ISSUES
The following items are in no particular order denoting priority, thus leaving LWVW the flexibility to act as varying situations warrant.
I. GOVERNMENT
A. COUNTY BUDGET
Analyze, review and take action on the Westchester County Budget as a fundamental tool for implementing County Government policy, with particular emphasis on the County League program positions as they develop.
OUTLOOK FOR WORK
1. Critically examine and urge improvements to the County Operating and Capital Budgets, in continuance and furtherance of this past year’s goals.
2. Examine methods of cost containment, possible opportunities for consolidation of departmental services within Westchester County Government and also between County and local municipalities.
3. Monitor the impact of proposed budget allocations on government programs, essential human services, and environment and infrastructure.
4. Monitor the budget adoption process, with emphasis on the interaction between the Executive and Legislative branches of County government.
5. Urge improvements to the format of the County Operating and Capital Budgets to render them more transparent and press for earlier release dates.
6. Review Acquisitions and Contracts as to its composition, transparency and the extent of its expenditures.
B. COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Monitor and take action on the operation of the Westchester County Government with particular attention to election process reform and the issues listed below. Continue to monitor campaign finance reform, redistricting, housing issues and other general county items as they arise.
OUTLOOK FOR WORK
1. Continue to help monitor county government steps on the budget and to offer recommendations on specific issues within our purview.
2. Continue educating voters in the use of any new procedures in elections and make recommendations to the Board of Elections (BOE) for improvements in the voting system.
3. Continue to monitor implementation of the Stipulation and Housing Settlement Agreement (HAS) for fair and affordable housing, as well as for the very limited low income housing and housing for the homeless now being considered, and advocate for further development in these areas. Monitor the future actions of the Housing Opportunity Commission and the Board of Legislators’ newly-structured Government Operations Committee, which now includes all Housing matters. Participate as co-sponsor in the newly formed Homes for Westchester initiative, which includes six housing-advocacy agencies and seeks to further the development of 10,000 affordable housing units in the County, above and beyond the requirement of the HSA. And above all, add members to the Housing Committee itself.
4. Continue to actively observe and monitor other legislative programs and policies.
5. Continue to promote redistricting measures to preserve municipal boundaries, standards of compactness, and contiguity and commonality of interest, all consistent with federal requirements for population equality.
6. Help educate the public regarding the merits of achieving countywide property tax reassessment to bring about a more up to date, predictable and equitable system and support municipalities and communities undertaking reassessment. Hold one or more meetings to achieve this objective.
7. Monitor the activities of the County Charter Revision Committee.
II. ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Promote an environment beneficial to life through the wise management of natural resources in the public interest by recognizing the interrelationships of air quality, energy, land use, waste management and water resources.
OUTLOOK FOR WORK
1. Through the League’s annual county budget review process, promote acquisition and preservation of open space by the County which will not compete with land for low income and fair and affordable housing.
2. Monitor and take action on any proposal for the consolidation of sewer districts, the creation of septic districts, or the creation of any entity to address sewage and/or storm water management.
3. Promote public education on environmental issues with emphasis on water quality, storm water management, septic systems and sewers.
4.. Take action to address Global Warming and Sustainability issues with special attention to greenhouse emissions, alternative resources, energy conservation, a countywide septic management plan, Indian Point Nuclear Plant, and mass transit component on the new Tappan Zee Bridge.
5. Promote pollution prevention and reduction with emphasis on: support for county wide pesticide reduction; distribute the League/NYPIRG organic resource guide of garden and lawn care products.
6. Monitor meetings of the Board of Legislators Committee on the Environment and Energy.
B. TRANSPORTATION (TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE)
Continue to study proposals for the replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge and take positions thereon, taking into consideration the environmental consequences, the quality of life, and the economic impact on the region.
OUTLOOK FOR WORK
1. Continue to monitor the DEIS study and NYS Thruway Authority plans to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge (TZB) and any other plans relating to the Route 287 corridor through Westchester County.
2. Continue to attend any stakeholders meetings held y the authorities on the current TZB plan.
3. Further dissemination of information regarding TZB/Route 287 plans to League members and the public through the County League website and all other avenues of communication.
4. Hold public informational fora and meetings on the TZB/Route 287 plans as they evolve.
5. Lobby local authorities as appropriate on the LWVW perspective on TZB/Route 287 plans.
III. HUMAN RESOURCES
A. WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN’S ISSUES
Monitor and take action on issues concerning women and children’s development, health, safety and welfare in coordination with LWVNYS.
OUTLOOK FOR WORK
1. Support initiatives aimed toward improving women’s and children's access and availability of care and their safety in cooperation with other organizations and coalitions dedicated to these goals.
2. In coordination with the County Budget review, examine funding for programs promoting women’s and children’s health and safety issues, with particular emphasis on funding for libraries and day care services.
3. Alert members to, and support, childcare initiatives to improve availability and quality of services with particular concern for the disabled.
4. Act as liaison between public officials and the League in order to be informed of proposed or contemplated legislation and lobby legislators as appropriate.
B. HEALTH ISSUES
Gather and disseminate information, as needed, about the structure, functions and initiatives at the county, state and national levels of our health care system. Track the progress of key legislative bills, with action alerts in accordance with League Positions. Maintain contact with other groups working to improve health care and make recommendations regarding cooperating with such groups for cosponsoring their events.
OUTLOOK FOR WORK
1. Promote single payer, universal health care and promote public awareness of its benefits. Hold public fora, as appropriate in advancement of this goal.
2. Publicize and lobby to preserve the benefits provided under the existing Health Care Reform Bill.
3. Protect women's rights to health care and freedom of choice; collaborate as appropriate, with Planned Parenthood and other groups an organizations who share this goal. Evaluate proposed or pending legislation that might interfere with these rights and, after consensus, take appropriate positions.
4. Support a ban on hydrofracking in NYS and expose other health threatening activities..
C. DIVERSITY ISSUES
Monitor and take action on issues concerning the health, safety and well-being of members of diverse groups. Support measures to reduce discrimination involving bias against a person’s race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
OUTLOOK FOR WORK
Continue sponsorship of Running and Winning and explore involvement in other, similar programs.
LEAGUE OPERATIONS
Enhance the effectiveness of the League, with particular emphasis on the Education Fund.
OUTLOOK FOR WORK
1. Continue to integrate the newly established Education Foundation into existing League work and further expand our educational mission.
2. Re-establish the County-wide Advisory Committee to the League.
3. Focus on opportunities for fund raising, consider strategies to make donations more user friendly via PayPal or similar services and affirmatively seek out new grant opportunities for our Voter Services and educational programming.
4. Focus better communication and coordination with local Leagues: continue bi-annual leadership training seminars and provide advice and support as appropriate. Invite representatives of local Leagues to attend our meetings and participate in our discussions.
5. Monitor all County Board of Legislators meetings to track legislative developments and areas of concern to be more aware of the relationship between legislative and executive branches of county government.
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