I am looking forward to March and the in-person Regional Training workshops for all our local leagues and members.  March 7, 2020 was the last regional meeting that we held in person. It was held in NYC and it was a week later before New Yorkers were asked to PAUSE and stay at home because of the pandemic. Of course, the LWV did not pause, we continued holding meetings, workshops, and even our convention virtually. Thank goodness for computers and zoom. We learned how to reach and engage with people we may never have done before. We learned that whether it was a meeting, a workshop, a candidate event, and even a convention, we could hold it on zoom. There were advantages to doing things virtually and, because of what we learned and were able to accomplish, we will continue to zoom and hold webinars but now we can also hold meetings in person.

I am so looking forward to meeting some of you for the first time in person at these meetings as President of the state League. The meetings will give you an opportunity to meet LWVNYS board members and staff, to attend workshops that will help strengthen your leagues (growing membership, leadership, being diverse and inclusive, engaging youth, holding hybrid candidate forums), to increase your knowledge ( Vote 411 training, communicating using social media, and advocating), but also is a time to come together and move forward. The workshops are open to all members. We strongly encourage all local League board members to attend, and invite all members as well. See old friends, meet new friends and share League accomplishments! See you then.

We are so excited to be offering our regional training workshops again this year! We hope that many people will attend to reconnect with old friends and share accomplishments with other Leagues. All locations will have the same workshops that run from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. The cost varies by location based on the cost of the venue for that location. Lunch is included in the registration fee. Registration form is attached or you can register online at: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/HOhq-CqnO8wQHzms7-w8Kg .

March 12, Ithaca $15 (registration deadline March 4)

Coltivare (Tompkins Co Community College Culinary Center), 235 S Cayuga St, Ithaca

March 19, Rochester Area $25 (registration deadline March 11)

The Perkins Manor, 494 East Avenue, Rochester

March 26, Capital Region $15 (registration deadline March 18)

The Blake Annex, 1 Steuben Place, Albany

April 2, Downstate Area $25 (registration deadline March 25)

Scarsdale Woman’s Club, 37 Drake Road, Scarsdale

9:30-10:00 coffee and welcome

10:00–11:00 Full workshop for all (It’s All About the Ask: Tactics for Increasing Membership and Cultivating Leadership)

11:15-12:15 Two workshops

12:15-1:15 Lunch

1:30-2:30 Two workshops

2:45-3:45 Two workshops

Empower Voters and Defend Democracy. That’s our mission. To further this mission we need strong, sustainable leagues. And that requires all of us to get involved in attracting prospects, welcoming and mentoring new members, checking in with inactive ones, and identifying leadership candidates. Our best tool is The Ask:

• Ask others to attend a league program,

• Ask others to join,

• Ask members how they want to get involved, and

• Ask engaged Leaguers to take leadership positions

Explore the new Vote411 platform (League's electronic voter guide). This workshop will walk through a step-by-step guide to setting up your local elections and will answer your questions on the new system. Bring a laptop so you can navigate the platform along with us (laptop not required).

We will look at some of the “isms” that hang over our collective past, both as a country and a national organization. Thereafter, attendees will be guided in a conversation on the efforts made in recent months, both on an individual basis and by their local leagues, in overcoming the marginalization that has placed the soul of democracy at increasing risk.

While the pandemic has limited our traditional abilities to get into schools, that doesn't mean we have to stop engaging the youth! Learn how to engage the next generation of voters online, in person, and everything in between even if you can't get into the classroom.

Discover various methods for hosting candidate forums in the digital age. This workshop will discuss best practices for hosting a virtual, hybrid or in-person forum.

Learn about different social media platforms, their quirks, and how to “hack” the algorithm. This workshop will explore the uniqueness of each social media platform and explain how your League can use them to your advantage.

You or your local League is passionate about an issue and wants to advocate and lobby. When is the correct time? How best to advocate? And, how does taking action vary based on local, state or national issues? Come learn more about advocacy.

This month the League advocated for funding for ethics reform, elections, and education financing in the New York State budget. On February 9^th we testified at the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on early voting, funding for election reforms, absentee voting, and ethics reform. See testimony at: https://lwvny.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Testimony-Local-Govt-Budget-Elections-Feb-9-2022-LWVNYS.pdf .Voting should be made as easy as possible for all New Yorkers and while we have greatly appreciated the tremendous gains that were made in the last couple of years, many of these reforms still have not been sufficiently funded, particularly with voter participation this year expected to significantly increase from last year. In order to realize the voter enhancement goals of the Legislative leaders and Governor, the State Board of Elections and county Boards of Elections need a serious funding commitment to ensure that progressive elections reforms are not unfunded mandates. There has unfortunately been no similar progress in ethics reform in New York other than the start of a public financing program for elections. We continue to have sky-high campaign contribution limits and no effective ethics enforcement agency. We hope this year will make a new beginning at least for establishing a real ethics body capable of holding public officials accountable. The Governor has made it her priority to replace JCOPE and she has provided a serious proposal to do that. However, the League believes that her proposal could be improved to create a truly transparent and independent ethics commission.

The League also submitted testimony on February 7^th to support “Turn on the TAP”, which would include state budget funds to restore higher education funding for people who are incarcerated. See testimony at: https://lwvny.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Testimony-LWVNYS-for-Higher-Educ-Budget-Hearing-Feb.-7-2022.pdf .We see a direct connection between providing college programs at all New York State prisons and vital benefits to incarcerated people, our prison system, and our society. “Turn on the TAP” is one way to reduce the cycle of recidivism and dependency that often undermines women’s ability to thrive, raise the next generation of engaged citizens, and maintain economic independence. We urged the State to fully fund college programs in every prison.

Finally the League submitted testimony on January 26^th to voice observations on the topic of aid to state charter schools. See testimony at: https://lwvny.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Testimony-League-of-Women-Voters-of-New-York-State-003.pdf . The League holds a neutral position with respect to these schools and has no position on the cap. However, the League does follow trends in resource allocation between the two sub-sectors and (charter and non-charter) and has some observations about this year’s allocation. As a policy matter, it appears that both the prior year’s budget and this year’s Executive Budget are very favorable toward Charter Schools. The League questions whether the balance between the two sectors is being maintained both in terms of Operating Aid and in terms of Facilities aid.

On February 8^th, along with seven good government groups, the League submitted a letter to Governor Hochul and Legislative leaders in support of the need for an independent ethics commission to replace the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). New York State government has a significant and ongoing problem with conflicts of interest, the abuse of power and corruption. It is clear that the Joint Commission on Public Ethics is not designed for – nor capable of – enforcing ethics laws fairly and effectively. JCOPE must be replaced by an independent ethics commission. Letter is being posted to state website today so watch at https://lwvny.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Watchdog-Letter-on-Need-for-Independent-Ethics-Commission-Feb-8-2022.pdf

Along with 24 organizations on February 11^th we submitted a letter to Governor Hochul proposing a revision to a bill that puts waste responsibility onto the producer for packaging, printed paper and toxics in packaging. See letter at: https://lwvny.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Final_Sign-on-Letter-EPR-for-Paper-and-Packaging.2.11.22.pdf .We want to ensure that New York passes a strong Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper which adequately addresses the untenable solid waste and recycling crisis and puts New York on a successful path to implementing the waste sector recommendations of the State’s Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan to combat the climate crisis. We believe a strong EPR program needs to do the following: hold producers responsible for the life cycle management of their products; modernize and improve the recycling system; provide for minimum waste reduction and recycling mandates; include strong accountability and enforcement frameworks; and eliminate toxics in packaging.

On February 4^th the League submitted a memorandum of support to the NYS Assembly and members of the NYS Senate in support of A.7389B/S.6486C, a bill that establishes a moratorium on consolidated operations that use proof-of-work authentication methods to validate blockchain transactions. See Memo at: https://lwvny.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/MOSreA7389BS6486C_-Feb-4-2022-Bitcoin.pdf .For decades the League of Women Voters has held positions urging vigilance in protecting air and water quality. The increasing interest in cryptocurrency is exponential. However, all forms of cryptocurrency mining are not alike with respect to impact upon the community where plants are located. Those that use Proof of Work authentication method to validate blockchain transactions present potentially serious adverse environmental consequences including significant use of electrical energy that is instead needed to power New York State's electrification goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, generation of substantial amounts of greenhouse gas emissions from production and use of natural gas, use of great volumes of water which is returned to its original source (such as Seneca Lake) much hotter and thereby affecting fishing, agriculture and the wine industry, frequent replacement of supercomputers generating significant amounts of e-waste, and noise from fans running 24/7 that affects neighbors’ quality of life and health. The whole process makes questionable achievement of the goals of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

All testimony and actions taken are on the state website at: https://lwvny.org/legislative-action/

Milly Czerwinski, milly@lwvny.org

The county redistricting process has begun in New York, and our local Leagues are getting in on the action! Here are some stories about county redistricting from throughout the state. 

The Chautauqua County redistricting commission has a unique makeup; Along with 2 members of the Legislature, 4 community members, and a representative from the County Chamber of Commerce, the County Charter mandates that a member of the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters be included on the Commission. This year, Sue Evans will be serving as the League Commissioner. 

Monroe County has started their redistricting process over again after the County Executive vetoed the maps submitted by the County Legislature. Since before the veto, the Rochester League has been advocating for transparency from the Legislature and has been educating the community on how the redistricting process will affect them. The League will continue their efforts as the process begins again! 

Tompkins County is redistricting with an Independent Redistricting Commission for the second time after achieving great success during the 2012 redistricting cycle. The redistricting process has been well advertised by the County, and members of the community have been encouraged to participate by applying to be commissioners and submitting public comment. Tompkins County League member Linda Duttweiler served as a Commissioner in 2012 and has been following this year’s redistricting cycle closely. Tompkins County also has a webpage dedicated to redistricting, which you can view here.

Have a question about redistricting or want to get involved in your League’s efforts? Email milly@lwvny.org. 

In honor of Black History Month, the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College led a phenomenal discussion on the pathways to justice for African American Women. The plenary featured an esteemed set of justices who shared why they chose to practice law and encouraged the campus community to find ways to learn more about our judiciary system. Students inside Albany (SIA) has always included a tour of the NYS Court of Appeals, as a conversational element for students to understand how public policy is influenced by the courts. Likewise, the panelist shared the importance of both visibility and discussed why more diversity in representation is needed throughout the state and at the highest court office in Washington, D.C. Comparative to our League’s commitment to non-partisanship, the justices shared the difficulties in navigating social justice advocacy while remaining non-partial; they were all committed to being as compassionate as possible during their tenure on the bench. When we think about pathways for advocacy, as an organization we acknowledge that legislative change has tremendous impact. We must continue to encourage our young people to vote consistently, remain connected to their local representatives and never be afraid to visit night court and befriend a judge or at the very least, ask to be a legal intern.

“Black History Month” ends but perhaps with an even stronger realization amongst members, than in prior years, that Black History is not a separate entity or construct. It is about the United States of America as well as about the heartaches and accomplishments of African Americans. We applaud the local leagues who pushed traditional boundaries of what they typically promote during this month, the types of historical information provided, and even the frequency of addressing Black History to their members during February.

And there are other observances coming in the year that hopefully you all will tackle with as much vigor… representing the League as accepting of all the diversity that this country holds, and rejection of the “isms” that only hold us all back… ageism, sexism, ableism, racism… along with any bigotry against those that hail from different parts of the world, or are indigenous to our current spaces.

We look forward to seeing you all soon at the LWVNYS regional trainings and hearing from you what efforts you have put forth… win or lose, good or bad… that have helped your league members to realize DEI as more than a concept but a practice.

To help us all close out the month of Black History, please view at your convenience a 2020 recording of Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, 15th LWVUS President and in 1998, its first Black President, speaking on the topic of her book, “The Untold Stories of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters”.

If so inclined, also consider purchasing her book, or using it for a local book club this year, or purchasing copies for your local public or school libraries. DEI Questions? Please feel free to reach out to me, Regina Tillman, 3rd Vice President for DEI, at rmt370@gmail.com. And, as always, I invite you all to be inspired!

The League of Women Voters of New York State supports inclusion in the State Budget funds to restore higher education for people in prison, “Turn on the TAP.” We see a direct connection between providing college programs at all New York State prisons and three vital benefits to incarcerated people, our prison system, and our society. 

First, when incarcerated women, and men, have the chance to develop through education, the condition of their confinement changes. With articulated goals and a growing sense of self-awareness, these behind-bars students develop themselves in ways unavailable to them before confinement. They often take on leadership positions that help calm institutions and improve relationships between correctional officers and incarcerated populations. Dignity and humanity are restored. 

Second, an education provides released women and men a greater chance at success by smoothing reentry. A bachelor’s degree increases opportunities for economic independence, permanent housing, and family stability. The next generation is perhaps more protected from the cycle of poverty and incarceration that netted their parents. Children of incarcerated parents attending college are more likely to attend themselves.

Lastly, it makes fiscal sense to invest in the development of these women and men as a way of decreasing prison populations and remedying for each individual the inequities of our public education system, over-policing of certain neighborhoods, and the consequences of years of policies that led to mass incarceration of people of color.

Governor Hochul has included Turn on the TAP funding in her budget and State of the State Address so there is leadership at the top level to make this happen. Federal Pell Grants were restored in 2020. Turn on the TAP is the next step in restoring education to New York prisons and to helping transform the lives of incarcerated men and women.

LWV has joined with grassroots, advocacy, and faith-based organizations to press legislators to include Turn on the TAP in their budget proposal. Current estimates are that the cost of reinstituting college programs in all of the state prisons through TAP would not exceed $5.2 million, affecting over 1500 incarcerated men and women. The return on investment is sensational: $21-26 million!

Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole are two reform bills in the New York Legislature that require further actions before the June 2 legislative cut-off date.  

Both have been given momentum by RAPP/Release Aging People in Prisons and over 300 other organizations, victim and survivor advocacy groups, and faith-based groups throughout New York State. These organizations have coalesced around the need to give incarcerated men and women an opportunity for parole review and eligibility consideration based on how they utilized their time in prison, proof of rehabilitation, risk threat assessment, and possibility of recidivism. Oftentimes, during the Parole Board review, the incarcerated are subjected to re-litigation instead of focusing on who these men and women are at the time of their review.

Elder Parole Bill (S15A/S8855)

Does not provide an automatic release. The Parole Board still has the discretion to grant or deny parole. Elder Parole provides older incarcerated men and women who have served 15 years release consideration. The Department of Corrections and Community has defined “older” as 55 years of age. 

Fair & Timely Parole Bill (S7514/A4231A)

Restores the Parole Board to its original purpose of evaluating the readiness of incarcerated men and women for release. The standard would be centered on a person’s rehabilitation and growth while incarcerated and not on the original crime.

On March 9, the People's Campaign for Parole Justice will hold its second annual Parole Justice is Gender Justice (Virtual) Advocacy Day and we’re asking EVERYBODY to come. The advocacy day will be virtual and take place from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm via Zoom and features world-renowned feminist, abolitionist, and scholar, Dr. Angela Davis!

On this advocacy day, we will highlight the continued harm women, transgender people and gender non-conforming (GNC) people face from systems designed to operate through violent policy, structure, and culture to oppress and criminalize Black and brown women, trans people, GNC people, families and communities. Surveys show the vast majority are survivors of trauma and abuse before entering prison, and a majority experience abuse by staff while behind bars. We also know that women and GNC New Yorkers disproportionately bear the enormous financial and emotional toll of supporting an incarcerated loved one, which new research shows actually shortens a person’s lifespan.

RSVP today by clicking here and promote the day on social media.

The state League is excited to introduce two new staffers in the office: Erica Smitka is the new Deputy Director, and Aimee Messier is the new Finance Administrator. Lisa Allendorph is staying on part time as an internal auditor.

Most recently, Erica worked as a Senior Grants/Contracts Specialist and Program Coordinator at Policy Research Associates, Inc. She worked to expand the reach of PRA’s projects through the development of proposals, management of contracts, and evaluation of programmatic funds, while also managing the Social Security Administration’s ARDRAW Program. Throughout the years she has worked with a number of non-profits in a variety of capacities – in development offices, doing direct program work, strategic planning, and developing frameworks for data-driven decision making. Erica earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA), with a focus on non-profit management, from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Prior to attending graduate school, Erica worked as an organizer and campaign director for Grassroots Campaigns, Inc., where she fundraised for non-profits and worked on a variety of political campaigns in California, Colorado, and Massachusetts. Erica holds her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from SUNY Geneseo, with a dual minor in Africana Studies and Anthropology. As an Albany native with a passion for grassroots activism, Erica is thrilled to join the League. 

Aimee has a background in administration, bookkeeping, and grants management. She spent over a decade at RPI working with a large research group on everything from grant proposal preparation to daily purchasing. More recently, she worked at Ecovative Design in all areas relating to finance and grants management. Aimee has an AS in Business Administration from HVCC.

Speakers include:

Join NYS Senator Ramos, Assembly member Joyner and PowHer New York on National Equal Pay Day to learn how the NYS Salary Range Transparency Bill (S5598B Ramos / A6529A Joyner) will transform the equal pay landscape in the state. The bill sponsors will be joined by pay equity experts. Register by clicking here.