League of Women Voters of Manatee County, Florida

The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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Hot Topic

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:30-1:00pm

Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
322 15th St. West

"The Impact of The Election of President-Elect Barack Obama on Racism"

Panel Discussion of Outstanding Manatee County Activists:

Jim Delgado, Attorney and Hispanic Activist
Lynette Edwards, Asstistant Superintendant of Schools Manatee County and Activist
Charles McKenzie, candidate for Congress, African American Activist
Marge Osborn, local community activist

Sandwiches, cookies and beverages provided by Board

Please RSVP to Nancy Horne, nbhorne2003@yahoo.com 727-0850

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Important dates: Check with the Supervisor of Elections, http://www.votemanatee.com/ or phone 741-3823 for more information.

January 8, 2009 - Electoral votes are officially tallied.

January 20, 2009 - Inauguration Day

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URGENT ACTION NEEDED

A major issue arose in August when the county decided to do away with its Environmental Management Department. While the county had to do some belt-tightening, we believe this was the wrong thing to cut. The county needs to have an agency to handle all of its environmental needs.

One of the programs this change did away with was the county's important air quality monitoring program, needed to protect the health of our citizens and the environment. To date the state has not agreed to take over this program, but at any rate, we do not believe our county should lose control over its data gathering at a time when our county is having air quality problems.
We have written to the County Commissioners, and placed a letter to the editor in our local newspaper.

We encourage all our members to ask the county to reconsider its action. Phone 745-3700.

or write to our Commissioners: e-mail -

District 1 Larry Bustle larry.bustle@mymanatee.org
District 2 Gwen Brown gwen.brown@mymanatee.org
District 3 John R. Chappie john.chappie@mymanatee.org
District 4 Ron Getman ron.getman@mymanatee.org
District 5 Donna Hayes donna.hayes@mymanatee.org
At Large Carol Whitmore carol.whitmore@mymanatee.org
At Large Joe McClash joe.mcclash@mymanatee.org

From the League of Women Voters of the United States

LWVUS Board Adopts Immigration Position

April 2, 2008. “After a lengthy and comprehensive study of this complex issue by our grassroots members,” said national League president Mary G. Wilson, “the League’s position calls for a path to citizenship for current unauthorized immigrants.”

“As part of overall immigration reform, the League supports a system for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status, including citizenship, by paying taxes, learning English, studying civics and meeting other relevant criteria,” Wilson stated. “We oppose deportations of current unauthorized immigrants who have no history of serious criminal activity,” she said.

The full immigration policy approved by the national League’s Board of Directors in March was studied by the organization’s membership for more than eighteen months. The policy achieved member consensus through a survey of the nearly 850 local Leagues. View the full position here.

Other elements of the League’s position include support for increased enforcement personnel at borders, more effective tracking of individuals who enter the U.S., and significant fines and penalties for employers who hire unauthorized workers. Furthermore, the League will champion due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal and right to humane treatment. The League position sets criteria for legal admission to the U.S., including family reunification of spouses or minor children; economic, business and employment needs in the U.S.; political persecution or humanitarian crises; and studying in the U.S.

Read the full position at http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=ImmigrationPosition.

The League will use this recently adopted position to guide its advocacy work on federal legislation introduced on this very important public policy issue.

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From the League of Women Voters of Florida

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ACTION ALERTS!

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The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007

H.R. 811: The League of Women Voters of the United States is closely monitoring this bill. HR811 would improve on the current system used in federal elections in Florida.

What HR811 does:
A voter-verified paper ballot must be produced for every vote cast beginning with the November 2008 elections.
Paper-based voting systems used in 2006 can be used until 2012.
Systems that used no paper ballots at all must be replaced or updated by November 2008.
Routine random audits must be conducted by hand count in 3% of the precincts in all federal elections, and 5% or 10% in very close races.
Durable, scannable, accessible paper ballots must be used by 2012.

Other provisions:
The paper ballot is the vote of record in all recounts and audits, as a check on electronic tallies.
$1 billion in funding is authorized for system replacement and upgrading in FY20008 with additional uprades authorized in FY2009. $100 million each fiscal year is authorized to fund the audits.
An arms-length relationship is established between test labs and voting machine vendors.
This is just an overview of this very important bill. State Bd member Karen Burns has done a complete analysis; if you want to read further, please contact her (marilynnwills@msn.com).

Please contact your representatives in the U.S. House and ask them to support this bill. LWVUS expects the bill to be on the House floor in the near future.

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The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, and that individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged.

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DC Voting Rights

For over 200 years, the citizens of our nation’s capital have not been represented in the U.S. House or U.S. Senate as other citizens of the United States are. Because of this, their voices and their opinions on national issues have gone unheard while they have fought in our wars, served on our juries and dutifully paid their Federal taxes. Disenfranchisement of American citizens living in the District of Columbia is the last great exception to the constitutional principle of “one person, one vote.” At last some progress is being made.

The House on April 20th passed legislation to give the District of Columbia a full seat in Congress, marking the biggest victory in nearly three decades in the city's quest for voting rights.

Members voted 241-177 for the measure, a political compromise that would add two seats to the House: one for the heavily Democratic District and the other for the state next in line for an additional representative. Currently, that state is Republican-leaning Utah.

The legislation still faces major hurdles. Democrats do not appear to have enough votes to avoid a filibuster in the Senate. And, if it clears that chamber, the White House has threatened a veto.

Urge Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez to support DC voting rights.

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Senator Nelson can be reached at his toll-free number 1-888-671-4091.
e-mail to billnelson.senate.gov/

Senator Martinez can be reached at his Tampa office 1-813-207-0509 or DC office 1-202-224-3041.
e-mail martinez.senate.gov/

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Contact your Florida state representatives and senators regarding issues of concern to you.
Rep. Ron Reagan 941-727-6447
Rep. Bill Galvano 941-708-4968
Rep. Keith Fitzgerald 941-955-8077
Rep. Frank Peterman 941-708-8570
Sen. Mike Bennett 941-727-6349
Sen. Lisa Carlton 1-888-349-3042
Sen. Arthenia Joyner 1-813-233-2857

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LOCAL VOICES FORUM

The League's Hot Topics will be rebroadcast every week on METV.

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The 2008 Voter Information Guide, incorporating the League's Citizen's Guide to Government Officials is now available. You should be able to get copies from the Supervisor of Elections, local public libraries, or from Pat Arends. Call her at 383-6235 if you cannot get one elsewhere.

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JOIN THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MANATEE COUNTY

The League of Women Voters celebrated its birthday on February 14. As the League honors the years of work its members accomplished, it is also looking to the future. In 2008 League members will continue their commitment to improving communities across the country. As a nonpartisan political organization with over 850 local and state affiliates, the League is one of America's most trusted organizations.

As we celebrate the difference we have made over the years, we remain focused on the future, working to keep Manatee County strong, healthy and vibrant. This year, the League remains committed to our mission to educate and engage members of the community in their government.

The LWV of Manatee County has an active agenda this year. Our members work toward our goals every day by reaching out to new citizens and first-time voters, protecting our natural resources, improving our election systems and holding public forums on government transparency and other important issues.

We are -

Empowering millions of voters to protect their right to vote
Working to ensure that ALL votes are counted and all voices are heard
Preserving our constitutional rights by safeguarding civil liberties.
Acting as a force for positive change in our communities and in our democracy
We believe that sensible, responsible, civil discourse and action based on substance, rather than partisan battles is essential if we are to avoid polarization and get something done. We believe that American democracy is at risk and that now is the time to act. Years of band-aid solutions and neglect have allowed the mechanisms of many of our government systems to become weak

Join us and bring civil discourse and genuine citizen's perspective back into local, state and national issues. Join us and be part of the solution! Become a member and start receiving benefits today.

Call Marcia Roger, 792-3958 for membership information and application. Membership is open to men and women of all ages. Members have an opportunity to study issues affecting their lives and to promote action agreed on by a consensus of members. The League does not support or oppose individual candidates.

Donate to the League. Your tax-deductible contribution will provide important support for advancing our critical work to safeguard the vote. Contribute today!

LWV Education Fund
P.O. Box 1511
Bradenton, FL 34206-1511

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Our thanks to the BRADENTON HERALD for sponsoring our newsletter, The VOTER.

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Equal Rights Amendment

Please do your part right now while the time is Ripe. Please contact and/or visit your Florida legislators to ask them to "cosponsor and vote for the ERA bill".

The League is supporting the push to approve the Equal Rights Amendment this year. Check the web site www.RatifyERAflorida.net for more information.

League of Women Voters of Manatee County
P. O. Box 1511 · Bradenton, FL · 34206
TELEPHONE: (941) 744-9692

Last modified October 6, 2008 by Ilse Moon.

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