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The Action Committee has not been "active" but I will expect that each of you has been active as the election comes closer. There are some questions on ballot initiatives. Supreme Court of Florida has looked carefully at some issues. It will be interesting to see which issues, passed by the legislature or recommended by the Tax Commission, really pass the test of Constitutionality. We will comment more on this in the fall.
Marilynn Wills, previous State of Florida Action Chair, was elected President of the LWVFL at the recent convention. She has done an excellent job as Action Chair and can be expected to do as well as President. We welcome her leadership. Our member, David Miner, is running for School Board in the county. Question Dave on his views for the School Board and support those of his issues you see as advantageous for votersRemember always, "Democracy is NOT a spectator sport".
Watch this web site for news of CAP (Conversations about Prejudice) programs. We are off for the summer. The League promotes, in all aspects of its activities, a philosophy of inclusion that reflects the diverse composition and issues of the community. It is the League's position to secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all, to promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all.
Nancy Horne, Chair, 727-0850, nbhorne2003@yahoo.com
We are seeking a member who would be interested in monitoring education issues for the coming year. Please contact President Valerie Fisher to sign up for this vital job.
Valerie Fisher, 744-9692, VAFcounseling@aol.com
The Senate has held a veto-proof vote on a House-passed bill (HR 6331) that would avert a 10.6% reduction to Medicare physician fees. Before the Fourth of July recess, the measure failed by one vote to receive the 60 votes required to gain cloture. The House last month passed the measure by a veto-proof margin. Democrats want to trim Medicare Advantage payments to finance the bill, while the White House and many Republicans oppose such cuts, CQ Today reports (Wayne, CQ Today, 7/3). The President has at last agreed not to veto the measure. The American Medical Association had said that if the cut occurs, many physicians will stop taking Medicare beneficiaries (Roll Call, 7/7). We have news for the AMA. Locally, it is already difficult to find a physician who will accept new Medicare patients. The state of Florida has a helpful web site http://www.floridahealthfinder.gov/ that is full of information, ranging from checking out symptoms to evaluating a hospital. Check it out. Ilse Moon, ilse1@comcast.net,
It's now time to pay your dues for 2008-2009 ($50.00 or $75.00 for family)! Make out your check to LWV-MC and send it to League of Women Voters-MC, PO Box 1511, Bradenton FL 34206.
Marcia Roger, Chair, marciaroger@verizon.net
A major issue arose last month when the county decided to do away with its Environmental Management Department. While the county had to do some belt-tightening, we believe this was the wrong thing to cut. The county needs to have an agency to handle all of its environmental needs. One of the programs this change did away with was the county's important air quality monitoring program, needed to protect the health of our citizens and the environment. To date the state has not agreed to take over this program, but at any rate, we do not believe our county should lose control over its data gathering at a time when our county is having air quality problems. We have written to the county commissioners, and placed a letter to the editor in our local newspaper. We encourage all our members to ask the county to reconsider its action.
On July 10, over 100 people gathered at the former Mather Furniture building on 17th Avenue West to enjoy the breakfast goodies and to study the floor plan of the hoped for OPEN DOOR, a resource center for the homeless. After a blessing, we heard from State Representative Galvin, Mayor Wayne Poston, and the director, Adele Arozer. A prayer was offered for success of the project. We moved outside to oversee the groundbreaking. The outside air was appreciated after being in steamy space. Adele told us she had planned it that way to have us experience what the homeless felt in their non a/c homes.
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A conference call with Healthy Teens Campaign was attended by about 24. We heard a detailed report on funding for the states, the hopeful shift away from abstinence only. Florida has the 2nd highest amount of funding on Title 5 - the program stressing abstinence before marriage. Again, Wendy Grassi of Planned Parenthood also took part in the conference.
Call Jean Van Delft 746-6574 for more information.
Jean Van Delft, Chair, 746-6574, jeanvd@verizon.net.
Contact Pat Arends, 383-6235 (jparends@aol.com) to join this committee's work.
Pat Arends, Chair, jparends@aol.com
League of Women Voters of Manatee County
P. O. Box 1511 · Bradenton, FL · 34206
E-MAIL: VAFcounseling@aol.com
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