What's Hot: 47-Unit Boutique Lodging Development Planned in Middle of Chinatown | In and Out: DC's Migration Patterns in 2022, By the Numbers
New Columbia, the 51st State?

A rendering of the 51st state, with federal territory identified by its darker color
It seems that DC’s lack of autonomy and congressional representation has again come to a head in light of recent events: the city’s ballooning population, Congress blocking DC from using funds to implement marijuana legalization, the recent DC Superior Court decision that the District can freely spend its own funds, and the revelation that DC taxpayers fork over more to the IRS than 22 states.
On Friday, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser sought to build upon that momentum and led the “New Columbia Statehood Commission” in drafting a constitution, the first step on the road to a petition for statehood.
As reported by The Washington Post, the New Columbia Statehood Commission, comprised of DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Shadow Senators Michael Brown and Paul Strauss, and U.S. Shadow Representative Franklin Garcia, convened at Lincoln’s Cottage to compose a constitution for the future state of “New Columbia”, a trial name for what would be the 51st state in the U.S.
story continues below
loading...story continues above
This pathway to statehood mirrors that of Tennessee in 1796, whereby the then-territory’s residents voted for it to join the country, ratified a constitution and received Congressional approval to become the 16th state.
The resulting executive and legislative branches in the new state would look much as they do now, with the biggest change coming with the state taking financial responsibility for the judicial branch and the mayor-turned governor electing judges to the bench. New Columbia would gain one voting representative in the House and two in the Senate.
Residents can download and comment on the new constitution here. There will also be a public Constitutional Convention beginning on June 17, where residents will act as delegates and give testimony on the document.
If things go according to plan, DC voters will be able to cast their ballots on the issue of statehood and adoption of the constitution this November.
DC’s government last wrote a constitution in 1982 in another attempt at statehood that went virtually ignored by that session of Congress. This attempt may be headed for a similar fate considering this congress’s track record on the city’s autonomy, but UrbanTurf will continue to follow this issue with interest; after all, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
See other articles related to: congress, constitution, dc, dc budget autonomy, statehood, taxes
This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/new_columbia_the_51st_state/11207.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever

The development will be located a few blocks south of the Takoma Metro station.... read »

The new development along South Capitol Street includes a new amenity for UrbanTurf: ... read »

DC's Office of Planning recently looked at DC's migration patterns in 2022. Today, Ur... read »

A new plan is on the boards for a group of five townhouses in the middle of DC's Chin... read »

Crescent Communities has filed a site plan application with the county for a 467-unit... read »
- All Three-Bedrooms: Douglas Development Plans Missing Middle Project in Takoma
- Podcasts and Pianos: 350-Unit Apartment Project Pitched Blocks North of Nats Park
- In and Out: DC's Migration Patterns in 2022, By the Numbers
- 47-Unit Boutique Lodging Development Planned in Middle of Chinatown
- 470-Unit Apartment/Townhouse Development Pitched For Arlington Hotel Site
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Visit guides.urbanturf.com or start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro