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Our Mission
The League of Women Voters,
a non-partisan political organization, encourages informed and active
participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public
policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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 Don’t miss
our HOT TOPICS!
Hot Topics
tackle some of the most controversial topics of the day—Elections, the
economy, medical care, and social issues. We have engaged leaders and experts on
these issues, for information and discussion. If you’re not attending our Hot
Topics, you are missing out!
Upcoming Programs
Mon. Jan.
9: “All About Running for
Office” (or helping someone who is)
Serving as
an elected official can be one of the most challenging and rewarding things
one could ever do, and an ordinary citizen can do it.
Helping us
explore the essentials of election campaigns will be Manatee County
Supervisor of Elections Bob Sweat; April Schiff, president of Strategic
Solutions campaign consulting; and Manatee County Commission Chair (and
former mayor of Holmes Beach) Carol Whitmore will share her experiences as a
candidate and office-holder. We
will also discuss how citizens can help the candidates of their choice. 12 noon to 1:00 pm, Bradenton
Woman’s Club, 1705 Manatee Ave. W.
Refreshments and brown bag lunch begin at 11:30 am. More information at 729-9248
 Mon. Jan. 23 and Thu.
Jan. 26
The Health
Care Act of 2010: How will it
affect you and your loved ones?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law in 2010, but there are many questions
about what it does and what it will change. As part of a state-wide LWV effort to
educate the public about the Act, trained members of the Manatee LWV
Speaker’s Bureau will guide citizens through the changes it creates.
This program will be held at the Women's Resource
Center - Classroom A, 1926 Manatee Avenue West. Time: from 6 to 7:00 pm
on Jan. 23 and from 1 to 2:00 pm on Jan. 26. Preregistration required; please call
747-6797. For more information on this
program, and how your group can book its own showing, click on
“Committees” page on heading bar.
Mon. Feb.
13: Bullying: when teasing goes
too far. Bullying is not
child’s play. It can cause
serious psychological and physical damage. Speakers Skip
Wilhoit, Coordinator of Safe Schools for the
Manatee County School District, and Shannon Summers of the Prism Youth Initiative will discuss the problem, prevention and
responsibilities for enforcement.
12 noon to 1:00 pm, Bradenton Woman’s Club, 1705 Manatee
Ave. W. Refreshments and brown
bag lunch begin at 11:30 am.
 Mon.
Mar. 12: Dealing With Drug
Offenders
Should drug users receive treatment or incarceration? Much imprisonment in Florida is due to
harsh mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses. After
imprisonment, having a criminal record carries a lifetime of major obstacles
to success as a productive citizen.
Our program will feature representatives from the Public
Defender’s office, Drug Court and treatment. 12
noon to 1:00 pm, Bradenton Woman’s Club, 1705 Manatee Ave. W. Refreshments and brown bag lunch begin
at 11:30 am.
 Wed.
Mar. 21: Tour of One-Stop Center
Join us for an informative tour of the One-Stop Center, 701 17th
Ave W in Bradenton. This center,
opened in 2009, helps the homeless move from poverty to
self-sufficiency. Tour begins at
11:00 am. For more information
call 729-9248.
All LWV Hot Topics are open to the general public and free of
charge.
For more
League events, click on “Calendar” on top bar.
Other issues of
interest:
Speaker’s Bureau: Do you belong to a club that hosts
guest speakers? We now have a
League Speakers Bureau, and can supply your group with practiced speakers
with slide programs on a variety of topics. We currently offer informational
programs on the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010; the Florida Election Act
of 2011; Redistricting; and a talk on the work of the League of Women
Voters. For more information,
click on the “Committees” tab above, or call 729-9248.
Redistricting—Now is your chance to
comment. See state draft maps at Redistricting 2012.
VOTER INFORMATION –BE PREPARED TO VOTE!
Due to provisions in the Election Act passed by the
Florida Legislature in 2011, the League of Women Voters of Manatee County
wants to remind voters to contact the county Supervisor of Elections Office to
verify their status, especially if they have relocated from another county,
changed their name or signature, or want to vote by mail (absentee
ballot). Under Florida law,
voters must be registered properly at least 29 days prior to an
election.
Due to the new law, if you have changes in this
information, you will no longer be able to make those changes at the
polls—you will have to use a provisional ballot instead. To quickly prepare for all three elections
in 2012, you can scan a “Be Ready to Vote” Microsoft tag for smartphones at http://gettag.mobi. For more information, visit the
League’s Be Ready to Vote website, www.BeReadyToVote.org.
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Citizen action: Get involved! Contact your elected officials. Let them know what you think.
Download
our Citizen’s Guide to Elected Officials for contact information.
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Election 2012 Preview
STATE LEGISLATURE packs
next year’s ballot with amendments
Constitutional
amendment proposals passed during the state legislative session
(require
Fla. Supreme Court review, and 60% voter approval)
Lawmakers
approved the following proposed constitutional amendments for the November
2012 general election ballot. Other amendments may also be on the ballot, as
a result of citizen initiatives.
.
Abortion (HJR 1179)
To
include in the Florida Constitution the federal ban on use of all public
funds for abortion. It would also overturn all court decisions that rely on
privacy rights in the Florida Constitution to reject abortion restrictions.
.
Confirming justices (HJR 7111)
The
Senate would confirm new justices to the Florida Supreme Court. The
Legislature, by simple majority vote, could void court rules. Investigations
of judicial misconduct — now confidential — would be available to
the House in advance of impeachment proceedings.
.
Capping state revenue (SJR 958)
Imposes
a limit on state revenues based on a formula that includes changes in
population and inflation.
.
Veterans property taxes (SJR 592)
Expands
discount on property taxes to all veterans disabled as a result of combat,
not just those who are Florida residents.
.
Property taxes (HJR 381)
Gives
a series of property tax breaks to first-time homebuyers, commercial property
and those with second homes in Florida. First-time homebuyers would receive a
homestead exemption worth up to $200,000 to be phased out over five years. It
lowers the cap on the amount a property assessor can raise the assessed value
of a commercial property and non-homestead second homes from 10 percent to 5
percent each year.
.
Health insurance mandates (SJR 2)
No
law can "compel, directly or indirectly," anyone to carry health
insurance, setting up a legal feud between Florida and the federal government
over requirements of the federal health care law championed by President
Barack Obama.
.
Religious funding (SJR 1218)
Repeals
current prohibition of state funding, directly or indirectly, for religious
institutions. This provision has prevented school voucher opponents from
enacting law to provide state vouchers directly to private schools.
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 See our latest newsletter:
The Manatee Voter
Volunteers
Needed
Are you
hiding your light under a bushel?
Here’s your chance to let your talents bloom while making a difference
in our community. The
opportunities are limitless. Here
are some examples:
- Distributing voter guides.
- Fundraising
- Staffing booths at events.
- Committee activities- help us study issues and
make recommendations to decision makers.
- Creating attractive and interesting educational
materials.
- Website design
- Expanding our outreach efforts.
- Voter education
- Coordinating our efforts with other community
groups.
If you are
interested, please call 729-9248.
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JOIN THE
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MANATEE COUNTY
The League of Women Voters celebrated its 90th
birthday on February 14, 2010. As the League honored the years of work its
members accomplished, it is also looking to the future. In 2010 League
members will continue their commitment to improving communities across the
country. As a nonpartisan political organization with over 850 local and
state affiliates, the League is one of America's most trusted organizations.
As we celebrate the difference we have made over the
years, we remain focused on the future, working to keep Manatee County
strong, healthy and vibrant. This year, the League remains committed to our
mission to educate and engage members of the community in their government.
The LWV of Manatee County has an active agenda this year.
Our members work toward our goals every day by reaching out to new citizens
and first-time voters, protecting our natural resources, improving our
election systems and holding public forums on government transparency and
other important issues.
We are:
Empowering millions of
voters to protect their right to vote
Working to ensure that ALL votes are counted and all voices are heard
Preserving our constitutional rights by safeguarding civil liberties.
Acting as a force for positive change in our communities and in our democracy
We believe that sensible, responsible, civil discourse and action based on
substance, rather than partisan battles is essential if we are to avoid
polarization and get something done.
Join us and bring civil discourse and genuine citizen's
perspective back into local, state and national issues. Join us and be part
of the solution! Become a member.
Please fill out and mail
this application. Membership is open to men and women of
all ages. Members have an opportunity to study issues affecting their lives
and to promote action. The League does not support or oppose individual
candidates.
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DONATE TO
THE LEAGUE
Your contribution will provide important support for
advancing our critical work. Contribute today!
PayPal:
Or send check to:
LWV Manatee
P.O. Box 545
Bradenton, FL 34206
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