'll get 1 representative.

That would never happen. But IMO everyone should be represented by voting power in the legislature, and its really unfair that half a million people arent. I know that DC residents could move to a state if they dont like it, but why should you have to? Whats th big deal?

[aephi alum]

DC's license plates say "Taxation Without Representation"

DC should have at least some voting power in the legislature (i.e. more than they have now - a delegate who can't vote on the floor).

[Senusret I]

Thanks for the link, Matt.

Maryland doesn't want us and we don't want Maryland.

We deserve to be a state.

[Senusret I]

http://about.dc.gov/statehood.asp

Just like all Americans, residents of Washington, DC:

# pay federal and local taxes;
# serve in the armed forces and make sacrifices in times of war and conflict;
# serve on juries to uphold federal laws and policies.

Yet, DC residents are denied voting representation in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, and do not have complete autonomy over their own budget and local laws. The Congress - representing everyone except DC residents - has the final say on DC's budget and laws.

DC elects a Delegate to the House of Representatives who can vote in committee and draft legislation, but does not have full voting rights. The current Delegate is Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

http://about.dc.gov/statehood.asp

[alum]

DC high school (public or private) are granted in-state status at ANY public university college in the country. Obviously a major tuition benefit, but also a big asset for the admissions process itself.

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by alum
DC high school (public or private) are granted in-state status at ANY public university college in the country. Obviously a major tuition benefit, but also a big asset for the admissions process itself.

And I would trade that in for Statehood.

[jhujenn]

Originally posted by alum
DC high school (public or private) are granted in-state status at ANY public university college in the country. Obviously a major tuition benefit, but also a big asset for the admissions process itself.

It was my understanding DC high school students are granted in-state status for tuition purposes only and not for the priority ranking in-state students receive. Also DC's only public college still isn't accredited is it. So if DC residents were to stay in town for college they would have to pay private tuition rates.

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by jhujenn
It was my understanding DC high school students are granted in-state status for tuition purposes only and not for the priority ranking in-state students receive. Also DC's only public college still isn't accredited is it. So if DC residents were to stay in town for college they would have to pay private tuition rates.

Tuition purposes only, true.

The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by Middle States. But it's nothing like the SUNY system, University of Maryland, or other public universities. It is relatively new, after the merger of three smaller schools. And it's really just not competitive.

[aabby757]

The Republican party would NEVER in a million years never ever grant them statehood. I realize it's not their decision but the republicans would never let them happen. Because the second they become a state, they would get 2 sentors and however many congressmen and all of them most likely would be democrats. And then democrats would win majority of the house and the senate. And it would probably stay that way for a long long time. I believe something like 97% of all registered DC voters are democrats. The republicans wouldn't stand a chance.

And, I feel, that DC is in such bad shape for many reasons that them not having help from the federal government and them being a state, they would never be able to take care of themselves if they were a state.

[alum]

Originally posted by aabby757
The Republican party would NEVER in a million years never ever grant them statehood. I realize it's not their decision but the republicans would never let them happen. Because the second they become a state, they would get 2 sentors and however many congressmen and all of them most likely would be democrats. And then democrats would win majority of the house and the senate. And it would probably stay that way for a long long time. I believe something like 97% of all registered DC voters are democrats. The republicans wouldn't stand a chance.

And, I feel, that DC is in such bad shape for many reasons that them not having help from the federal government and them being a state, they would never be able to take care of themselves if they were a state.

Don't kid yourselves. Even when the Dems have been the Majority Pary, there has NEVER been serious interest in granting Statehood to the District. Norton is a joke as have been all her predecessors.

[Tippiechick]

Originally posted by alum
Don't kid yourselves. Even when the Dems have been the Majority Pary, there has NEVER been serious interest in granting Statehood to the District. Norton is a joke as have been all her predecessors.

Obviously she's NOT top tier.

[alum]

Originally posted by Tippiechick
Obviously she's NOT top tier.

She's an ineffectual representative for her consitituents.

[PhiRhoSister]

I think this D.C. issue is a lot more complicated than what is in the article, since many of the U.S. territories and commonwealths have a nonvoting delegate in the House.
Puerto Rico
American Samoa
Guam
Virgin Islands

Do people in D.C. pay federal income tax? I know Puerto Rico does not pay federal income tax (which is also why some do not want to be a state). Also, how are indian lands, which have boundaries within a state, treated with regards to federal income tax?

Originally posted by Senusret I
http://about.dc.gov/statehood.asp

Just like all Americans, residents of Washington, DC:

# pay federal and local taxes;
# serve in the armed forces and make sacrifices in times of war and conflict;
# serve on juries to uphold federal laws and policies.

Yet, DC residents are denied voting representation in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, and do not have complete autonomy over their own budget and local laws. The Congress - representing everyone except DC residents - has the final say on DC's budget and laws.

DC elects a Delegate to the House of Representatives who can vote in committee and draft legislation, but does not have full voting rights. The current Delegate is Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

http://about.dc.gov/statehood.asp