Excerpts from 1972 DC Statehood Party platform Copyright 1999 The Progressive Review SEARCH E-MAIL US DC NEWS SERVICE HOME PAGE GOOD READING GIFT SHOP UNDERNEWS In 1972, the DC Statehood Party supported Neighborhood authorities and neighborhood housing banks Public ownership of all center city land & of key commecial strips Community ownership and development of Fort Lincoln Urban rehabilitation over urban renewal Elected neighborhood legislative councils and neighborhood executives with power over selection of neighborhood police officials, selection of neighborhood school superintendent, school site selection and proposed roads. Extended voting over several days Proportional representation A property tax that includes not only real estate but other property such as stocks and bonds The taxation of income-producing property of non-profit organizations and churches Encouragement of light, smokeless industry Low rent facilities in new commercial centers for small businesses Enclosed and open stalls for artisans, craftsmen and other small operators. The end of the forced displacement of small business. The contruction of public markets The conversion of banks and public utilities to cooperatives. A national guaranteed income Ownership of liquor stores by neighborhood cooperatives Conversion of the correctional system from a punitive to a rehablitative one Legalization of gambling, prostitution, marijuana use and drug addiction. A massive expansion of drug treatment programs Community hiring and firing of district police commanders Division of police into a uniformed crime-fighting force and a neighorhood constabulary The recruitment of lawyers into the police department at the level of captain and above No more parking lots downtown Creation of jitney service Public ownership and fare subsidy of the transit system Opposition to ownership by suburban-dominated Metro Serious consideration of monorails, personal transit systems, and streetcars Community control of the schools The immediate withdrawal of all forces form Indochina Strongest measures to end pollution in all its forms Free health care for all citizens Free abortions on demand Opposition to discrimination against blacks, women, homosexuals, chicanos, Asians and other ethnic minorities, men in the case of laws relating to alimony, the mentally or physically handicapped, and ex-felons in the denial of right to participate politically Equal wages for equal work Maternity and paternity leave with pay Media monopolies Cooperative control of cable television Youth representation on legislative and other governing councils Creation of an equal service commission to ensure equal distribution of public services throughout the city Ward balance in capital improvements and government personnel Varied curriculum, services and teaching methods in the schools An environmental commission or court with the power to halt or alter projects and prctices detrimental to the environment