Bill Overview
Title: District of Columbia Government Title Equality Act
Description: This bill redesignates (1) the Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia as the Office of the Governor of the District, (2) the Council of the District as the Legislative Assembly of the District, and (3) the Office of the Chair of the Council of the District as the Office of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the District.
Sponsors: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Residents of the District of Columbia
Estimated Size: 701974
- The bill affects the governance structure of the District of Columbia by changing titles of key offices.
- Residents of the District of Columbia will be directly impacted as the changes pertain to their local government.
- Government employees and officials within the District's government structure will be affected by the change in titles.
- Changes in governance titles may have legal or procedural implications that could impact the operations and functions of the District's government.
- DC residents are primarily affected, but there may be broader implications within the US related to Washington D.C.'s status.
Reasoning
- Most of the impact will be felt by residents of D.C., particularly those working within or regularly interacting with the local government.
- The budget signifies that there is a limited capacity for widely disseminating the implications and executing corresponding adjustments to policies and documentation.
- Changes may have procedural impacts primarily, followed by implications if neighboring states recognize these changes in any sort or regional cooperation.
- The Cantril Wellbeing scores help us assess any perceived changes or stress caused by these changes, although they are primarily procedural and nominal.
Simulated Interviews
Local Government Employee (Washington D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The change in titles will create some initial confusion, but it might bring more dignity to our positions.
- It's just a change of labeling, but could eventually mean something greater for D.C.'s statehood aspirations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Legal Consultant (Washington D.C.)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The changes might increase the perception of legitimacy and autonomy.
- For my work, it could mean more bills to manage, but that can translate to more business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Graduate Student (Washington D.C.)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change might seem superficial, but it may set the stage for future governance debates.
- I'm intrigued by how this could amplify discussions around statehood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Small Business Owner (Washington D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see how changing titles would affect my business directly.
- Perhaps, long-term, it might influence taxes or specific regulations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Teacher (Washington D.C.)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Might have to revise some teaching materials, but overall, it feels like a symbolic gesture.
- Could prompt useful discussions in the classroom about governance and citizenship.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Washington D.C.)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's another step towards what D.C. has always aspired to be - recognized like other states.
- I don't expect my day-to-day life to change, but I support the symbolic progress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Non-profit Worker (Washington D.C.)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes like these sometimes push our leaders to take other important steps.
- Not much direct impact on my work, but it may influence future policy discussions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Washington D.C.)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For us, work is work. The title doesn't change that much in terms of contracts.
- I guess it could affect people's psyche around D.C.'s identity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Local Journalist (Washington D.C.)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The title change itself is newsworthy, but its effects could take time to observe.
- People might start using the new titles quickly, especially in official documents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Political Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a significant step in D.C.'s longstanding debate about identity and governance.
- It signifies respect and I am closely watching all cascading reactions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 2: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $150000)
Year 3: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $150000)
Year 5: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $150000)
Year 10: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $150000)
Year 100: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $150000)
Key Considerations
- The policy aims to align titles in the District of Columbia with those commonly used in state governments.
- Potential legal and administrative requisites to fully implement the name changes should be considered.
- Minimal financial impact is expected due to the straightforward nature of the title changes.