Plan for Action for 2010:

1. Reconfirm LWV connection with traditional coalitions, such as the Fund forModern Courts, Domestic Violence Advocates and other groups.
2. Educate state legislators about the need and benefits of court restructuring.
3. Educate the public about the issues and benefits involved.
4. Have the legislature introduce a court restructuring constitutional amendment in2010 and lobby for its passage.

Government - Aimee Allaud
Another critical election milestone has passed: New York State voters tried out the new optical scanners in 47 counties, either county-wide or in some election districts. The NYS BOE pilot project of scanners was also used in the 11 counties comprising the 23CD and reports, while unofficial as of this date, seem to indicate that they performed well. The New York State League will be summarizing the results from our member survey of polling places where voters used the new equipment.

We presented testimony at two hearings in NYC held by the respective committees on the pilot project results from the Primary Elections, HAVA compliance with respect to use of new voting equipment in future elections and funding for election operations. The Senate will hold additional hearings (NYC, Albany) in November to address oversight of the 2009 elections, the pilot program for the use of optical scan voting machines, and proposals to address runoff elections and instantaneous runoff voting.

The November hearings in New York City and Albany are the fifth in a series of Senate hearings that began in April and continued in May, June and October, dedicated to increasing awareness about election policy and voting. During the 2009 session the Elections Committee held hearings focusing on different issues: voter registration; voting/casting a ballot; poll sites; and campaign finance reform. And, in October, the hearings focused on new voting systems, ballot access, deceptive practices and voter intimidation. This dialogue between lawmakers and the public is part of the Senate's commitment to a robust committee process, and development of sound public policy through open dialogue and a transparent legislative procedure.

Fair Campaign Practices Committee(s) are related to the League's Voter Service mission to provide better opportunities for voters to know who the candidates are and their positions on issues. These committees ask candidates to conduct their campaigns fairly and openly and advise the public of unfair, misleading, or false campaign information.  Click here for details.

Judicial - Lenore Banks
There are now 84 Assembly and 27 Senate sponsors of the Public Defense Act of 2009 (S.6002/A.8793) to reform New York State's patchwork county-by-county public defense system. Among the groups submitting memos in support are: the Committee for Modern Courts, Committee for an Independent Public Defense Commission, Prison Action Network, and Capital Region Ecumenical Organization (CREO), and the League of Women Voters of New York State. As the League has long recognized, lack of quality representation for those who cannot afford counsel in criminal and family court matters hurts individuals, families, communities, and our system of law.

The Independent Public Defense Commission created by the bill would evaluate existing programs according to standards. It would determine current public defense costs and project costs after looking at the impact of efficiencies of scale and compliance with standards. Two other entities created in the bill would work with the Commission. A permanent advisory board would include public defense providers, representatives from voluntary organizations, other criminal justice professionals, and client community representatives. A Financing Transition Advisory Council, created in response to county concerns, would seek to ensure that the long-term relationship between the state and localities regarding public defense services be equitable, transparent, fair, and permanent. The Commission itself would be comprised of members appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a variety of entities and officials to ensure the independence of the defense function from political interference. For more background information and updates, check the website for the Campaign for an Independent Public Defense Commission or call the Campaign at 518-465-0519.

Lead Poisoning - Joan Rosenthal
Three initiatives have been taken recently which will increase action to prevent childhood lead poisoning. Children under six years old who are lead poisoned may have a variety of adverse health effects, including brain and nervous system disorders, high blood pressure, learning disabilities and aggressive behavior. These initiatives cover reimbursing physicians in private practice and clinics for testing children and pregnant women receiving Medicaid, expanding the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, and pursuing a ban on the manufacture and distribution of lead tire weights. Read more.