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Empowering Voters/
Defending Democracy
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NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Scroll on down and find what interests you.
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How does the Public Think Journalism Happens?
How
do
people view the makings of journalism, from the use of fact checkers and anonymous sources to the question of whether money skews journalistic decision-making? Check out the graphics in this
new national poll HERE. Be prepared to be discouraged. Education opportunities by League members abound!
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National Popular Vote:
Will it define the next Presidential election?
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The National Popular Vote Compact
currently has 172 electoral votes
from the 12 states that have enacted the legislation: Rhode Island, Vermont, Hawaii, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, California and the District of Columbia.
Colorado’s House and Senate passed the bil
l, which is ready for Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign, bringing the count to 181.
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Public Interest Lawsuits
in AZ: Should you take the risk?
When Arizona citizens challenge unlawful government actions in court or sue in order for courts to determine an answer to an important legal question, they risk punishing financial penalties if they lose. ONLY in Arizona!
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YES!
Arizona Senate Bill 1485 -- Now in the House
Donations to Arizona’s Student Tuition Organization (STO) program are dollar-for-dollar credits
that are taken from the state’s general fund. They
surpassed a lifetime total of $1 billion in 2017 and continue to grow by 20% each year, reducing the funds available for public education (and other state programs). The Joint Legislative Budget Committee has reported that if left to grow according to current law, by 2030, our state will spend more on these tax credits claimed by corporations than those same corporations will be paying into our state budget!!
Read about the expanding tax credit problem HERE.
SB14895 reduces the cap on annual growth for corporate STO tax
credits from 20 percent each fiscal year to 2% by 2024 and following years (or by inflation, whichever is greater).
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Classroom Spending Up, Teacher Pay Still Below National Average
" . . .
Arizona spends less than $8,300 per student in operating costs, compared with the national average of more than $11,800, with 54 percent of those Arizona dollars winding up in the classroom in Arizona compared with 60.9 percent of the higher national education spending figure."
AZ Capitol Times
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LWV was listed in
an article by Bustle
as a voting rights organization to follow for the 2020 election.
We are pleased to share this distinction with partner groups like Common Cause and ACLU.
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The U.S. House will Vote this Week
HR1: "For the People Act"
BUT BEWARE AN AMENDMENT!!
HR1 is the biggest democracy reform agenda many of us have seen since the Voting Rights Act. This bill will revamp our voting system, implement fair redistricting, and crack down on dark money in elections so that voters have a stronger voice at the ballot box.
Read about the 4 main elements
HERE.
BUT, LWVUS and LWVDC have just signed on to a letter objecting to a
proposed amendment filed by Representatives Gosar (R-AZ) and Meadows (R-NC), that would strip out the language supporting statehood for the 702,000 people of DC
and insert language prohibiting DC from ever becoming a state!
This is a prime example of the most egregious voter suppression, since the people of DC have no vote in Congress or the Senate and yet are under the full control of Congress--essentially treated like subjects rather than citizens.
AND
Contact Reps. Gosar and Meadows TODAY:
Capitol switchboard -- (202) 224-3121
Ask them why they would
not
want all American citizens
to have equal rights to representation in Congress and local self-government.
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HR4: Voting Rights Advancement Act
The Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) would restore the VRA by updating the coverage formula to determine which states and localities must pre-clear election changes with the Department of Justice. The bill would essentially restore section 4 of the VRA, which was gutted in the
Shelby County v. Holder
decision.
Read our statement on the VRAA
.
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New Climate Change Position
The LWVUS Board approved the following position
on climate change, which will be in the upcoming
Impact on Issues
(containing all League positions):
The League believes that climate change is a serious threat facing our nation and planet. The League believes that an interrelated approach to combatting climate change—including through energy conservation, air pollution controls, building resilience, and promotion of renewable resources—is necessary to protect public health and defend the overall integrity of the global ecosystem.
The League supports climate goals and policies that are consistent with the best available climate science and that will ensure a stable climate system for future generations. Individuals, communities, and governments must continue to address this issue, while considering the ramifications of their decision, at all levels—local, state, regional, national, and global.
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Guide to LWVUS Services
LWVUS has been working for several months
on a comprehensive guide to the services the national office
provides for Leagues.
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West Valley Education Forum
A Moment to Act:
Investing in Public Education
March 14th, 6 pm,
Dysart Education Center
15802 N. Parkview Place, Surpise, AZ
Keynote Speaker:
Kathy Hoffman,
AZ Supt. of Public Instruction
Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Maricopa County, Dysart School District, and others.
NOTES on traveling to this event!
Plan ahead! North Parkview Place runs parallel to Bullard and the baseball stadium so we have a lot of visitors/traffic in the area.
The sign on Parkview in front of the bldg. is at eye level and easy to miss. If you pass the Performing Arts building you went too far.
When you pull into the driveway you need to bear left for parking and entrance to the bldg. Look for the sign near the entrance.
There are plenty of places to eat and shop on Bell Road if people want to come early. Consider taking I-10 to 303 N and getting off at Bell Rd (right onto Bell).
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2019 STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Arizona Spring Events Around the State
March and April -- act quickly!
Would you like to represent LWV but need help with the registration fee? First come, first served! Contact Alice at
lwvaz@karlandalice.name.
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NEW
Screening of movie
"Legalize Equality"
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Heritage East Clubhouse
N. 60th Place and E. Lewis Avenue
Across the street from
6023 E. Lewis Avenue
Scottsdale
(We'll have signs)
This movie explains why ratifying the ERA is so important not only to women but all humankind.
We would love for you to join us!
Meet like-minded people, make new friends, and become inspired and motivated!
...oh yes, there will be
wine and cheese.
Free, but please:
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WEAR WHITE &
Pack the Senate Gallery!
Thursday, March 7, 1 pm
Senator Steele will read a statement from Sister Clare Dunn, the first nun elected in AZ and supporter of the ERA in 1974. If there is too many people, go over to the House Gallery and sit in. But BE THERE.
ERA FORUM
Friday, March 15, 2019
10:00 - 11:00 am
Executive Tower, 3rd Floor
AZ State Capital
1700 W. Washington St.
Confirmed speaker to date: Rep. Steve Andersson (R-IL65). Rep. Andersson retired last year after being a co-sponsor of the ERA and playing an instrumental role helping to make Illinois the 37th state to ratify the ERA. More to *SAVE THE DATE!
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MORE ideas for supporting the passage of the ERA in Arizona!
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The "38 MILES FOR THE ERA"
walk is blistering ahead with the assistance of many groups and led by ERA Task Force AZ and the NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women/AZ Section). For detailed information and to register your attendance please go to our Eventbrite page
HERE
If you have any question please email them to:
Bloominghome@hotmail.com
If you cannot attend the walk
you are invited to sponsor a walker for $1 per mile.
For $38 you will receive an Equal Rights for Women suffrage period sash.
to leave your name and address in the PayPal notes
so we can mail your sash.
ERA Sentinels at the Capitol
Please sign up for a shift at the ERA Task Force AZ website sign up genius.
We need a presence at the legislature every day from Monday through Thursday.
Will your business support the ERA? The Task Force will put you on their list! Contact them:
ERAtaskforceaz.com. Support the businesses that support the ERA! ASK!
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Thanks for being
an involved citizen!
Please consider a donation to support our advocacy and education efforts.
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