The Voter News for LWV Minneapolis Members and Friends

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1 The Voter News for LWV Minneapolis Members and Friends Volume 76, Issue 3 APRIL 2018 April Topic OMNIBUS BILLS Democracy in Action? LWV US Position: Governmental bodies must protect the citizen s right to know [what the government is doing] by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible. The Minnesota Constitution, article 4, sec. 17, provides that No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title. The League of Women Voter s mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government. LWV supports the right of all citizens to know what their government is doing and to participate in government decisions at all levels. Citizen participation and transparency are top LWV priorities, and citizens cannot participate if our governmental processes are not transparent. Omnibus bill: A package of budget measures and policy changes, most of which began life as individual bills, but which have been bundled together into one enormous bill comprising sometimes more than 100 pages. There were 15 omnibus bills in the 2017 session, from the Omnibus Agriculture bill to the Omnibus Transportation bill. Conference Committee: If House and Senate bills on the same subject are not identical, three or five members of each house are appointed to this committee to work out the differences. Occasionally, significant policy changes that were neither heard in committees nor passed by either house are added in conference. So, how does this work? A bill, a formal proposal to change a law, is introduced, referred to the appropriate committee and given a hearing if the committee chair approves. Interested citizens and lobbyists are allowed to testify on this bill; committee members can ask questions; and the bill may be amended. In theory, at this point committee members vote on the bill. In fact, very often the chair will simply say, House File XX will be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. This is extremely frustrating to citizens who have come to the Capitol to follow this particular bill. They leave with no idea how the committee might have voted on their bill. It can be demoralizing for the author of the bill, who has been working hard on shaping the bill and making a case for it. In addition, no committee member is accountable for a vote on this issue, since no vote was taken. And the bill disappears from public sight. Decisions on the fate of the bill are made behind closed doors by the committee chair and a few senior legislators. Omnibus bills thwart citizen efforts to follow the legislative process, much less to participate in government decisions. Bills laid over simply disappear from view. Inside this Issue Omnibus Bills, cont., Facebook 2 President s Message, Guest Author 3 March Civic Buzz Recap, Mlnarik Nominations (Continued on page 2) Unit Meetings, Nominating Committee, Civic Buzz Remembering Judy Farmer 6 Donors, Volunteers, New Members 7 4 5

2 PAGE 2 THE VOTER APRIL 2018 (Continued from page 1) According to Judge Jack Davies, there are two kinds of omnibus bills which are regularly part of Minnesota s legislative process. The first is described above, a committee bill that individual committee chairs and their staffs put together behind closed doors, which includes a number of bills heard by their committee. The second type of omnibus bill occurs when riders are added to appropriation bills. This is sometimes done during conference committee negotiations, as was the case in 2015 when a conference committee composed of five state representatives and five state senators approved an amendment to the Omnibus State Government Finance bill. This amendment gave counties the right to hire private auditors for mandatory annual audits, rather than requiring them to use the Office of the State Auditor. No bill had been introduced to accomplish this, no hearings had been held, no testimony from experts or citizens was heard. The conference committee acted in the wee hours of the morning on the last day of the session. Conference reports cannot be amended; the bill passed both houses. Since the language on the state auditor s job was in the Omnibus State Government Finance Bill, which funds the entire state government, it would have shut the state down if vetoed. The bill was signed. State Auditor Rebecca Otto sued, asserting: In usurping a core function of the auditor s office, this law is an unconstitutional violation of separation of powers in state government. Minnesota s Constitution states that, No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title. Changing the duties of the state auditor in a finance bill violates the one-subject rule and is unconstitutional. In 2017 LWV Minnesota signed on to an ACLU amicus brief in the auditor s case, Otto v. Wright County, et al, supporting the auditor s contentions. We await a State Supreme Court decision at this writing. At Civic Buzz on April 3, 2018, Appeals Court Judge Jack Davies (ret.), a former state senator and current active lobbyist, will discuss how we have arrived at this point in our democratic legislative process, what, if anything, can be done about it, and the potential ramifications of the Supreme Court s decision. The subject will be discussed further in unit meetings in April. ~ Gwen Myers Do You Do Facebook? In addition to LWV Minneapolis own great Facebook page, you may want to join in the lively discussion on Virtual Voter. Here LWV members around the state participate in great forums, discuss issues, and forward action alerts. Because the Minnesota Voter is no longer sent out to all members as it had been in the past, Virtual Voter is a great opportunity to connect with others who care about many of the same things we do here in the Twin Cities. It is also a great way to gain perspective and see what those in smaller communities are up to. Respectful dialogue and intelligent discussion can go a long way in broadening our horizons. The Voter Virtual Edition is a Facebook group where all members at large and members of local LWV groups in Minnesota can share highlights of LWV activities. All members can post, add pictures, ask questions, comment and get to know what s happening in other local LWVs. Are you intrigued? Search Facebook for Virtual Voter to join. Simply start posting and ask your fellow members to join! ~ Deborah Jindra

3 APRIL 2018 THE VOTER PAGE 3 From the President Sandy Hull, President Sandy Hull has given her space this month to Canan Karatekin. "Karatekin s message is important and timely and should get us all thinking." ~ Sandy Hull MEMBERS PLAN FOR EXCITING FUTURE We had a well-attended program planning meeting in February, with close to 50 members attending and making great suggestions about next year s topics. The Program Committee is now following up to find people who are interested in turning these ideas into actual programs next year. We are hoping that you may be one of those people! The four main caucuses at program planning were: environmental issues (especially protecting pollinators; water quality in Minneapolis and pertinent city issues; air quality and environmental justice; and the DNR in Minnesota and its effectiveness) racial equity and civics education in Minneapolis schools senior care abuse voting (voter protection and the census) The Program Committee and the board finalizes the topics for next year in July, so before the LWV is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. decisions are made, we need to know if there are members who are willing to take on any of the topics. Are you interested in any of the broad issues brought up at the program planning meeting? Would you help define and plan that issue and its presentation? Most months, we need a speaker for Civic Buzz, a Voter newsletter article (600 words), and a discussion guide for our unit small group discussions. The Program Committee will guide you in this process. Our annual meeting in June is the next time we discuss these issues/topics as a group. Plan to organize before that meeting so you can come to the meeting and speak in favor of the issue/topic you would like us to study and take action on. Issues and topics not discussed at the program planning meeting may also be brought up but you will need to be organized and passionate in order to get the membership to agree to put your topic on the schedule. We only have nine spaces to fill from September, 2018, to June, If you are interested, let us know. Please the Program Planning Committee: Julaine Heit - julaineheit@me.com Pam Telleen - Btelleen1@comcast.net Esther Schak - ers@schak.com Canan Karatekin - karat004@umn.edu We look forward to working with you. ~ Canan Karatekin

4 PAGE 4 THE VOTER APRIL 2018 Mapping Prejudice Outlined at Civic Buzz The Mapping Prejudice Project is serving to make the invisible visible to all, as we were shown at the March 6 Civic Buzz at the Black Forest Inn. You can t fix it if you don t admit it exists and why. Kirsten Delegard, Director of the Project, took us back to the beginning of the use of racial covenants (1910) in Minneapolis, a legal practice which has led directly to much of the racial inequality and lack of wealth plaguing the African-American community here today. In 1908, the African-American Cooke family moved into the all-white neighborhood of Prospect Park. But they were not welcome. When they were confronted by a large contingent of neighbors trying to intimidate them to leave, they refused to go. To keep any other African Americans out of this area - and other areas - racial covenants, prohibiting the sale, lease, or occupancy to any person of Negro blood, came to be widespread in Minneapolis. The African-American population of Minneapolis (less than 3,000) was concentrated in two areas, the near Northside and Seven Corners, with a few middle-class families scattered elsewhere. This early segregation was largely created by neighborhood activism rather than legal means. Covenants then legalized and institutionalized it. Some covenants were also directed against people of Chinese, Japanese, Moorish, Turkish, Mongolian or African blood or descent. The use of covenants paralleled the development of the city. Real estate developers bought desirable land and promoted the resulting neighborhoods as stable (i.e., racially homogenous). In 1913 the National Association of Realtors created a professional code that pledged to protect white space. Use of redlining also served to provide racial homogeneity, using color-coded maps to show lenders and developers where making loans would be undesirable (red). Even absent a racial covenant, the inability to get a mortgage effectively kept African Americans out of desirable areas. Declared unenforceable in 1948 and ultimately illegal in 1968, covenants have nevertheless left a lasting footprint. By scanning thousands of Minneapolis deeds and mapping those containing racial covenants, the Mapping Prejudice Project is making available a substantial (and visual) data look at our racial history. ~ Marie Schwartz Bess Mlnarik Recognition Each year, prior to our Annual Meeting in June, a committee selects a Bess Mlnarik Award honoree. Nominees are LWVMpls members who have demonstrated an above and beyond commitment to our mission of encouraging informed and active participation in government, working to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influencing public policy through education and advocacy. The March issue of The Voter listed members who have already received this honor; they are ineligible to receive it again. Do you have in mind someone you feel is deserving of this award? If so, please contact Rosemary Lawrence at rosemarylawrence7@gmail.com or better yet, give her a call at

5 APRIL 2018 THE VOTER PAGE 5 Looking for Lively Conversation? LWVMpls units meet in member homes or public places for lively discussions of current LWV issues. Members and guests are welcome at any unit. Unit 1 South Minneapolis Second Monday, 7:15 PM Contact Lindsey Thomas, Unit 11 Southwest Minneapolis Second Tuesday, 7:15 PM Contact Jane Papageorgiou, or Janet Gendler, Unit 25/29 Southeast/Northeast Minneapolis Third Wednesday, 2 PM Contact Susan Anderson, orkate Donahue, Unit 48 South/North/Uptown/Downtown Minneapolis Third Monday, 7 PM Contact Jennifer Johnson, Unit 53 West of Downtown Third Tuesday Social 7:30 PM, Meeting 8 PM Contact Susan Verrett, or Judy Palm, Nominations Committee Seeks a Few Good Women Every year the Nominations Committee asks members to step up to new opportunities. In all honesty, the usual answer is, I m really too busy right now, but thanks. The past year has seen a surge in inquiries about LWV Minneapolis and how new people can get involved in civic projects. To carry out our mission of Educate, Advocate and Reform, we need people. We need long-term members to mentor new members. We need newer members willing to dive in to new projects, new committees and new opportunities. When a member of the Nominating Committee calls you, please consider saying, Why yes, I d be happy to help! ~ Pam Telleen and Anita Newhouse Omnibus Bills Democracy in Action? Tuesday, April 3, 2018 Black Forest Inn, 26 th and Nicollet 5:30 PM Networking 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM Speaker and Discussion Appeals Court Judge Jack Davies (ret.), a former state senator and current active lobbyist, will discuss omnibus bills. Omnibus bills thwart citizen efforts to follow the legislative process, much less participate in government decisions. Omnibus bills are packages of budget measures and policy changes, most of which began life as individual bills, but which have been bundled together into one enormous bill. Join us for our monthly discussions. All LWVMpls members are invited along with their friends and anyone interested in discussing issues that can be affected by government.

6 PAGE 6 THE VOTER APRIL 2018 Remembering Judy Farmer Judy Farmer, civic activist, LWV Minneapolis member and educator, passed away February 14, 2018, after a year-long struggle with neuro-endocrine cancer. Having served over 49 years with LWVMpls and 27 years as a member of the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Directors, she was known as an indefatigable champion of public education and democracy. Farmer was elected to the Minneapolis Public Schools Board in 1979, but her activism didn t start or stop with that tenure. She was a teacher, a leader, a mentor and organizer. The notice written by her family and published in the Star Tribune on February 20 chronicled her dedication to public education and children s and social issues. It was followed by an article on February 28, elaborating on her voice and influence in the Twin Cities and nationally. She was a well-known, friendly face connecting civic engagement, kids, parents, teachers and democracy. In recent years, Farmer led Kids Voting Minneapolis, an affiliate of the national, grass-roots program committed to creating lifelong voting habits in children. On election days, LWV members and others in Farmer s vast network staffed kid-size polling places in schools so children could learn about civic involvement and have the experience of voting while their parents voted elsewhere in the school. Farmer facilitated the connections, conversations, coffee and pastries at countless LWV school board breakfasts, which allowed parents and city residents to talk with school board members about issues of the day. She once said that she had never been at a meeting with parents in attendance where the parents didn t think of good ideas that had never occurred to the school administration. Farmer didn t say no to opportunities to advocate for public education and social justice. No one could, or wanted, to say no to her request to be a part of these activities. She valued the League for its steadfast purpose to inform people and energize the democratic process, said her husband, Ted Farmer. The family plans an April 7 Celebration of Life, 2 to 4 PM, at the Woman s Club of Minneapolis. ~ Sharon Emery, Unit 25/29 Visit us Online! Election information Links to government officials DONATE to LWVMpls Join or renew your membership Information on the latest forums and discussions Opportunities to volunteer LWV positions on local, state and national issues We the People Joan Higinbotham hosts a monthly half-hour program, We the People, following LWVMpls program calendar. Watch as she interviews experts on the subjects being studied each month. Tune in to MTN Channel 16, Tuesdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 7 AM.

7 APRIL 2018 THE VOTER PAGE 7 Welcome New Members February 2018 Laurel Casey Susan Hnastchenko Sara Pearce Thank You Donors Contributors in February 2018 Marilyn Dean Janet Midtbo Shirley Ungar Deanna Vandenorth Carole Wiederhorn Thank You Voter Volunteers Marilyn Dean Jean Egerman Sharon Emery Marion Hall Sandy Hull Deborah Jindra Jennifer Johnson Canan Karatekin Rosemary Lawrence Gwen Myers Anita Newhouse Marie Schwartz Pam Telleen

8 League of Women Voters Minneapolis st Ave. S., Suite 250 Minneapolis, MN Phone: Website: MISSION The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Sandy Hull, President We re on the Web! LWVMpls Board of Directors Sandy Hull, President Jean Egerman, Secretary Important Dates Wednesday, April 18 6 PM - 8 PM PM LWVMpls Board Meeting st Ave. S., #250 Nancy Witta, Treasurer Marion Hall, Past Co-president Marci Levy-Maguire, At Large Amy Beightol, Development Pam Telleen, Membership Marilyn Dean, Newsletter Assignment Editor and Personnel Canan Karatekin, Program Nora Smyth, Voter Registration Anita Newhouse, Voter Services Friday, April 6 Deadline for May Voter Tuesday, April 3 5:30 PM Networking 6:15 PM Speaker/Discussion Civic Buzz Black Forest Inn 26th & Nicollet Ave. S. Monday, April 16 Deadline for Bess Mlnarik Award Nominations Saturday, April AM - 2 PM CMAL Annual Convention St. Louis Park City Hall 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN Saturday, April 28 8 AM - 5 PM LWVMN Council Courtyard by Marriot 404 West St. Germain Street St. Cloud, MN Thursday, June 7 LWVMpls Annual Meeting