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League Opposes BOL Stipends
cont. from home page

Following is the 2005 letter sent to the BOL.
Read the League's consensus statement

December 23, 2005

Dear Mr. Ryan and Honorable Members of the Board of Legislators:

Although we have the highest regard for our elected officials and the good work that they do, the League of Women Voters of Westchester was dismayed to learn of the substantial raises in pay and stipends proposed for the members of the Board of Legislators.  This proposal was made public at the eleventh hour, providing little time for public notification and review.  Further, because the number of positions, legislators’ salaries (separated out from staff salaries), stipends and fringe benefits are not listed in the Board of Legislators’ section of the county operating budget, the citizens of Westchester County cannot make an informed decision as to whether the increases are warranted.  We ask for more details in the budget and an explanation of the board’s needs. 

The LWV of Westchester opposes stipends for everyone other than the chair of the Board of Legislators.  However, we want to emphasize that we consider the proposed $40,000 stipend for the chair to be excessive.  The League believes that legislators should be viewed as professionals fulfilling their responsibilities to the county and the electorate.  There is no need for financial incentives beyond a base salary. Stipends are not always based on comparable responsibilities or merit.  Also, they may influence the addition or elimination of committees for political or financial reasons, rather than need.  The LWV of Westchester recommends that a review be made of the existing committees, with a goal towards consolidation.

We appreciate the many hours legislators work on the county's business, but we do not accept the argument that their jobs are full time.  When elected, legislators knew that their positions were considered to be part time.  If there is to be a change in this designation, it needs careful consideration and the approval of the citizens of Westchester County.  We recommend the appointment of a non-partisan committee, with citizen participation, to study this issue.  

We question the rationale that raises have not been given for the past four years and, therefore, are retroactive.  We believe that any increases in salary should be submitted to public hearings on an annual basis.  It is time to make the salary review process more transparent. 

We ask that you reconsider these proposals, and we look forward to an expeditious reply.  

Sincerely,

Joy Rosenzweig, President 
Rosemary MacLaughlin, First Vice President, County Gov. Committee 
Barbara Strauss, Co-Chair, Budget Committee 
Mary Beth Gose, Co-Chair, BudgetCommittee

County League Convention
Photos June 7, 2007

SAD NEWS: SANDY SLADE

Sadly, I must report that our former President, Sandy Slade, of The League Of Women Voters of Bronxville ( Serving Bronxville, Eastchester,
Tuckahoe, Mt. Vernon & Yonkers) passed away suddenly last evening (May 29). She had just completed her term as President of the League of Women Voters of Bronxville, and been elected to serve a two year term as a director. She had also been slated to research the coming redistricting proposals by the County League, as she was Co-Chair Of the County Government Committee. She will be missed.

With Sadness,
Adelaide DiGiorgi,
LWVBronxville President

Keeping an Eye on the
Tappan Zee Bridge Project

If interested in joining the Study Committee of the Westchester County LWV please contact Chairman Kristina McCarthy c/o the Westchester County League.

The New York State Convention was great! There were 114 Delegates representing 40 Local Leagues and 2 ILOs as well as 10 members of the NYS Board. Delegates came from all over New York State, from Chautauqua in the west to the Hamptons in the east, Plattsburgh in the north to Long Island in the south. It was a pleasure to meet and network with so many fine leaguers who share our concerns and goals. We attended informative seminars, workshops and caucuses, as well as the all-important Plenary Sessions.

On Saturday morning we were welcomed by Joseph Delfino, Mayor of White Plains and William Ryan, Chairman of the Board of Legislators of Westchester County. A press conference was attended by State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and members of the Assembly Adam Bradley, Sandy Galef, Amy Paulin. George Latimer made an appearance at lunch.

Delegates chose the 2007-2009 State Program, adopted a State League Budget, Revisions to the Bylaws, and elected a slate of officers to serve for the next two years. The Recommended Program was adopted with a change to the item SOCIAL POLICY changed to WOMEN'S ISSUES/SOCIAL POLICY. After much discussion, two non-recommended items were adopted: one recommending that NYS join the Compact for a National Popular Vote, and another adopting a change in the State position on the Need for Universal Health Care and Health Care Reform.

Our sincere thanks to the many volunteers from the Westchester Leagues who helped to make the Convention run smoothly. And a very special thank you to the members of the New York State Board and its staff: Kristen Hansen, Executive Director; Stephanie Lopez, Administrative Assistant; and Marwa Elbially, Receptionist/Secretary. No one worked harder than they did.

Rosemary MacLaughlin
LWV of Westchester

Reform New York Day,
Monday, April 23, 2007

Below, Pics & Report on last year's
REFORM NY DAY OF ACTION
MAY 9, 2006, in Albany

The mop is mightier than the sword!

Rally on the Capitol Steps

By Megan Quattlebaum
Posted on Wed May 10, 2006 at 03:07:44 PM EST

Yesterday, I was one of 200 activists who traveled to Albany to tell lawmakers that this year they need to finish the job of reforming state government. I boarded a bus in New York City at 6am with a group of extremely committed individuals who had woken up very early that morning to join our effort.

Once we made it up to Albany, we heard presentations from Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Suozzi; Senate Minority Leader and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor David Paterson; Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco. Many of the news stories from the day focused on Suozzi's unexpected call for the resignation of both legislative leaders.

Afterward, we gathered together in groups and went off to lobby individual legislators on our issues. I was impressed with the members of my group for their ability to communicate their perspectives on complex issues like redistricting and transparency in budgeting while keeping their comments grounded and personal. One of my team members, for example, focused on how redistricting had affected her former hometown in Westchester when they were suddenly lumped into a new district that took them away from surrounding communities to which they were more closely connected both socially and geographically.

At the end of the day, we gathered together on the steps of the Captiol for a rally and press event. We held brooms and mops to highlight our intention to "Sweep Albany Clean."

The day was a great success. We invigorated the Albany reform movement and made lawmakers feel concrete pressure on our five key issues.