LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW YORK STATE 56 th Biennial Convention

Transcription

1 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW YORK STATE 56 th Biennial Convention June 5-7, 2015 The Desmond Americana Hotel Albany, New York

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Conference Agenda... 3 Panel Discussion: Constitutional Convention... 5 Workshop Descriptions... 6 Info Sessions/Caucuses... 7 Hospitality, Office, Sales Rooms... 8 Plenary Session Agenda... 9 Proposed Convention Rules Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance ANNUAL REPORTS President Overview of Issues & Advocacy..15 Issue Specialists Election Law Financing Education Healthcare Pay Equity Judicial Transportation Committee on Energy, Agriculture and the Environment Grassroots Lobby Director 25 Membership VP Local League Membership Numbers At Large Board Member 28 Citizen Education/Youth Programs Director Voter Service Vote 411 Report LWVNYS Financial Report LWVNYS EF Financial Report Q & A on Proposed Budget and PMP Increase.34 DELEGATES/OBSERVERS/VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS LWVNYS STAFF... 40

4 A Voice for Citizens; A Force for Change PRE- CONFERENCE AGENDA Day Time Event Room Friday 3:00-11:30 pm Office Shaker Room Friday 4:00pm-6:00pm Registration Open Fort Orange Walkway Friday 8:00pm-10:00pm Registration Open Fort Orange Walkway Friday 8:00pm-11:00pm Sales Shaker Room Friday 8:00pm-11:00pm Hospitality Suite Open Suite 615 Friday 9:00pm - 10:00 pm School Choice where are we now? 7 Fort Orange Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm Registration Open Fort Orange Walkway Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm Sales Shaker Room Saturday 8:00-10:30am Office Open Shaker Room Saturday 8:30am-9:30am Workshops Quick and Easy Fundraising 5 Fort Orange Youth Programs The Lodge Magnetic Programming 7 Fort Orange Vote 411 Suite 120 Advocacy and Issues 9 Fort Orange Saturday 9:45am-10:45am Workshops League for New Board Members Suite 120 League Visibility 5 Fort Orange Environmental Issues 9 Fort Orange Voter Services Issues The Lodge Creative League Management 7 Fort Orange Saturday 11:00am-12:15pm LWVNYS Board Meeting Suite 156 Saturday 12:30pm-5:00pm PLENARY SESSION Town Hall Saturday 4:30-6:30pm Sales Room Open Shaker Room Saturday 5:00pm-7:00pm Registration Open Fort Orange Walkway Saturday 5:30pm-6:30pm Welcome Reception King Street Courtyard Saturday 6:30pm-7:30pm Dinner 2, 4 King Street Ballroom Saturday 7:30-8:00pm Awards Presentations 2, 4 King Street Ballroom Saturday 8:00pm-9:00pm MOPCo Improv Comedy Group 2, 4 King Street Ballroom Saturday 9-11pm 9-10pm Solar Energy Systems 8 King Street 9-10pm Medicare for all Suite pm Raise the Age Suite pm Proposed Budget 6 King Street 10-11pm Medicare for all (continued) Suite pm Energy Choices 8 King Street pm Proposed Bylaw Amendments 6 King Street pm Increasing Voter Participation The Lodge Page 3

5 A Voice for Citizens; A Force for Change PRE pm Membership: Where are we going as the League? Suite 156 Saturday 9-11pm Sales Room Open Shaker Room Saturday 9-11pm Hospitality Suite Open Suite 615 Saturday 9-11pm Office Open Shaker Room Sunday 7:30-9:00am Breakfast Buffet King Street Sunday 7:30-9:00am Breakfast by Portfolios 2 King Street Sunday 7:30-9:00am Presidents Breakfast 4 King Street Sunday 8-10:00am Information Desk Open Outside Town Hall Sunday 8-9:30am Sales Open Shaker Room Sunday 8-9:15am Office Open Shaker Room Sunday 9:15am-12:00pm PLENARY SESSION Town Hall Sunday 12:00pm ADJOURNMENT Sunday 12:00pm Sales Open Shaker Room Sunday 12:00pm-3:00pm 1st Board Meeting for the LWVNYS Board Suite 156 AFTER DINNER ENTERTAINMENT Come relax and laugh with your League friends! Saturday, June 6, 8:00 pm The Mop & Bucket Co. (MopCo) is the Capital District s premiere improvisational theatre company. The company has been in existence in its present form since The company uses improvisation as a direct form of entertainment in performance; as a developmental tool that helps individuals in their own personal development, and as an interactive training tool for businesses and nonprofits. Live performance fills a central, universal need of humankind. This need cannot be met by passive reception of electronic or virtual paths, but must be experienced with all five senses. MopCo believes that the best theatre comes out of an active collaboration between performer and audience. We constantly expand, refine, and redefine our own concept of what improvisation in performance is. Page 4

6 A Voice for Citizens; A Force for Change PRE- PANEL DISCUSSION Constitutional Convention: How, Why and What If? Saturday, June 6, 2:30 pm John Faso Mr. Faso is a graduate of the State University College at Brockport and the Georgetown University Law Center. While attending law school at night, he worked as federal affairs representative for Nassau County and the New York State Association of Counties. From he was a member of the Minority Staff of the US House Committee on Government Relations working closely with Representative John W. Wydler (R-NY). From , he served as Washington Representative of the New York State Senate. In 1983, he was named Commissioner of the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission by state Senate Majority Leader Warren M. Anderson. He served in this capacity until 1986 when he was elected to the New York State Assembly. He was elected to the Assembly eight times and served as Minority Leader of the Assembly from Mr. Faso was counsel to the law firm of Rapport Meyers Whitbeck Shaw and Rodenhausen in Hudson, NY from From , he was a partner in the Albany office of Manatt Phelps & Phillips. In January 2014, Mr. Faso started his own law and consulting firm, the Law Offices of John J. Faso, PC, where he advises clients on development projects in the energy and communications industries. He also serves as outside counsel to charter school organizations and as special legislative counsel to the New York State Optometric Association. Richard Brodsky Richard Brodsky is a former 14-term New York State Assemblyman from Westchester and Senior Fellow at Demos, a public policy organization working for an America where we all have an equal say in our democracy and an equal chance in our economy. In the NYS Assembly Richard Chaired the Committee on Environmental Conservation creating NY's Environmental Protection Fund which has disbursed billions to preserve and restore the environment statewide. He successfully challenged Indian Point Nuclear Plant on a range of issues including polluting the Hudson River, faulty evacuation planning, and hazardous radioactive leaks. As Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, he authored the historic 2009 Public Authorities Reform Act, a sweeping reform of all of NY s 700 authorities, the most significant reform of NYS government in decades. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox Business News, among many other national and statewide TV stations. He has been featured on dozens of radio stations including NPR, WNYC, WCBS and WINS. His opeds have been featured in the New York Times, New York Daily News, The Capitol and other major publications. Richard attended Brandeis University where he earned a bachelor s degree in Politics and Harvard Law School where he received his J.D. Page 5

7 A Voice for Citizens; A Force for Change PRE- WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS SATURDAY, June 6th 8:30-9:30 a.m. Quick and Easy Fundraising Ideas Room: 5 Fort Orange League members' time is even more precious than their money. What are some mostly painfree ways to get the resources you need, keep membership dues within everyone's reach, and keep having an impact in your community? Kate Jankowski, LWVNYS Director of Communication and Development Youth Programs of Local Leagues Room: The Lodge Many of our Leagues have excellent youth programs. Come learn about them from small and large Leagues. We will discuss ways to adapt them for your League so you can have ideas to use in your own League. Judie Gorenstein, LWVNYS Director/ Youth Programs Build Your League through Magnetic Programming Room: 7 Fort Orange Draw members and develop leaders through dynamic public programs. Hear from fellow Leagues that are generating buzz, building networks and new audiences, and making a difference, and see how their ideas might apply in your community. Dare Thompson, LWVNYS VP Membership, and Georgia DeGregorio, LWVUS Ruth Shur Fellow Advocacy and Issues Room: 9 Fort Orange How can we be most effective as advocates for the issues we believe in? What issues are particularly hot right now and begging for our attention? Sally Robinson, LWVNYS President, and Barbara Bartoletti, LWVNYS Legislative Director Vote 411: Electronic Voter Guides Room: Suite 120 Tips and Tricks: take the next step in creating your Vote411 voter guide. Victoria Melillo-Jordan, LWVNYS Director of Policy and Programs SATURDAY, June 6th 9:45 10:45 a.m. League for New Board Members Room: Suite 120 While there is no one way to be a League board, there are certain tasks that every board must do and certain questions that every board should ask itself. What do you need to know about your League, its board, and the role you will play? This is an interactive session, be prepared with questions and observations to discuss with fellow League board members and come away with some fresh ideas and goals for your work with your board. Lisa Scott, Membership and Leadership Development Coordinator Environmental Issues How to Take Action Room: 9 Fort Orange What are the key environmental issues in your locality and statewide and how can your local League take action and influence these decisions? Beth Radow, LWVNYS Chair, Energy, Agriculture and the Environment Committee Creative League Management Room: 7 Fort Orange Maximize your volunteer power and address leadership burn-out! Hear from fellow Leagues about new board structures and other new ways of organizing themselves. We can experiment and THEN change our by-laws if needed, so let s think outside the box. Leagues with a traditional structure will get ideas on how to make that structure vital and sustainable. Dare Thompson, LWVNYS VP Membership, and Georgia DeGregorio, LWVUS Ruth Schur Fellow League Visibility Room: 5 Fort Orange The strength of the League is directly related to its visibility through social media, such as facebook, twitter and website, as well as local media such as programs on radios and articles in newspapers. Hear how some Leagues are doing these jobs. Kate Jankowski, LWVNYS Director of Communication and Development, and Victoria Melillo-Jordan, LWVNYS Director of Policy and Programs Voter Service Issues Room: The Lodge How do we encourage more participation in local elections? What policies should we have for candidate forums? Judie Gorenstein, LWVNYS Director/Citizen Education Page 6

8 PRE- INFO SESSIONS AND CAUCUSES (More Info. Sessions/Caucuses May Be Added at Convention, per request.) FRIDAY, June 5 th 9:00-10:00 p.m. School Choice Where Are We Now? Room: 7 Fort Orange Get the latest update on the League s efforts to defeat the Education Investment Tax Credit and discuss other education related issues being debated in the Legislature. Marian Bott, LWVNYS Financing Education Specialist SATURDAY, June 6th 9:00-10:00 p.m. Solar Energy Systems Room: 8 King Street Dr. Gay Canough, CEO and founder of Extraterrestrial Materials, Inc. (ETM Solar Works), as well as a League member, will discuss the benefits of solar energy and efforts to increase access through improved legislation. Sara Wokan, LWV of Broome-Tioga Medicare for Everyone How to Insure All New Yorkers and Save Money Room: Suite 120 This caucus is presented by the LWVNYS Health Care Committee. Our aim is to educate and advocate for passage of the state senate and assembly bill which provide for the establishment of the New York Health Plan, a single payer bill. Madeline Zevon, LWV White Plains Raise the Age Room: Suite 156 A concurrence with Ohio s position on juvenile justice is being proposed by the LWVNYS board. Learn about the ways this legislative package is designed to re-frame the way young people are treated by our criminal justice system. Carol Mellor, LWVNYS Grassroots Director Helga Schroeter, LWVNYS Judicial Specialist Fair Campaign Practices Committees Room: The Lodge Some campaigns are false and misleading: find out what Westchester County has been doing for the last 24 years to help cleanup elections - or come to share your experiences, your ups, your downs, and the League s connection. Check out Westchester s Manual at Susan Schwarz, Westchester County ILO Proposed Budget Room: 6 King Street Come hear more about the proposed League Budget, including a $2 increase in PMP starting in July Maggie Moehringer, Chair, LWVNYS Budget Committee Laura Ladd Bierman, LWVNYS Executive Director Page 7

9 PRE- SATURDAY, June 6th 10:00-11:00 p.m. Proposed Bylaw Amendments Room: 6 King Street Have questions about the proposed amendments to the bylaws? Come discuss these, as well as future changes regarding Convention and Council operations. Carol Mellor, LWVNYS Grassroots Director Membership: Where are we going as the League? Room: Suite 156 Join the LWVNYS and LWVUS Membership Chairs in an open discussion of how we deal with new attitudes toward membership in the post-babyboomer generations. Dare Thompson, LWVNYS VP for Membership, and Anne Schink, LWVUS Membership Chair Increasing Voter Participation Room: The Lodge New York ranks near the bottom of all states for its voter participation rates. What can we do to increase voter participation in our state? Brainstorm ideas with us. Nancy Rosenthal and Jane Thomas, Co-Presidents, Nassau County ILO Energy Choices Room: 8 King Street Many local Leagues are actively working on education and advocacy in a number of environmental issues, including landfill/waste disposal, renewable energy sources, economic development and more. Join the discussion. LWVNYS Committee on Energy, Agriculture and the Environment Medicare for Everyone How to Insure All New Yorkers and Save Money (continued) Room: Suite 120 This caucus is presented by the LWVNYS Health Care Committee. Our aim is to educate and advocate for passage of the state senate and assembly bill which provide for the establishment of the New York Health Plan, a single payer bill. Madeline Zevon, LWV White Plains HOSPITALITY/OFFICE/PLENARY/SALES HOSPITALITY LOCATION: Suite 615 Friday, June pm Saturday, June pm OFFICE LOCATION AND SALES: Shaker Room Friday, June pm Saturday, June 6 8 am 1 pm 5 pm 6:30 pm 9 pm - 11 pm Sunday, June 7 8 9:30 am 12 1 pm Page 8 PLENARY LOCATION: Town Hall Saturday, June 6 12:30 5:00 pm Sunday, June 7 9:15 am - Noon

10 PLENARY SESSION AGENDA LOCATION: Town Hall Plenary Session I Saturday, June 6 th, 12:30 pm 12:30 Call to Order Sally Robinson, LWVNYS President 12:35 Welcoming Remarks 12:40 Acknowledgements: Anne Burton, Volunteer Coordinator, LWV of Rensselaer Co. LL volunteers/other volunteers: LWVs of Rensselaer, Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties Barb Thomas Volunteer training for plenary sessions 12:45 Introductions: State Board Staff (Laura Ladd Bierman, Victoria Melillo-Jordan, Katrina McEwan, Lisa Allendorph and Kate Jankowski) Parliamentarian: Jill Nagy (LWV of Rensselaer) Elections Committee Chair: Sara Wokan (LWV of Broome-Tioga) Minutes Review: Suzy Johnson (LWV of North Country) and Jennifer Mebes Flagg (LWV of New Castle) Action Motions Committee: Carol Mellor (LWV of the Hamptons), Lori Dawson (LWV of Saratoga) and Gladys Gifford (LWV of Buffalo/Niagara) Credentials Chair: Karen McBride (LWV of Utica-Rome) 12:50 Report of the Credentials Committee (Karen McBride) 12:55 Adoption of Rules of Convention 1:00 Adoption of the Order of Business 1:05 Greetings by LWVUS Board Member, Anne Schink (LWV ME) 1:20 Presentation and Vote on Proposed Bylaws Amendments: Carol Mellor 1:35 Presentation of Proposed Recommended Program: Sally Robinson 1:50 Presentation and Vote for Consideration of Non-Recommended Items: Sally Robinson 2:05 Report of the Nominating Committee: Lisa Scott, Chair, Nominating Committee Nominations from floor 2:30 Panel Discussion on Constitutional Convention Page 9

11 Speakers: John Faso and Richard Brodsky 3:30 Welcome Remarks: Kathy Sheehan, Mayor, City of Albany 3:40 Financial Report: Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director 3:50 Presentation of Proposed Budget: Maggie Moehringer, Chair Budget Committee 4:00 Intent to Propose Action Motions 4:15 Moments in the Sun 5:00 Announcements PLENARY SESSION AGENDA LOCATION: Town Hall Plenary Session II Sunday, June 7th, 9:15 am 12:00 pm 9:15 Report of Credentials Committee 9:20 Program discussion and Adoption: Proposed recommended program Proposed non-recommended items Discussion of Living Wage and Program Planning Committees 9:50 Consideration of Action Motions 10:00 Vote on Bylaws Amendments 10:20 Vote on Proposed PMP Increase 10:40 Vote on Proposed Budget 10:50 Election of Officers and Directors 11:00 Gifts to Outgoing Board: Sally Robinson 11:10 Remarks by New President: Dare Thompson Remaining Moments in the Sun Directions to the Board ADJOURNMENT Page 10

12 PROPOSED CONVENTION RULES A motion to adopt these rules will be made shortly after convention opens and a quorum has been declared. Amendments to this motion can be made at this time and require a majority vote for adoption. The rules as a whole (either amended or as given below) require a majority vote for adoption. A 2/3 vote is required to change them after they have been adopted. 1. Admission to the convention floor shall be limited to those displaying authorized badges. Doors are closed promptly when each session convenes. They will be opened periodically. Doors will be closed during a vote, and no one may enter or leave. 2. Seating in the Convention hall shall be divided into two areas: one for VOTING delegates and one for NON- VOTING delegates and VISITORS. All persons in the hall during sessions are requested to sit in their designated areas. 3. Announcements from the platform shall be made only by the Chair, the Convention Chair, or a deputy and shall relate only to Convention business or the welfare of the delegates. Notices to be announced must be given to the secretary in writing. 4. Delegates - Only delegates and members of the state board who have been assigned credentials by the credentials committee may make motions and vote. 5. Alternates shall vote only when taking the place of a regular delegate, wearing a delegate's badge that has been assigned by the credentials committee, and sitting in the delegate section. 6. Privileges of the Floor - Delegates, alternates and those designated by the delegate body may speak. 7. Motions shall be made only by accredited delegates and members of the state board of directors. The mover shall obtain a motion form from the page at a microphone, complete the form, and return it to the Page for distribution to the Chair, Parliamentarian, and person operating the viewgraph. The motions or amendments shall include the name and local League of the mover. There shall be no discussion or action on a motion until a copy is in the hands of the Chair. The Chair may waive this requirement. 8. Debate and discussion shall be limited to those granted the privileges of the floor. Only those standing at a microphone shall be recognized to speak. The Chair shall designate "pro" and "con" microphones at appropriate times and alternately recognize delegates standing at them. Each speaker shall be limited to two minutes. This time may be extended or shortened by a two-thirds vote of the delegate body. No one shall speak for a second time on a question until all who wish to speak have spoken once. No one shall speak more than twice on a question. 9. Voting - Only accredited delegates and members of the state board shall be entitled to vote. The Chair, unless otherwise directed by the delegate body, will decide which of the following methods of voting shall be employed: a. * By Voice - Delegates vote by saying aye or nay b. * By Standing - Delegates vote by standing c. * By Division of House - Delegates stand and count off d. * By Written Ballot Absentee or proxy voting is not permitted. When a vote is in process, the doors to the Convention hall shall be closed and no one may enter or leave. Page 11

13 *LWVUS Convention Workbook, June Action Motions -An action motion is a means for the delegate body to speak in concert on a matter of importance to the organization. It proposes action on a legislative or administrative matter at the state level and directs the League to take a specific action (e.g., sending a letter to the Governor). Action motions shall be referred to and considered by the action motions committee appointed by the Chair at the opening session. Action motions must be in writing on forms available at the Convention registration desk. Motions must be completed and turned in at the convention desk by 5 p.m. Saturday. In order to be considered, proposers must meet to discuss their motions with the committee Saturday evening. To be recommended by the committee, the action motion must be consistent with League positions and must not conflict with ongoing advocacy work. The committee may also consider whether the action will help further an adopted League priority and whether the proposed action is likely to have a measurable impact on the outcome of the matter. Action motions recommended by the Actions Motion Committee require a majority vote for adoption. *Action motions not recommended by the committee require a two-thirds vote for adoption. 11. Miscellaneous Motions - A speaker may request a page at a microphone to use a colored card to request a point of order, a point of information, a parliamentary inquiry or a question of privilege. 12. Consideration of Non-Recommended Program - Any change in the proposed state program must be presented to the Convention as a non-recommended item. These items must have been submitted by the March deadline. They must be moved for consideration immediately after the presentation of recommended state program. The mover may make a statement, limited to five minutes, explaining the reason for asking consideration. The state board shall be allowed five minutes to present its reasons for not recommending the item. Only questions of clarification may be asked. There shall be no discussion or debate at this time. After all non-recommended items have been offered; votes on consideration on each will be taken in the order in which the items were presented to the Convention. A majority vote is necessary to consider non-recommended items. 13. Adoption of program shall take place at the second convention session. Recommended items and nonrecommended items voted consideration shall be debated and voted upon in the order in which they were presented to the Convention. A 3/5 vote is required for adoption of a non-recommended item. A majority vote is required for recommended items. Amendments to wording for editorial purposes, clarification, or emphasis may be made at this point but may not change the scope or meaning of the item. 14. A Credentials report shall be given by the credentials committee at the beginning of each session. The report shall include the number of delegates, alternates, and visitors. The credentials report shall be updated as requested by the presiding officer of the Convention or upon motion of the Convention. 15. Elections - The credentials committee shall present a final report to the Convention or the election committee before the election procedure begins. 16. Promotional materials may be distributed only by delegates and alternates wearing badges and only before or after a session. Official Convention materials and promotional materials relating to Convention issues may be placed on the chairs or tables prior to the beginning of a convention session. 17. Smoking is not permitted in the Convention hall. 18. Rules - After adoption, these rules may be amended or suspended by a two-thirds vote. Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, will govern all matters not covered in the rules or in the bylaws. 19. Minutes - The minutes of the LWVNYS Convention shall be approved by the LWVNYS board of directors upon recommendation of a committee appointed to review and correct the minutes. Page 12

14 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE AT A GLANCE Page 13 MAY YOU MUST BE IS THE INTERRUPT BE MOTION VOTE TO DO THIS: YOU SAY THIS: SPEAKER? SECONDED? DEBATABLE? NEEDED Adjourn the meeting I move that we adjourn No Yes No Majority Recess the meeting I move that we recess No Yes No Majority until... the meeting until... Complain about noise, Point of privilege Yes No No No vote room, temperature, etc. Suspend further I move we table it No Yes No Majority consideration of something End (or limit or I move (that) the No Yes No 2/3 vote extend debate) previous question... Postpone I move we postpone this No Yes Yes Majority consideration of matter until... something Have something I move we refer this to No Yes Yes Majority studied further committee. Amend a motion I move to amend this No Yes Yes Majority motion. Introduce business I move that... No Yes Yes Majority (a primary motion) Object to procedure Point of order Yes No No No vote: or to personal affront chair decides Request information or Point of information Yes No No No vote Parliamentary Inquiry Ask for a rising vote I call for a division of Yes No No No vote to verify a voice vote the house. Ask for a vote count I call for a vote count Yes Yes No Majority to verify a rising vote Object to considering I object to consideration Yes No No 2/3 vote some matter Take up a matter I move to take from the No Yes No Majority previously tabled table...

15 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE AT A GLANCE (continued) MAY YOU MUST YOU IS THE INTERRUPT BE MOTION VOTE TO DO THIS: YOU SAY THIS: SPEAKER? SECONDED? DEBATABLE? NEEDED Reconsider something *I move we reconsider Yes Yes Yes Only already disposed of action on Majority if original quest. was debatable Consider something I move we suspend the No Yes No 2/3 vote not in scheduled order rules and... Vote on a ruling by the I appeal the chair's Yes Yes Yes Majority the chair decision. Division of question I move to divide the No Yes No Majority (voting separately on question. parts) Consider Seriatim or I move we consider No Yes No Majority consider by paragraph by paragraph. (amend each & then vote on the whole) Withdraw or modify I move the motion be No Yes No Majority motion (if unanimous withdrawn (or modified) consent refused) Rescind (repeal) I move to rescind the No Yes Yes 2/3 vote motion which was adopted... * Must be done by someone who voted on the prevailing side and must be done the same or following day. Thanks to the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts for providing the basis for this memo. Page 14

16 PRESIDENT S REPORT Sally Robinson, President I have had the privilege of continuing to serve as the President of the League of Women Voters of New York State for the past two years. During this time I believe that we have made significant progress in the direction of the State League, fulfilling our commitment to being a strong statewide good government group as well as a resource for local Leagues. The League Matters Campaign should end on a strong note, over its goal of $400,000, ensuring a sturdy financial base to fund our future while building better relationships with our donors. Part of what the League Matters Campaign is funding is a state office that can better provide you with timely research, testimony, educational programs and support for Leagues across the state. This is vital if we are to continue to support you in your efforts to make positive change in state government. Recently, we have: Provided statewide visibility on many public policy issues, including Ethics Reform, Election Law Reform, the Women s Equality Coalition and the fight against using taxpayer money for private and religious schools. Subsidized licensing fees for Vote 411 software and provided free training on the software. This software allows local Leagues to create a one-stop shop for voter information regarding elections in their local area. Continued to disseminate education programs on voter participation and campaign finance reform. Local Leagues can use these power point presentations from our website to help educate the public and their membership on these timely topics. Paid for participation of one student from each local League to yet another successful Students Inside Albany Conference held this May. This year 62 students from 38 local Leagues and 3 ILOs came together in Albany to learn about New York State government. Many participants affirm that this program inspires them to make a difference in their communities and state. Offered free, or low-cost, voter guides, including special voter guides for first-time voters in both English and Spanish, and a Citizen Lobbyist brochure. I am proud to have helped lead the State League into this new era during which we will cement our role as both a force for good government in the State and a resource for our member Leagues. We will be able to serve you in greater and better ways to make sure that the League continues to shape public policy and promote informed citizen participation in government. OVERVIEW OF ISSUES AND ADVOCACY 2015 Legislative Agenda-New Format Not surprisingly, campaign finance/ethics reform, women s equality and environmental issues remain very important to our local Leagues and prominent in the League s 2015 Legislative Agenda. Election reform and protecting voting rights remains a high priority as well, one area in which we look to find common ground with legislators of both parties is in addressing New York s dismally low voter participation rate. Similar to LWVUS, the focus of our work is influenced by our resources and the likelihood of legislative successes this coming session. We continue to work on active areas of public policy for which we have positions, even if they are not specifically listed as items in the brochure. After some thought, the 2015 Legislative Agenda brochure was redesigned into a longer document. Our Page 15

17 issues specialists each wrote a paragraph explaining the essentials of our position and focusing on what the specialist anticipates working on for this coming session. Revised and Updated Impact on Issues Impact on Issues was updated each year in the fall of 2013 and 2014, taking into account the results of each year s legislative session and the successful concurrence with Ohio s human trafficking position. It was distributed electronically, posted on the state website, and made available in hard copy for a small fee and 2015 Lobby Days (Advocacy Training Workshops) A number of League members and leaders joined us each February, in Albany in 2014 and in New York City in 2015, to learn about our advocacy agenda and hear from the League s Issue Specialists on their specific issues and expectations for the upcoming legislative session. All materials, including a summary from each Issue Specialist, were posted on the advocacy page of the state League website. These materials provide a wealth of information on a number of issues all which are helpful as we ask for member action. Campaign Finance Reform and the Moreland Commission In July, 2013, Barbara Bartoletti, the League s Legislative Director, was appointed by Governor Cuomo as one of four special advisors to the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption. In addition to investigating possible illegal activities, the Commission released a report in December 2013 with recommendations relating to comprehensive campaign finance reform. In early 2014, the League and other good government groups continually urged the Governor and the legislative leaders to use the budget to finally accomplish comprehensive campaign finance reform. The 2014 budget deal failed to achieve comprehensive reform and the Governor disbanded the Moreland Commission. The same groups urged strong ethics and campaign finance reforms be done early in the 2015 without success. This was despite the indictment of former Speaker Silver in January The story continued with the indictment of former state Senate Majority Leader Skelos in May, but despite the continuing scandals, ethics and campaign finance reforms appear to be off the state legislative radar Post-Budget Lobbying In addition to asking our local Leagues to lobby to include campaign finance and ethics reforms in the state budget, we asked them to do post-budget lobby visits on election law, women s issues, and the education investment tax credit in April November 2014 Vote Yes For Progress Campaign/Redistricting The League and Citizens Union together formed the Vote Yes for Progress campaign encouraging voters to vote yes for Proposition 1 establishing an independent redistricting commission. The League board decided in 2012 to support the amendment at the time it passed the Legislature the first time. It passed again in 2013, both times by large margins in the state Legislature. In November 2014, 57% of the state s voters approved Proposition 1. Thanks to all of the local Leagues who participated by holding forums and giving out palm cards. It was a learning experience for all of us who had not been part of the League s last major foray into supporting or opposing a proposal amending the state constitution back in Page 16

18 State Studies At the 2013 Convention, the state League voted to undertake two new studies, on term limits and ballot access and one update on the constitutional convention delegate selection process Term Limits Consensus Results The responses to the Term Limits Consensus questions were almost split down the middle pro and con, with a few more in favor of term limits for statewide offices. Therefore, it fell far short of the 2/3 necessary to change our current position against term limits. Ballot Access Consensus Results In New York State, candidates for elected office most often gain access to the general election ballot by obtaining political party ballot lines via various mechanisms. The study included discussion and comparison of the different forms of primary systems and other states experiences with fusion voting. A new position in favor of retaining fusion voting was adopted by the state Board in April, No consensus was reached with respect to the issue of opening up state primaries to non-affiliated voters. New position: The League of Women Voters of New York State supports the continuation of Fusion Voting in New York State whether or not Wilson-Pakula is repealed. Constitutional Convention Update Results This update examined the League s position on New York s constitutional convention. Twenty-two Leagues participated and consensus was reached to update the portion of the position on delegate selection. New Position: The League supports the following reforms as positive factors in deciding on support for a constitutional convention. Delegates should be elected by a fair nonpartisan process that complies with federal voting rights provisions and eases ballot access to encourage participation by racial and other minorities. Public financing should be provided for candidates and their positions on issues and convention goals should be widely publicized to enable voters to cast informed votes at their election. Statewide office holders, state or federal legislators, and state judges should not serve as delegates. Program Planning Twenty-three Local Leagues made recommendations for a new state program to be acted upon at Convention The list can be found in the Pre-Convention Kit. The state board is recommending a update of our position on Legislative Procedures. The Board is also recommending a concurrence on raising the minimum age from to be treated as an adult in the criminal justice system to be conducted immediately post- Convention. Suggestions for New Committees Minimum/Living Wage Committee. A recent LWVUS announcement interpreted the Meeting Basic Human Needs position to permit state and local Leagues to lobby in support of raising state or local minimum wages or adopting a living wage position. The Board has agreed to form a committee of League volunteers to look at the issue and possibly make a recommendation on a state minimum wage to the Board. Program Planning Committee Page 17

19 I also am recommending that we form a long-range program planning committee to look at the last decade or two of program planning, what studies and updates were undertaken, and analyze the effort involved and the results. ELECTION LAW/GOVERNMENT Aimee Allaud, Issue Specialist The right of every citizen to vote has been a basic League of Women Voters principle since its origin. Early on state leagues adopted positions on election laws in their respective states. The LWVNYS has led the way in advocating for support of measure to protect, extend and encourage the use of the franchise. The League works to modernize and streamline the voting process and make it easier for all eligible citizens to participate in elections. ( We take action based on both LWVUS and LWVNYS positions. A brief summary of election law positions under LWVUS and LWVNYS positions follow: Support of measures to protect, extend and encourage the use of the franchise, including paperless and Election Day registration, no-excuse absentee and in-person early voting. Restore integrity to the election process specifically support for uniformity in election laws and procedures in their implementation and enforcement; promote measures that ensure the integrity of all ballots; Support ballot access and fair campaign practices (LWVNYS) Improve election processes to extend, encourage and protect voting, including paperless and Election Day registration, early voting, better ballot design, improved polling place management/poll worker training, a single June primary and measures to ensure the integrity of all ballots. In Coalition to support election reforms: In January 2015, LWVNYS joined with Common Cause, Citizens Union, NYPIRG, and The Brennan Center for Justice, in a joint statement of support for Election Reforms. The statement, Voter Participation: How to Turn Up the Volume was released at the New York State Election Commissioners Conference in Albany, and urged election commissioners to work with advocates in improving election processes through legislation and administrative changes. Help America Vote Act: The League continues to monitor the impact of the introduction of electronic voting machines and ballot marking devices in NYS on voters and election administration to ensure that voting participation is encouraged and processes are improved and simplified for voters while protecting the integrity of ballots. Continued Use of Lever Voting Machines: The League opposed legislation to extend the use of lever voting machines in village and school elections in both 2013 and 2014, arguing that an exemption from the HAVA was contrary to the intent of HAVA and accessible voting is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 2014, the legislation signed into law, extended the permitted use until December 2015, and stipulated that a report be prepared by the NYS Board of Elections giving guidance for the administration of elections by villages, school districts, fire districts, library districts. The legislation required that the SBOE submit the report to the Legislature by January (Report of February is available at Page 18

20 Action by LWVNYS: A letter stating our opposition to extending the use of lever voting machines in elections was sent to the NYS Board of Elections in November 2014 and was printed in the above report. League worked closely with disability and voting advocates opposing the continued use of inaccessible voting machines in certain elections by participating in a press conference and at a information table on accessible voting at the NYS Election Commissioners Meeting in January Testimony: Testimony to the Joint Fiscal Committees of the NYS Senate and Assembly on Executive Budget Proposal on the NYS Board of Elections, February 26, We addressed the mission of the SBOE and the proposed budget for it to fulfill its responsibilities and policy recommendations with budgetary implications that should be considered in order to bring NYS into the national mainstream of election administration. Testimony to the Joint Fiscal Committees of the NYS Senate and Assembly of the NYS Senate and Assembly on the Executive Budget Proposal on the NYS Board of Elections, February 5, Testimony: to the NYS Assembly Standing Committee on Election Law, December, 2013, on election reform recommendations and a single June Primary. Legislative Action The League s Legislative Agenda for the period has included: Support for better ballot design with memo of support for the Voter Friendly Ballot Act introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh (A.5564). Support for voter registration modernization with memo for the Voter Empowerment Act, A.5564/S Support for single June primary election with memo of support for A.8198/S (Bill was not reintroduced in 2015). Support for pre-registration of year olds with memo of support for A.2529/S.857. Support for State constitutional amendment to allow a person who will be 18 yrs. old at the time of a presidential election to vote in the presidential primary if she is 17 years of age at the time of the presidential primary election with memo of support for A.504/S Oppose extension of use of lever voting machines with opposition memo for A.9321A. Events: On March 24, 2014 League co-sponsored a Public Policy Forum with the Rockefeller Institute, Election Law Reform: Is Now the Time? with Senate Election Committee Chair, Senator Thomas O Mara and Assembly Election Law Committee Chair, Michael Cusick, and panel of election specialists, and moderator, Susan Arbetter, from WCYN s Capitol Pressroom. Thank you to the following members for their help and support in making the League effective and visible on election reform: Kate Doran of the LWVNYC who monitors the NYC BOE s biweekly meetings and writes informative reports of those meetings for the good government groups, Adrienne Kivelson and Marjorie Shea, LWVNYC longtime knowledgeable observers of election administration, Sally Robinson, LWVNYS president, and to all those members in the local leagues who are the field observers for this portfolio. Page 19

21 FINANCING EDUCATION REPORT Marian Bott, Issue Specialist Litigation-Related Advocacy During the summer of 2013, we held discussions with the litigators who had filed the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) lawsuit in We had filed two amicus briefs in connection with this PreK-12 education adequacy lawsuit, and considerable League volunteer resources and time were dedicated to its successful outcome. This included our undertaking a major Position update for Financing Education ( ) and our providing continuous testimony in support of the aims of the CFE suit. Governor Cuomo formed a statewide commission to engage the public in a dialogue, but the commission failed to publish recommendations about school finance reform. The head litigator in the CFE lawsuit, Michael Rebell, served on the panel, and we provided testimony on both STAR (School Tax Relief Program) and other matters. Rebell formed a working group following the publication of this commission s final reports to explore what might be done with further litigation. This working group had ample evidence, based on state school aid allocations, that the Legislature had been given opportunity since the settlement in 2006 to fulfill its pledge per the court order, and had not done so. Although we were asked to do so, we declined to become a plaintiff in a new case, which now has been filed under an association named the New Yorkers for Students Educational Rights (NYSER). See We are participating in the public engagement working group meetings and welcome those who want to learn more about this to attend one of the meetings which take place both in Albany and in New York City, usually monthly. Education Tax Credits for Scholarships to Private Schools In the 2013 January-June legislative session, both the Senate and the Assembly re-introduced legislation which emanated from pressure from both religious and non-religious charter school advocates. In prior years, this type of legislation had never had a chance of success in the Assembly. Known in various versions as the Education Tax Credit bill or the Education Incentives Tax Credit, the bills sought to allow individual and corporate taxpayers to contribute to non-profit scholarship organizations of THEIR choice, which they now can do and receive the tax advantage of a charitable deduction. The provisions of these bills would change the tax benefit dramatically. Going forward, the legislation as proposed would allow 1) federal charitable deduction as before and 2) AT THE NEW YORK STATE LEVEL, A TAX CREDIT AGAINST EITHER INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE FRANCHISE INCOME TAX LIABILITY. Your first question might be: what would be wrong with incentivizing individuals and corporations to help with education? In the 2014 and 2015 legislative sessions, we learned the answer to that question. 1) Up until now, we have never had a religious official in a senior position (the Cardinal of New York State) in Albany as an unregistered but powerful lobbyist on the other side of an issue that we hold a strong position on (separation of church and state and no religious school direct curricular support). This makes it even more important that advocates within the LWV NYS express their concerns about the proposed legislation which flaunts the spirit of the law: there shall be a separation of church and state in New York State. 2) The supporters do not share our view of equity in distribution of aid throughout the State. In their proposal, all aid could come to the wealthiest of private (parochial or non-parochial) schools. Page 20

22 Our League website contains ample information about our 1) memos in opposition 2) testimony and 3) press conferences that we have sponsored. In effect, for the past seventeen months, most of our energy has been diverted to an effort to fight this initiative, which violates our position statement opposing public dollars going to private schools. Although we do not totally oppose certain categories of support for students in private schools, in light of our unfulfilled advocacy for CFE and now our support of NYSER, it would be inappropriate for us to favor support for private schools as a higher priority, which the bills our legislature has considered would do. We raised the issue with our Florida League of Women Voters education team in February of 2014, and this resulted in a working group which was formed at the National League Convention in Dallas in June We learned that the State of Florida has had scholarship tax credits for corporations for many years (they have no individual income tax) and that their concerns lie much more with the proliferation of unregulated charter schools. Although we are working together to share information, in effect we are unique in that we are a very large, Northern state with politics and demographics quite different from Florida s. Our Legislative Director, Barbara Bartoletti and I hereby implore you to utilize your well-honed advocacy skills and training we need them now! We should have known that the School Choice issue would eventually morph into larger territory than charter schools advocacy. At this point, legislation being proposed challenges our core education positions, but we were not fully prepared for the Citizens Uniteddriven newly-legal competition coming from 501(c)4 organizations Enormous new financial resources entered the pro-choice advocacy marketplace to support public dollars for private schools. HEALTH CARE REPORT Madeline Zevon, Issue Specialist During the past two years, health care delivery in New York State continues to be in flux. As in our last report, downsizing and consolidation continue to occur, changing the way health care services are delivered. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is making insurance available to more people, and has led to 900,000 New Yorkers getting coverage due to the Health Benefit Exchange and expanded Medicaid. The ACA has gone far in mitigating some of the shortcomings of private-for-profit insurance, such as refusing to cover people with pre-existing conditions and imposing lifetime limits. However, there is now a lot of cost-shifting to patients through high deductibles and co-pays, making health care costs unaffordable to many. Additionally, according to the Urban Institute, million New Yorkers are still uninsured. The ACA is not a universal plan. The basic flaw is that the ACA leaves insurance companies in charge and is not as cost-effective or comprehensive as a single-payer system. It is for this reason that our focus for the past two years has been to advocate for the New York Health Act A.5062 (Gottfried)/S.3525(Perkins). While the ACA has made incremental reforms, this single-payer legislation would transform our current system, saving billions on insurance administration and waste and billions by negotiating drug and medical device prices. It would be funded by progressive assessments based on ability to pay. The League issued a memo of support for this bill. A groundbreaking economic analysis of this bill conducted by Gerald Friedman, Chair of the Dept. of Economics at UMass-Amherst, shows that New York State would save $45 billion, or $2,200 per person, in the first year of implementation, while at the same time covering 100% of the population, with no-co-pays or deductibles or restrictive provider networks. Page 21