NEWSLETTER. Our Holiday Dinner and Program. Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

Transcription

1 NEWSLETTER Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate Board President: Dottie Haase Vice President: Trina Borenstein Treasurer: Jennifer Dutcher Secretary: Ann Hardesty Membership Chair: Doris Feys Leadership Team: Marcia Aten Bev Bodem Pauline Buchner Robert Kennedy Anne Nave Vernie Nethercut Florence Stibitz Newsletter: Trina Borenstein Website: Jennifer Dutcher Mission Statement: The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. Our Holiday Dinner and Program Come and enjoy a Holiday Dinner with the LWV Alpena. Wednesday, December 12 at the Jesse Besser Museum, beginning at 5:00, with a buffet dinner at 5:30. The menu will include salad, chicken, ham, vegetarian offering, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots and bean casserole. Hors d'oeuvres and cookies will be provided by our members. The price for dinner is $13.00, including gratuity. Justin Hinkley, the new managing editor of The Alpena News, and his wife, Darby, who is also on the staff of The Alpena News, will join us and talk to us about their jobs. It will be an opportunity for us to meet and welcome this couple to Alpena. You will also have a chance to see the LWV Christmas Tree that was decorated by June Perry. Please RSVP Ann Hardesty at yogagal72@charter.net or before Wednesday, December 5. Guests are welcome to attend. We hope to see you! November 2018 Newsletter 1

2 Calendar of Events Through December 28 - Be sure to see the Water Ways Exhibit at the Alcona County Library, Harrisville Branch. The Smithsonian exhibit explores in a unique way the essential role that water plays in our environment and society. This exhibit includes color panels, videos and interactive kiosks. See the Alcona Library web site (alcona.lib.mi.us)for more information and library hours. December 21, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, As You Wish, 104 N 2nd Ave, Alpena January TBA Discussion with Alpena City and Alpena Township officials about the Water and Sewer Rates January 18, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, Mangoes, 121 W. Chisholm, Alpena January 21, Monday - MLK Day Celebration at Alpena Community College. Activities include an afternoon discussion with Matt Dunckel as discussion leader, with members of Matt s college class and members of the community. A chili supper will be held in the ACC Lumberjack Shack from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The Proceeds from this supper provide free laundromat service to those in need. The evening program features discussion leaders. Tom Orth, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Rev. Bill McClure, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church and a panel of community members including people of color, Latinos and other nationalities. These events are free and all in the community are invited. From LWV-US President Chris Carson November 6 was a historic day. More women elected to office than ever before. The first Muslim and Native American women, the first black woman from New England, the first Latina women from Texas all elected to Congress. Record high voter turnout for a midterm election. Voting rights expanded, with redistricting reforms and expanded registration passed in at least six states. All year long, League volunteers across the country have been registering voters, reaching out to tens of thousands of candidates to provide more information on VOTE411.org than ever before, and hosting hundreds of debates and forums so that voters could learn about the issues and engage with the politicians looking to represent them. And on Tuesday we turned out the vote! I am so proud of this organization and our dedicated network of volunteers, supporters, and engagers. Thank you for sharing our resources. Thank you for registering voters. Thank you for asking your friends and families to make an Election Day plan. And thank you for turning out and getting it done! Now our work continues. Together, the League will continue our work to create a more perfect democracy so that ALL Americans enjoy the same liberties and freedoms. With your help, we will register more new voters, provide more nonpartisan information on candidates, and host more debates and forums in future elections. We will continue to raise the voices of those least heard in this country communities of color, the young, persons with disabilities, and people with limited income. Our democracy is truly strongest when everyone November 2018 Newsletter 2

3 participates and has their voice heard. Yesterday, voters made huge steps toward full participation. But we still have so far to go. We look forward to continuing our work together. From LWV-MI President Judy Karandjeff Thank you for your work on the 2018 election! The League of Women Voters of Michigan is so proud of the work the local leagues and League members have done! We distributed over 106,000 statewide voter guides as well as local guides, provided VOTE411, increased our usage of VOTE411 with our partnership with Mlive, registered voters, held candidate forums, and gave educational presentations on the ballot issues. In addition, the LWVMI supported two ballot proposals, and many of our members worked on the Promote the Vote and Voters Not Politicians' campaigns. Our work strengthened our democracy! Congratulations! ELECTION HIGHLIGHTS Michigan voters turned out in record numbers for the gubernatorial election - 65% of registered voters, comparable to 1966 and 1970 elections. Women did well in the midterm election. For the first time, women will hold the offices of the Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General at the same time. In addition, women will hold 53 of 148 seats in the Legislature - the most ever. Michigan will go from 25% women to 35% in MI House and MI Senate. And for diversity of age, the three top women are under 50 years of age. Incumbents also did well. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow won re-election. In the U.S. House of Representatives delegation, Mike Bishop (R, 8th district) was the only incumbent who lost out of 11 incumbents. In the Michigan Senate of the 12 incumbents only two lost, Senator Marty Knollenberg (R-13) and Senator Margaret O'Brien (R-20). In the Michigan House, of the 67 incumbents, only Representative Jeff Noble (R-20) lost. November 2018 Newsletter 3

4 Democrats won all three of the top statewide positions. Democrats gained control of the State Board of Education and the boards of the three universities. Democrats gained 2 seats in MI's delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, 5 seats in the Michigan Senate and 5 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives. Republicans maintained controlled of the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and the Supreme Court. Neither party has enough votes to override a Governor's veto in the House or Senate. All three statewide ballot proposals passed and almost as many people who voted for Governor voted for the proposals. The new leadership in the MI Senate will be Senator Mike Shirkey (R-16) as Majority Leader and Senator Jim Aninich (D-27) as Minority Leader; and in the MI House will be Rep. Lee Chatfield (R-107) as Speaker and Rep. Christine Greig (D-37) as Minority Leader. LWV-Alpena County Members in the News The League of Women Voters of Alpena County s Christmas Tree is in the Jesse Besser Museum Lobby. Thank you, June Perry, for doing a beautiful job with the decorations again this year! June Perry also won first place, and Sharon Rickert won an November 2018 Newsletter 4

5 honorable mention, in the Besser Museum s Juried Art Show. Membership Be sure that you invite your friends to join LWV. Membership is open to men and women, 16 years or older. Membership in LWV-Alpena County includes membership in LWV-MI and LWV-US. $55 Individual Membership for one year (not tax deductible) $82.50 Household Membership for one year (two members at same address, not tax deductible) Educational Fund Donation (tax deductible) Make check payable to LWV of Alpena County, and mail to LWV, 307 W. Maple St., Alpena, MI Name(s) Address City State Zip code Phone MLK Day Celebration The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration will be held on January 21, Monday at Alpena Community College. Activities will include an afternoon discussion with Matt Dunckel as discussion leader. This discussion will include members of Matt s college class and members of the community. A chili supper will be held in the ACC Lumberjack Shack from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The proceeds from this supper provide free laundromat service to those in need. The 7:00 evening program will feature discussion leaders. Tom Orth, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Rev. Bill McClure, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church and a November 2018 Newsletter 5

6 panel of community members that will include people of color, Latinos and other nationalities. These events are free and all in the community are invited. Saturday Book Club Fascism, A Warning by Madeleine Albright Book club Saturday, January 26, 1-2:30 pm. Fascism, a Warning, by Madeleine Albright. Blue Phoenix Books, 106 N 2nd Ave, Alpena. #1 New York Times best seller - A personal and urgent examination of Fascism in the twentieth century and how its legacy shapes today s world, written by one of America s most admired public servants, the first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of state. Smithsonian Water Ways Exhibit Be sure to see the Water Ways Exhibit at the Alcona County Library, Harrisville Branch on exhibit from Nov. 16-Dec. 28. This exhibit is from The Smithsonian and in a unique way explores the essential role that water plays in our environment and society. This exhibit includes color panels, videos and interactive kiosks. See the Alcona Library web site (alcona.lib.mi.us)for more information and library hours. LWV Alpena Meeting on Homeless More than 30 people attended the League s meeting about the homeless in November at ACC. Speakers Matt Poll and Vicki Denstaedt talked about the services that are available for homeless students in Alcona, Atlanta, Hillman and the area schools served by AMA-ESD. Both speakers talked about the resources that are available from government grants and some of the resources available from this community such as food pantries. The Assistant Director of Sunrise Mission, Brendan Maroney, talked about the Mission. He talked about the plans to remodel the lower level of the green building. Several local people and businesses have agreed to donate materials and services. He showed a video that highlighted several November 2018 Newsletter 6

7 personal stories of those who have stayed at the Mission. There were several bags of personal care items November 2018 Newsletter 7

8 that were donated by League members for the Schools and Sunrise Mission ELECTION IN MICHIGAN 4,309,263 voted in November Election (7,471,088 registered) - 65% Highest midterm turnout in 50 years 4,874,619 voted in Nov. Election 2016 (7,514,055 reg d) - 65% - 3,188,956 voted in Nov. Election 2014 (7,446,280 reg d) - 43% 2,127,988 voted in August Primary - 86% increase from % of registered voters (53% D, 47% R) 1,390,192 voted in August Primary 2016, 1,139,983 voted in August Primary 2014 GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR - 4-year term Gretchen Whitmer/Garlin Gilcrest (D) beats Bill Schuette/Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R) - 2,256,700 D - 53% and 1,853,559 R - 44% Bill Gelineau (Lib) - 56, %; Todd Schleiger (UST) - 24, %; Jennifer Kurland (Grn) - 28, % and Keith Butkovich (NL) - 10, %. Note: for complete results for all candidates go to Secretary of State's website. SECRETARY OF STATE - 4-year term 3 women have served as Secretary of State - all R. Prior SOS was R. Jocelyn Benson (D) beat Mary Treder Lang (R) 2,194,802-53% D and 1,828,675-44% R ATTORNEY GENERAL - 4-year term 1 woman served as Attorney General. Prior AG was R. Dana Nessel (D) beat Tom Leonard (R) - 2,013,871-49% D; 1,903,771-46% R U. S. SENATE FOR MI - 6-year term Debbie Stabenow (D) beats John James (R) Senator Stabenow is the only woman who has represented MI in the U.S Senate and will start her 4th term. (2,195,601-52% D; 1,927,232-46% R) U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - Michigan - 2-year term 1. Jack Bergman 8. Elissa Slotkin - D (Beat incumbent Mike Bishop, R) 2. Bill Huizenga - R 9. Andy Levin - D (Replaced Sander Levin, D) 3. Justin Amash - R 10. Paul Mitchell - R 4. John Moolenaar - R 11. Haley Stevens - D (Replaced DaveTrott, R) 5. Dan Kildee - D 12. Debbie Dingell - D 6. Fred Upton - R 13. Rashida Tlaib - D - (Replaced John Conyers, D) 7. Tim Walberg - R 14. Brenda Lawrence - D Currently in U.S. House delegation 9 Republicans and 5 Democrats 2 women (2D) and 12 men (3D, 9R) November 2018 Newsletter 8

9 After Election in MI delegation - 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans, 5 women (5 D) and 9 men (2D, 7R), only 9 women have ever represented MI in the U.S. House MICHIGAN SENATE - 4-year term Currently 27 Republicans and 11 Democrats = 38 4 women (3R, 1D) and 34 men (24R, 10D) After the election 22 Republicans and 16 Democrats = women (3R, 8D) and 27 men (19R, 8D) The most women in MI Senate was in out of 38 (32%). Will be 29% women. Will be 15 pro-choice members, 21 anti-choice and 2 unknowns. MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES- 2-year term Currently 63 Republicans and 47 Democrats = women (17D, 16R) and 76 men (30D, 47R) After the election 58 Republicans and 52 Democrats = women (17R, 25D) and 68 men (41R, 27D) The most women in MI House of Representatives was in out of 110 (30%). Will be 38% women. Will be 48 pro-choice members, 60 anti-choice and 2 unknowns. MI STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION - 8-year term 8 Elected Members serve on the Board. 2 seats were up for election in held by 2 Republicans The winners are: Judith Pritchett (D) & Tiffany Tilley (D) Currently 4 Democrats and 4 Republicans 6 women (4D, 2F), 2 men (2R) After the election 6 Democrats and 2 Republicans 7 women (6D, 1R), 1 man (1R) UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN BOARD OF REGENTS - 8-year term 8 Elected Members serve 2 seats were up for election in held by 2 Republicans The winners are: Jordan Acker (D) & Paul Brown (D) Currently 5 Democrats and 3 Republicans 4 women (3D,1R), 4 men (2D, 2R) After the election 7 Democrats and 1 Republican 3 women (3D), 5 men (4D, 1R) MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 8-year term 8 Elected members serve 2 seats were up for election in Republican The winners are: Brianna Scott (D) & Kelly Debay (D) Currently 4 Democrats and 4 Republicans 2 women (1D,1R), 6 men (3D,3R) After the election 6 Democrats and 2 Republicans 4 women (3D, 1R), 4 men (3D,1R) WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF GOVERNORS - 8-year term 8 Elected members serve 2 seats were up for election in Republicans The winners are: Bryan Barnhill (D) & Anil Kumar (D) Currently 5 Democrats and 3 Republicans 5 women (4D,1R), 3 men (1D,2R) November 2018 Newsletter 9

10 After the election 7 Democrats and 1 Republican 4 women (4D), 4 men (3D,1R) MI SUPREME COURT - 8-year term 7 Elected members on nonpartisan ballot but nominated by political parties 2 seats were up in the election - Elizabeth Clement (R-nominated) & Kurtis Wilder (R-nominated) The winners are: Elizabeth Clement (R-nominated) & Megan Cavanagh (D-nominated) Currently 2 D-nominated; 5 R-appointed 2 women (1 R-appointed, 1 D-nominated) and 5 men (1D-nominated, 4 R- appointed) After the election 7 members - 3 D-nominated; 4 R appointed/nominated 3 women (2 D-nominated, 1 R-nominated) and 4 men (1 D-nominated, 3 R-appointed) PROPOSAL 18-1 Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Petition (new law) WON (2,339,672-56% yes) (1,844,880-44% no) Takes effect 10 days after official declaration of the vote. (note 4,231,009 people voted for Governor; 4,198,492 people voted on marijuana) PROPOSAL 18-2 Voters Not Politicians Petition - Citizen Redistricting Commission (amends Michigan Constitution) WON (2,501,830-61% yes) (1,583,588-39% no) Takes effect 45 days after date of election. PROPOSAL 18-3 Promote the Vote Petition - Voting Rights (amends Michigan Constitution) WON (2,756,740-67% yes) (1,364,064-33% no) Takes effect 45 days after date of election. Sources: Secretary of State, CAWP, Ballotpedia, Gongwer News, and various newspapers. November 2018 Newsletter 10