President's Notes
xxxIn reading through the assorted monthly newsletters local League presidents receive, I came across the following quote from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters: "Michiganders support clean water, climate action. New polling data shows that 65% of Michigan voters support clean energy policies in Lansing, and 62% believe lawmakers should be doing more to combat the climate crisis. Additionally, 91% of Michigan voters support policies to ensure clean, safe drinking water for all communities, while 89% believe that lawmakers should be doing more to protect drinking water from toxic pollution and chemicals like PFAS."
xxxThese statistics reflect some of what your Board of LWVBCC discussed at our January planning meeting. The topics that we thought were important to our members and State include environmental issues, voting issues, and local issues like affordable housing and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
xxxAs 2013 began, we sponsored a talk by Lake Michigan College Professor Tiffany Bohm at the Bridgman Public Library on take aways from the mid-terms and possible implications for 2024. xxxThe Herald Palladium provided excellent coverage of this event in an article by Juliana Knot about the evening in its Wednesday, January 25 edition. It was wonderful to see so many of our members and guests at the event.
_______________________________________________________________
xxxHere is the news report courtesy of the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium:
xxxBRIDGMAN, Jan. 24 — For Tiffany Bohm, the next several months of fundraising will be revealing as to who the major presidential contenders could be.
xxxBohm, a Lake Michigan College political science professor, presented on the results of the 2022 midterm elections and their implications for 2024 at a League of Women Voters of Berrien/Cass Counties event Tuesday. The event was one of the first held in person since the pandemic.
xxxVoter participation in the midterms was uneven across the country, Bohm said. States where abortion rights were on the ballot saw greater turnout than those without. On the whole, fewer people voted in the 2022 midterms than in the 2018 elections.
xxxThe political science professor also touched on the contentious elections for Speaker of the House, and she said it was likely for U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy to be replaced as speaker – especially as discussions of the debt ceiling approach.
“I don’t think he has enough political capital within his party,” Bohm said.
xxxThe major issues of the 2024 race are yet unknown, Bohm said, and she told the crowd at the Bridgman Public Library she was uncertain if the issue of abortion would maintain its political salience into 2024.
xxxBohm then opened up the event to questions. Attendees were interested in the viability of a challenge to Trump from within the GOP, the effects of redistricting on the 2022 midterms, and Republican efforts to curb entitlement spending.
___________________________________
xxxOn February 27, we will sponsor a Zoom seminar on the National Vote Movement. The presentation will include a discussion of how the electoral college works and how it prevents all voters from being heard.
xxxThen in March, our presentation will focus
on climate change. In April, we will present a program on housing featuring Katie Montaya from the Berrien County Housing Authority. May will bring us back to an environmental program and in June at the annual dinner we hope to focus on
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Keep watching your inbox for details. The publicity for the February event will be coming out soon.
xxxThis is for veteran and new members: Two ideas for involvement:
xxx1) Climate change – become an observer at the Berrien County Commission meetings alerting LWVBCC to advocacy opportunities on climate or other environmental issues,
xxx2) Voter Access – connect with and support area clerks, volunteer for voter registration days this spring especially in area high schools. And as I have mentioned before, LWVBCC welcomes
your work on the board, various committees or special projects. We especially need someone who can help out with voter services and media tasks.
xxxThings to note from League of Women Voters Michigan: 1) Annual Convention to be held in East Lansing-May 19-21;
xxx3) Be sure to read the article in League Links on
how our volunteers were able to assist in the vote recount in December! We are a great organization!
Thanks for reading.
xxxIn League, Faith Schoon, president, LWVBCC