By Janice Garry
Dear Alachua County,
The Florida legislative session is March 7th – May 5th. There are a number of concerning bills that, if passed, would tarnish democracy. Or our public education system. Or the natural resources that are the foundation of life. Or a number of other issues. There are several sites where you can go to stay abreast of it all. The LWV of Florida and the LWVFL Capitol Report will cover a broad range of issues and bills. For an eye-popping curtailment of our right to voice our opinions, see The Florida Voter, item #3 by our Florida President, Cecile Scoon below. For environmental or statewide issues, you can also follow 1000 Friends of Florida.
It's time to be an activist. Please see the Action Alert below.
In League,
Janice
janice.garry@gmail.com
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Excerpt from the March 1, 2023, The Florida Voter:
3) One of the most recent and egregious attempts to limit the voice of the citizens is a new Department of Management Services (DMS) rule that went into effect today, March 1. That rule drastically limits the use of the Capitol building and grounds for citizens and various groups. The rule requires events hosted by citizens and groups to be in agreement with a state agency’s mission. To reserve space, a request must come from the head of state agency, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida. In tandem with this new rule, if a Capitol law enforcement officer thinks that an event or gathering is disruptive, offensive, or disturbing government business then those rallying or protesting may be issued a trespass notice and/or arrested.
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! It is truly reminiscent of 2021's House Bill 1 law that allowed police to arrest anyone at a rally. This law has been successfully enjoined and is not in effect during its court appeal.
Read the full letter here.
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Action Alert: GRU Governance | |
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A bill is being proposed that would replace the Gainesville city commission as the governing entity for GRU and replace it with a five-person volunteer board chosen by the governor.
In 2018, the LWV of Alachua County did a comprehensive Study and Action and agreed unanimously that Gainesville’s residents and resources are best served with the city commission as the GRU governing agency. They rejected a ballot referendum to change the governance. Unlike a referendum, the current proposed bill uses a process that excludes meaningful input from residents. A meeting to discuss the bill by the Alachua County Legislative Delegation (five legislators) will take place in Tallahassee this Friday.
This is an all-hands-on-deck situation needing each of you to spend 15 minutes voicing the league’s support of home rule and respecting the will of voters. Additionally, if you can, please plan on traveling to Tallahassee on Friday for the meeting. If you can go, contact Janice. We will carpool.
In summary, please...
Email AND Call ALL Five Local Delegates listed below:
Script: My name is _____ and I am calling to object to the bill regarding GRU governance that would, without voter input, take GRU management away from city government and give it to a governor-appointed board. Such an action is the opposite of democracy. It would take away local decision-making by local people. Please do not approve the bill that would change GRU governance.
Attend the Meeting, if possible:
Friday, March 17th, 2023,
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Room 12 of the House Office Building, Florida Capitol,
402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee Florida, 32399-1300
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Annual Meeting: 5/23 @ 5:30 PM
Mark your calendars for the LWV of Alachua County Annual Meeting on May 23rd at 5:30 PM via Zoom. This is an important meeting, and we hope everyone will be able to attend and participate. If you have comments or feedback or items you would like to see on the agenda, please contact Janice by April 10th. The April Voter will include more details and important documents.
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New Member Orientation: 4/12 @ 7 PM
New members and continuing members alike are invited to Zoom with us on Wednesday, April 12th at 7:00 p.m. We will share our League orientation video and get acquainted. Find out how you can get engaged in League committees. There will be time for questions. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at least 1 day before the event to receive the Zoom link.
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Re-Request Your Vote by Mail Ballot
Please be aware no voter’s Vote by Mail ballot status rolls over into the 2023 and 2024 Election Cycles. The law has changed, and everyone must re-enroll in Vote by Mail. You can learn more and re-request your Vote by Mail ballot on the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections website.
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Recording Now Available
Did you miss our Supreme Court Panel Discussion, "The Case Against Democracy: Moore v. Harper and the Threat of Electoral Mayhem"? Panelists UF Professor Lyrissa Lidsky and SFC Professor Alan Beck discussed the case with LWV of Alachua County's own Donna Waller moderating. A recording is now available.
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Lobby Days 2023 Recap
by Candy Birch
LWV of Alachua County sent a large contingent to the LWV Florida Lobby Days at the Capital on March 7-8. Veteran members Donna Waller and June Girard mentored first-timers Gwen Wagner, Diana Boxer, Lisa Holley, and Candy Birch, as well as interns Bella Lugo and Leah Edwards.
On Tuesday, training covered filings by legislators as well as the League’s positions on its priority issues of education, natural resources, voting rights, and reproductive health and justice. News that Florida had withdrawn from the ERIC and that HB 7/SB 300 banning abortions after six weeks had been filed sparked a lively discussion.
At the Capitol, some members met in person with Alachua County Representatives Chuck Brannan, Chuck Clemons, and Yvonne Hayes Hinson as well as Senator Jennifer Bradley’s aide. Others attended a LWVFL-sponsored round-robin of 10 legislators.
The interns observed the opening session of the Florida Senate, toured the Capitol, and had lunch with the chief aide of a Tallahassee city commissioner. Bella remarked, “Lobby Days is an amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with the people and organizations that are responsible for so many decisions that impact your daily life.”
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The Alachua County LWV needs volunteers (or suggestions for volunteers) to fill the following leadership positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and three elected Board directors. The Nominating Committee (Donna Waller, Janet Allen, Elaine Francis, Diana Boxer, and Roberta Gastmeyer) will begin meeting at the end of the month. If you are interested in holding any of these positions or wish to suggest someone, please contact a member of the committee.
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LWV of Alachua County is joining LWVFL in supporting the Florida Right to Clean Water campaign, which is a constitutional amendment to clarify our priorities and a civil action to enforce our right to clean and healthy waters. The mission is to take this to Florida's voters; to educate them, to collect their petitions, and to ensure their voice is heard.
We are petitioning at local events and farmers markets around town, including but not limited to, Haile, US 441, Heartwood, and Cypress and Grove.
At present, there are no additional events scheduled for petitioning activities but more are scheduled all of the time. Are you available to volunteer? Is there an event you think we should attend? Are you interested in petitioning at your local farmers market? If so, please contact Janice ASAP! There's no time to waste!
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The Latest From Your Committees | |
In this section, we bring you updates from your LWV of Alachua County committees. Committees are the best way to get involved in LWV of Alachua County and your local community. Feel free to reach out to the Committee Chairs to express interest, join their meetings, and get involved. | |
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Contact: Karen McCann
The Education Committee meets via Zoom on typically on the second Wednesday of the month from 12:00-1:30 p.m. However, our next meeting is a week earlier on April 5, 2023. Please contact Karen for the Zoom link if you would like to attend. We welcome everyone!
As mentioned last month, Karen is stepping down as Committee Chair at the end of May and we are actively seeking a new Chair. Please contact Janice or Karen if you may be interested in this important work.
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At present, the Local Issues Committee is paused while we look for new leadership. There are a number of local topics on which we could become informed and be advocates for our community. One member has expressed an interest in forming a healthcare committee, but she needs assistance. Can you help? Or is there another topic of interest? Contact Janice if have ideas and would like to help. | |
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Contact: Mary White
Oak Hammock hosted our March meeting about book bans last night (3/14). Due to the format of the meeting, a recording may not be available but watch our website for more information.
In February we hosted Phillip Benson, Hydrologist Bureau of Water Resource Information St John’s River Management District to discuss, "Managing Florida’s Biggest Waterbody, the Florida Aquifer". A recording of that meeting is now available.
Oak Hammock has no April meeting scheduled and will not likely meet again until September. Have a great summer!
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Contact: Bennett Brummer
The SCJC focuses on improving the criminal justice system. We emphasize deflection and diversion from the criminal justice system through prevention and treatment consistent with accountability and justice. The committee is promoting implementation of a central receiving network, including co-responder units and improved dispatch. We have previously dealt with expanding the right to vote for felons who have completed their sentences, reforming money bail procedures, reducing drivers’ license suspensions, and reducing the transfer of juveniles to adult felony court.
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Contact: Gwen Wagner and Diana Boxer
Our next meeting is currently scheduled for April 4th at 6:30 p.m.
Several members attended Lobby Days in Tallahassee. See the write-up above.
Our March 2nd Supreme Court panel discussion, "The Case Against Democracy: Moore v. Harper and the Threat of Electoral Mayhem" was a big success, and thanks to our partners at Santa Fe College Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, a recording of that event is now available. We also thank panelists Dr. Alan Beck and Professor Lyrissa Lidsky and moderator Donna Waller for their participation and Voter Services member, Linda Mussillo, for organizing the event.
We are still petitioning for the Florida Right to Clean Water campaign at farmers markets around town including but not necessarily limited to Haile, US 441, Heartwood, and Cypress and Grove. We are always looking for volunteers.
We are exploring Voter Registration at local high schools and considering voter registration events at public library branches.
Contact us to join our meetings and get involved.
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LWVFL Action Alerts & Capitol Reports
During the Legislative Session, LWVFL sends out periodic Action Alert and weekly Capitol Report email. Watch your inbox for these messages. Action Alerts request you contact your legislators on a specific bill being proposed and Capitol Reports update you on the bills that have moved through the legislative process. Both are important and informative. Contacting your legislators is an integral part of making democracy work. They should hear from their constituents. If you think you are not receiving these email, write to comms@lwvfl.org to update your preferences.
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LWVUS League Updates
To help keep members informed, LWVUS sends a bi-weekly, internal email newsletter, called League Update, to state and local League presidents, as well as other highly engaged League members. The League Update includes important announcements about upcoming trainings and webinars, grant opportunities, messaging resources, stories from Leagues nationwide, and surveys to help LWVUS serve Leagues better. This newsletter is curated for League members specifically and is not intended for public consumption or distribution. If you don't already receive League Update but would like to, you can subscribe here.
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LWV of Alachua County Leadership Team
President: Janice Garry
Vice-President: Deb Shimon
Secretary: Eileen Roy
Treasurer: Fran Towk
Past President: Lynn Frazier
A full list of LWV of Alachua County Board Members and Committee Chairs can be found here.
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To avoid missing future LWV of Alachua County email, please add our email address to your Safe Senders List or add the From address (lwv@lwv-alachua.org) to your Address Book or Contacts. | | | | |
