Constitutional Revision Commission Hearing Tuesday Feb. 6.
 
We Need All Available LWV Members to Attend
  • When:Tuesday, February 6; 1-7 p.m.
  • Where:Nova Southeastern University- Rick Case Arena @Don Taft University Center, 3301 College Ave.
  • Why? Show opposition to the following proposed constitutional amendments: 
  • P. 22: Restricts Privacy Rights. (See article below on privacy rights.)
  • P. P. 45 & P.4: Removes the restriction in the Florida Constitution against public funding of private and religious schools.
  • P. 43: ImposesTerms limits for School Board members
  • P. 71: Allows agencies, other than school boards, to authorize new charter schools. Restricts local control and invites prospective charter owners to shop for the easiest way to start a new charter.
  • P. 72: Requires 2/3 vote in both houses to raise taxes
  • P. 97: Raises citizen threshold vote on constitutional amendments above 60%.
  • For more information on the proposals.
  • Print a parking pass and get a campus map.
  • Register to speak and find FAQ.
 
Visit LWVFL  and click on "Issues" for League updates and positions
 
JUST SHOW UP!
  • You don't have to speak if you don't wish to
  • No signs permitted; you may wear a shirt with a "message"
  • RED and GREEN cards will be distributed at the door
    As speakers give testimony, raise green card if you agree; red if you don't
  • The CRC is livestreamed at  https://thefloridachannel.org/.

Groups opposed to weakening privacy protections unveil research detailing dramatic scope of threat posed by CRC Proposal 22
 
New research on Florida's constitutional right to privacy and the impact that modifications to that right was submitted today to the Declaration of Rights Committee of the Constitution Revision Commission.
 
The report, prepared by University of Florida Law professor Jon Mills, analyzes the broad scope of the current constitutional provision and dramatic impact that of any modification of the right to privacy would have on the private lives of all Floridians.
 
Proposal 22 proposes to reduce the right to privacy to protect only personal information the government collects and distributes.
University of Florida Law Professor Jon Mills is a recognized privacy expert. He is the former Dean of the University of Florida Law School, a former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a member of the 1998 Constitution Revision Commission.
 
As a member of the Florida House of representatives, Mills was one of the authors of the 1980 amendment that was approved by the voters establishing a broad right to privacy in the State's Constitution.
 
"Florida's Privacy Amendment offers Floridians a shield to protect themselves in a future in which technology and government intrusions are not predictable and frankly, completely unknowable," said Mills in the report submitted to Lisa Carlton, chair of the CRC's Declaration of Rights Committee.

 "If Florida's Privacy Amendment did not extend protections to personal autonomy and decision making, there is no doubt that Florida citizens would be subject to a higher possibility of governmental intrusion in their private lives," he said.
 
Mills' report details how the proposed reduction of privacy rights to only protect personal information could dramatically reduce privacy protections and expose Floridians to a broad range of legislative regulation and government intrusion into personal areas involving: Marriage; intimate sexual relations; reproductive decisions; parenting, including a parent or guardian's right to child rearing such as the right to home school or to provide alternative forms of education; personal conduct relating to safety and public welfare; personal activities in dwellings or other personal spaces; personal medical decisions outside the context of abortion, such as end of life decisions or mandated medical treatment; public employment and licensing standards, including policies permitting or requiring genetic testing for public employment or state licenses.
 
"Clearly it is the sponsor's intent to end the state-constitutional right of privacy as it applies to the decisions that women make about their reproductive health," said Howard Simon, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties


Gun Safety Committee Receives Proclamation from Coconut Creek Commission

The Gun Safety Committee was recognized by Coconut Creek commissioners for their work focusing on reducing gun violence.
 
In honoring the LWVBC, the Coconut Creek City Commission cited the Pulse Nightclub and in Las Vegas mass shootings and a  firearm homicide rate in the United States, which is 20 times higher than the combined rates of 22 other developed countries.
 
The Commission affirmed  its support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and called for universal background checks for gun sales and a ban on all semiautomatic assault weapons.
 


Time to Review our Local Program
 
The League Women Voters Broward County has positions on
  • Voter Services
  • Broward County Government
  • Environmental Issues
  • County-wide Library System
  • Education
  • Human Issues
  • Women's Issues
  • Gun Safety
 
At the Annual Meeting (to be held on April 28) we will be discussing and voting our 2018/19 Local Program Positions.
 
Visit our League website lwvbcfl.org and read the details of these positions. Please review them and send me any suggestions for changes, additions or deletions. These program positions give us a guide for local action ahead.
 
Send your comments to cssmith@att.net .
 


Looking Ahead:  
Important Dates
 
Thursday Feb. 8: 7-9 p.m.
Coral Springs Town Meeting Riverside Elementary. Need volunteers for Voter Registration/league information table. 11450 Riverside Dr, Coral Springs


Saturday, Feb. 10: noon -2 p.m.

People We Love
Join our celebration
    • People We Love & VRR Appreciation Party - Hallandale Cultural Community Center, 410 SE 3rd St, Hallandale Beach, 33009. 
    • Please bring a dish to share. Informal atmosphere - fun & celebration after Restoration of Rights Petition Collection.
    • RSVP and Questions? Call Katy (954)918-9944 or Joanne Aye (917)370-4120
 
Monday, Feb. 12: Deadline to register in order to vote in March 13 municipal elections.  

Wednesday, Feb. 14: 3-5 p.m. 17th Judicial Advisory Board meeting- 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room #301. Attend/observe with Juvenile Justice Committee members and others.
 
Thursday Feb. 15: 7 p.m. Parent Training Academy Title 1, Horizon Elementary 2101 Pine Island Road, Sunrise. Need volunteers for voter registration.

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 9:45-11:30 a.m. Pride Center-Equality Park 2040 Dixie Highway, Wilton Manor. Voter registration and election information. Need volunteers.

Monday, Feb. 26, 6-7:30 p.m.  The Coral Springs Unit of the League of Women Voters of Broward County will present information about city bond issues that will be up for a vote March 13. Help spread the word so residents of the city can be better informed.  Northwest Regional Library,  3151 N University Drive, Coral Springs.

Want to volunteer for Voter registrations? Contact Laura Simon (Johnsimon@bellsouth.net)



Mark your calendar:

Saturday, March 10: Broward Water Matters Day. Volunteers needed .

Tuesday, March 13: Municipal elections in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale by the Sea, Pembroke Pines and Coral Springs. 

Saturday, April 7: League Legislative Breakfast

Saturday, April 28: League Annual Meeting
 

Welcome New Members

The League of Women Voters Broward County welcomes MANY new members.  Encourage your friends and family to join us in our important work in Making Democracy Work!
 
Rhonda Gold, Plantation
Silvia Ridrguez, Hollywood
Nakia Ruffin, Pembroke Pines
Mary Dougherty, Fort Lauderdale
Dorothy Olive, Dania Beach
Kenn Dobkin, Hollywood
Ellen Amigo, Davie
Eleanor Glovinsky, Pompano Beach
Christine Fris, Coral Springs
Kathleen Rosen, Cooper City
Janeille Calnick, Lauderhill
Marilyn Zelin, Tamarac
Kristin Padowitz, Weston
Lisa Yurkin, Coconut Creek
Linda L. Howard, Lauderhill
Sandra and Al Diaz, Fort Lauderdale
Paulette Armstead, Deerfield Beach