September 2008
|
|
|
LWVCT BOARD REPORT September 11, 2008
CALENDAR 2008-2009
September 2008 9/16 “Election Day Registration Forum” at Yale University (see announcement)
October 2008 10/1 2d quarter PMP becomes due 10/3 absentee ballots become available for general election. 10/5 LWV 4th Cong. Dist. candidates’ debate, Clune Performing Arts Ctr., Wilton HS, pending candidate acceptances 10/7 2nd Cong. Dist. Debate, (scheduled pending second candidate responses) 10/11 LWV 5th Cong. Dist. candidates’ debate, CCSU 10/13 Office closed for Columbus Day 10/14 LWVCT/EF Board meeting, Hamden. 10/15 LWV 4th Cong. Dist. candidates’ debate, Norwalk Community College, pending candidate acceptances 10/17 LWVCT Hamden office closed for staff vacation 10/18 LWV statewide voter registration day 10/21 deadline for mail-in registration 10/24 Capitol Steps fundraiser, Klein Auditorium, Bridgeport
November 2008 11/4 Election Day 11/18 LWVCT/EF Board meeting, Hamden.
December 2008 There will be no LWVCT Board meeting in December. 12/6 Fall Conference, Old Judiciary Room, Capitol Building, Hartford
January 2009 1/1 3rd quarter PMP becomes due 1/13 LWVCT/EF Board meeting, Hamden. 1/7 Legislature opens long session. 1/30 deadline to send membership changes to LWVUS
April 2009 4/17 LWV Bridgeport Area theater night: “Moonlight and Magnolias” 4/23 SIR, Quinnipiac University
May 2009 5/1 deadline for LWVUS National Popular Vote consensus responses Announcements:
Board Resignation
The LWVCT Board announces with regret that it has accepted Nancy Bassett’s resignation, for reasons of personal health, from the position of VP/Program. She will be missed.
Capitol Steps
There are still a few seats left for the LWVCT Capitol Steps fundraiser at the Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport on October 24, but they’re going fast. If you want to reserve, send your check, made out to “LWVCT Education Fund” to the LWVCT Hamden Office; seats are $55, 88, or $110 each. There is ample parking at the Auditorium.
PSA Available
The LWVCT has a “Get Out the Vote” Public Service Announcement available for viewing on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQSd05ryBkg&feature=email . Look it up.
Election Day Registration forum
Connecticut Common Cause is hosting a forum on Election Day Registration on Tuesday, September 16th, at 6:30 p.m. at Dwight Hall, Yale University, 67 High Street, New Haven. Forum Co-sponsors are Yale College Democrats, Yale College Republicans, Southwestern CT League of Women Voters, and the Hartford area Democracy for America.
Common Cause says: “In states where individuals can register and vote on the same day, voting participation rises dramatically. Join us for a round table discussion on bringing Election Day Registration to Connecticut.” Featured speakers include Senator Gayle Slossberg, Representative James Spallone, former candidate for U.S. Senate Ned Lamont, and other guests to be announced.
Environment Forum
“Will the Environment Win or Lose?: is the title for a panel discussion on Global Warming, Mass Transit, Energy, Green Collar Jobs, Natural Resources Conservation, Water Quality, and Air Quality. The panel will be held on Monday, September 15, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Davidson Hall, Torpe Theater, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain. Directions to CCSU: are available at http://www.ccsu.edu/viewbook/find_us.htm, map at http://www.ccsu.edu/campus_map/. The event is free and the. public is invited. Sponsors: CCSU Global Environmental Action Coalition, WTIC-AM 1080, Hartford Advocate, CT Clean Water Action, and CT Sierra Club. For more information contact: Dr. Charles Button (email: Buttonche@ccsu.edu) (phone: 860-832-2788) or Dr. Gary Ginsberg (hologram7942@yahoo.com). Public Issues Team Report by Cheryl Dunson, Carole T. Young-Kleinfeld and the Public Issues Team Specialists
LWVCT Urges “No” Vote On Constitutional Convention Question this November
In November, voters will vote on this question: Shall there be a constitutional convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the State? The League of Women Voters of Connecticut urges you to vote NO. Here’s some background along with the reasons for our opposition.
1. Why is this question on the ballot?
The Connecticut Constitution was given a full review in our most recent convention in 1965. Changes adopted at that time required this question to be on the ballot every 20 years. The last time the question was on the ballot, voters said “NO” to a constitutional convention.
2. What is a constitutional convention and what is its purpose?
A constitutional convention is a meeting of a selected group of people to review a state’s constitution for possible modifications or revisions, including the adoption of an entirely new constitution. The Connecticut General Assembly prescribes how delegates are selected and the timing of the convention. All issues are on the table and open for discussion. Proposals receiving the approval of the delegates are submitted to the voters.
Constitutions provide for a system of governance and often include provisions protecting the citizenry from improper use of government authority. Constitutional conventions have traditionally been used to revise old constitutions or to draft new ones.
3. How many constitutional conventions has Connecticut held?
Only three — in 1818, 1902, and 1965. The 1818 convention resulted in the Constitution of 1818, which replaced the Fundamental Orders of 1639, and thereby established a new mode of governance. The 1902 a constitutional convention sought to address the issue of reapportionment; however, the convention’s proposals were rejected by the voters.
In 1965, following the Supreme Court’s “one person, one vote” decision in Reynolds v. Sims, a federal district court ordered Connecticut to hold a constitutional convention to revise its legislative districting plan which favored small, rural towns over large, urban population centers. At that time, Connecticut’s constitution was given a full review. In addition to the reapportionment provisions, changes were made to the Bill of Rights and to articles dealing with executive powers and the judiciary, a section on free public education was added, and a process for calling future conventions was included.
4. Can our Constitution be changed without a convention?
Yes, the legislature can approve amendments and submit them to the voters. For example, this November, voters are being asked to approve an amendment which would allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 at the time of an election to vote in a primary.
5. What are the pro and con arguments to this question?
Supporters hope, through a convention, to enable direct initiative and referendum to become an accepted way of making laws and amending Connecticut’s constitution.
Several organizations, such as those that oppose gay marriage or support caps on property taxes, are working to convince voters to vote YES to holding a convention. They say that legislators do not adequately express the will of their constituents and that people need a more direct role in making laws.
Others will urge voters to vote NO because the initiative and referendum process undermines the role of elected legislators. The current legislative process, with its public hearings, its televised sessions, and its system of checks-and-balances, works the way a representative government should. They believe that it’s too easy for well-funded special interests to sway public opinion on hot-button issues without presenting balanced viewpoints or analyzing the long-term implications of proposals.
6. What’s the LWVCT position on a constitutional convention?
The League of Women Voters of Connecticut opposes the calling of a constitutional convention. A constitution provides the basic framework of government. We believe that the Connecticut Constitution still works for our citizens as a basic framework of government and that most voters are satisfied with the current system. The League is not convinced that the results of a constitutional convention would be worth the time, expense, and energy. Because all issues are fair game in a constitutional convention, we should not risk losing important revisions made to our constitution in 1965.
The LWVCT also opposes initiative and referendum. If voters are dissatisfied with the actions of the General Assembly, they should make their views known during the legislative process or elect new legislators. At this time, there are no pressing governance issues facing Connecticut that require calling a constitutional convention. The League believes that the Connecticut Constitution continues to work well as a basic framework of government.
For an explanation of the procedures for convening constitutional conventions in Connecticut from the state’s nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research, go to http://www.cga.ct.gov/2008/rpt/2008-R-0296.htm.
Elections
Jara Burnett served as LWV rep to the Citizen Election Audit Coalition. Approximately 80 polling districts or about 1/3 participated in the audit to be completed by 9/10. The list of precincts which were audited has been posted on our website. A report with observations and recommendations will be forthcoming.
Natural Resources
CGA Committee functioning: In July, the Regulations Review Committee voted to approve regulations for carbon dioxide emissions from power plants as required by Section 93 of Public Act 07-242. In approving the regulations, the committee added a provision to provide consumer rebates from the sale of emission allowances that was not provided for in the underlying legislation. The Attorney General advised the committee that the added provision would be illegal prior to their approval. The League, along with other organizations such as Clean Water Action, is extremely concerned by the vote of the Regs Review Committee. To determine the exact role of the Regs Review Committee in relation to approved legislation and review opinions from the Attorney General, the League is exploring a formal request from the Office of Legislative Review (OLR) on several questions. Depending upon what we find out, we may want to include procedures for adopting, amending and repealing regulations to our “good government” legislative agenda.
Waste by Cheryl Dunson: Sierra Club once again is working to spearhead Bottle Bill legislation. The proposed bill will seek to add water bottles to the redemption-deposit program. Cheryl Dunson will serve as LWV rep to the Bottle Bill Coalition.
Social Policy
Reproductive Choice Birgitta Longnecker is representing the League as a member of the CT Coalition for Choice. In August, representatives of the Coalition reviewed the draft of onerous regulatory changes proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS). Among other things, the draft of the proposed regulation defined abortion to include widely-used methods of birth control, including hormonal contraceptives, intra-uterine devices (IUDs), would allow any employee of a federally-funded entity to deny a woman access to basic health care services that include birth-control and would significantly limit the ability of rape victims to access a full range of reproductive health options in the aftermath of an assault – which would directly undermine the CT law we worked so hard to achieve in 2007. LWVCT and the Coalition is working to coordinate opposition. LWVUS, working in Coalition, submitted a letter to HHS expressing strong opposition. See the letter at:
Membership LWVCT Local League Grant Offer
September is the critical time for membership renewals. At this busy Voter Service time, members are reminded of the value of their League membership. The LWVCT is once again pleased to offer grants to local leagues interested to launch a membership recruitment drive for their league. Several options are available. For additional details, please contact Jara Burnett at 203 637-9244 or at cdb299@aol.com.
Reminder: Please Let LWVCT Know About Changes
To save Jean Rabinow’s sanity, please tell the LWVCT about any changes to your membership roster. A simple e-mail, giving the member’s name and a one or two-word description of the change (e.g., “Jones – died,” or “Anderson – new,” or “Goldman – new address and e-mail,”) is all we need. Voter Service On Line Voters Guide
Is your League doing a voters’ guide? This month the LWVCT is going to post an on-line voters’ guide, with responses from the candidates for U.S. House of Representatives and the Connecticut Senate and House of Representatives. This is the first time that the LWVCT has attempted to include state representative candidates.
In order to avoid duplication, you might be interested in seeing what we’ve asked.
The LWVCT has sent the following questions to all candidates for US Representative: 1. Do you believe that changes in election laws are needed to make elections fair, accurate, secure and responsive to the needs of the voters? Please explain. 2. What steps would you support to meet the demand for energy and to ensure an economically and environmentally sustainable future? 3. What initiatives do you support to guarantee that people can obtain affordable, high quality health care?
The LWVCT has sent the following question to all candidates for state senator and state representative: “Do you believe that changes in the Connecticut election laws are needed to make elections fair, accurate, secure and responsive to the needs of the voters? Please explain.”
All candidates for all offices have also be asked to supply a 75-word biography and a link to their website, if they have one and if they want the voters to be able to make that link through our site. The On Line Voters Guide should be on our website by the middle of the week of September 21.
Until our Guide is posted (and even after) the most authoritative source for a list of candidates is the Secretary of the State’s website, www.sots.ct.gov. The list is available as a “quick link” from her home page.
And Talk to Your Librarian
To give our Voters’ Guide more publicity, and to help everyone find out where their candidates stand, please take a few minutes to talk to your town’s reference librarian(s) and tell them about the Guide. It will give them something to tell would-be voters who come in and ask for candidate information.
Absentee Ballot Applications – A Reminder
The LWVCT has a firm policy against distributing absentee ballot applications.
The LWVCT Board decided in September 2005 that Leagues will not distribute applications for absentee ballots during their registration drives, and will provide information only as to where absentee ballot applications can be obtained, such as Town Clerks’ offices and on line via the Secretary of the State’s website.
The reasons for this policy are set out in Voter Service, the LWVCT’s Local League Reference booklet on all aspects of registering and voting..
Let LWVCT Know If You Find Errors in VOTE411.org
If you’re using the LWVUS’s www.Vote411.org website and notice any incorrect information on it, please notify the LWVCT office – we’ll send a list of corrections to the LWVUS.
Mock Election 2008
The Secretary of the State, the Hartford Courant and the League of Women Voters are co-sponsoring a Mock Election in 2008. This is a national program that provides teachers and students with a curriculum on voting as an introduction to voting procedures. The Mock Election culminates with students voting the week prior to Election Day in November. For additional information, contact the Hartford Courant Newspapers in Education (NIE) at (860) 241-6397.
Local League Service “How To's for Leagues
The LWVCT’s Local League Reference booklets have been re-issued for 2008, with mostly minor revisions (use of our new address, updated list of available publications, etc.), except for the booklet on League Finances, which contains the LWVUS’s newest Ed Fund forms and could be very useful to those Leagues that use the LWVUS Ed Fund for its tax-free status. Copies of the 2008 booklets were handed out at the President’s/Boards’ Dinner, are available from the Hamden office, and will soon be posted on our website.
990-N Tax Filing
The Hamden office is still waiting to hear from the IRS as to whether the problem with our Leagues’ fiscal year dating has been solved. As soon as we hear, we’ll let you know that it’s OK to file your 990-N. In the meantime, please hang on. |
|
