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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ® of CONNECTICUT 1890 Dixwell Avenue, Suite 203, Hamden, CT 06514 Tel. 203-288-7996 E-mail - LWVCT@lwvct.org |
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The League is a nonpartisan organization which does not support or oppose political parties or candidates. |
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Home ... March 2010 |
March 2010
LWVCT BOARD REPORT March 11, 2010
CALENDAR 2009-2010
March 2010 3/17 LWV New Canaan Forum: "Planning For Our Schools In A Changing Economy", 1:00 p.m., Lapham Community Center. 3/18 LWVCT Transportation Forum, Norwalk Community College 3/18 LWVCT Co-Sponsors with 1000 Friends of CT: statewide smart growth conference on “Old Challenges, New Opportunities,” 950-960 Main Street (The refurbished G. Fox Building), Hartford, 2:00-8:00 p.m. 3/23 LWV New Haven et. al., Round Table Luncheon: “Education Reform,” New Haven 3/27 LWV Greater Middletown: film presentation: “Iron Jawed Angels” Middletown 3/30 Hartford Lyceum open house 3/31 Coalition Transit Lobby Day, Hartford
April 2010 4/1 4th-quarter PMP payments become due 4/13 LWVCT Board meeting, Hamden 4/28 LWVCT SIR, “Women’s Participation in Society and Government: a Global Perspective,” Quinnipiac University, Hamden
May 2010 5/11 LWVCT Board meeting, Hamden 5/16 LWVCT “Susan B.” Tea, Keeler Tavern, Ridgefield 5/22 LWVCT Council, Lyceum, Hartford (note revised date)
June 2010 6/11-15 LWVUS Convention, Atlanta, Georgia 6/27 LWVCT “This Old Hat: Patriots of Liberty,” Danbury Music Centre
Announcements LWVCT Council Date Change
Please note: The LWVCT has changed the date of CT Council to 5/22. Location remains the same.
Regional Round Table Luncheon “Education Reform”
The League of Women Voters of New Haven and a consortium Including the Amity, Cheshire - Wallingford, East Shore, Hamden, New Haven / West Haven and North Haven Leagues invites you to a 2009 - 2010 Regional Round Table Luncheon buffet at the Graduate Club, 155 Elm Street, New Haven, at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Cost is $15.00, to be paid at the door. The speaker will be Selase Williams, Provost of Southern Connecticut State University and Member, New Haven Board of Education, and his topic will be “Education Reform” Please let Margot Kohorn know if you are coming: 203-795-3151.
Transit Lobby Day
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend Transit Lobby Day on Wednesday, March 31st, at the Legislative Office Building (LOB) in Hartford. Join with other transit advocates and state elected officials supportive of increased transit in Connecticut. Meet with your legislators to personally tell them of your needs and of the importance of transit to the economy, the environment and the lives of residents across the state. Details of Transit Lobby Day will be available from the LWVCT office next week. ___________________________________________________________________________
90th Anniversary
Speakers’ Bureau: Contacting Tracey Wilson, and a Related Presentation
Dr. Tracey Wilson, who gave the kick-off talk on suffrage at the opening of our 90th –Anniversary exhibit at the Capitol, reports that she has gotten a lot of contacts from people who want to have her speak at local events. She says, “It is nice that so many people are interested in the talk. The best way to contact me is through e-mail at traceymwilson@gmail.com. Because I am a full time high school teacher, it is not so easy to fit this in. I would want to get an honorarium of about $250. It is easier for me to get to places near West Hartford. Fairfield County makes it a 5 hour commitment and I just can’t do that unless there is something that really sweetens the pot. . .”
However, Cheryl Dunson and Jara (with the able support of Carole Young Kleinfeld and Pua Ford) have created a PowerPoint presentation covering suffrage and the League. If such a program is of interest to your League, please contact the Hamden office (lwvct@lwvct.org or 203-288-7996).
Advocacy Can You Tell Us About Your Legislative Meeting?
Many Leagues have had legislative coffees or breakfasts, and some of them have e-mailed us reports about what was discussed and how their state representatives and senators responded. If you’ve had a legislative meeting and kept notes, but haven’t sent us a copy, could you do so now?
Public Issues Team Report Submitted by Cheryl Dunson with Directors Karen Burnaska, Christine Horrigan, Naomi Schiff Myers and Specialists
Referenced testimony is (or will be shortly) posted online at http://www.lwvct.org/action.htm
GOVERNMENT by Christine Horrigan
Campaign Finance Reform/SEEC: During February, the League met with Representative Jamie Spallone, co-chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, and Senator Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader, to discuss a “fix” for the Citizens’ Election Program and the League’s legislative agenda, generally.
Two bills, one proposed by the Governor and the other by the GAE Committee, have been introduced to “fix” the Citizens’ Election Program (HB 5021 and HB 5022). The League testified in support of both bills at the public hearing before the GAE Committee on February 22. As of this writing, legislative leaders and the Governor are in the process of appointing a committee to draft a compromise “fix.”
The League also urged the Appropriations Committee not to make any further cuts to the Citizens’ Election Fund in written testimony submitted on February 8. The Governor’s recently released Deficit Mitigation Plan would cut another $15 million from the fund. A cut of this magnitude could have a devastating impact on the Citizens’ Election Program. We will be testifying in opposition to the cut.
Meanwhile the clock continues to tick. A decision from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals could come any day. In the event of an adverse decision, the legislature may have as little as seven days to fix the law. Several candidates for statewide office have elected not to participate in the Citizens’ Election Program and other candidates are concerned about the viability of the Program for the 2010 elections.
Election Laws/Good Government/EDR: On March 1, a public hearing was held on HB 5321, which would establish a same day registration pilot program for municipal primaries held in 2011. The League submitted written testimony in support of this bill. The League also submitted testimony in favor of SB 237, which would prohibit candidates running on the ballot from assisting a voter at the polls, and SB 290, which would require state agencies to post their regulations on their websites beginning in 2012.
Voting Machines/Audits: Currently, post-election audits are conducted by hand following a random drawing of the voting districts to be audited. A bill (SB 364) has been introduced “to streamline the post-election audit process” by requiring all audits to be conducted by machine and limiting the number of voting districts to be audited in any municipality to three. LWVCT will be submitting testimony on the bill at the GAE hearing on 3/12/10.
Ethics: The Office of State Ethics has submitted a series of bills for consideration by the legislature. The League met with Carol Carson, Executive Director of the Office of State Ethics, to discuss these bills and submitted testimony is support of revisions to the state code of ethics (HB 5403). The Office of State Ethics has also submitted a proposal to address the issue of grassroots lobbying in light of last year’s court case involving the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Media Issues by Pua Ford, Specialist:
Broadband Internet: Although the Broadband Internet Coordinating Council (CBICC) hoped to resubmit a bill that moved halfway through the last legislative session, the bill has not resurfaced in the Energy & Technology (ET) committee’s record book.
Community Access TV: State activity – Action on CGA bills/concepts to watch:
NATURAL RESOURCES
Climate Change by Lynn Taborsak: The short session typically has few opportunities to address climate change. However, the League will be tracking several bills of interest. RB 5362 directs the Renewable Energy Investment Fund to create 30 megawatts of new residential solar photovoltaic installations by the end of 2021 and allows the fund to use up to one-third of the ratepayer funds to provide stable, consistent funding for solar installations. 30 megawatts could provide power for an equivalent of 7500 homes!
RB 203 would create a separate grant program within the Renewable Energy Investment Fund for condominium associations who are converting to more efficient heating systems, or systems that use renewable energy sources including, solar, geothermal, fuel cell or natural gas.
The Environment Committee is looking for ways to reduce the carbon and sulfur content of home heating oil. The Energy and Technology Committee has a bill to apply new energy efficiency standards to a number of electronic products and will ask to establish a pilot wind turbine program at a correctional facility.
Air Quality by Chris Halfar: RB 5124 AA Limiting the Idling of Motor Vehicles – This bill is similar to RB 792 from the 2009 session that was passed by the Senate and not voted on by the House. The League will support this bill.
Transportation by Jara Burnett: A letter was sent to the Transportation Committee chairs opposing the installation of electronic tolls in border areas only and supporting congestion pricing. The League is following other bills relating to the re-instatement of tolls, the Hartford Bus Route and the use of funds for transportation purposes. Due to budgetary constraints, any bills with financial requirements are not likely to advance.
The panel for the March 18th forum “Can We Keep Fairfield County Moving?” is complete and final arrangements are underway. We hope there will be good turnout to hear what is in store for Fairfield County transportation. See flier on our website at: http://www.lwvct.org/events/TranspForumflyer-pf1-1.pdf
Water Resources by Karen Burnaska: The LWVCT signed on to a letter (with LWVUS approval) to Connecticut’s Congressional delegation requesting they support restoring Clean Water Act protections to all waterways in the United States.
SOCIAL POLICY
Gun Control by Claire Sauer: On February 18, 2010 the League testified before the Public Safety and Security Committee in favor of HB 5158: AAC The Regulation Of Firearms. The only other testimony in favor of the bill came from the Commissioner of Public Safety. There were the usual opponents – Sportsmen’s clubs, NRA, etc. I am not optimistic about the bill's passage.
School Finance by Kathy Wilson: The Education Committee is holding a series of public hearings the first three Mondays in March. Among the bills up for the first hearing is SB 279, AAC Foreign Languages Taught in the Public Schools. The bill would require high school students beginning with the class of 2016 (freshmen entering in the fall of 2012) to complete at least two years of world language in order to graduate, and is similar to a failed proposal made last year. As we did last year, the League is submitting testimony is opposition because the bill provides no new funding to cover the significant additional costs it would impose on school districts, particularly poor districts whose students may not currently take world language courses in great numbers.
Local League Support Need a Place for a Meeting in the Hartford Area?
The Lyceum Resource and Conference Center, 227 Lawrence Street, Hartford, is rolling out the welcome mat for planners who want to look at a unique meeting venue. They are inviting people for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the facilities from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at their Open House. You can see what The Lyceum has to offer while enjoying food from their partners at The Kitchen at Billings Forge and Firebox Restaurant. To get in, RSVP by Friday, March 26th, to Tracy Dumont, Conference Center Manager, at tracy@ctpartnershiphousing.com or 860-244-0077. The LWVCT has used the Lyceum as a meeting venue and found it very satisfactory.
Voter Service Electoral Calendar
If you need to know the deadlines for anything to do with the voting year, Connecticut’s electoral calendar is available on the Secretary of the State’s website at http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/electionservices/calendars/2010election/2010_election_calendar.pdf.
LWVCT Announces New Rules for Debates
The LWVCT/LWVCTEF Board has adopted new guidelines for including candidates in debates, a new candidate profile form for collecting information, and a new timeline for making decisions about candidate inclusion. These will also be posted on our website.
Debate Criteria and Vetting Standards For U.S. Senate, U.S. Congressional District, and CT Constitutional Office Debates Adopted March 9, 2010
The overall coordination for any debate or forum involving candidates or potential candidates for statewide office is the responsibility of the LWVCT Ed Fund. This includes candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General, and U.S. Senator. If a local League or a group of local Leagues wants to hold a debate/forum for candidates for statewide office, they must receive approval from the State Board and meet the following criteria:
Please note: criteria for televised in-studio debates with no audience are different. Please contact the LWVCT office if you are arranging such a debate or forum.
1. Ballot access All candidates who have achieved ballot access in accordance with Connecticut election statutes will be considered.
2. Evidence of campaign being waged (current information to be provided not later than the 7th day after the primary date or the date of ballot access, whichever is later) a. candidate’s availability to the public as evidenced by, e.g.,: · HQ open to the public during business hours (9:00-5:00 or as otherwise publicized), location publicized · campaign phone (cell or land line) and e-mail address, publicized · dedicated candidate-specific website or web page · actual and planned in-district campaign appearances including appearances at community functions, coffee-type meetings, mall visits, etc. · publications, including platform · yard signs (where permitted) · distribution of campaign literature b. volunteers and/or paid staff, including a campaign manager (provide contact information) c. campaign treasurer (provide contact information) d. campaign spending to date
3. Evidence of financial support (current information to be provided not later than the 7th day after the primary date or the date of ballot access, whichever is later) · for gubernatorial or US Senate candidates, campaign contributions of at least $50,000, of which at least 1/3 is raised in-state · for US Congressional candidates, contributions of at least $15,000, of which 1/3 is raised in-district · The total contributions received will be verified via candidate response, via state filings with the SOTS/SEEC and via other public sources such as Open Secrets and the National Institute of Money in State Politics (Top National Donors Project).
The vetting committee will consist of the LWVCTEF President, VP for Voter Services and the LWVCTEF board liaisons to the US Congress debates.
Timelines For Debates With Vetting Adopted March 9, 2010
1. This timeline applies to US Congressional district candidates’ debates only.
Early Spring:
After candidate endorsements, late May to early June Major parties hold conventions to endorse candidates (late July, early August)
a) MUST make it clear that minor party and petitioning candidates WILL be invited as soon as their names are available and if they qualify for the ballot, b) must include a copy of the “Candidate Profile” form, and c) must give the candidate 7 days to return the needed material for League vetting. The LWVCTEF liaison and the LWVCTEF office should be kept informed of all debate arrangements via email. Because of legal constraints on debates, failure to comply with LWVCTEF standards will result in the loss of LWVCTEF sponsorship for the debate.
On or about September 1
Late September/October
2. This timeline applies to US Senate and CT Constitutional (executive branch) candidates’ debates only.
Early Spring:
After candidate endorsements, late May to early June
a) MUST make it clear that minor party and petitioning candidates WILL be invited as soon as their names are available and if they qualify for the ballot, b) must include a copy of the “Candidate Profile” form, and c) must give the candidate 7 days to return the needed material for League vetting.
On or about September 1
Late September/October
League of Women Voters Candidate Profile
as of ______________________ 2010
submitted by candidate or authorized representative:
signature ___________________________________________
name (print or type) ___________________________________
title (print or type) _____________________________________
Please submit this signed form to the LWVCTEF office by fax to 203-288-7998 or by sending a PDF to lwvct@lwvct.org
LWVUS Abandons Vote411.org Pat Donovan
The LWVUS’s Polling Locator has been disabled. The National Board took this step when it was determined that the information provided by the outside vendor was inaccurate. The problem was brought to their attention by voters who had been sent to the wrong polling places.
There was a notice posted briefly on the site and in the Leaders’ Update. Going forward the CT page will direct voters to their local registrar.
National is reluctant to take down the page entirely since some states have their own polling finder that the site links to.
Convention and Council
Going to LWVUS Convention?
If your League is planning to send a delegate to the LWVUS Convention in Atlanta this June, can you please let us know who she or he is? And if you are sending someone, could that person possibly come to LWVCT Council on May 22 and take part in Cheryl Dunson’s pre-Convention workshop?
If you’re not planning to send a delegate, would you be willing to let someone from another League represent you? Please let us know.
50-Year Members
For LWVCT Council: please let us know about your League’s newest 50-year members so that we can recognize them at the Council luncheon. If you aren’t sure who’s been recently recognized, contact Jean Rabinow at the Hamden office: 203-288-7996 or lwvct@lwvct.org.
CALL TO COUNCIL 2010
Saturday, May 22nd 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Hartford Lyceum 227 Lawrence Street, Hartford CT
PLENARY SESSION Treasurer’s Report President’s Report Presentation and Adoption of the Budget Public Issues Report Nominating Committee Report
WORKSHOPS: Hints for New Board Members (led by Jara Burnett) Successful Debates (led by Pat Donovan) Convention Planning for Delegates to LWVUS Convention (led by Cheryl Dunson)
LUNCHEON Recognition of 50-year members Presentation: Suffrage and 90 Years of the League: Jara Burnett and Cheryl Dunson
Each League is entitled to two (2) voting delegates; MAL Units are entitled to one (1) delegate each. Any League or MAL Unit may send as many observers is it would like; Leagues that have not filled their delegate count may authorize such observers to act as their delegates. Cost for the first attendee from each League or MAL Unit will be $32; all other attendees from your League or Unit will be charged $30 each. Cost for those coming for lunch only, with or without a workshop, is $28.
Please return one copy for each registrant not later than May 18 to: LWVCT Council Registration, 1890 Dixwell Ave., Suite 203, Hamden, CT 06514-3183
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Full Council 2010 ($32/30): _____________ Workshop & Lunch Only ($28) __________
Name _____________________________________ League ____________________________
Address ______________________________________________ Town __________________
E-mail _______________________________________ Phone___________________________ Amount Enclosed $________ Workshop choice: __________________________
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