Committees are made up of LWV members who study issues, make recommendations to the board and engage in public education efforts. All phone numbers are for area code 941. For more contact information, click on “Officers” tab.

Current Reports

Action

One of the important ways of participating in our League is to answer the calls to action we issue periodically, to contact elected officials about current issues. While some appear in our Voter newsletter and on our website, we most often contact our members by email. In this manner we can reach our members quickly, since often we need to contact decision-makers within a few days. We have our own local issue-alerts, and also forward alerts from the state and national League. By simply making a call or email to your elected representatives, you can make a difference. Democracy is not a spectator sport!

Committee chair: Hannah Honeyman 355-2809

Communications--The Manatee VOTER and website

With the November 2011 issue, we have expanded our newsletter so that we can bring more information to our readers. With the help of the Women’s Resource Center, we also received a donation to cover the cost of its printing and mailing. Organizational or corporate sponsors for our newsletter are welcome. We have ramped up our website to include more information, links and graphics. Needed: a computer wiz to help us redesign our website.

Committee: Peg Haynes, 932-1154; Rosalie Shaffer 729-9248.

Diversity

The League and each of us continue to foster a philosophy of inclusion that reflects the diverse composition of the world. As we mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, we are still observing signs of the very negative attitudes and practices over which we fought the war. Let us remember what the war was about-- slavery and the definition of human liberty. During our Hot Topic on immigration this year, we heard from Hispanics about the discriminatory legislation that has been proposed in Florida, and enacted in other states.

This past spring the Florida legislature passed a bill that makes it harder to vote—especially if you’re a minority. The Florida LWV has intervened in the legal effort to oppose “preclearance” (judicial approval) of some of the provisions of that bill that unfairly affect minorities, under the Voting Rights Act, and has also filed a separate civil rights suit for loss of its ability to do voter registration, which again, disproportionately affects minorities.

Committee chair: Nancy Horne 727-0850

Education

Many changes have come before the Florida Legislature and its committees in the past few weeks. There are bills and committees working to find the minimal amount that can be given per capita for student education. Florida is already at the bottom. Money for the Districts may be funneled to for-profit or investor-run charter schools. Charter schools are encouraged to expand, adding more students and grades, while they do not have to be evaluated by FCAT. There is a meager evaluation process being proposed, but the stricter one has been eliminated. There is a proposal in committee to limit how much enrichment can be added to the curriculum, while money for textbooks and other supplies are being cut severely. Teachers are being encouraged to go on a merit pay system, when there is no money for merit pay. Contact your state legislators and ask them to support our schools.

See the Florida School Board Association’s Priorities for the 2012 Legislative Session.

Committee: Karen Carpenter 355-7121, Myra Jones

Fundraising

Since most of our dues funds go to help support national and state Leagues, we must do fundraising during the year to support our activities. Our fundraising activities include direct mail solicitation, events, and sponsorships of specific efforts such as our newsletter. We have had very positive results, and we appreciate the support of our members, businesses, and the community. For more information on how you can give, see our homepage or call 729-9248.

Committee: Hannah Honeyman, Ashley Brown, Lee Pflueger, Lee Levine, Peg Haynes.

Health Care

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law in March 2010 to transform the U.S. health care and health insurance system. The League of Women Voters of Florida is committed to having community conversations to ensure that Florida voters have good, accurate information about this program. Our League has joined the State League’s efforts to inform the public about what’s in the “Affordable Care Act” and when the changes will be implemented.

Many are surprised to find out that some provisions of the PPACA such as coverage for dependents to age 26; preventive care coverage including birth control; coverage for children with preexisting conditions, and a temporary insurance plan for adults with preexisting conditions have been in effect since 2010 and that more than 40 requirements are currently in effect.

Much has been said in the media about the Act that is not based on facts and the dissemination of this misinformation has led to a great deal of apprehension about how it will affect us and what it will cost. On the other hand, there are genuine concerns about how the Supreme Court will rule regarding the “individual mandate” which requires everyone who can afford it to purchase health care and there is also evidence that Florida is not adequately preparing to implement some of the future provisions of the Act.

So, getting the word out about what’s actually in the PPACA and what’s going on in Florida is information that everyone needs to guide them through the changes in the health care system and to help us make informed decisions about what’s going on in Tallahassee. Members of the Manatee LWV Health Care Committee have trained with the League of Women Voters of Florida Speakers Bureau and the committee as a whole is dedicated to gathering information and sharing answers with our community.

If you would like to invite the members of the League’s Speakers Bureau to have a conversation with your club, group, or organization, or for further information please contact committee chair Peg Haynes at peg_eileen@yahoo.com or 941-932-1154.

Committee: Peg Haynes, Chair; Linda Balas, Suzanne Dickie, Kathleen Dodge, Kay Levy and Mary Mohammed.

Hot Topics

Public education is one of our major activities, highlighted by “Hot Topic” programs, featuring knowledgeable speakers on current, and often controversial, issues of interest. All of our programs are free and open to the general public. They have enjoyed good attendance this year. Topics we covered from January thru November included: Florida state taxation and finance; immigration issues; sustainable growth; poverty, campaign finance; health care. All of our Hot Topics are recorded by METV for later showings on their station (Bright House 614; Comcast 19; Verizon 31). For schedule, go to metvweb.com.

Our Hot Topic programs are held at the Bradenton Woman’s Club, 1705 Manatee Ave. W., and we thank the BWC for their partnership in our educational efforts. Our programs run from 12 noon to 1:00 pm. Refreshments and snacks are served at 11:30 am, and attendees are welcome to bring a brown-bag lunch.

Committee: entire Board; contact: Rosalie Shaffer 729-9248

Legislature

This year we requested interviews of five local state legislators, using 13 questions submitted by LWVFL: Senator Michael Bennett, Sen. District 21; Representative Jim Boyd, House Dist. 68; Rep. Ray Pilon, House Dist. 69; Rep. Darryl Rouson, House Dist. 55; Rep. W. Gregory Steube, House Dist. 67. We were able to interview four, either in person or by phone. All were cooperative, despite their busy schedules. We also spoke before the legislative delegation at their public forum on October 27 and have submitted our 2012 state League’s platform to all our state representatives.

Committee: Nancy Horne, Rosalie Shaffer, Jo Williams

Membership

We were happy to see so many new members signing up at our events.   We are pleased to see that many of these new members are actively attending our Hot Topics or working on committees.  Our website and Hot Topics have been our principle recruitment tools.  However, our efforts need to be expanded and we plan a major recruitment drive during the coming year.

To make it simpler to renew, we have changed our membership year from starting in April 1 to beginning on January 1, to run with the calendar year. You can help, by inviting friends and relatives to join our League. We need every member to become part of the effort to increase our membership. The more members we have, the more we can accomplish.

Committee: Ashley Brown 360-3651; Lee Pflueger, Jo Williams

Natural Resources Committee

This past year our main activity has been working with county staff about proposed draft revisions to Land Use Codes affecting wetlands. While Manatee County has a long-standing policy of wetland protection, the revision would weaken protection for our wetlands, which are so important for preserving water quality, preventing erosion and flooding, and conserving our water resources. We submitted comments to the county staff last fall on the original draft, and made subsequent comments on later revised drafts of the new codes. We have also partnered with local environmental organizations to advocate for improvements in the proposal.

Some of the features of concern include: Dropping requirements for avoidance and minimization for small, isolated wetlands. Mitigation plans will be approved by staff instead of the Planning and County Commissions, cutting out the public from the discussions. Classifying as “nonviable” wetlands that are actually functioning at the mid-range levels of quality. Weakening avoidance of wetlands with a vague, poorly defined “overriding public benefit” exemption. We were pleased to see that the county took our suggestions for requiring meaningful mitigation, though concerns still exist regarding what will be considered an “overriding public benefit” for allowing impacts to wetlands, and loss of protection for the highest quality wetlands.

Current status: The county plans to move the draft codes to the Planning Commission in early 2012. In the meantime, please contact the county commission and let them know you want them to protect wetlands. Jobs and the environment are not mutually exclusive. In fact, high-quality industries look for clean, healthy environments when considering relocation.

Committee: Rosalie Shaffer 729-9248; Jo Williams

Outreach and Speaker’s Bureau

The Outreach Committee is currently organizing, with the goal of going to other community groups to present and discuss women’s issues. For more information or to volunteer, contact: Ashley Brown

The Speaker’s Bureau has been formed and is currently available to community groups that would like speakers on a variety of topics. Speakers with powerpoint programs are currently available for the following topics:

· The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010: what it says and how it changes health care.

· The Election Law of 2011: how it affects voting and turnout.

· Redistricting: a review of requirements of Fair Districts.

· The League of Women Voters: what we stand for, and what we do.

Contact: Peg Haynes for the Health Act, 932-1154; and Rosalie Shaffer for Elections, Redistricting and the LWV, 729-9248.

Voter Services

Election 2012 is coming soon and we will be kept very busy providing nonpartisan information to voters for the primary and general election. We gave out nearly 10,000 state Voters’ Guides in 2010, containing candidate information and pros and cons on the proposed constitutional amendments. We fielded hundreds of calls from voters needing information. Our website includes a Voter Information Center, full of links to all the nonpartisan sites and publications with helpful information.

We will hold a number of Hot Topics on election-related issues, such as Florida Constitutional Amendments, and will again partner with the Bradenton Herald and METV to conduct candidate forums for all the elections for local and state offices pertinent to Manatee County. Let us know if you need help with a community forum.

Another important service we provide is our Citizens’ Guide to Elected Officials, with all the contact information for city, county and state officials. You can access it now on our website (see homepage for link), and it is updated regularly. We would also like to print out a supply for distribution, but do not have a sponsor or funding at this time. Tax-deductable contributions or sponsorships are welcome and recognized on the printed copies.

Due to the Election Bill of 2011, the state League is encouraging all Florida citizens to make any changes needed in personal information (address, name changes) before they go to the polls. Also due to this bill, the League can no longer conduct voter registration drives, something the League has done for 90 years. Planning a program for your organization on this subject? We can provide a speaker on: “The Election Law of 2011: how it affects voters and turnout?” Call 729-9248.

Committee members: Suzanne Dickie, Barbara Jakusovszky, Rosalie Shaffer.

Volunteer for a Committee!

Committees that need Chairs or members:

Cultural Resources: Works with, and helps advocate for, the efforts of local art, culture and historical preservation organizations.

Fundraising: Experienced grants writer for our educational programs.

Government: Studies government processes and makes recommendations, e.g., redistricting, open government policies, ethics, charter government, improvements in election processes.

Growth Issues: Studies local comprehensive planning and land use ordinances, and makes recommendations.

Membership: Actively recruits new members and provides new member welcome and orientation.

Social Issues: Studies social issues, such as immigration, poverty, crime, homelessness, children and family.

Voter Services: Coordinates our many voter service efforts.

Last updated: January 5, 2012.