'Taxation Without Representation' D.C. License Plate Snub By Obama White House Subject Of Councilmember's New Effort

WASHINGTON -- A member of the District of Columbia Council hopes to send a renewed message to the White House about an issue of intense local pride.

The Obama administration has chosen not to use D.C.'s politically charged local license plates that carry the message "Taxation Without Representation," a reminder that residents of the nation's capital do not enjoy full and equal representation in Congress like U.S. citizens in the 50 states.

D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), according to the Examiner, wants a vote on "a sense of the council" resolution that advocates for the White House to use the special license plates in time for Obama's Jan. 21 Inauguration.

Cheh wrote in a memorandum released on Thursday:

"Displaying license plates bearing the phrase 'taxation without representation' raises awareness about the District's lack of representation in Congress and supports the District's efforts to achieve statehood," Cheh wrote. "There is an immediate need for the presidential limousine to display license plates bearing the phrase 'taxation without representation' so that they can be seen by the millions of Americans and people around the world who will be watching the parade."

Councilmembers could take up the emergency legislation next week.

In December, local voting rights organization DC Vote launched an official White House petition campaign that urges the use of the "Taxation Without Representation" license plates by the White House.

The license plate message was introduced in 2000 and used by then-President Bill Clinton on the White House limousine. President George W. Bush did not use the special plates.

Although D.C. residents, who are permitted to vote in local and presidential elections, gave President Obama nearly 91 percent of the vote in November, many local activists and pundits have been disappointed by the president on issues related to District of Columbia voting rights.

"Barack Obama has not been the perfect guest in the nation's capital city," Examiner columnist Harry Jaffe wrote recently. "He can do better in his second term."