|
 STATE VOTER
The League of Women Voters of New York State
January 2012
|
 etsey's Briefs - Betsey Swan, President |
 January, named after Janus the two-headed god of the transitions in Roman mythology, is a time for reflection on the past year and celebration of the new. Within the League, we can celebrate our successes and look forward to new initiatives. Click on the President's report for the year's activities, including Vote 411, Voter Services, Advocacy, Membership and local action.
Review of local government action has long been a strength of the League. By serving as a local watchdog, the League informs the public, attracts new members, and generally burnishes its reputation as a nonpartisan good government group. This role can take many forms. The Westchester County ILO performs an annual review of the county's proposed budget. The LWV Hamptons has recently reinstituted its Observer Corps. See the letter in the President's Report by former LWV of the Hamptons President Carol Mellor highlighting the importance of this function. We seek information about the ways in which other local Leagues serve as watchdogs in their communities. Also, contact us for assistance in establishing an Observer Corps at the local level.
Also, at its January board meeting, the LWVNYS adopted a new state list serve policy that will enable League members with special interests to create on-line groups to discuss those interests. Call the state League office if you would like more information.
Finally, The state League has recently committed to finding a way to finance an electronic statewide voters guide in the belief that the majority of citizens look for election information on-line. If the League is to remain relevant, it must make its respected, nonpartisan information about candidates available to voters in an easily accessible, electronic format. Last year it committed to Vote411, an electronic voters guide platform of the LWVUS. This year it hopes to again use this platform to present candidate information for federal, statewide and state legislative elections, including candidate responses to League questions.
We are seeking angel donors who can enable us to move forward. If you believe this undertaking is essential, consider a donation to the LWVNYS Education Foundation in support of our electronic voters guide. If you have highly appreciated securities that you wish to gift for tax purposes we are happy to accept them in support of this undertaking. Contact the state League office for more information. |
|
| Capitol Beat Blog | |
 The League's Capitol Beat Blog, written by our Legislative Director, Barbara Bartoletti, made a return last week as a new legislative session begins. Look for it at the end of each week as we hope to keep it lively and up to date. Barbara provides interesting and informative comments about the current activities in the Legislature and Capitol. There is a link to the blog from the state League's website in the upper right corner of the page; just click on the link.
|
| 012 Students Inside Albany Conference | |
 The Students Inside Albany Conference has been set for March 25-28, 2012, at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Albany.
We are receiving the registration materials from many students selected for the 2012 Students Inside Albany Conference to be held in March. We are excited by the increasing interest for this program; we expect a record number of participants this year. The agenda is currently being developed. If your League is sending a student, make sure to get the student's forms in by Feb. 1 (or call us if they will be late).
Jamie Rosen, 2011 SIA participant from Albany County has been selected as one of 2 high school students from New York State to attend the US Senate Youth Program in March. Read about her selection here. Congratulations Jamie! |
|
| Lobby Day Training | |
Training for local League members on our advocacy agenda and how they can lobby our legislators was held in Albany on Jan. 18. Almost 40 members attended the training, toured the Capitol with Barbara Bartoletti, and learned about how the state League lobbies. The materials distributed at the training session are available on the state League website - click here or go the Advocacy Areas (left side of homepage) section of the website.
The 2012 Legislative Session calendar is also available here in case you want to come watch a legislative session sometime. |
|
New LATFOR Maps | |
See the new district lines proposed by LATFOR here.
Check out your own current and newly proposed districts (Senate and Assembly) by entering your address here.
More information on redistricting is included below in Issues and Advocacy Report. |
| Travel with the League | |
Do you like to travel? Would you like to meet and discuss political issues with foreign officials when you travel? Then, Travel Concepts may be for you! This travel agency was developed by a League member and organizes tours around the globe with a interest in political issues. Also, your local and state League get a small donation when you travel with Travel Concepts. Check out their upcoming trips here. |
|
|
2012 Legislative Agenda -
Sally Robinson | |
2012 Legislative Agenda
Based on the responses we had from local leagues with suggestions for the 2012 legislative agenda, and consideration of both resources and legislative opportunities for the next year, the Board adopted the League's 2012 Legislative Agenda. It is available here or on the state website.
The 2012 Legislative Agenda brochure is now being distributed to local Leagues. If you have not already placed your order, please do so immediately. In addition to setting out the League's main legislative goals for 2012, it also contains links to key government transparency websites and contact information for key NYS government officials and can be left behind for your legislator after your lobbying visit later in the legislative session.
The Legislative Packet 2012 will also be sent to local Leagues in February. This is an invaluable tool for members who will lobby legislators later this session after the state budget process is finished. A hard copy will be sent to Presidents and an e-mail copy will be sent to Presidents and Issues and Advocacy Directors; it will also be posted on the state website. The Packet will include: Legislative Lobbying: Purpose and Timetable, 2012 Legislative Agenda, Tips for Successful Lobbying, Speaking with One Voice: Action Guidelines for Local Leagues, and most importantly, background Information on the 2012 Legislative Agenda.
The local Lobby Committee should fill out lobby Report Forms after the meeting with the state legislators. Once the Form is filled out, it should be returned to the state League office---by June 1, 2012.
|
| Gifts to the League | Did you know that you can make a gift to the League, obtain a current tax advantage, and receive income for life? We offer a vehicle with which to do this through the League's pooled income fund. Within certain parameters, you can choose which level of the League to benefit. For more information, contact Betsey@lwvny.org.
And, don't forget about joining the 1919 Society, by including the LWVNYS in your will. If you already have included the League in your will, just let us know and we'll add you to the members of the Society. We will not ask for either proof of the bequest or its amount - we just want to honor your future support.
You have worked so hard for the League for so many years. Why not help to ensure the future of the League by including support for the League in your will? Your donation can specify the Centennial Fund of the Education Foundation, a perpetually endowed fund, the general fund of the Education Foundation or the League. The process is simple, and we can help you with the correct language. Just contact Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director, LWVNYS, at Laura@lwvny.org or by phone at 518-465-4162 for more information or to join this new Society.
|
|
|
| Increasing Voter Participation Project |
 Through funding received by a grant, the state League has been preparing program-ready materials on the issue of Increasing Voter Participation. In the project, we reviewed what other states have implemented for election reform, such as automated or online registration, early voting, vote by mail, improved ballot design and poll worker training, etc, and how each of these reforms have increased voter participation. We also analyzed how these reforms could be implemented in NYS.
All local Leagues have been asked to organize a community educational forum to present the materials. Similar to the redistricting project, we encourage Leagues to invite other community organizations to partner and advertise the forum to increase attendance. The materials are straight-forward with lots of interesting facts and information. We hope that it will generate discussions within your community about changes that could help increase voter participation in New York State.
The Rochester Metro LWV recently held a forum using the materials. Kathy Smith, President, shared the following information about their forum:
"LWVRMA held a forum last night on "Increasing Voter Participation".There were 50 in attendance, 12 members.The two Monroe County Commissioners of Elections were there and took an active part in the discussion that was over an hour long.Most in attendance were interested in voter turn out efforts on Election Day.Barbara Grosh explained LWVRMA social media efforts this year and several people(mostly young) signed up to attend her meeting next week to start our program. Barbara will be in Albany next week for LWVNY workshop.
LWVRMA had excellent coverage of the event.I did a radio interview for public radio(WXXI), YNN(Time Warner Cable ) interviewed me and gave us a lot of air time several times last night and this morning on the forum and I'm doing an interview this morning for our local weekly newspaper Post Publications with the reporter who attended the entire forum."
We're hoping other local Leagues will take advantage of these materials and organize a similarly successful program. Great job, Rochester - you provided information, generated great discussion with the community and elected officials, increased League visibility and secured media attention for the project and the League! |
| Voter Services - Susan Multer | |
The annual Voter Services survey was distributed in November; all local Leagues were asked to respond to a series of questions as to their voter service activities during this past election season. Twenty-nine local leagues returned the survey. They had sponsored 73 candidate forums with attendance ranging from 30 to 160. Voter registration was done by 18 chapters holding one to eight events. In coordination with the naturalization program, the Rochester Metropolitan Area league registers voters three times per month. Great job by all of our local Leagues! More details on the responses will be included in the coming months.
|
| LWVUS Seeks Input in Advance of National Convention | |
LWVUS 2012 Convention will be held in Washington, DC, from June 8-12, 2012. Check out more information about the Convention on the LWVUS website (click here).
Program Planning and Convention Plans
LWVUS is seeking all local Leagues' input as to the positions we maintain, amend or create. Local League program planning recommendations are due by March 1, 2012. Click here for more information. To learn what other Leagues are recommending and discuss the plans for the Convention with other League leaders and members, join the Convention Discussion Group.
Bylaw Amendments
Local Leagues are also invited to submit recommendations for amendment of the LWVUS bylaws by March 1, 2012. Click here with your recommendations.
Nominate Your League for an Award
What great activites or programs has your local League organized during these past two years? Nominate your League for an award at the 2012 LWVUS Convention here.
|
| Issues and Advocacy - Sally Robinson | |
Redistricting
The legislatively-controlled state redistricting commission, LATFOR, released 2012 district lines this week (see the proposed lines here) although the Governor has continued to repeat his pledge to veto LATFOR drawn lines. The League, in a press release, expressed its continued disappointment in the LATFOR process that produced the proposed state legislative district lines. The League for decades has called for an independent commission to draw fair lines devoid of partisan gerrymandering. Competitive elections are the lifeblood of democracy and these proposed lines are drawn to ensure political incumbency of the parties in power for the next decade. It is therefore no surprise that they have been the subject of so much criticism given the inherent self-interest of the process. One of the first, and clearest, critiques of the lines comes from our colleague Bill Mahoney at NYPIRG, who looked at a rising population inequality among all the districts. His analysis makes evident that the process has resulted in even more gerrymandered lines in the state Senate than those produced through previous cycles of political gerrymandering. Barbara Bartoletti, LWVNYS Legislative Director, testified at the first LATFOR hearing in Albany on Monday, Jan. 30; see her testimony here. To view your own current and newly proposed districts (Senate and Assembly), enter your address into this website.
MOVE Act
Federal Judge Gary Sharpe issued a decision on Friday, Jan. 27 concerning the non-Presidential federal primary date for New York State. Judge Sharpe has set June 26, 2012, as the date for the Congressional primary. This is a victory for both the Election Commissioners' Association and good government groups, including the League. As you may know, the League has had a position on a June primary dating back to 1957. The federal court was asked to change New York primary date to satisfy the 2009 federal MOVE Act, requiring states to get ballots to overseas military voters at least 45 days before the federal election since the state legislature had not changed the primary date to comply with the federal law. This is also a victory for the voters of NYS; however, if the legislature remains recalcitrant in leaving the state primary election in September, this could set up a three primary election season that would be expensive for local municipalities who administer the elections. It is estimated that it could cost up to $50 million more statewide.
Hydrofracking Comments
January 11, 2012 was the deadline for submitting comments to the DEC on the revised draft SGEIS and the proposed hydrofracking regulations. You can find LWVNY, and other League, extensive and thoughtful comments on the website under Legislative Action/ Hydraulic Fracturing. |
| Transportation Specialist - Gladys Gifford | |
Update on Transportation Issues
Funding for public transit continues to be in crisis. Gov. Cuomo's Executive Budget, released 1-17-12, eased the burden somewhat, but did not go far enough. Please continue to contact your NYS legislators and Gov. Cuomo in support of increasing State Transit Operating Assistance in the 2012-2013 budget. The need is great in all areas of the state, and should motivate down-state and up-state to work together. As the League and others have testified, in the current economic crisis there is an even greater need to invest heavily in public transit-- rather than forcing service cuts and fare increases.
The Executive Budget does include new funding under the New York Works program that will help deal with crumbling bridges and highways. Funding for this effort combines Federal and state sources, and relies on the new "Design-Build" legislation passed in December, 2011, to speed up completion of projects. Leaguers should watch this development carefully, to ensure that public input is honored throughout the process.
The Executive Budget compensates for the elimination of the MTA (transit in metro NYC) payroll tax by allocating $250 million subsidy for MTA operations in 2012-2013. However, this subsidy comes from the General Fund, and may be an inadequate replacement for the payroll tax revenues. A better solution will have to be found for future years.
* There has been no new action on Bill S1071, the "bridge and road investment and dedicated fund guaranteed enforcement (BRIDGE) reform act." This BRIDGE act pushes NYS to abide by the law enacted in 1991, to ensure that the NYS gasoline tax is used only for road and bridge repair and maintenance. Please let me know if your legislator is willing to push this legislation forward.
|
| Court Restructuring - Helga Schroeter | |
The Fund for Modern Courts held a meeting to discuss future plans to promote court simplification and strategies used to achieve this goal. Cosponsors of the meeting were the LWV of New York State, Common Cause, the state Bar Association, the LWV of NYC, and several other advocacy groups. Former Chief Judge Judith Kaye set the stage with some opening remarks, putting the efforts of court consolidation into historic perspective. Judge Kaye, a long-time advocate of court reform, quoted the NYS constitution, "There shall be a Unified Court System," along with former Chief Judge Breitel, who called the Unified Court System a fiction. She also referred back to the Dunne Commission and its excellent recommendations in its report on "The Future of the Courts."
In order to accomplish an efficient, effective court simplification, a constitutional amendment is needed. This means passage of the amendment by two separately elected legislatures and ratification by the voters. Therefore, this coming year will be crucial for first passage of such an amendment.
There are very compelling reasons for achieving the goal of a simplified system, the most compelling one of them being the Family Court. This court is truly a "poor people's" court, dealing with society's most pressing issues, such as juvenile justice, custody and child support, foster care and adoption, domestic violence and child abuse. Yet this court is tremendously overburdened and underfunded, with litigants having to return to court time after time, losing another day at their work place, etc.
The main proposals for a court restructuring constitutional amendment include the following components:
- Simplify the court system from 11 separate trial courts to a two-tier system, merging Family, County, Court of Claims and Surrogate Courts into the Supreme Court;
- Create a Fifth Department to alleviate the overburdened NYC system;
- Create a wider, more diverse pool of Supreme Court justices eligible for the appellate division of the court system;
- Maintain the manner in which judges are currently selected, either by election or by appointment (Merger in Place).
- Remove the constitutional limit on the number of Supreme Court Justices to relieve overburdened courts.
Strategies to achieve court simplification include coalition building with committed partners who will actively advocate and educate; involvement of the governor and the state legislature; media relations / editorial comments; a cost analysis of potential savings; presentations to individual groups and constituents.
|
| Public Relations - Arlene Hinkemeyer | |
We now have the name and contact information for the PR/publicity person in 52 of the 56 Leagues in NYS (thank you all for responding!), so soon I'll be able to send out sample news releases/flyers and other publicity information that I hope will be helpful. Forty of the 56 Leagues are reaching out to their "publics" with a website. For those considering Facebook, I've surveyed the eight Leagues in NYS on their experiences with Facebook; see the results of the survey here.
Also, on the LWVUS website, there is a Guideline for Webs, Blogs, and Social Media. Check it out for some ideas. |
| Membership News - Georgia DeGregorio | |
A questionnaire was sent to all Members at Large (MALs), both state MALS and members of our MAL Units (newly-forming local Leagues). Of the 136 MALS, we only received responses from 13 people. We did find out, though, that some had not heard from the League so we will be sure to follow up and distribute information to our MALs on a regular basis.
LWV of Bronxville, East Chester, Tuckahoe is considering disbandment because of problems finding leaders. Please contact me or the state League if your League is experiencing similar issues before it is too late. We will help any local Leagues strengthen and build leadership within its own organization.
Individuals in Delaware County have contacted the state League to inquire about starting a new League there; we are exploring ideas with them.
Many local Leagues are having problems recruiting and developing leaders for their League. Here is a quick survey that will give us some extra information to assist these Leagues:
WHAT IS YOUR "MLQ"?
[Membership Leadership Quotient]
- Does your League have a Membership Chair/Coordinator?
- Does your League have a Membership Team [with two or more people on the committee]?
- Does your League support your Membership Recruitment efforts throughout the year [i.e. is it an integral part of your yearly planning of events and studies]?
- Does your League have a prominent, continuous presence in your community by reaching out to all inthe three areas below?
- Directly to individuals and local groups who share an interest?
- When performing presentations and events, do you partner with other groups?
- Building relationships with the media?
- Does your League have a Leadership Development plan to be followed by the Board and the Nominating committee?
- Do you have a local league website that is updated regularly for current and future activity?
- Does your group have FUN being League members?
These are the basic requirements for building membership and developing leaders for the future.
If you answer "yes" in 7 out of 7 questions, please get in touch with us so we can use you as a MODEL League!!!
If you answered "yes" to 5/6 out of 7 questions, you can probably correct that.
If you answered "yes" to 4 or fewer, (especially if you are not having FUN!), NOW IS THE TIME TO CALL OR EMAIL YOUR MEMBERSHIP CHAIR AT NYS!! We have an experienced membership team that will provide support proven to work with your unique circumstances. We will be here to help you every step of the way towards preparing your League for the 21st Century. Contact the state office at 518-465-4162 or me at georgiatd@frontiernet.net.
|
| Local League News | |
The League of Women Voters of the Rochester Metropolitan Area held a most successful forum on "Increasing Voter Participation," using the LWVNYS materials. Fifty individuals attended, including twelve League members and the two Monroe County Commissioners of Elections. The forum received excellent media coverage, including a President's interview on the local public radio station, on YNN, the Time Warner Cable station, and with the weekly newspaper Post Publications. The Rochester LWV also is initiating a program to involve young people in League operations through use of Facebook.
The Westchester ILO weighed in on implementation of the settlement agreement entered between Westchester County and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2009, decrying the increased polarization of the parties to the agreement. THe LWV of Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester held a successful forum on fair and affordable housing in their communities; over 60 people attended this event.
The Wayne County MAL has developed a wonderful PowerPoint, Voting 101, which incorporates much of the Vote 18 program. Click here to link to the program.
Solar Energy in Broome and Tioga Counties was the topic of discussion at an event hosted by LWV Broome and Tioga Counties on January 24th. The guest speakers included Dr. Roger Westgate, Director of the Center for Autonomous Solar Power, Dr. Gay Canough, President and Owner of ETM SolarWorks, Edward Gunn, owner of SunMaxx and Gary Doupe.
At their holiday luncheon, the LWV of Schenectady honored their nine local League members who have been members for at least 50 years! Each woman was honored with a certificate and rose.
The LWV of New York City held a training session on voter registration in January. Members learne everything about registering voters in New York including the revised voter registration form, new Board of Election policies and how to use the paper ballot and optical scan voting system.
The LWV of Buffalo/Niagara hosted a luncheon with guest speaker Kathy Hochul, US Congresswoman on December 16th. She discussed her work as the newest Representative of the 26th United States Congressional District. She also discussed her service on the Armed Services Committee and the Committee of Homeland Security.
About 160 people attended a candidate forum sponsored by the LWV of Huntington this fall; all 12 candidates running for office in the 16th, 17th, and 18th Legislative Districts of Suffolk County, the Huntington Town Board, and the Receiver of Taxes participated. In addition to the annual reviews of local elections and budgets, the LWV of Scarsdale successfully launched studies of several potentially hot-button issues- modern roundabouts, a Fair and Affordable Housing settlement between the County and HUD and a broad-view assessment of the current state of Scarsdale's non-partisan system for electing local trustees and mayor.
The LWV of Chautauqua held a forum in which Jim Rawcliffe spoke about his experience in reorganizing local governments in England and Wales in the 1970s.
The LWV of Plattsburgh Area held their second Meet Your State Legislators event on Saturday, January 21. Senator Little, Assemblywomen Janet Duprey and Teresa Sayward spoke about how they entered their political careers and of the challenges they encountered on their road to the Legislature. The event ended with students' names being entered into a lottery with the 2 winners attending the state League's Students Inside Albany Conference.
The LWV of Tompkins County submitted their response to the DEC's draft SGEIS in November. They presented highlights of this response at the November DEC hearing in Binghamton. The LWV of Rivertowns also submitted comments to the DEC, as well as other local media outlets. The LWV of Brookhaven organized a viewing of the movie, Gasland, followed by a discussion on the issue of hydrfracking. The LWV of Cortland County hosted a forum on the issue with Deborah Rodgers speaking on the Shale Gas Financial Bubble.
The League of Women Voters of Smithtown presented Civil Rights History in Smithtown. Paul Glatzer, a 40-year teacher of U.S. History and the Black Experience, compiled a scrapbook of activity in Smithtown during the spring of 1968; this collection is currently on file in the Smithtown Library's History Room. Mr. Glatzer, along with Frances Watkins, LWV member and activist at that time, will present historical context and facilitate discussion of Civil Rights activity in Smithtown and neighboring towns during that fateful spring, summer and fall.
At their January 9th members' meeting LWVof the Hamptons hosted newly-elected Supervisors, Anna Throne-Holst of Southampton and Bill Wilkinson of East Hampton. They each spoke about their recent accomplishments and identified plans for their new terms.
The League of Saratoga County presented Losing Ground: Efforts to Restrict Voting Rights in USA. The event was held January 19th with guest speaker Tim O'Brien of the LWVUS Voter Participation Project and panelists from the Albany-based Law and Justice Center and the NYCLU. The evening focused on the legislation sweeping our nation and threatening voting rights for a significant portion of our citizens.
The LWV of Chemung County has a busy spring planned with a program to salute your favorite woman in history in March, equal pay day program in April and school baord election debates in May.
Don't forget to send your newsletter, photos and event announcements to the state League office (by email or regular mail); we want to include information from all leagues! |
| Susan B. Anthony Musical Tribute | |
"Only the Message Matters"
Music and Lyrics honoring Susan B. Anthony
CDs available with a portion of sales donated to the LWVNYS
The song cycle/narrative, written by Bob Warren, focuses of Susan's early influences, her arrest for voting in the election of 1872 and subsequent trial. Bob Warren delivers a poignant musical exploration into the life and spirit of Susan B. Anthony with "Only the Message Mattered." Mr. Warren takes listeners on a journey that is as significant spiritually as it is socially. With its breathtaking harmonies and hauntingly beautiful melodies, the music is seamlessly interwoven with historical dialogue that leaves audiences of all ages and genders informed and enlightened. ( click here for purchase info) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
