January 2014
  
League Dues

League dues are:

Single: $60.00

Family:  $90.00

How much is tax deductible?  $75.00
http://lwvlacrosse.org/

Quick Links
National:

http://www.lwv.org/

 

State:
Government Accountability Board
2013 - 2014 Programs
1/14/14
Education Funding
Janet Rosseter, Finance/
Business Manager of
La Crosse School District

2/11/14
Comprehensive Overview of TIF's
Wayne Delagrave, City of La Crosse Finance Director & Larry Kirch, City of La Crosse Planning Director

3/11/14
Farm Policy Affecting Farmers, Families, and Communities

4/8/13
Legislative Breakfast
8:30 am, River Jacks, Best Western Hotel 
5/20/2014
Annual Meeting
Radisson Hotel, 5:30 social, 6:00 Dinner
 
Meetings at the Radisson Hotel
Lunch Available 11:30 a.m.
Program 12:00-1:00
League of Women Voters
              of the La Crosse Area
The President's Podium
Jane Klekamp, President, LWV of La Crosse Area
 

2014 brings new energy to the Affordable Care Act, the voter ID lawsuit, the farm bill, and a variety of other issues important to the League.

 

Reports from those assisting others in obtaining health care indicate the enrollment process is going more smoothly which is great news for those who are seeking healthcare.  There continue to be some concerns for those who are not able to receive Badgercare until later in the year, but for many it has made the healthcare process much more accessible.

 

The Voter ID lawsuit is still pending.  The Wisconsin Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for February 25th, 2014.  There are also two lawsuits pending in federal court that were filed by the Advancement Project and the ACLU.

 

The state LWV has opened nominations for the 2014 Meg McLane Award for Advocacy.  Submission deadline is March 10th and will be given at the state Annual Meeting in Appleton on May 31st.  All nominations should be submitted using the online nomination form, which also offers more information about the award:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BP5LPTH

 

The LWV of the La Crosse Area is co-sponsoring International Women's Day on Thursday, March 6, 2014 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Hall of Nations on the UW-La Crosse Campus.

National LWV Study of Agriculture 

 

Are farm subsidies necessary?  For whom and for what products and in what form should subsidies be given?  How do farm subsidies affect food prices?  Which approaches to animal management should government achieve?  What policies are needed to protect air and water quality?  What about food safety and food labeling? 

 

All of these are issues encompassed in the carefully worded and thoughtful consensus questions formulated by the national Agriculture Study Committee. The questions, background information, informative papers and recommended resources are all available on the national website, www.wv.org. They can be found in the Members section labeled Advocacy, Projects and Studies.

 

The national league will develop a position based upon areas of member consensus in answering the questions.  If you are interested in any of the questions and would like to participate in the discussion of the questions posed by the national committee, please contact Betty Kruck, krux@mwt.net or 608-689-2222.  Representative Ron Kind, or someone from his office, and Steve Huntzicker, UW Extension Agriculture Agent, will address some of these questions at the March 11 league lunch program. There will be one or two meetings scheduled between March 11 and April 12 to discuss and answer the questions.  Please contact Betty if you have questions regarding the study. 

February Program: Tax Incremental Finance Districts (TIF) Overview 
February 11, 2014
Lunch at 11:30 - presentation at noon
Radisson Hotel

City of La Crosse Finance Director, Wayne Delagrave and City Planning Director Larry Kirch will provide an overview on Tax Incremental Finance Districts. TIFs are municipal economic development tools often strategically used to revitalize areas that require infrastructure, redevelopment or remediation support.
 
RSVP:  Nancy Hill at nfhill@centurytel.net or 782-1753 for the $12.00 luncheon at 11:30; the program at noon is free. 
Voter Services & Spring Elections

It is that time of the year again!  Requests are coming from school districts and others for League assistance in the upcoming spring elections.  If you would like to learn what this part of Voter Services involves or get on my list of volunteers for moderating, timing or otherwise assisting at candidate forums, please email me at ellen@johnsflaherty.com.  

National and State Program Planning
Ellen Rosborough, State Board Member & LWV La Crosse Area Member

There will be 2 program planning meetings on January 21 at the South  Branch of the La Crosse Public Library:
1:00 - 3:00pm    and 5:00 - 7:00pm

 

Last month  3 groups of League members met and reviewed a group of State and National League positions, with the focus on potential changes to our positions.    On the 21st, we will discuss what they determined, and then propose what we should do further, if anything.   A report goes to the LWVWI and another to LWVUS, if we are recommending any changes. 

 

This meeting, historically called "Lively Issues", was conducted annually by all Leagues.   If has become somewhat of a dinosaur activity, but did focus our attention to our positions.  It is helpful to read them and to understand them, as these are the basis of our Action - what we support, oppose, promote, publish editorials about and organize around.

 

So, if you are a long time member, a new member, have an interest in any of our positions, or just want to enjoy a couple of hours  of discussion, please join us for either meeting on the 21st.   Refreshments  will be served (cookies and something to drink, most likely!).

 

If you would like to review all of our positions, the information is online at:
National League positions - 
 
Below: Carla Townsend, Ellen Frantz, and Nancy Hill working on league positions. 
 
 
 
Membership Update

Jessica Brellenthin
 
Jessica is a recent graduate from UWL and is originally from the Twin Cities.  Jessica is involved in local and state political campaigns.  She currently works for the YWCA & for Representative Steve Doyle's campaign.
  

Deborah Lutjen

 

I look forward to meeting and joining LWV members who have so generously volunteered with World Services of La Crosse to host international visitors in the region.  My current position as Project Coordinator at World Services has been a lesson in citizen leadership locally and internationally.  I live in Sparta with my husband, Michael Bonello, Executive Director of the Morrow Home Community.  We have two adult sons who live and work in Minneapolis.  My previous professional work has focused on public health in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Nebraska.   I appreciate the non-partisan approach by the LWV and look forward to joining local efforts to insure an informed and engaged citizenry in Western Wisconsin.

LWV of WI Education Network 
2014 Meg McLane Award for Advocacy

This annual award recognizes one individual who works for positive policy changes in Wisconsin. It honors the dedicated work of Meg McLane. Although Meg has moved out of state, she was a longtime member of LWV Fond du Lac and the state Legislative Committee.

 

Each year the Award acknowledges one member's exceptional record as a citizen advocate through the League of Women Voters and/or other organizations. The nominee must be a League member in Wisconsin.

 

This year the state board has set a financial award of $200 in a check payable to the 501(c)(3) organization of the recipient's choice.

 

Submission deadline is March 10, 2014. The Award will be given at the LWVWI Annual Meeting in Appleton, May 31, 2014.

 

The following list of nomination questions is provided for your convenience. All nominations should be submitted using the online nomination form: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BP5LPTH.

 

The online form is all you need. However, if you wish to submit attachments, they must be sent by email so they can be forwarded to the award committee. Send attachments to kaminski@lwvwi.org by the submission deadline. Please label attachments clearly as nomination materials. If you have questions, call Andrea Kaminski at 608/256-0827.

Questions: 

1. Nominator's name, League, email address and phone number

2. Nominee's name, League, email address and phone number

3. What has the nominee has done to deserve this recognition? Please detail relevant specific contributions to areas of advocacy in 200 words or less.
4. Roughly how many years has the nominee been involved in advocacy?
5. Has the nominee received other awards or recognition? If so, please explain what type of recognition and when, to the best of your ability.
6. Please list significant partnerships and collaborations the nominee has joined or promoted in the role of advocacy. 

 
Text | Link