Annual Report2012

Working to end Taxation Without Representation in the Nation’s Capital

Our Mission: DC Vote is a 501 (c)(3) educational and advocacy organization dedicated to securing full voting representation in Congress and full democracy for the residents of the District of Columbia.

Our Staff Ilir Zherka Executive Director

Eugene Dewitt Kinlow Public Affairs Director

Antonette E. Russell Operations Director

James Jones Communications Director

Nadia Elguindy Development Manager

Jennifer Matson Public Affairs Manager

Catherine Cavander Development & Administrative Assistant

Michael Bolton Communications and Social Media Fellow

GlennRazafindrainibe Public Affairs Fellow

Our Board Jon Bouker, Chair

Joseph M. Perta, Vice Chair

Donald Sherman, Treasurer

Ed Krauze, Secretary

Vinoda Basnayake

Ed Davis

Curtis L. Etherly Jr.

Abby Greensfelder

Patrick Mara

Honorable Lorraine C. Miller

Marc H. Morial

Daniel Solomon

Joseph Sternlieb

Trish Vradenburg

Laurie Wingate

Contact Us:2000 P Street NW, Suite 200Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 202.462.6000 Fax: 202.462.7001 Email: info@dcvote.org

@DC_Vote

/DC_Vote

Content and images copyright © 2013 DC Vote. All rights reserved.“DC Vote” and “Taxation Without Representation” are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

CFC # 66340One Fund #9501

Dear Supporter,

This past year was an extremely strong year for DC Vote, which could not have been possible without your dedication to our cause. Along with continuing our mission to secure full democracy for all DC residents, we defended against attacks on DC home rule, and opened new fronts in the fight to give DC control of its own local tax dollars.

DC Vote took advantage of this year’s Presidential Election to spread our message to the nation. We were pres-ent at both the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, and the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL. After the election, we kept momentum by launching a national petition campaign encouraging Presi-dent Obama to place the official DC Taxation Without Representation plates on his limo before the inauguration. Along with our national outreach, we connected with thousands of supporters in the District, broadened our network and engaged with students from DC and across the country through presentations to their classes.

In 2012, DC Vote also fought off continuing attacks on DC home rule. Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) introduced the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy only in the District. We mobilized to stop the bill with actions in DC, and in Rep. Franks’ home district in Arizona. In the end, Rep. Franks’ bill was defeated on the House floor. We hope to block any future anti-DC legislation from ever getting a vote.

Along with our larger fight for DC democracy, 2012 also saw the launch of our campaign to Free DC’s Budget from Congressional control. We gained traction in Congress when a DC budget autonomy bill was introduced in the Senate, and opened up a second front in the fight when the DC Council unanimously passed the Local Bud-get Autonomy Act. The law placed a referendum on the April 23, 2013 special election ballot, and put the fight for budget freedom into the hands of DC residents.

With your support, we will show Congress that the people of the District of Columbia are passionate, organized and ready to fight for the full equality we deserve.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to your help as we advance our fight for full democracy.

-DC Vote Staff

Advocacy Campaigns

Budget FreedomIn 2012, DC Vote Launched our Free DC’s Budget campaign to grant DC control of its own local tax dollars. We received public support for budget autonomy from President Barack Obama, Gov. Robert McDonnell (R-VA) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and held a “Free DC’s Budget Advocacy Day” on the Hill to advocate for DC bud-get autonomy. As a result of our efforts, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a DC budget autonomy bill. Unfortunately, this effort was blocked by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) when he threatened to offer four anti-DC democracy amendments to the bill in the committee markup.

Along with our efforts on Capitol Hill, DC Vote undertook a bold shift in our budget freedom strategy. We successfully pushed legisla-tion that would achieve budget autonomy by allowing DC voters to amend the Home Rule Charter by referendum. A unanimous DC Council co-introduced and passed the DC Local Budget Autonomy Act. Mayor Gray signed the bill, placing Charter Amendment Refer-endum 8 on the ballot for the April 23 special election. If passed, DC will have the authority to pass its own local budget without Congres-sional approval.

As part of our Free DC’s Budget campaign, DC Vote created a series of bus ads featuring DC residents including DC United Coach Ben Olsen(above). The ads ran throughout the sum-mer and early fall, and encouraged residents to speak out in support of budget freedom.

www. .org

Free DC’sBudget

Tell Congress: Hands off DC’s Money!

In 2012, we rolled out our Free DC’s Budget logo to raise awareness of the fact that DC does not have control of its own local tax dollars. We used it during our rally at the Democratic National Convention along with the message, “Tell Con-gress: Hands Off DC’s Money!” Most recently, we included the message, “Yes on 8! April 23rd,” reminding all DC residents of their chance to vote for Referendum 8 during the April 23rd Special election.

Defending Home RuleDC home rule came under attack in 2012 when Rep-resentative Trent Franks (R-AZ) introduced a bill, H.R. 3803, that would ban almost all abortions only in the District after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Rep. Franks also barred Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the member of Congress who is elected to represent the interest of DC residents, from testifying against the bill.

Working with our coalition, we quickly mobilized DC resi-dents, as well as Franks’ own constituents, to remind him that rather than attempting to serve as “Mayor” of DC, he should worry about his own constituents.

In the end, Franks’ bill was defeated on the House floor. Anti-DC legislation should not even be given the chance to be voted on.

Along with our direct actions both in DC and Arizona, DC Vote ran a series of Ads encouraging Rep. Franks to stop “being a weiner” and focus on his home state’s issues.

DC Vote ended 2012 by launching our “Change the Plate” campaign. Taking advantage of the White House’s “We The People” petition site, we requested that President Obama place DC’s official Taxation Without Rep-resentation license plates on the presidential limo. Utilizing social media, and working with our coalition, we encouraged people from around the country to sign the petition, and ask President Obama to voice his support for DC Democracy.

The White House

Early in 2013, President Obama responded to our peti-tion effort, and announced that he would change the license plates on the presidential limo to feature the Taxation Without Representation plates. During the inauguration, the entire nation saw President Obama’s motorcade displaying the plates.Photo courtesy of whitehouse.gov

Constituents of Trent Franks joined DC Vote outside Franks’ Glendale, AZ offices to remind him that they did not elect him to legislate for DC.

OutreachNational ConventionsDC Vote took the fight for DC democracy to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in 2012, distributing educational materials, and highlighting DC’s struggle for budget autonomy.

DC Vote sent longtime supporter of DC freedom, Abraham Lincoln, to the Repub-lican National Convention in Tampa, FL. Abe reminded delegates that for decades, Republican leaders frequently advocated for full democracy for DC.

DC Vote led a Budget Free-dom Rally at the Democratic National Convention in Char-lotte, bringing the fight for DC budget autonomy to a national audience.

Community InvolvementWe also spread the DC democracy message at home, taking part in neighborhood festivals and community events across the district.

Media OutreachThrough our efforts, DC Vote generated over 500 sto-ries about DC democracy both locally and nationally. We also reached over 10 million people with our adver-tising efforts. This coverage is instrumental in raising awareness about DC’s second class status.

Student OutreachIn 2012, DC Vote had the opportunity to speak with over 1,500 students -- from elementary school to college -- about DC’s second class status. We inspired them to join the fight. Contact info@dcvote.org to schedule your own speaker.

Supporters came out to the annual Palisades Parade to celebrate the 4th of July, and spread the “Taxation Without Representation” message. We were also active at Adams Morgan Day, Columbia Heights Day, the H Street Festival, DC Pride Weekend, and DC Emancipation Day.

Through our tabling and outreach, we were able to dis-tribute educational materials and collect over 1,000 signatures in support of DC democracy and budget autonomy

Champions of DemocracyOn Wednesday, October 17, 2012, DC Vote honored our Champions of Democracy: Tom Boggs of Patton Boggs, LLC, Bruce Spiva of The Spiva Law Firm, PLLC, and civil rights activist Julian Bond. Our three champions regaled the crowd with stories of their personal experiences fighting for democracy in the District of Columbia, and pledged to continue fighting for the rights of all DC residents.

Julian Bond Bruce Spiva Tom Boggs

Thank you all the volunteers who worked with us during our Champions of Democracy event.

VolunteersThank you to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to the fight for DC democracy. Whether by attending one of our advocacy events, supporting us in the community, or simply speak-ing out in support of DC voting rights. None of this would be possible without their support. We hope to see you at one of our events in 2013.

Our staff and volunteers spreading the DC Democracy message during the 2012 Emancipation Day parade.

2012 FinancialsPrograms $964,315General & Administration $202,280Fundraising $119,610Total $1,286,205

Foundation Grants $425,500Events $81,603Government Grants $200,000Merchandise $52Individual Contributions $67,216In-Kind Donations $257,564Other Income $1,763Total $829,146.02

Expenses

Support & Revenue

Guardian($25,000+)Daniel & Jane Solomon

Leader($10,000 - $25,000)Trish & George Vradenburg *Diane & Norman Bernstein *Richard & Lois England *Laurie Wingate & Mark Chandler * Defenders($5000 - $9999)Ed Krauze *Royal & Johnathan Rodgers *Mary Beth Gosselink *Jon Bouker * Lydia & Michael Marshall*

Advocate($2500 - $4999)Medea BenjaminMace Rosenstein & Louise de la FuenteJoe Sternlieb & Linda Singer *

Supporter($1000 - $2499)Rosalind Cohen *William & Sunny Alsup *Billie DayBarry Zigas & Jodie Levin-Epstein *Louie & Ralph Dweck *David GrossoJoseph & Lynne Horning *Michael & Erna KerstSunita & Daniel LeedsCharles & Jeanette Miller*Lorraine Miller *Joseph Perta *Joshua Pokempner & Gretchen Gardner *Elaine Reuben *Kathy & Al Schmidt *Aaron StopakReginald VanLeeThomas & Marisel Wilbur*Debra Yogodzinski *

Activist($500 - $999)Vinoda Basnayake * #Sarajane Foster *Joanna LondonEdwin Huddleson & Andra Oakes *Elizabeth Allen & Kendal Tyre *Dominique Bravo & Eric Sloan*Nancy Folger *

Malcolm & Pamela PeabodyAne PowersEdith RamirezAmy Rifkind & Bruce BrownLauren & William SilvisEvelyn TimberlakeIlir Zherka & Linda KinneyJohn KlenertGale & William BentleyDavid CataniaDonetta GeorgeNicholas Hopkins & Ferial GhazoulDorothy LevyMichael LoweKatherine MorrisonArne PaulsonLaura QuinnCarlyn RingTracy RomanUlysses SpivaMargaret & James ChildRuth & Ed CogenClark CohenDavid FerrariRobert & Martha HanrottJune Hechinger & John HechingerWilliam HoffmanVirginia WatkinJulia RubinLynn FaughtEric AngelPenelope CodringtonDonna DavisMaureen Del DucaLawrence EichornDavid & Judith FalkKim FriedMary GoodmanLars HydleAnna JhiradMary LordPatrick Mara *Anne & Alan MorrisonShannon O’LearyThomas Ragland & Tazeem MawjiJamie RaskinNelson RimensnyderSudie Mae SeedBrad SetserMichele ShannonKathy SwayzeJames TrillingJohn WelchLaine Shakerdge

Beneva Schulte & Paul OrzulakEdward Levin & Margot Aronson LevinHarry Bainbridge & Tara Scanlon *Steven BerkJeffrey Blum & Ellen Cassidy *Bernei & Amelie BurgunderMarque Chambliss & Sheryll Cashin *Edwin & Sara Davis *Bert & Susan EdwardsKit Gage & Steven MetalitzJen HerrickAviva KempnerEllen KirshMarsha Lillie-Blanton & Thomas Blanton *Samuel & Shelvie McCoy*Rob & Ruthanne Miller *Lawrence Ottinger & Cinthia SchumanSarah Pokempner & Jerry Levine *Thorn Pozen *Pete & Marsha RossWilliam RossBenjamin & Lori Soto *Barbara & William Yeomans *Stephen BoydRosalind Parker *Jane Petit-MooreJanet Solinger

Friend($175 - $499)John Michael PayneNatalie WexlerMichael Godec & Suzanne WellsCarlos Angulo & Laila Sultan *Aaron & Oliver Anson *Nan Aron *Micki Chen & Steven Gross *Daniel & Toby Edelman *Kathleen Hartnett & Ellen Marcus *Heidi Kotzian & Chuck DonaliesRoselle Safran *Donald Sherman *Mary Washington *Beth GruppColette MatzzieDanielle Glosser & Howard RikerRobert & Jane LeveyWilliam & Madlyn CalbertJewell & Guido FenziDaniel & Maxine SingerAlfreda BrewerLee Kimball & Richard ScullyAnna Lefer KuhnJoel HunterAndrew AdamianJeanie Davis *Janis Kestenbaum *Jeanne McDermottJohn Morton & Tamar Morton ShapiroKaren Paul-Stern *

Foundation SupportArca FoundationMorris & Gwendolyn Cafritz FoundationNaomi & Nehemiah Cohen FoundationCommunity Foundation for NationalCapital RegionConsumer Health FoundationEugene & Agnes Meyer FoundationProteus FundPublic Welfare FoundationWoodbury FundDC Government

Corporate orOrganization DonorsAkridge *Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.*Citizens for Eleanor Holmes NortonThe Campaign Workshop, Inc. *UFCW Local 400 *UDCJack Olender & Associates*Washington Teachers’ Union, AFT Local 6, AFL-CIO *UNITE HERE Local 25 *DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Inc.NARAL Pro-Choice America *Network for Good

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will show Congress that the people of the District of Columbia are passion-ate, organized and ready to fight for the full equality we deserve.

To donate, visit www.dcvote.org/donate

*Champions of Democracy Sponsor# In – Kind Donor

Our 2012 Stewards