March 2019 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF BROOKHAVEN VOTER FIX IT Healthcare at the tipping point A documentary film about single payer healthcare Speaker: Martha Livingston, Ph.D. Dr. Livingston is Chair of the Public Health Department of SUNY Old Westbury, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the New York Metro chapter of Physicians for a National Health Policy, a member of the Steering Committee of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer Health Care. She has researched and written about the Canadian health care system. Monday, March 18, 1:45 At Patchogue-Medford Library Main Street, Patchogue
PRESIDENT S PAGE As predicted, state and national legislatures are moving forward. Electoral reforms and gun laws in New York State were passed and will be implemented (whether or not there is funding for the early voting in the state budget)..on the national level, the Congress will be voting on HR 1, which introduces electoral reforms to protect the right to vote, opposes gerrymandering, and requires disclosure of campaign contributions from 501C4 s. Congress is holding hearings in preparation for voting on HR 8, which would strengthen background checks and add some preventive measures. Representative Ted Deutsch from Florida has introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which incorporates a carbon fee and dividend proposal (revenue returned to households), in behalf of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in the House. We can expect more. Since 1992, the New York State Legislature has considered the single-payer health care plan proposed by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried. It has passed in the Assembly many times, but this year he feels there is a chance it might pass in the Senate. It would then be up to Governor Cuomo to decide whether to sign it. It is a different way to pay for health care, not a different system of health care. Instead of paying premiums, we would pay graduated payroll taxes. Employers would pay their employees health care through payroll taxes, There is a question about whether the federal government would grant the necessary waivers to include Medicare and Medicaid payments in the plan, which would be necessary. Union members object to losing benefits they have bargained for; Gottfried says that the benefits in the single payer plan could be better than the existing plans because, by eliminating the insurance companies, the overhead they charge would be eliminated. Also eliminated would be the many hours spent by providers clerical staff to qualify for coverage. Come to our meeting on Monday, March 18, to see the film Fix It and get answers to your questions from our speaker, Dr. Martha Livingston. We have made progress in our campaign to oppose the federal plan for ocean drilling. Nassau County Leagues have approached us for information about the resolutions and all the towns in Suffolk County except Islip and Babylon have passed them. (They are the two towns without League members to introduce them. We need residents of those towns to contact their supervisors.) New York s Attorney General Letitia James, along with 8 other A.G. s, has joined a group of non-governmental organizations to preliminarily enjoin the Trump Administration s authorization of harassment of marine mammals via seismic air gun surveys in the Atlantic Ocean. These tests are another step toward allowing offshore drilling - an action that we oppose because it could result in irreparable harm to coastal and marine resources, including our vibrant coastal economy. Last month, the court granted the states motion to intervene as parties in a pending lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and federal officials filed in South Carolina by a coalition of local and national nongovernmental organizations. To prevent any seismic testing from occurring while the lawsuit is under way, the states joined those organizations in a motion for a preliminary injunction. LWV of BROOKHAVEN P. O. BOX 92 BELLPORT, NY 11713 631-730-6556 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy Marr-730-6556 VOTER Editor, Debate Moderator Jean Baker 751-6563 Vice-President, Membership Linda Devin-Sheehan-675-6038 Recording Secretary, Candidates Debates Marilyn Beard-803-0223 Corresponding Secretary Sue Kinsey-286-0407 Treasurer DIRECTORS Judi Bird-286-3810 Voters Service Betsy Gaidry-846-1778 Study Groups Carol Manel 928-5340 Logistics OFF-BOARD CHAIRPERSONS Peggy Olness 751-2655 Transportation Alice D Amico-751-0328 Finance Joan Nickeson-473-3689 Publicity Nancy Arthur 654-7953 Publicity
MORE ON GUNS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL Page 3 This week saw the first hearing on gun violence prevention in almost a decade. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY), Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, held a hearing on Wednesday, February 6, in preparation for the passage of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2019, which has already garnered 229 co-sponsors. Rep. Jim Himes (CT) has introduced the Start Advancing Firearms Enhancements and Technology (SAFETY) Act. This bill is designed to promote the development and purchase of smart gun technology by providing incentives for manufacturers and consumers. Gun violence prevention champions Sens. Richard Blumenthal (CT) and Chris Murphy (CT) have also partnered up to introduce Ethan s Law, a bill to hold gun owners who fail to safely store or secure their firearms accountable for the unintentional and tragic consequences that all too frequently result from negligent storage practices. Both of these laws would help prevent the theft or misuse of firearms. Eight children and teens are unintentionally shot or killed every day with improperly stored guns. These common tragedies led to the creation of the Brady-sponsored End Family Fire campaign in 2018, which aims to reduce family fire related incidents. Additionally, the new Congress saw the introduction of another piece of bipartisan legislation this week: Reps. Anthony Brown (MD) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) introduced H.R. 717, the Raise The Age Act. This bill, if passed, would raise the age to purchase a semi-automatic assault-style rifle from 18 to 21. Under current federal law, individuals must be 21 to purchase handguns, but only 18 to purchase semi-automatic rifles. SAVE THE DATE On April 13, we will be celebrating the seventieth anniversary of our league, which began in 1949 as two leagues, the Bellport League and North Brookhaven League. (The Bellport League became known as the South Brookhaven League in 1970 and the two merged in 1979 to become the League of Women Voters of Brookhaven.). Through the years we have changed our focus to represent the whole town, leading to less concern with local zoning and planning, and more concern with overall town issues such as environment and water, housing, and electoral procedures. The luncheon will be held at Harbor Crab Restaurant, on Division Street in Patchogue, and will be an opportunity to hear more about the league s history. Information about menu and price will follow. ON THE U.S. CENSUS 2020 The National LWV is working on a campaign to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to use its oversight authority to remove the citizenship question from the 2020 Census form, as it will jeopardize the accuracy of the Census in all communities, an outcome that the nation will have to live with for the following ten years. Including a question pertaining to citizenship in the 2020 Census will likely cause participation to plummet and threaten the accuracy of the Census. Census data is not only used to draw state and congressional districts based on population, but it is also used by local governments to plan for public safety and make investments in the future of their communities. An undercount of persons in any given area could result in inadequate disaster responders, insufficient resources for transportation and education. It also impacts the overall health and safety of communities. The last time the Census included a question about citizenship was in 1950, well before the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA). There is no justification to the Department of Justice s claim that adding a citizenship question is necessary to enforce the VRA. It is up to Congress to exercise oversight authority over the Census Bureau. The League calls on Congress to use its power and remove the citizenship question from the 2020 Census..
.Article from Times Beacon Record, February 14, 2019 MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK CURB GUN VIOLENCE WITH COMMON SENSE LEGISLATIVE SOLUTIONS According to the Gun Violence Archive, the number of mass shootings during 2018 in the United States has been estimated at 346, with 18 of them in schools. But laws backed by the NRA and other pro-gun groups prevent the public from seeing which firearms dealers are selling the most guns used in crimes, information the federal government collects but won t share, even with premier research universities. The NRA also pushed through rules that had a chilling effect on federal studies focused on how guns affect public health, denying policy makers a road map for better gun laws. Regulating the ownership and use of guns by the federal government began in the 20 s and 30 s with support from the general public and the NRA, then a sporting and hunting association. Since then the federal government and the states have passed legislation requiring background checks, waiting periods, licenses for concealed weapons carriers, restrictions on purchases for certain high risk people, and a ban on assault weapons and ammunition. In 1980 the Brady Bill, against NRA opposition, tightened the background check requirements and created the FBI NICS system to provide speedy background checks. After the shooting at Sandy Hook governments turned their attention to preventing shootings by high risk people. New York State passed the Safe Act, amending its Mental Hygiene Law to add a new reporting requirement that mental health professionals currently providing treatment services to an individual must make a report to authorities, "if they conclude that the individual is likely to engage in conduct that would result in serious harm to self or others." The Act requires those who live with a household member "who has been convicted of a felony or domestic violence crime, has been involuntarily committed, or is currently under an order of protection" to "safely store" and lock any guns in a secure gun cabinet." NRA opponents of the regulations state that the laws only hurt people who adhere to current firearms laws, and the regulations about gun locking devices prevent gun owners from using their guns in self-defense. The League of Women Voters of the United States has been in support of stricter laws for background checks, more gun safety education, a ban on assault weapons, and protection for victims of domestic violence from abusers who possess guns. The LWV of New York supported legislation to establish criminal sanctions for possession and sale of assault weapons, which were banned in 1994 but released from the ban In 2004. Currently, on both the federal and state levels there are laws that are being considered during this session that would deal with many of the loopholes and problems of illegal firearm use. On the federal level, proposed legislation this term includes: requiring unlicensed sellers to meet their buyers (with certain exceptions) at a licensed gun dealer who would run a background check using the same process used for his own inventory; support for a ban on assault weapons; broadening the definition of domestic abusers to the laws protecting victims of domestic violence; and opposing a national bill that allows people to carry concealed weapons. On the NYS level, in January the Assembly and the Senate passed six important gun control bills related to: an extreme risk protection order (erpo/ red flag ) law; background checks extension; a bump stock ban; a ban on arming educators; out-of-state mental health records check; and gun buyback programs. In February we hope that Governor Cuomo signs these bills, and that the needed regulations are written and appropriate funding allocated. (continued on page 5)
MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK CURB GUN VIOLENCE WITH COMMON SENSE LEGISLATIVE SOLUTIONS (continued from page 4) Contact your US Representative and NYS Senator and Assembly member to find out how they voted or plan to vote, and what they think of these bills. Thank them if they did vote for those you care about, and clearly communicate your concerns and advocacy when they did not. For more information, go to the Senate or Assembly websites to research details on the individual bills or check with individual Congressional or NYS Legislative aides via phone or email. Make your voice heard on this important issue. Written by Nancy Marr NEXT BOOK GROUP MARCH 14 1 PM A NATION OF NATIONS, by Ton Gjelten A Nation of Nations follows the lives of a few immigrants to Fairfax County, Virginia, over recent decades as they gradually Americanize. Hailing from Korea, Bolivia, and Libya, these families have stories that illustrate common immigrant themes: friction between minorities, economic competition and entrepreneurship, and racial and cultural stereotyping. It s been half a century since the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act changed the landscape of America, and no book has assessed the impact or importance of this law as this one does, with its brilliant combination of personal stories and larger demographic and political issues. Call Betsy Gaidry. 631 846-1778 for directions if you would like to attend. All are welcome. HELP WANTED At our Annual Meeting on June 14, we will be electing our Board members and officers. In addition to the members who are currently serving on the board, we can add two more. Board members serve for two years, attend Board meetings once a month, and help plan and run the programs. In order to guarantee the nonpartisanship of the League, they cannot serve or campaign for any elected office. If you do not want to become a Board member, would you be willing to serve on the Nominating Committee to select new board officers and members?. (That position does not restrict partisan activites.) It is an important part of keeping the board running smoothly. WELCOME NEW MEMBER Margaret Ort Bayport\
NEW YORK STATE LWV CONVENTION Page 6 JUNE 5 7 at the Albany Hilton Please consider attending the convention in Albany for delegates from all over New York State. It is a great introduction to league procedures and goals and a good way to meet women and men in other leagues. Learning from them about programs that work gives us ideas of ways to improve our league. If you are a new member, and think you don t know enough to attend the convention, you are wrong! It is especially good for new members. You might have ideas about programs you think we should introduce, such as more outreach to youth. The convention is a great way to learn more about efforts that succeed. We can send two delegates. If you are interested, or think you might be interested, please contact me or one of the board members. Our budget will cover the registration and hotel costs, but might not cover the travel costs, depending on how many members wish to attend. Ir starts on Saturday afternoon, but includes workshops on Friday for those who wish to come early. The New York State League is a good source of support and information. Its convention is well worth the time for any member.. WORKSHOP AND TRAINING SPEAKERS The 2020 Census: Is There a Role for the League? Friday, June 7 Jeff H. Behler, Regional Director, US Census Bureau Jeff H. Behler began his Census Bureau career in the Detroit Regional Office in 1997 as a survey statistician for various programs. In 2002, he transferred to Census Bureau headquarters in Suitland, Md., to work in the Decennial Management Division as a project manager for census tests in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He has also served as Deputy Regional Director for the Dallas Regional Office and Regional Director for the Detroit Regional Office. He has a bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics and actuarial science from Central Michigan University How to Make the League More Diverse and Inclusive? Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training for All Attendees Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9 Greg Owens, DEI Trainer Gregory Owens is a Licensed Master Social Worker who currently is the Special Projects Director at the Office of Children and Family Services and is responsible for state-wide initiatives, including mentoring, youth gangs and violence, disproportionate minority representation, cultural competence and responsible fatherhood. He is also a trainer and leadership development consultant. Among other things, Mr. Owens has also been a treating clinician for the NFL, and as Gregory McKnight, he enjoyed a successful 9-year career as a night host on smooth jazz radio stations in the Capital Region.
FEATURED SPEAKERS Page 7 Civil Discourse: How Can We Achieve That Today? Friday, June 7, 6:30 pm Robert Boatright, PhD, Director of Research, National Institute of Civil Discourse and Professor and Chair, Political Science Department, Clark University Robert Boatright teaches courses on American political behavior, political parties, campaigns and elections, interest groups, political participation, and political theory. He has served as a research fellow at the Campaign Finance Institute, as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow, and as a research associate at the American Judicature Society. He is currently the director of research for the National Institute of Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona. He has published books and articles on campaign finance reform, congressional redistricting, the congressional budget process, and on various aspects of jury service. His most recent books include Getting Primaried: The Changing Politics of Congressional Primary Challenges (University of Michigan Press, 2013) and the Handbook of Primary Elections (Routledge, 2018). Action Civics: A 21st Century Approach to Educating Youth for Democratic Participation Saturday, June 8, 12 noon DeNora Getachew, Executive Director, Generation Citizen DeNora Getachew is a native New Yorker and passionate advocate who over the last decade has fought to improve our democracy at the national, state and local level. DeNora attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Fordham University School of Law. Throughout her career, she has shaped state and local policy on a host of reform issues, including as Campaign Manager & Legislative Counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Policy Director for then-public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Policy Director at Citizens Union, Legislative Director at the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and Legislative Attorney for the New York City Council s Governmental Operations Committee. During her democracy and social justice travels, DeNora has contributed to the New York Times City blog, Huffington Post, the Des Moines Register, Newsday, and Gotham Gazette. The Woman's Hour Has Struck: Winning the Vote Saturday, June 8, 6:30 pm Elaine Weiss, Journalist and Author Co-sponsored by NYS Archives Partnership Trust Foundation Elaine Weiss is an award-winning journalist and writer whose feature writing has been recognized with prizes from the Society of Professional Journalists, and her by-line has appeared in The Atlantic, Harper s, New York Times, Boston Globe, Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as reports and documentaries for National Public Radio and Voice of America. She has been a frequent correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor. Her longform writing garnered a Pushcart Prize Editor s Choice award, and she is a proud MacDowell Colony Fellow. She is the author of The Woman s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote. Elaine holds a graduate degree from the Medill School of Journalism of Northwestern University. She has worked as a Washington correspondent, congressional aide and speechwriter, magazine editor, and university journalism instructor.
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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Page 10 POST OFFICE BOX 92 BELLPORT, NEW YORK 11713 MARCH Mon Mar 11 LWV of Brookhaven Board Meeting, 10 am, Judi Bird s Thu Mar 14 Book Group A NATION OF NATIONS, by Tom Gjelten, 1 pm, Betsy Gaidry s Note: the date for the Book Group was incorrect in the Feb Voter) Mon Mar 18 Film (FIX IT) and Speaker Single payer healthcare, 1:45, Patchogue Library Wed Mar 20 Suffolk County LWV Board meeting, 10 am, Riverhead Library APRIL Mon Apr 8 LWV of Brookhaven Board Meeting, 10 am, Marilyn Beard s Sat Apr 12 ANNUAL LUNCHEON, noon, at Harbor Crab Restaurant, Patchogue Wed Apr 24 Suffolk County LWV Board meeting, 10 am, Riverhead Library MAY Mon May 6 LWV of Brookhaven Board Meeting, 10 am, Sue Kinsey s