March 22, 2006-Norton Says DC Introduction of Local Hatch Act Will Hasten Passage of Her Federal Act

Norton Says D.C. Introduction of Local Hatch Act Will
Hasten Passage of Her Federal Home Rule Hatch Act
March 22, 2006

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that she was pleased that Council Chairman Linda Cropp has responded to her District of Columbia Hatch Reform Act of 2006 (H.R.4969) that she and Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) introduced last week, by introducing a Council bill governing local political activities of District employees. The Norton bill would retain federal Hatch Act authority concerning prohibited partisan and political activity that applies to every state because of the receipt of federal funds, but would remove the District from federal Hatch Act jurisdiction for local violations unrelated to federal requirements. H.R. 4969 is the third bill in Norton’s “Free and Equal D.C.” series that seeks to eliminate anti-Home Rule or redundant bills that deprive the city of equal treatment and recognition as an independent self-governing jurisdiction.

Norton said, “My Hatch Reform Act requires the District to enact its own local Hatch Act, like every other jurisdiction, before the Norton-Davis bill becomes effective. I hope that the quick response of the Council Chair signals rapid passage by the Council, which would help my goal of getting H.R.4969 passed this session.” The Congresswoman is optimistic about passage because the House recognized that the present federal Hatch Act jurisdiction over local D.C. violations was obsolete by removing federal responsibility several years ago. D.C. is the only local jurisdiction that is treated as if it were a federal agency under the Hatch Act, a pre-Home Rule holdover that was not needed after the passage of the Home Rule Act.

Prior to introducing the Hatch Reform Act, Norton introduced two other “Free and Equal D.C.” bills. The D.C. Budget Autonomy Act of 2005 was filed last year, sponsored by Norton and Davis, and the District of Columbia Legislative Autonomy Act was introduced on March 9th of this year.

The Council’s Hatch legislation would prohibit employees of the District government from engaging in political activities while on duty and would make the solicitation of financial gifts or other items of value for an election, a misdemeanor if it occurs in a government facility.