On Tax Day, Give to the Statehood Delegation

Though being a part of the District's shadow delegation has a somewhat super-hero sound to it, Representative Michael Panetta, Senator Paul Strauss and Senator Michael Brown toil in almost total obscurity in their fight for D.C. statehood and self-governance. With no salaries and none of the usual congressional perks, the three members of the city's shadow delegation don't have much at their disposal to wage what's already a tough fight.

That's where the D.C. taxpayer steps in. Since 2004, D.C. tax forms have included a line that allows residents to funnel anything above $1 to the Statehood Fund. That money -- about $60,000 of it last year -- is split between Panetta, Strauss and Brown and is used to fund their advocacy efforts. (No, they can't use it as salary.)

"The money raised via the tax form donations is important as it funds just about everything the Statehood Delegation does," Panetta told us. "There are no funds allocated by the Council or other government agencies for our work, so we rely on the generosity of the citizens of the District. The money raised is used to promote the statehood issue, mobilize the grassroots, host events and pay for minimal office expenses. Two specific examples include publicity events during the Democratic National Convention in Denver and the 'Statehood Now' signs posted around the city during inauguration week. We're seeing a lot more interest in DC statehood with a Democratic President and Congress, but it takes resources to really push the issue outside the the District, so I encourage people to give what they can."

So do we. If you haven't yet filed your D-40 (and we know there are plenty of procrastinators out there), think of giving a little something to your shadow delegation. It's either that or having Strauss and his gaggle of interns come to your front door and forlornly plead for some change.