How a Socialist Can Govern a City Under the Thumb of the Trump Administration
Janeese Lewis George is part of a new class of socialist mayors. Unlike her peers, she’ll be running a city under federal rule. The post How a Socialist Can Govern a City Under the Thumb of the Trump Administration appeared first on The Intercept .
A new wave of socialist local executives will soon govern three influential U.S. cities: Los Angeles, New York City, and the District of Columbia. Janeese Lewis George, a councilmember from D.C., will govern a city under federal rule, which poses additional challenges for her to implement her reform agenda. Lewis George, a current D.C. city councilmember, has a platform centered around affordability, aiming to introduce stronger tenant protections, investments in affordable childcare, and reforms on the city's zoning laws.
She gained political prominence in 2020 when she campaigned for the defunding of the police, following the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor protests.
Lewis George's journey to fulfill her campaign promises requires her to convince members of Congress that D.C. can exercise Home Rule and deserve the same dignity as other collective bodies in the country. All local D.C. bills must pass through a congressional review period of 30 working days for civil legislation and 60 working days for criminal bills.
If Congress disagrees with a bill, they can either let the review period lapse, allowing the legislation to take effect, or pass a joint disapproval resolution in both the House and Senate, which goes to the president's desk for a potential veto or signing.
Voters in D.C., such as Izetta Mobley, supported Lewis George for her promise to fight for everyday Washingtonians, prioritizing issues of affordability, such as tackling the rise in unhoused individuals and ensuring they receive city support and resources. Despite the restrictions imposed by the federal government, Lewis George has the support of former at-large councilmember Robert White and the long-time influence of the D.C.
Metro DSA, a socialist organization. Moreover, the election of two more socialists on the city council, Aparna Raj and Oye Owolewa, further strengthens her vision of having organizers on the council and an organizer-in-chief at the executive level.
Lewis George's agenda may also include raising taxes on businesses and the city's wealthiest residents to help achieve her plans. However, she will need the support of the city council to implement these measures. Immigrant advocacy and civil rights groups are calling for Lewis George to take a strong stance against ICE's actions in D.C., urging her to pass legislation allowing residents to sue officers who violate constitutional rights.
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