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Our Mission
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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 Don’t miss
our HOT TOPICS!
Hot Topics tackle some of the
most controversial topics of the day—Elections, the economy, health
care, and social issues. We have
engaged leaders and experts on these issues, for information and
discussion. If you’re not
attending our Hot Topics, you are missing out!
.
 Mon.
May 14: Hot Topic on
Transportation. How Will We Get
Around in the Future? Lou Gomes,
outreach coordinator for the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority
will tell us about TBARTA’s plan for regional transportation in the
seven-county West Central Florida Region, and discuss what transportation
improvements will work best for our communities. 12 noon to 1:00 pm, Bradenton
Woman’s Club, 1705 Manatee Ave. W.
Refreshments and brown bag lunch begin at 11:30 am.
No Hot Topics June thru
August
 Mon. Sept. 10:
The Ballot Amendments, Part I: Information and discussion on the
proposed changes to the Florida State Constitution, pros and cons, for
Amendments 1-6. 12 noon to 1:00 pm,
Bradenton Woman’s Club, 1705 Manatee Ave. W. Refreshments and brown bag lunch begin
at 11:30 am.
Mon.
Oct. 8: The Ballot Amendments,
Part II: Information
and discussion the proposed changes to the Florida State Constitution, pros
and cons, for Amendments 7-12. 12 noon to 1:00 pm,
Bradenton Woman’s Club, 1705 Manatee Ave. W. Refreshments and brown bag lunch begin
at 11:30 am.
Scroll down to see the list of proposed amendments.
All LWV Hot Topics are open to the general public and
free of charge. Missed one? No problem. Just go onto Manatee Educational
TV’s website—http://metvweb.com/—for
their schedule of showings, or click on their YouTube link to watch our Hot
Topics online. For more League
events, click on “Calendar” on top bar.
Other programs of interest:
Manatee 2020 Project: LWV of Manatee County and METV have
partnered to look at innovative ways to improve our schools. Manatee 2020 is
a series of panel discussions featuring experts and a live studio
audience. All programs will be
held at METV Studios, Rte 301 and 63rd Ave. E, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
Tues. Mar. 25: Charter
Schools: a continuation of
Tiger Bay’s excellent discussions on this growing segment of public
education.
Tues. Apr. 24: Nutrition and Student Learning: the impact of
federal mandates, menu options, and fueling the student brain.
Tues. May 29: Mentoring: what really works and how much can
volunteers help in supporting student learning.
To
attend a live session, RSVP at 355-7121.
All
programs will be aired live and replay on METV.
 Sat. Aug. 25. Women’s Equity Day. 11:00 am. An annual celebration of the
anniversary of women’s right to vote. Exhibits, networking, lunch, and
speaker program. Polo Grill
restaurant, Main St., Lakewood Ranch.
Circle this date on your calendar. Reservation info to be posted soon.
LWV Speaker’s Bureau: Do you belong to a club that hosts guest
speakers? We now have a League
Speakers Bureau, and can supply your group with practiced speakers with slide
programs on a variety of topics.
We currently offer informational programs on the Affordable Care Act
of 2010; the Florida Election Act of 2011; Redistricting; the proposed Amendments
to the Florida Constitution, and a presentation on the work of the League of
Women Voters. For more
information, click on the “Committees” tab above, or call
729-9248.
VOTER INFORMATION –BE PREPARED TO VOTE!
Due to provisions in the Election
Act passed by the Florida Legislature in 2011, the League of Women Voters of Manatee
County wants to remind voters to contact the county Supervisor of Elections
Office to verify their status, especially if they have relocated from another
county, changed their name or signature, or want to vote by mail (absentee
ballot). Under Florida law,
voters must be registered properly at least 29 days prior to an
election.
Due to the new law, if you have
changes in this information, you will no longer be able to make those changes
at the polls—you will have to use a provisional ballot instead. To quickly prepare for all three
elections in 2012, you can scan a “Be Ready to Vote” Microsoft
tag for smartphones at http://gettag.mobi. For more information, visit the
League’s Be Ready to Vote website, www.BeReadyToVote.org.
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 Citizen action: Get
involved! Contact your elected officials. Let them know what you think.
Download our
Citizen’s Guide to Elected Officials for contact
information.
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Election 2012 Preview
STATE LEGISLATURE-proposed
November ballot amendments
Florida
Constitutional amendment proposals
(require 60% voter approval)
Lawmakers approved the following proposed constitutional amendments
for the November 2012 general election ballot.
1.
Health Care Services: Prohibit laws or rules from compelling
any person or employer to purchase, obtain, or otherwise provide for health
care coverage.
2.
Homestead Property Tax Discount for Disabled
Veterans. Expands the availability of the
property discount on the homesteads of veterans who became disabled as the
result of a combat injury.
3.
State Government Revenue Limitation. Replaces the existing state
revenue limitation based on Florida personal income growth with a new state
revenue limitation based on inflation and population changes.
4.
Property Tax Reduction for
Non-homestead Assessment.
Provides that non-homestead property assessment may not increase if the just
value of that property is less than the just value of the property on the
preceding January 1.
5.
State Courts. Provides that the Legislature may
repeal a rule of court by a general law approved by a majority vote of each
house of the Legislature.
6.
Public Funding of Abortions. Provides that public funds may not be
expended for any abortion or for health-benefits coverage that includes
coverage of abortion.
7.
Removed
8.
Religious freedom. Deletes the prohibition against using
revenues from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any
church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian
institution.
9.
Homestead Property Tax Exemption. Provides total or partial exemption
for surviving spouse of military veteran or first responder.
10. Tangible
Personal Property Tax Exemption.
Provides an exemption from ad
valorem taxes levied by local governments on tangible property valued over
$25,000 but less than $50,000.
11. Additional
Homestead Exemption for Low-Income Seniors. For
properties valued at less than $250,000, and residency on the property for at
least 25 years,
12. State
University Board of Governors. Provides appointment of Student Body
president to board of governors of the State University System.
Full text of these amendments at Florida
Division of Elections – Amendments
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 See our latest newsletter:
The Manatee Voter
Volunteers
Needed
Are
you hiding your light under a bushel? Here’s your chance to let
your talents bloom while making a difference in our community. The opportunities are limitless. Here are some examples:
- Distributing voter guides.
- Fundraising
- Staffing booths at events.
- Committee activities- help us
study issues and make recommendations to decision makers.
- Creating attractive and
interesting educational materials.
- Website design
- Expanding our outreach efforts.
- Voter education
- Coordinating our efforts with
other community groups.
If
you are interested, please call 729-9248.
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JOIN THE
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MANATEE COUNTY
The League of Women Voters
celebrated its 90th birthday on February 14, 2010. As the League
honored the years of work its members accomplished, it is also looking to the
future. In 2010 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
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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.
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.
Please
fill out and mail this 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. The League does not support or oppose individual
candidates.
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DONATE TO
THE LEAGUE
Your contribution will provide important support for
advancing our critical work. Contribute today!
send check to:
LWV Manatee
P.O. Box 545
Bradenton, FL 34206
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