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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WESTCHESTER
Making Democracy Work |
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LWV of Westchester Statement on Tappan Zee Bridge Proposal of Fall 2008
In April 2001, with the Tappan Zee Bridge moving beyond its projected life of 50 years and traffic congestion increasing on Route I-287, the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) and MTA Metro North Railroad (MNR) formed a partnership to undertake a comprehensive study of transportation needs and mobility on the corridor. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) joined the team as coordinator in 2005. In the spring of 2007, this team formed stakeholders' groups (SAWGs) to participate in discussion of its plans. The Westchester League of Women Voters (LWVW) participates in two SAWGs. The LWVW has also hosted several informational meetings for the public on the Tappan Zee/I-287 project. In March 2007, in cooperation with the Rockland League of Women Voters, we held a particularly well-attended meeting at Kendal-on-Hudson in Sleepy Hollow. That meeting featured speakers from the NYSDOT, the Westchester Planning Department, the Rockland County Legislature and the Westchester Rockland Tappan Zee Bridge Task Force. Then, in September 2008, the NYSDOT - now the lead agency of the project - presented new plans for the project. As many area residents are not yet familiar with either the past or current proposals, we thought it might be useful to offer a set of pros and cons for discussion. Download complete statement (Word document) For more information, contact Kristina McCarthy at lwvWestchester@verizon.net. BIGGER BETTER BOTTLE BILL SUCCESS After seven years of advocacy the BBBB has passed. We have worked with our coalition partners using Action Alerts to our members and legislative memos to our elected officials, speaking at hearings, sending press releases, etc., etc. etc. The new bill requires a deposit on bottled water, and this is huge because last year 3.2 BILLION water bottles were sold in NY. The other great news is that beverage companies must return 80% of unclaimed deposits to the State General Fund (not to the Environmental Protection Fund); since 1982 beverage companies have kept more than $2 billion of unclaimed deposits. The law also increases the handling fee for retailers to 3.5 cents and provides an assistance program through EPF for private, non-profits and municipal entities. This expanded recycling will conserve resources, including energy. League to Study NPV Compact The LWV-W will be participating in the LWVUS Consensus on the National Popular Vote Compact (NPV Compact). The NPV Compact provides a way to choose the President of the United States by popular vote without amending the Constitution. The League has a long-standing position in support of the direct election of the president by popular vote. Now, League members have the opportunity to consider whether to support the NPV Compact as a viable process to achieve that result. The NPV Compact would avoid the need for a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College (EC), and would assure that the individual receiving the most votes would become president. A member of the LWV-W Executive Board, Marianna Stout, will chair the study. Each local league has one vote in the consensus study, so there are a total of 12 votes (including one for the Westchester League Board). All local leagues are encouraged to select a representative to join the study group. The study is not complex and abundant background material is provided at www.lwv.org The study group will prepare for the consensus meetings beginning in mid-March and consensus meetings will be held in April/May. Consensus results must be provided to national by May 1, 2009. A DVD (about 1 hour) with background information on the NPV Compact is available from the LWV-W. For county leagues that are unable to provide a member to join the study group, Marianna Stout will be available to present background information with pros and cons and to facilitate a consensus meeting. To join the study group, or to request support for the consensus, contact Marianna Stout at marianna.stout@att.net or 914-739-1088. Voter Service Contact Laura Fratt (723-5108 or fratt@verizon.net). Environment and Open to anyone who wants to observe it, our County Legislative Environment Committee becomes opaque if no one shows up to see what's going on. Issues that affect your home, town and taxes directly are discussed and positions are recommended in these committee meetings. That's where the LWVW can be an invaluable "fly on the wall", reporting on and publicizing the issues this committee discusses. No other non-profit group fills this niche. The fact that we are non-partisan carries extra weight in the minutes we report. The more of us who join, the easier it will be. Just one afternoon every other month (currently Mondays at 3:00) and a few paragraphs of minutes that will be disseminated to our County Voter and web site will create a valuable resource to those interested in the workings of our local government and it will create another tangible reason to support our local LWVs with membership and donations.So give it a try. It's fun and usually very interesting. And you might just find out what the county is up to in your home town! Take Action! Our Citizen Action Toolkit is an easy-to-use resource for contacting elected officials, or to send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Support League issues with just a few clicks of your mouse. You can sign up for action alerts on the issues that are important to you.Make your voice heard!
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Calendar LWVW Calendar for 2008-09 For more info on events around the county click here and give us your email address Read the LWV of Westchester newsletter, the COUNTY VOTER: Download a pdf file of County League's current newsletter here (past issues, too) See other Leagues' newsletters LWV of Westchester Annual Convention Held in June
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Single Payer National Health Insurance Op Ed published in the Journal News on February 19, written by Madeline Zevon, vice president of the White Plains League of Women Voters and a member of the LWV of Westchester Health Committee. The recession has been taking a toll on New York businesses, but it isn't the only thing ailing us; the high cost of health care and the lack of access to care dog businesses and individuals. Here is a commentary from the League of Women Voters on single-payer national health insurance, a leading solution to the cost and accessibility problems plaguing health care in New York, where an estimated 1 in 6 people lacks insurance. What is single payer? It refers to the administration of health-care funds by one payer, rather than by the current multiple insurance companies. This payer would be the federal government. Think of single payer as enhanced and improved Medicare for all. The League of Women Voters of Westchester, New York state and the U.S. League all advocate for single-payer health care. Westchester County Needs Septic Management! The League of Women Voters of Westchester and LWV New Castle have been collaborating to advocate for a Septic Management Plan for the county. Based on findings and consensus from one county study and two New Castle studies, oversight of these systems is essential to ensure proper functioning and long-term efficacy. To date there have been no requirements for maintenance of the County League Seeks Volunteers If you know of someone who may be interested in serving on the County Board or any of the committees, or if you have an interest in doing so, contact the League office: LWVW Statements on Proposed County Budget for 2009 The following statement was presented by the LWVW at the Westchester County Board of Legislators' Public Hearing on the 2009 County Budget held Dec. 3, 2008. The League of Women Voters® of Westchester thanks the Board of Legislators (BOL) for this opportunity to present its view on the proposed budget. The League appreciates the efforts that have been made to make information about the budget more easily accessible to the public through the County’s and BOL’s websites. We also appreciate the time that the BOL Budget and Appropriations Committee has spent in public meetings with Commissioners reviewing the proposed departmental budgets. LWVW Opposes Pay Increases in Proposed County Budget for 2009 The League of Women Voters of Westchester read the following consensus statement on Dec. 8, 2008, at the Westchester County Board of Legislators' Public Hearing on the proposal to provide retroactive pay increases to commissioners and non-represented managers. The League of Women Voters® of Westchester thanks the Board of Legislators (BOL) for this opportunity to present its view on the proposal submitted by the County Executive to raise the salaries for Commissioners and non-represented managers by 3.25%. Join the League! The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan grassroots organization which promotes informed citizen participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. League members make a difference in their community, statewide and nationally through active volunteering and/or financial support. Membership is open to all citizens of voting age. Non-citizens may join as associates. Students may join at a reduced rate. For further information on membership, contact a local League through the link on this page or e-mail www.lwvwestchester.org with your address and phone number and we will contact you with further information. |
County Legislator Lois Bronz was the speaker at the County LWV's annual meeting. OUR SINCERE THANKS TO WATPA AND THE WESTCHESTER LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR HOSTING OUR SITE.
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Updated by Valerie Castleman June 26 2009