With all the recent community distress over unethical, questionable, and even criminal behavior by our elected representatives, you would think the BOEE would be delighted to support parties that have not been involved that way. Alas, this is not the case.
Several of our Statehood Green Party political activists asked supporters to write them in for "Shadow" Senator and Representative, and several Ward races. It was our understanding the Statehood Green Party member who received the most votes for each position would then be PRINTED on the November ballot, provided they filed an Affirmation of Write-in Candidacy by Friday after the Primary. Several of us have done so, but have been informed that the a greater number of names of people NOT in our party had been written in. Therefore, we would NOT be PRINTED on the November ballot.
Apparently, the same thing happened in 2010, when more people wrote in the name of Democrat Adrian Fenty for the Republican race than voted for the listed Republican candidate. Thus, the Republican was not listed in November. This was clearly wrong for them, and for us. Any minority party can be deprived of the opportunity to run known candidates if this injustice prevails. Below you will see some of the email struggle we have begun. Please spread this story far and wide.
EMAIL TO: Alysoun McLaughlin, BOEE (amclaughlin@dcboee.org), April 21, 2012
I am deeply disappointed at the anti-democratic spin your legal counsel has put on the current write-in situation involving Mr. Schwartzman, myself and several other DCSGP write-in candidates. DC residents and voters are feeling quite distressed about fully loaded SUVs, funds stolen from youth sport programs, etc., I should think the BOEE would want to make all legal efforts to enable as many qualified candidates as possible to compete. For the moment our Party is not big enough to expect victory at the polls. However, knowing we will be printed on the ballot makes it that much easier for us to participate in events where residents can hear some of the new and creative ideas our activists have and will be presenting for their consideration.
If BOEE has a goal of stifling creativity and dissent, then your legal counsel's ruling is certainly a good way to achieve that. Please be assured that our distress at this ruling is not going to go away. Today I was talking with someone connected with the ACLU, tomorrow...??
Sincerely, G. Lee Aikin, affirmed candidate for "Shadow" Representative
EMAIL TO: Alysoun McLaughlin, April 21, 2012
Subject: Question for Alysoun McLaughlin regarding our conversation yesterday
Dear Alysoun McLaughlin,
Based on what the rule says below I conclude that all persons who received write-in votes for an office in our Party's Primary who were not registered members of the DC Statehood Green Party on the day of the Primary election should be declared ineligible and therefore 605.6 says "all votes cast for that individual shall be counted as invalid ballots" and "605.7 If a write-in winner is declared ineligible, the Board shall, in accordance with applicable statutes and rules, determine and declare a winner from among the eligible candidates." Therefore, I conclude, based on the information you shared with me yesterday on the write-in candidates and count that Lee Aikin and I should be declared a winner and be placed on the November ballot for the Shadow Representative and Senator respectively, similarly whoever won the write-in among our verified candidates, if any, for other offices in the April Primary election.
Unless this regulation has been repealed I fail to see any legal justification for the precedent you cited to me in our phone conversation yesterday made by the DC BOEE General Counsel Kenneth J. McGhie that since a Democrat received the highest write-in vote for Shadow Senator and Representative on the DCSGP Primary ballot our votes would not be counted.
Please provide for me a link to the ruling by Mr. McGhie that you cited in our conversation yesterday. Has the Adopted Rule listed below been repealed? Again please provide a link to an new regulations pertaining to this issue.
Best wishes,
David Schwartzman
Source: http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/RuleHome.aspx?RuleID=34452
34452 Adopted Rule DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF WRITE-IN CANDIDATES :
605 DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF WRITE-IN CANDIDATES
605.1 Within three (3) days of the date on which an Affirmation of Write-in Candidacy is filed, the Executive Director or his or her designee shall issue a preliminary determination as to the eligibility of the affirmant to be a candidate for the particular office sought.
605.2 Notice of the determination shall be served immediately by mail upon any affirmant found to be ineligible.
605.3 The determination shall be based solely upon information contained in the Affirmation of Write-in Candidacy and upon information contained in other public records and documents as may be maintained by the Board.
605.4 The determination shall in no way be deemed to preclude further inquiry into or challenge to such individual’s eligibility for candidacy or office made prior to the certification of election results by the Board and based upon information which is not known to the Board at the time of the preliminary determination, or upon evidence of changed circumstances.
605.5 The criteria used for determining eligibility to be a write-in candidate shall be limited to the appropriate statutory requirements for the particular office sought.
605.6 If it is determined that a write-in nominee is not eligible to be a candidate all votes cast for that individual shall be counted as invalid ballots.
605.7 If a write-in winner is declared ineligible, the Board shall, in accordance with applicable statutes and rules, determine and declare a winner from among the eligible candidates.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 27 D.C. Reg. 3805 (August 29, 1980), incorporating the text of Proposed Rulemaking published at 27 D.C. Reg. 2768, 2773 (June 27, 1980); and further amended by Final Rulemaking published at 30 D.C. Reg. 5289, 5296-97 (October 14, 1983).
Sunday, April 22, 2012
McMillan Park Reservoir development planning
What does the community want for this wide open expanse of grass and historic public structures? What should the DC Statehood Green Party want to do with regard to supporting the community and
proposing ideas for best use?
This Saturday [April 21, 2012], a tour of the facility was made available to see the late 1800s sand filtration system which which was used to save our residents from typhoid and other water borne ills. In 1986, when a more modern filtration system was installed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offered the site to the DC government. Our city paid $9.3 million and in 1991 the DC Historic Preservation Review Board awarded the site historic status. This provided permanent recognition of the combined park and water filtration facilities historic value.
Then politics reared its frequently ugly head. In 1990 the Ward 5 Council member urged rather dense development of the site to gain a return on the city's $9.3 million investment. It was wrongfully presented that the community backed the idea, resulting in spirited protests by the community. [I wonder what campaign money or construction deals were proposed behind the scenes on that one? Anyone know anything about that? Please comment or leave contact information.] Recently a no-bid contract consultancy deal was given to McMillan Vision Partners and EYA for site development proposals. No-bid??
At least 60 people have already registered to testify at the Nov. 12, 2014 hearing at the Wilson Building starting at 10 am. Future Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Ward Councilmember Kenyon McDuffie Chair the two Committees sponsoring this hearing. An excellent first opportunity to see our new Mayor in action and judge our future. Tell your friends and other activists to come, or tune in on cable TV or web TV. [Ultimately 90 people registered to testify. I am told that the 15 copies each of testimony we submitted for distribution to the Council members were thrown out and never given to them.]
Community volunteers at yesterday's event expressed deep concern that things were being done without holding hearings or notifying the community. "Transparency" was the watchword for the day. We were invited to view a map showing "no development", "all development", and various percentages of each. A questionnaire was being filled out by visitors. Questions were asked about residency in Ward 5 and best means to notify interested individuals--email, website, community list serve, leaflets at door, community bulletin board, phone, other. People were asked if they knew that "a NEW plan has been proposed in 2011/2012 to develop...", and whether they cared about what kind of development happens.
Twenty-six acres of open space offers many, and many kinds of, development opportunities. Visitors were asked to rate the following as 1, 2, or 3, from most to least important (desirable): cafes/restaurants, community/recreation center, grocery store, housing (senior or varied income), offices, preservation of underground caverns, public park space with playing fields, retail. Finally they were asked what they DO and DO NOT want there, and how knowledgeable they were about the history of the site, and the new 2011/2012 development plan for McMillan.
I want to go back again and take a good look at the site and surrounding area before stating my own ideas. However, it was pointed out that from 1910, until the fence was built in 1941 when WWII raised the fear of sabotage, it had been a popular public park. It was apparently the only racially integrated park area in DC then. Unfortunately, we still have to think about sabotage. However, a quick glance suggests that the fence could be relocated immediately closer to the reservoir itself, leaving an open grassy area for public use THIS summer. Picnics on the grass overlooking the lake, a lovely thought.
Other guiding principles should include: Preserving at least part of the filtration stack and underground chamber complex for use as a historical museum celebrating the conquest of disease through applied science and engineering. Requiring that any housing built on this city land have a strong component of low and moderate income residences. There also is extensive underground space for urban agriculture, education and training for our underserved young people. Since this area already has very heavy traffic, especially at rush hour, any additional housing or buildings should be carefully evaluated for negative traffic impact.
This large "green" and/or "development" site demands close attention by all our politically active citizens and groups.
proposing ideas for best use?
This Saturday [April 21, 2012], a tour of the facility was made available to see the late 1800s sand filtration system which which was used to save our residents from typhoid and other water borne ills. In 1986, when a more modern filtration system was installed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offered the site to the DC government. Our city paid $9.3 million and in 1991 the DC Historic Preservation Review Board awarded the site historic status. This provided permanent recognition of the combined park and water filtration facilities historic value.
Then politics reared its frequently ugly head. In 1990 the Ward 5 Council member urged rather dense development of the site to gain a return on the city's $9.3 million investment. It was wrongfully presented that the community backed the idea, resulting in spirited protests by the community. [I wonder what campaign money or construction deals were proposed behind the scenes on that one? Anyone know anything about that? Please comment or leave contact information.] Recently a no-bid contract consultancy deal was given to McMillan Vision Partners and EYA for site development proposals. No-bid??
At least 60 people have already registered to testify at the Nov. 12, 2014 hearing at the Wilson Building starting at 10 am. Future Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Ward Councilmember Kenyon McDuffie Chair the two Committees sponsoring this hearing. An excellent first opportunity to see our new Mayor in action and judge our future. Tell your friends and other activists to come, or tune in on cable TV or web TV. [Ultimately 90 people registered to testify. I am told that the 15 copies each of testimony we submitted for distribution to the Council members were thrown out and never given to them.]
Community volunteers at yesterday's event expressed deep concern that things were being done without holding hearings or notifying the community. "Transparency" was the watchword for the day. We were invited to view a map showing "no development", "all development", and various percentages of each. A questionnaire was being filled out by visitors. Questions were asked about residency in Ward 5 and best means to notify interested individuals--email, website, community list serve, leaflets at door, community bulletin board, phone, other. People were asked if they knew that "a NEW plan has been proposed in 2011/2012 to develop...", and whether they cared about what kind of development happens.
Twenty-six acres of open space offers many, and many kinds of, development opportunities. Visitors were asked to rate the following as 1, 2, or 3, from most to least important (desirable): cafes/restaurants, community/recreation center, grocery store, housing (senior or varied income), offices, preservation of underground caverns, public park space with playing fields, retail. Finally they were asked what they DO and DO NOT want there, and how knowledgeable they were about the history of the site, and the new 2011/2012 development plan for McMillan.
I want to go back again and take a good look at the site and surrounding area before stating my own ideas. However, it was pointed out that from 1910, until the fence was built in 1941 when WWII raised the fear of sabotage, it had been a popular public park. It was apparently the only racially integrated park area in DC then. Unfortunately, we still have to think about sabotage. However, a quick glance suggests that the fence could be relocated immediately closer to the reservoir itself, leaving an open grassy area for public use THIS summer. Picnics on the grass overlooking the lake, a lovely thought.
Other guiding principles should include: Preserving at least part of the filtration stack and underground chamber complex for use as a historical museum celebrating the conquest of disease through applied science and engineering. Requiring that any housing built on this city land have a strong component of low and moderate income residences. There also is extensive underground space for urban agriculture, education and training for our underserved young people. Since this area already has very heavy traffic, especially at rush hour, any additional housing or buildings should be carefully evaluated for negative traffic impact.
This large "green" and/or "development" site demands close attention by all our politically active citizens and groups.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Let's Promote STATEHOOD and a GREEN City
While traveling around the City during the recent primary election campaign, I have thought of a number of ideas for promoting Statehood and Greener living. Here are a few of them, but I have others as well. [Unfortunately for me, my worthy opponent won the primary vote for DCSGP At Large for City Council. However, I had enough write-in votes to run for DCSGP "Shadow" Representative to Congress on the November ballot.]
Now I would like your help in moving a statehood/green agenda for our city. If you would like to help with any of the projects below, either Comment with your contact information, or email me. Just list the number and what you might like to contribute to the effort.
-- 1) Promote solar and wind energy production on the many flat office building roofs downtown. This could reduce our dependency on the grid in major heat waves, which are likely with global warming.
-- 2) Pressure Walmart to place low and moderate income units above any stores built (they currently plan “market rate” housing on at least one store), and put solar panels on the roof.
-- 3) Pass a “good Samaritan” law that would protect anyone who volunteers their land, building, or time for a sanctioned activity from unfair legal problems. This would make it much easier to get vacant land for community gardening, or houses needing fixing for youth training programs.
-- 4) To promote Statehood, have an escrow account in which DC taxpayers could put 3/5ths of Federal taxes owed until we get the Representative and Two Senators all other US populations our size elect. Actually returning this money to DC would increase our tax revenue to between 1/2 and 1 billion dollars. Enough to restore many worthwhile programs cut in recent years.
-- 5) Puerto Rico has a separate entry in the Olympics. Until we have Statehood, maybe we should have one too. Let the whole world see how unfairly we are treated as the USA boasts our Democratic ideals.
-- 6) On Memorial Day weekend demonstrate in front of the World War II column that says Washington, DC. Display a large sign listing: Number Died, Number Wounded, Number who Served. [We need to move on this one quickly to make it happen this year.]
-- 7) Consider persuading Congress to allow much taller buildings away from our Monumental core and existing neighborhoods. Tall buildings would provide more tax income to permit restoring the lower tax rates we enjoyed when we first got Home Rule, which our leaders have failed to preserve for us.
-- 8) In addition to “coupling” our D-40 Deductions and Exemptions to the more favorable Federal rates, allow a Deduction for anyone who is seriously disabled and dependent, not just for blindness. Let us lead the nation in promoting this critical change that will be so important to our aging population.
-- 9) Promote better nutrition and health by using high school greenhouses, land around public housing and parks to grow seedlings for distribution, and edible plantings both seasonal and permanent food. Also restore allowing trucks to circulate in neighborhoods selling fresh fruits and vegetables.
-- 10) Large amounts of perfectly good paint are being thrown away. Let's provide a central repository where people can pick up free paint for worthy projects like painting schools, and elderly housing.
-- 11) Develop a fall carnival similar to the spring ones in Brazil. There, each neighborhood has a “Samba School” where everyone works all year to create costumes, dance routines, and floats for the big parade. This would be a great opportunity for young and old to spend summers being creatively involved together to prepare everything for the big event in the fall. It could be a big money maker and jobs opportunity for the city's hotel and restaurant industry. See Brazil Carnival or Brazil Samba Schools at Google.
These are just some of the ideas I have had. I would love to see any ideas that you think would help too. Please email to gleeaikin@yahoo.com. You can also add them as a comment as I check them periodically.
G. Lee Aikin, April, 2012
Now I would like your help in moving a statehood/green agenda for our city. If you would like to help with any of the projects below, either Comment with your contact information, or email me. Just list the number and what you might like to contribute to the effort.
-- 1) Promote solar and wind energy production on the many flat office building roofs downtown. This could reduce our dependency on the grid in major heat waves, which are likely with global warming.
-- 2) Pressure Walmart to place low and moderate income units above any stores built (they currently plan “market rate” housing on at least one store), and put solar panels on the roof.
-- 3) Pass a “good Samaritan” law that would protect anyone who volunteers their land, building, or time for a sanctioned activity from unfair legal problems. This would make it much easier to get vacant land for community gardening, or houses needing fixing for youth training programs.
-- 4) To promote Statehood, have an escrow account in which DC taxpayers could put 3/5ths of Federal taxes owed until we get the Representative and Two Senators all other US populations our size elect. Actually returning this money to DC would increase our tax revenue to between 1/2 and 1 billion dollars. Enough to restore many worthwhile programs cut in recent years.
-- 5) Puerto Rico has a separate entry in the Olympics. Until we have Statehood, maybe we should have one too. Let the whole world see how unfairly we are treated as the USA boasts our Democratic ideals.
-- 6) On Memorial Day weekend demonstrate in front of the World War II column that says Washington, DC. Display a large sign listing: Number Died, Number Wounded, Number who Served. [We need to move on this one quickly to make it happen this year.]
-- 7) Consider persuading Congress to allow much taller buildings away from our Monumental core and existing neighborhoods. Tall buildings would provide more tax income to permit restoring the lower tax rates we enjoyed when we first got Home Rule, which our leaders have failed to preserve for us.
-- 8) In addition to “coupling” our D-40 Deductions and Exemptions to the more favorable Federal rates, allow a Deduction for anyone who is seriously disabled and dependent, not just for blindness. Let us lead the nation in promoting this critical change that will be so important to our aging population.
-- 9) Promote better nutrition and health by using high school greenhouses, land around public housing and parks to grow seedlings for distribution, and edible plantings both seasonal and permanent food. Also restore allowing trucks to circulate in neighborhoods selling fresh fruits and vegetables.
-- 10) Large amounts of perfectly good paint are being thrown away. Let's provide a central repository where people can pick up free paint for worthy projects like painting schools, and elderly housing.
-- 11) Develop a fall carnival similar to the spring ones in Brazil. There, each neighborhood has a “Samba School” where everyone works all year to create costumes, dance routines, and floats for the big parade. This would be a great opportunity for young and old to spend summers being creatively involved together to prepare everything for the big event in the fall. It could be a big money maker and jobs opportunity for the city's hotel and restaurant industry. See Brazil Carnival or Brazil Samba Schools at Google.
These are just some of the ideas I have had. I would love to see any ideas that you think would help too. Please email to gleeaikin@yahoo.com. You can also add them as a comment as I check them periodically.
G. Lee Aikin, April, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
ARE YOU A FROG? Jump out (of the tax pot), call DC Council!
In the previous blog I point out how much money we have lost personally since we gained Home Rule. This was simply because our elected leaders were not paying attention. Yesterday, after reading his bi-weekly Newsletter, I sent a long email to Councilmember Jack Evans. Here is a portion .
"I am glad to see that some increase in Deductions and Exemptions, as well as the Homestead Exemption has been proposed [by the Mayor]. However, until the D&E is coupled with the Federal rates as I proposed to Mr. Catania in 2004, and he submitted as a bill [actually in Committee where it failed] in 2005, we will remain far behind where we were in 1974 when these figures were comparable. I realize we did some kind of deal [with the Federal government] back in 1996, but did it work out to our advantage? Somehow, it does not appear that it has. More information needed here. Our Class 2 business tax, which is much higher than the surrounding jurisdictions, despite the fact it was the intent of Congress that our tax rates should be comparable [DC Code, Paragraph 47-817], really needs a major fix. Please check out my new blog for more details on these issues. "
We have been like the frog who was put in a pot of water which was then slowly brought to a boil. Because the process was so slow, the frog did not notice and was cooked. We have been like that frog as our tax rates gradually became so high. Now, it's time to jump out and demand that our leaders turn off the heat. Here are the email addresses for the City Council: Chairman pmendelson@dccouncil.us; At Large dcatania@dccouncil.us, dgrosso@dccouncil.us, abonds@dccouncil.us, vorange@dccouncil.us; Ward 1 jgraham@dccouncil.us, Ward 2 jevans@dccouncil.us, Ward 3 mcheh@dccouncil.us, Ward 4 mbowser@dccouncil.us, Ward 5 kmcduffie@dccouncil.us, Ward 6 twells@dccouncil.us, Ward 7 yalexander@dccouncil.us, Ward 8 mbarry@dccouncil.us. For other information, like your member's phone number, contact the main Council office: phone, 202-724-8000 or contact www.dccouncil.us.
Let them know we're mad as hxxx and are not going to boil any more!!
"I am glad to see that some increase in Deductions and Exemptions, as well as the Homestead Exemption has been proposed [by the Mayor]. However, until the D&E is coupled with the Federal rates as I proposed to Mr. Catania in 2004, and he submitted as a bill [actually in Committee where it failed] in 2005, we will remain far behind where we were in 1974 when these figures were comparable. I realize we did some kind of deal [with the Federal government] back in 1996, but did it work out to our advantage? Somehow, it does not appear that it has. More information needed here. Our Class 2 business tax, which is much higher than the surrounding jurisdictions, despite the fact it was the intent of Congress that our tax rates should be comparable [DC Code, Paragraph 47-817], really needs a major fix. Please check out my new blog for more details on these issues. "
We have been like the frog who was put in a pot of water which was then slowly brought to a boil. Because the process was so slow, the frog did not notice and was cooked. We have been like that frog as our tax rates gradually became so high. Now, it's time to jump out and demand that our leaders turn off the heat. Here are the email addresses for the City Council: Chairman pmendelson@dccouncil.us; At Large dcatania@dccouncil.us, dgrosso@dccouncil.us, abonds@dccouncil.us, vorange@dccouncil.us; Ward 1 jgraham@dccouncil.us, Ward 2 jevans@dccouncil.us, Ward 3 mcheh@dccouncil.us, Ward 4 mbowser@dccouncil.us, Ward 5 kmcduffie@dccouncil.us, Ward 6 twells@dccouncil.us, Ward 7 yalexander@dccouncil.us, Ward 8 mbarry@dccouncil.us. For other information, like your member's phone number, contact the main Council office: phone, 202-724-8000 or contact www.dccouncil.us.
Let them know we're mad as hxxx and are not going to boil any more!!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
SAVE LOWER INCOME DC TAXPAYERS & BUSINESS
In the process of running for office, the most disturbing issue I have discovered is that our elected officials failed to keep track of and maintain the benefits we received along with our Home Rule Charter. Because of this failure we have one of the highest state tax rates in the nation. What is the point of getting home rule, or even more important becoming a State if we can't even maintain the benefits we started with? Obviously we need to elect smarter, more honest leaders. Hopefully, the Statehood Green Party will be up to the challenge.
Little by little our benefits have been whittled away or sold to the highest bidder with very little effective protest by us, the voters. For example, we used to receive a Federal payment for all the untaxed land in the District. This included Federal government land, churches, non-profit associations, and so forth. "Unlike residents of US territories such as Puerto Rico or Guam, who also have non-voting delegates, D.C. residents are subject to all U.S. federal taxes. In the financial year 2007, D.C. residents and businesses paid $20.4 billion in federal taxes; more than the taxes collected from 19 states and the highest Federal taxes per capita. A 2005 poll found that 78% of Americans did not know that residents of the District of Columbia have less representation in Congress than residents of the 50 states." [Source: Wikipedia]
Just imagine how much extra tax money DC government could collect from us if we only paid 2/5ths Federal taxes (for the President & Vice President we can actually vote for). With an additional $12 billion in our pockets, the DC government would gain the needed revenue to correct the tax unfairness that has slowly accumulated over the years. Given that this figure was from 2007, and that our population has grown both in numbers and wealth, this would probably result in close to a $1 billion in extra revenue.
Frankly, I am amazed that no lawyer/aspiring politician has ever had the chutzpah (Yiddish for audacity) to file a lawsuit claiming refund of the unrepresented portion of taxes paid to the Federal government. What a class action suit that would be!! Of course, if the Feds wanted to save 1/3rd of a $billion, they could see to it that our non-voting elected Representative actually be allowed to vote.
In 2004, while doing my DC taxes I wondered why they were higher than my Federal taxes. Years earlier they were only one half. Checking 1974 tax records I found that DC's Exemptions and Deductions were about the same as the Federal rates. However, while the Federal rates increased to reflect inflation, DC rates were only changed when someone remembered to do it. After 1991, NOBODY remembered!! By 2004 we were only allowed 1/3rd the Federal rate.
I called Mr. Catania and explained the situation. In 2005 he introduced a bill in Committee to “couple” our rates of Deductions and Exemptions with the Federal figures. Unfortunately, this effort failed. However, slight increases were made in 2006 saving perhaps $28, and in 2008, saving about $90 each year since. The 2011 DC rates for D&Es are $4,000 per couple and $1,650 each. The Federal figures are $5,800 single, $11,600 couple for Deductions; and $3,700 Exemption each person. With “coupling” Taxable Income for a family of four would be $15,800 lower, for a couple $11,700 less and for a single person $3,850 lower. [On the campaign trail when I asked Mr. Orange, who served from 1998 to 2006 how he had voted, he did not remember. 11/13 In fairness I should add that the proposed "coupling" did not make it out of committee.] There seems to be a lot of amnesia among politicians where protecting our benefits and rights is concerned.
Actual tax savings for a family of four with Adjusted Gross Income of $40,000 using “coupling” would be $948. A similar family with $60,000 AGI saves $1,183. A family with $26,400 AGI currently pays $750, with “coupling” $ZERO. Has this tax unfairness helped drive families out of the city? Council member Jack Evans proposes cutting taxes about 1/2% from the top down. Let's cut taxes from the bottom up, restore the 1974 parity, and keep our families. Using Mr. Evans formulations would result in much smaller savings at the bottom, and much larger ones at the top. The hypothetical family of 4 with $26,400 AGI would still pay around $600 under Mr. Evans proposal. Fifty dollars a month may not seem like much, but to a low income family of 4 it is quite a lot.
Worse yet was done to business property taxes. Upon granting Home Rule, Congress said “...it is the intent of Congress, that the tax burdens in the District be reasonably comparable to those in the surrounding jurisdictions...” [DC Code, Paragraph 47-817] They are not! DC Class 2 Business Tax is $1.85 per $100 assessed value. Arlington and Alexandria charge 85 cents, PG Co. around $1. [There have been some increases in regional tax rates since 2009, but they are still much lower than DC's.] Why would businesses in blighted areas want to have higher taxes assessed on their buildings by fixing up marginal property? No wonder we have so many liquor stores, bars, clubs, and run down store buildings. Why one rate citywide?? Montgomery Co. has various rates for different areas, although none are as high as in DC.*
Why can't we vary the business rates in DC? Is it fair that Georgetown businesses pay $1.85 while across the river in Rosslyn they are paying around a dollar? Perhaps upper Wisconsin Ave. can compete with Bethesda, but how can Georgia Ave compete with Silver Spring? No wonder Anacostia is so run down when businesses can pay close to one half the business tax by moving crossing the line. There is absolutely no incentive to fix business buildings until the surrounding neighborhoods can support our high Class 2 rates.
Finding the money to restore tax equity will require some creative thinking. I hope the above information about our "taxation without representation" will encourage more ideas. [In 2012, I was informed that a new business property rate of $1.65 for business property under $3 million was instituted. How about an even lower rate for business property under $500,000. And let's not forget to INDEX these figures.] When I ran for office in 2014 I suggested a $1.45 rate for business property assessed under a $million, and $125 for property under $500,000.
* Tax rate source: DC Government report. Part II: A comparison of Tax Rates in the Washington Metropolitan Area as of Jan. 2009, page 35. I don't know if there is anything more recent.
Little by little our benefits have been whittled away or sold to the highest bidder with very little effective protest by us, the voters. For example, we used to receive a Federal payment for all the untaxed land in the District. This included Federal government land, churches, non-profit associations, and so forth. "Unlike residents of US territories such as Puerto Rico or Guam, who also have non-voting delegates, D.C. residents are subject to all U.S. federal taxes. In the financial year 2007, D.C. residents and businesses paid $20.4 billion in federal taxes; more than the taxes collected from 19 states and the highest Federal taxes per capita. A 2005 poll found that 78% of Americans did not know that residents of the District of Columbia have less representation in Congress than residents of the 50 states." [Source: Wikipedia]
Just imagine how much extra tax money DC government could collect from us if we only paid 2/5ths Federal taxes (for the President & Vice President we can actually vote for). With an additional $12 billion in our pockets, the DC government would gain the needed revenue to correct the tax unfairness that has slowly accumulated over the years. Given that this figure was from 2007, and that our population has grown both in numbers and wealth, this would probably result in close to a $1 billion in extra revenue.
Frankly, I am amazed that no lawyer/aspiring politician has ever had the chutzpah (Yiddish for audacity) to file a lawsuit claiming refund of the unrepresented portion of taxes paid to the Federal government. What a class action suit that would be!! Of course, if the Feds wanted to save 1/3rd of a $billion, they could see to it that our non-voting elected Representative actually be allowed to vote.
In 2004, while doing my DC taxes I wondered why they were higher than my Federal taxes. Years earlier they were only one half. Checking 1974 tax records I found that DC's Exemptions and Deductions were about the same as the Federal rates. However, while the Federal rates increased to reflect inflation, DC rates were only changed when someone remembered to do it. After 1991, NOBODY remembered!! By 2004 we were only allowed 1/3rd the Federal rate.
I called Mr. Catania and explained the situation. In 2005 he introduced a bill in Committee to “couple” our rates of Deductions and Exemptions with the Federal figures. Unfortunately, this effort failed. However, slight increases were made in 2006 saving perhaps $28, and in 2008, saving about $90 each year since. The 2011 DC rates for D&Es are $4,000 per couple and $1,650 each. The Federal figures are $5,800 single, $11,600 couple for Deductions; and $3,700 Exemption each person. With “coupling” Taxable Income for a family of four would be $15,800 lower, for a couple $11,700 less and for a single person $3,850 lower. [On the campaign trail when I asked Mr. Orange, who served from 1998 to 2006 how he had voted, he did not remember. 11/13 In fairness I should add that the proposed "coupling" did not make it out of committee.] There seems to be a lot of amnesia among politicians where protecting our benefits and rights is concerned.
Actual tax savings for a family of four with Adjusted Gross Income of $40,000 using “coupling” would be $948. A similar family with $60,000 AGI saves $1,183. A family with $26,400 AGI currently pays $750, with “coupling” $ZERO. Has this tax unfairness helped drive families out of the city? Council member Jack Evans proposes cutting taxes about 1/2% from the top down. Let's cut taxes from the bottom up, restore the 1974 parity, and keep our families. Using Mr. Evans formulations would result in much smaller savings at the bottom, and much larger ones at the top. The hypothetical family of 4 with $26,400 AGI would still pay around $600 under Mr. Evans proposal. Fifty dollars a month may not seem like much, but to a low income family of 4 it is quite a lot.
Worse yet was done to business property taxes. Upon granting Home Rule, Congress said “...it is the intent of Congress, that the tax burdens in the District be reasonably comparable to those in the surrounding jurisdictions...” [DC Code, Paragraph 47-817] They are not! DC Class 2 Business Tax is $1.85 per $100 assessed value. Arlington and Alexandria charge 85 cents, PG Co. around $1. [There have been some increases in regional tax rates since 2009, but they are still much lower than DC's.] Why would businesses in blighted areas want to have higher taxes assessed on their buildings by fixing up marginal property? No wonder we have so many liquor stores, bars, clubs, and run down store buildings. Why one rate citywide?? Montgomery Co. has various rates for different areas, although none are as high as in DC.*
Why can't we vary the business rates in DC? Is it fair that Georgetown businesses pay $1.85 while across the river in Rosslyn they are paying around a dollar? Perhaps upper Wisconsin Ave. can compete with Bethesda, but how can Georgia Ave compete with Silver Spring? No wonder Anacostia is so run down when businesses can pay close to one half the business tax by moving crossing the line. There is absolutely no incentive to fix business buildings until the surrounding neighborhoods can support our high Class 2 rates.
Finding the money to restore tax equity will require some creative thinking. I hope the above information about our "taxation without representation" will encourage more ideas. [In 2012, I was informed that a new business property rate of $1.65 for business property under $3 million was instituted. How about an even lower rate for business property under $500,000. And let's not forget to INDEX these figures.] When I ran for office in 2014 I suggested a $1.45 rate for business property assessed under a $million, and $125 for property under $500,000.
* Tax rate source: DC Government report. Part II: A comparison of Tax Rates in the Washington Metropolitan Area as of Jan. 2009, page 35. I don't know if there is anything more recent.
Monday, March 26, 2012
A FAMILY HISTORY OF LABOR ACTIVISM
MY BIOGRAPHY, Prepared for Unite Here, Local 25 (hotel and restaurant workers), with an emphasis on labor oriented aspects of my life experiences.
I was born into a labor activist family in 1938. My great grandfather was a founding member of the first British Carpenter's Union. He was a ships joiner. His son, my grandfather, worked extensively with Eleanor Roosevelt, to develop employment projects for out of work (starving) artists in the 1930s. My mother's father was blacklisted from his job forever as a ship's engineer for refusing to cross a picket line in the port of New York (probably Masters, Mates and Seaman) around 1916 or 1920. My father was a member and usually President, Vice-President or Treasurer of his local of Insurance Workers in NJ starting about 1945 for around 40 years. He was on the NY Port Council. He spent many hours with union activity (management was trying to destroy his union), instead of selling insurance, so we were rather poor.
I vividly remember him coming home very upset from a union convention in Atlantic City when I was around 10. He was pacing around the kitchen saying, “We went to our hotel and they wouldn't let our two Negro delegates stay there. I wanted us to go across the street where the hotel would take ALL of us, but the guys wouldn't do it. THEY CALL THEMSELVES TRADE UNIONISTS. SHAME ON THEM!!!.” My mother was also a building representative in NJ with the National Education Association.
At age 23 I married. My husband had been attending American University under a scholarship to study International Labor Relations provided through his union, Intl. Union of Railway and Steamship Clerks. He worked for a time as an escort to various international labor union officials visiting major rail and shipping centers in the US. One was the head of South Africa's equivalent of the AFL-CIO, another was the head of the Brazilian Transport Workers Union. He also spent 3 months in Brazil and 1 month in Peru on a fact finding mission studying conditions of the transport unions of those countries. I helped him to edit and write the reports he had to prepare for each of those activities--a valuable learning experience. He subsequently became a DC teacher and helped start the DC Teacher's Union. He helped write the first two union contracts, and was Vice President for High Schools and/or Junior Highs. I was quite involved in these activities.
Around 1965, I started working as a bilingual (Spanish) secretary at The American Institute for Free Labor Development. I was elected Shop Steward for secretaries and clerks and on the Grievance Committee all the 10 years I was there, also was on the Contract Negotiating Team for two Collective Agreement negotiations. I also took courses on Labor History and other topics at the George Meany Labor School. At one point we held out on signing a contract for almost a year when they tried to back out of maternity benefits they had initially agreed upon. We also successfully fought a Civil Rights case when management announced they would not promote any women to the better paid Program Officer positions. I gave birth to two boys while I worked there, much enjoying the maternity benefits we had fought for. One son is currently in Special Forces and has fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the late 1970s I was bilingual Administrative Assistant for 3 years to At Large elected DC School Board Member, Frank Shaeffer Corona. Early in my employment Mr. Shaeffer Corona pointed to a large file drawer and said, “I want you to look through there and find a way to stop the strike we will have this fall if we can't change some BOE votes to accept the arbitrators' report.” After a good laugh, he said seriously, “Look I know you know a lot about teachers' conditions from your husband's activities. So maybe you can find something in there that we could use.”
After an extensive search I discovered a memo that I knew to be completely false from an influencial board member to the others. When I showed it to my boss and explained why it was wrong, he had me do research and I wrote a 50 page report. We distributed it to all Board Members, City Council Members, Congressmen on DC related committees, all Building Representatives and Principals, and the Press. I knew from my husband that the AFT was prepared to throw a major strike team into DC to set a national example prior to negotiations in other cities, and we probably would have had a 3 week strike. The report changed two Boardmembers' votes and there was no strike. I consider preventing this strike the most valuable thing I have done in DC up to 2012. As a parent I know just how disruptive and painful such a long strike would have been.
After an extensive search I discovered a memo that I knew to be completely false from an influencial board member to the others. When I showed it to my boss and explained why it was wrong, he had me do research and I wrote a 50 page report. We distributed it to all Board Members, City Council Members, Congressmen on DC related committees, all Building Representatives and Principals, and the Press. I knew from my husband that the AFT was prepared to throw a major strike team into DC to set a national example prior to negotiations in other cities, and we probably would have had a 3 week strike. The report changed two Boardmembers' votes and there was no strike. I consider preventing this strike the most valuable thing I have done in DC up to 2012. As a parent I know just how disruptive and painful such a long strike would have been.
From 1995 to 2005, I was caring for my mother, father, and husband as they were dying. My mother, and husband who had Alzheimers, wanted to die at home, and I honored their wishes. I learned a lot about health care and the problems of senior citizens. I have now recovered my strength, health and enthusiasm and wish to work improving the city I have lived in since the day after President Kennedy was elected. I hope your organization will support my candidacy, as I suspect I have the strongest union background of anyone running in DC.
ANSWERS TO UNITE HERE, LOCAL 25 QUESTIONNAIRE
LEADERSHIP AND PRIORITIES
1.What are your goals and priorities in elected office and how will you achieve these goals?
I plan to serve the people with honesty and compassion while reducing waste and harmful regulations. I want to have groups of citizens help me understand what improvements are needed There has been a steady erosion of funding for social programs which needs to be corrected. Many nit picking laws would not pass a good cost/benefits analysis.
2.Describe how you have worked with unions in the past that meets these goals, if applicable.
See MY BIOGRAPHY above.
WORKING WITH UNITE HERE! LOCAL 25 ON DEVELOPMENT, FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS
If elected, will you commit to the following? Explain why or why not:
a. Soliciting for and welcoming UNITE HERE! Local 25’s input on policy matters that affect the work of our members, including but not limited to enforcing and strengthening the district’s Labor Peace laws?
I would have one or two afternoons a week (possibly some on Saturday) when any person in the city can see me about any problem or issue where I could be of help. I would also try to meet with affected individuals, groups and organizations for any pending issues and votes. If volunteers would like to come in and assist with research or outreach on special projects or possible legislation they would be welcome, including from labor groups. I would also be happy to assist in mediating and promoting good labor relations between unions and the various workplaces in the city. If changes in the law would help, I would want to make them. Currently, the concerns about 6 Walmart stores and the issue of DC $12.50 living wage (in 2012, in 2016 the goal is now $15.00) is one I would probably support.
b. Ensuring that all city supported hotel developments create good jobs with strong wages, health benefits. retirement security and workplace protections?
The above provisions make for happy workers. Happy workers are good workers, provide good service and promote tourism which is our second biggest source of employment and revenue. [In 2016 it has become very apparent that we must preserve and build low and moderate income housing in DC. Otherwise workers will be forced to live far from the city with miserable daily commutes, and that if Metro and parking is even available.]
c. Advocating for and protecting the First Amendment rights of UNITE HERE! Local 25 members and workers affiliated with Local 25?
All people deserve to have their First Amendment rights protected, including the right to petition for redress of grievances and meet to promote union membership and activities.
d. Soliciting for and welcoming UNITE HERE! Local 25’s input on campaign finance policy and fiscal matters that affect the work of our members?
I would definitely seek and want union input on campaign finance issues. The Citizens' United decision has created both problems and opportunities for workers and the labor movement. [2016, All big developers, all the time now control Council, see answer to b. I don't get contributions from them.]
e. Working with UNITE HERE! Local 25 to develop legislative proposals?
My door would always be open to union members wishing to develop legislation. I would also seek out advice from those whom I thought might have useful ideas.
f. Appointing qualified UNITE HERE Local 25 members to appropriate Boards and Commissions?
There are many vacancies on Boards and Commissions and I plan to take an active role in seeing that appropriate people are appointed. I have met several likely candidates while collecting petition signatures, and expect to meet many more as I campaign.
YOUR POSITION ON THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND TAX POLICY
1.Explain your position on whether workers should be able to freely choose for themselves whether they want to unionize without any employer interference.
Employees should absolutely have the right to vote without interference regarding union representation. It is also unfair for workers who do not pay dues to profit from benefits negotiated by the union for all workers.
2.What is your tax policy agenda?
I hope to promote tax fairness from the bottom up, unlike some who would give tax breaks from the top down. See ATTACHED TESTIMONY [look elsewhere on the blog for several posts covering various aspects of DC taxation] describing a number of areas wherein DC has fallen woefully behind in maintaining deduction, exemptions and other amounts at the originally intended level by failing to include cost of living adjustments and annual indexing.
[major extracts from the complete Questionnaire submitted for the 2012 primary election period]
DC PEOPLE OVERTAXED AND UNDERSERVED: OR RIP VAN WINKLE SLEEPS ON
G. Lee Aikin, Statehood Green Party, At Large candidate for City Council, gleeaikin@yahoo.com
Printed as a Viewpoint article in The Current, March 21, 2012 [Changes or additions since printing]
Today we face a number of major issues--statehood, housing, schools, small business growth, 6 Walmarts, etc. Underlying most is the very unsexy issue of taxes. Nobody likes taxes and most of us, including me, are not fond of or good at the underlying math. We mostly try to ignore them, pay, grumble, and move on to nicer things. We even ignored asking why we are one of the highest taxed people in the country. Apparently, so did our elected representatives.
How did we get that way, what has it cost us, and how can we fix it? When Congress granted us Home Rule in the early 1970s, they said, "...it is the intent of Congress, that the tax burdens in the District be reasonably comparable to those in the surrounding jurisdictions..." {DC Code, Paragraph 47-817}.
We need to understand several technical terms to figure out how we got so overtaxed. Adjusted Gross Income is the amount of all income received less certain individual expenses. From the AGI everyone is then allowed to subtract Deductions & Exemptions. The figure remaining is our Taxable Income, the number typically used to figure the tax we owe.
In 1974, our D&Es were similar to the Federal rates, both allowing a $2,000 Deduction for a couple, with one important difference. Federal D&E rates change yearly to reflect inflation. DC rates were changed occasionally, if Council and Mayor remembered. By 1991 our D&Es were 1/2 the Fed rate, and updating was completely forgotten. By 2004 the D&Es were about 1/3rd, and DC still only allowed $2,000 per couple AFTER 30 YEARS!!!
That year I realized I was paying more DC taxes than Federal. Years earlier I had only paid 1/2. Digging through old records revealed the above facts. I explained this to David Catania. He [tried to introduce] a bill in 2005 to "couple" our D&Es with Federal rates. The [effort] failed, but a slight increase occurred in 2006 and another in 2008. I think my efforts saved DC taxpayers about $28 in 2006 and around $90 in 2008, to 2011, totaling over $400.
The 2011 DC rates for D&Es are $4,000 per couple and $1,650 each. The Federal figures are $5,800 single, $11,600 couple Deductions; and $3,700 Exemption each. With "coupling" Taxable Income for a family of four would be $15,800 lower, a couple $11,700 less, and single $3,850 lower. Has this tax unfairness helped drive families out of the city? Councilmember Jack Evans proposes cutting taxes about 1/2% from the top down. I say, let's cut taxes from the bottom up, restore the 1974 parity, and keep our families.
Unfair, uncomparable property tax rates have really hurt our businesses. Surrounding jurisdictions tax residential and business property the same. DC taxes homes 85 cents per $100 Assessed Valuation, but businesses $1.85 per $100. Thus small business ownership is a loosing proposition unless located in a high-end neighborhood or a liquor store, club or restaurant. Fine little businesses fail regularly because their sales don't cover the tax/rent costs.
Property taxes in Arlington and Alexandria are about 85 cents per $100 including in Rosslyn. Is this fair to Georgetown businesses paying $1.85? Prince Georges County, MD rates range from 88 cents to $1.08. Montgomery County, MD rates range from $1.18 to $1.69. Perhaps upper Wisconsin Ave. can compete with Bethesda, but how can Anacostia and Georgia Avenue compete paying $1.85?*
The idea every DC business everywhere should pay the same tax doesn't make sense. No wonder business property owners neglect property to keep their tax assessments low. Why fix them before there is enough business activity to support a higher rate? [A reduction in business property tax to $1.65 for property valued under $3 million has since been implemented. How about an even lower rate for business property under $500,000, and let's not forget to INDEX such figures for inflation.]
If we raise our D&Es and lower business taxes to fair levels more DC funds will be needed. What are some possible sources? Ask the Federal government for more payment for our untaxable lands? Pay only 2/5ths Federal income taxes since we lack 3/5ths fair representation; this would give residents more taxable income for DC? Revisit the commuter tax issue? Allow much taller buildings in undeveloped areas away from the monumental core and existing low-density neighborhoods? [Pay slightly higher tax rates at upper income levels.] Reduce upper level salaries of DC employees? Should I win I would gladly pay 10% less than the $125,000 Council salary.
*Tax rate source: DC Government report. Part II: A comparison of Tax Rates in the Washington Metropolitan Area as of Jan. 2009, page 35. {I can send you a link if you need it.}
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