April 2008
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April 2008 LWVCT BOARD REPORT
CALENDAR 2007-08
April 2008 4/1 quarterly PMP payments become due 4/8 SIR, Quinnipiac University (walk-ins accepted but call-ahead preferred) 4/11 “Buses for 21st Century Mobility” 4/18 Second City Improv: “One Nation Under Blog,” Quick Center, Fairfield U 4/22 LWV New Haven et. al. Regional Round Table luncheon, New Haven 4/23 CAGV/LWVCT conference
May 2008 5/13 LWVCT Board meeting, Hamden
June 2008 6/7 LWVCT Council, Social Hall, Miller Senior Center Complex, Hamden 6/10 LWVCT Board meeting, Hamden 6/13-17 LWVUS Convention, Portland, Oregon
Announcements:
Bus/Mobility Conference
There will be a conference on “Buses for 21st Century Mobility” on Friday, April 11, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, in Room 2B of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The keynote speaker for the conference is Mr. Cal Marsella, General Manager/CEO of the Denver Regional Transportation District. If you’re going, RSVP to Kierran Broatch at Connecticut Fund for the Environment, 203-787-0646, Ext. 117 or kbroatch@cfenv.org by April 8th.
Regional Round Table Luncheon
The League of Women Voters of New Haven, in conjunction with the Leagues of Amity, Cheshire–Wallingford, East Shore, and Hamden–North Haven, invites you to a Regional Round Table Luncheon at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at the Graduate Club, 155 Elm Street, New Haven. The cost is $14.00, to be paid at the door. To get the name of the featured speaker and/or to RSVP, please call Margot Kohorn at (203) 795-3151.
Gun Control Conference
Connecticut Against Gun Violence and League of Women Voters of Connecticut are co-sponsoring a presentation by CAGV Executive Director Ron Pinciaro on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., in West Hartford . The topics to be discussed:
Bring your questions!! Refreshments will be served. RSVP and directions to sfmccalley@snet.net.
New Positions: LWVCT Internet/Media Study Concurrence Statement Approved by the LWVCT Board 4/1/2008
A Neutral Internet: "Net Neutrality"
The LWVCT believes that a free and open Internet is increasingly important to the protection of individual liberties – freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association – guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and by the Connecticut Constitution. The League also believes that net neutrality protections are essential for political discourse, dissemination of news, and democratic participation. Therefore, the League of Women Voters of Connecticut supports the LWVUS position to protect the open, neutral, nondiscriminatory nature of the Internet. To further this position, the LWVCT supports efforts by the State of Connecticut to protect the open, neutral, nondiscriminatory nature of the Internet.
Universal High Speed Internet Access for Connecticut
The League of Women Voters supports making high speed Internet access available to all Connecticut residents, without charge, through schools, libraries, and other secure public buildings. High speed affordable Internet access is an essential service that should be readily available to all Connecticut residents and businesses. State and local government policies should support broadband, wireless, and other means of high speed Internet deployment throughout the state.
Efficient, high speed access to the Internet for all Connecticut residents-regardless of geographic location or neighborhood demographics-is a necessity for assuring equal access to local and state government, for maintaining openness and transparency in government activities, for communicating with legislative leaders, for engaging in political discourse, for competing in the global marketplace, and for assuring that voters receive the information they need to participate in our democracy.
Community Access and Public Affairs TV: Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) TV & the Connecticut Network (CT-N)
The League of Women Voters believes that community access television channels – for public, educational, and governmental programming – must be adequately protected, promoted, and funded, regardless of the provider of TV/video services to Connecticut residents. Statewide public affairs programming, such as provided by The Connecticut Network (CT-N), must be adequately protected, promoted, and funded by the state legislature and available to all Connecticut residents, regardless of the provider of TV/video services. Government should provide opportunities for citizen participation in decisions regarding community access, or PEG, TV.
Access to the public airwaves through modem TV/video communication is essential to the public interest and to League of Women Voters’ mission and purpose- to protect civil liberties, to ensure open, transparent government, and to promote the public’s right to know. To protect the public interest, high quality PEG transmission and PEG availability on basic service tiers are essential.
The Study Committee and the Board want to thank everyone who took part in the concurrence process. So far, 12% of all the League members in the state, 26 of our 27 Leagues, and both MAL Units have participated. Concurrence responses are still being accepted until April 15th.
LWVUS Immigration Consensus Position approved by the LWVUS in March 2008
The League of Women Voters believes that immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and employment needs of the United States; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. Provision should also be made for qualified persons to enter the U.S. on student visas. All persons should receive fair treatment under the law.
The League supports federal immigration law that provides an efficient, expeditious system (with minimal or no backlogs) for legal entry of immigrants into the U.S.
To complement these goals the League supports federal policies to improve economies, education, job opportunities, and living conditions in nations with large emigrating populations.
In transition to a reformed system, the League supports provisions for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status.
The League supports federal payments to impacted communities to address the financial costs borne by states and local governments with large immigrant populations.
Criteria for Legal Admission to the U.S.
The League supports the following criteria for legal admission of persons into the United States:
Administration and Enforcement
The League supports 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 supports:
The League also supports programs allowing foreign workers to enter and leave the U.S. to meet seasonal or sporadic labor needs.
Unauthorized Immigrants Already in the U.S.
In achieving overall policy goals, 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. While policy reforms, including a path to legal status, remain unachieved, the League does not support deporting unauthorized immigrants who have no history of criminal activity.
Public Issues Team Report Submitted by Cheryl Dunson with Directors and Specialists
Reminder: Visit the Action page of our website to read testimony and/or sign up to become a 10-minute activist to support our advocacy efforts.
HAVA Committee Meeting Report: LWVCT President Jara Burnett represented the League at a meeting of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) committee on 3/25/08. Secretary Bysiewicz reported that additional HAVA funds of almost $1.4 million are available to Connecticut. To receive funds, a revised HAVA Plan needs to be filed with the federal elections office. It was noted that a record voter turn out is expected in November. The Sec. of State is taking steps to ensure that the Centralized Voter Registration data base is able to handle the expected activity. Also, poll worker training and outreach to voters on the Optiscan machines will continue. Participation by volunteer groups like the LWV is welcome.
Voting Machines: The League submitted written testimony on HB 5888, AAC Revisions to the Optical Scan Voting System, which, among other things, would establish an independent, professional audit team.
Ethics: The League testified in favor of two ethics bills, SB 333, AAC Comprehensive Ethics Reforms, and HB 5029, AAC The Ethics Code for Government Officials. At least eight other ethics-related bills are under consideration. We are monitoring them all.
Transparency in Government: We regret that our transparency bills died in committee. We thank all of who took action in support of SB 336, AAC Transparency in Government. Although it unanimously passed the GAE committee, it was sent to the Judiciary where it died due to lack of action. The bill, while modest, would change the way the legislature does business, so we anticipate that it will take many attempts and strong member action before this becomes a reality.
Natural Resources
Broadwater LNG Proposal: On 3/20, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) unanimously approved Broadwater’s proposal to build a floating LNG gas plant in Long Island Sound. Gov. Rell, Attorney General Blumenthal and our entire US Delegation condemned the decision. All eyes are now on NY, which has final regulatory authority. A NY decision is hoped for by mid-April but that may be extended due to new Governor. AG Blumenthal has stated his intent to appeal the decision. A press conference and rally called by Congresswoman DeLauro and Congressman Courtney for a final push to urge New York to deny Broadwater and protect Long Island Sound is scheduled for Monday, April 7th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Branford Town Dock at Stony Creek. Call or email Kasey Jacobs, Citizens Campaign for the Environment CT Program Coordinator, at (203)785-9080 or kjacobs@citizenscampaign.org for more information and to confirm your attendance.
Watershed Land Protection: We submitted comments on HB 5900 AAC Watershed Land and HB 5903 AAC Drinking Water.
Increased Funding for DEP: LWVCT and statewide coalition partners are urging support of a $4.5 million increase in funding for DEP operations, with $3 million of it dedicated to restored staffing. Over the years, DEP has been decimated by years of budget neglect. Please take action in support of increased DEP funding – visit the action page of our website for more information.
Solid Waste: This year we again submitted testimony on RB 357 AAC Concerning The Expansion of The Beverage Container Redemption Provisions to Include Water Bottles. The bill was amended to be similar to last year’s proposal, i.e., adding not just water bottles, but sport beverages, teas, etc.
Climate Change: Our legislative priority, HB 5600, AAC Connecticut Global Warming Solutions was approved by the Environment Committee on an 18 to 6 vote. It has many provisions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and as a result, will be referred to Transportation, Public Safety, Planning and Development and Appropriations. The League also submitted testimony on HB 5798, AA Establishing a Tax Credit for Green Buildings , HB 5787, AAC Connecticut’s Economic, Energy and Climate Security, and SB 588, AA Establishing a Cap and Trade Program for Emissions.
Transportation: The League urged Governor Rell, Sens. Williams, Looney and McKinney, Speaker Amann and Reps. Donovan and Cafero to support the additional funding for bus transit contained in RB 5734. Increased bus transit will benefit the economy and the environment and improve mobility for residents across the state.
Gun Control: The League submitted testimony in favor of SB 607, An Act Concerning the Identification of Certain Firearms and the Criminal Possession of Firearms. This would require the microstamping of guns, which would make it possible to link a gun to a crime. The bill died in Judiciary committee.
Social Policy
Mental Health Care: The League advocated for two bills related to supportive housing: SB 142 calls for the development of 650 units of affordable housing and support services, of which 450 units will be for single adults and 210 units for families. SB 422 (An Act Concerning Supportive Housing for Individuals with Mental Illness) was passed by the Public Health Committee and sent to Appropriations.
School Finance and Education Cost Sharing: The League submitted testimony to the Education Committee in opposition to HB 5026, AA Implementing the Governor’s Recommendations Regarding Education. Our opposition is aimed specifically at the inadequate allocation for ECS and the too high Special Education Excess Cost Multiplier, and we made specific suggestions for improvements in these areas. Unfortunately, the committee voted the budget out with no changes in any of these areas. The prospects for any additional funds for ECS and Excess Cost are slim and diminish further with each new revenue forecast.
School Vouchers: HB 5594, AAC Corporate Tax Credit and Income Tax Credit for Donations to Education Foundations, was amended to provide tax incentives to educational foundations that “support or improve a local or regional board of education.” Our specialist Karen Rosen was unable to testify in opposition to HB 5594 because our existing League position specifies “direct” support. We will be proposing a change to our current school voucher position for member consideration at Council meeting in June.
CALL TO COUNCIL 2008
Saturday, June 7th 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Social Hall, Miller Senior Center Complex, Hamden 2901 Dixwell Avenue (just west of Whitney Ave.), Hamden
PLENARY SESSION Roll Call Of Leagues Each League describes highlights of the year in 90 seconds Treasurer’s Report President’s Report Presentation and Adoption of the Budget Public Issues Report
WORKSHOPS: Basic Moderators’ Review (led by Jean Rabinow) Action How-To (led by Judy Blei) League Governance: Alternative Structures (led by Carol Reimers & Jara Burnett)
LUNCHEON Recognition of 50-year members Speaker: Jonathan Pelto, President, Impact Strategies, Inc.
After-lunch pre-Convention planning session for delegates to LWVUS Convention
Each League is entitled to two (2) voting delegates; MAL Units are entitled to one (1) delegate each. Any League or MAL Unit may send as many observers is it would like; Leagues that have not filled their delegate count may authorize such observers to act as their delegates. Cost for the first attendee from each League or MAL Unit will be $27; all other attendees from your League or Unit will be charged $24 each. Further details will be available in upcoming Board Reports.
Please return one copy for each registrant at your earliest convenience to: LWVCT Council Registration, 1890 Dixwell Ave., Suite 203, Hamden, CT 06514
Amount Enclosed ($27/24 per person) $_________ |
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