Please join us for LWV Lobby Day in Frankfort Wednesday, February 15, 2012

9:30 a.m. Meet in Capitol Annex Cafeteria (basement)
11:30 a.m. Lunch with Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo (Rm 370B)

Call your legislators (1-502-564-8100) as soon as possible to make appointments between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. or after 12:30 to talk with them about the bills the League is supporting including:
HB 167 – Energy Bill,
SB 230 – Clean Elections
HB70 – Felon’s Voting Rights

Please Register and give us your lunch preference no later than Feb 10 by e-mailing or calling Nita Smith at nitavotes@aol.com or 859-272-5827.

Box lunches (sandwich, fruit, chips, cookie & drink) are available for $7.95 (cash only please) Options: Sandwiches: Chicken salad, Tuna salad, Pimento cheese, Turkey, Ham, BLT wrap, Fried chicken wrap, Grilled chicken wrap or Veggie wrap. Drinks: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Mellow Yellow, water.

Grab your LWV pin and join us!

Message: “Please vote yes on House Bill 70.”
Thank you for supporting this bill.

September 2011

LWV of Kentucky, 1009 Twilight Trail, Suite103, Frankfort, KY 40601

502-875-6481

KentuckyLWV@gmail.com

http://lwvky.org/

Candidate School Is IN!

Lexington League and Berea & Madison County League are cosponsoring a “Candidate School Workshop”, Saturday, November 12 from 9:30 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. inRichmondatGlennMarshallElementary School’s library. Speakers/presenters will discuss their experiences campaigning and offer advice as potential candidates begin the road to representing their community as an elected official. The workshop is open to Leaguers and the public, so sign up now and find out what campaigning is all about!  We encourage you to share this with anyone interested in running for public office. Cost: $10.00 to cover the cost of lunch.

For More Information Contact Local Presidents:      Cecile Schubert (Cecile@roadrunner.com  or  Tammy Fagley tammy.fagley@gmail.com.

Another Candidate School Scheduled  October 8—Hopkinsville

Contact Carolyn Self for information: bcself@newwavecomm.net

State Convention Report

    The following officers and board members were elected at the spring convention.

·         President:                      Vacant

·         1st Vice-president:      Cindy Heine

·         2nd Vice-chair:             Tammy Fagley

·         3rd Vice-chair:            Cecile Schubert

·         Secretary:                      Nikole George

·         Treasurer:                    Steve Senft

You’ll notice the office of president is vacant. The nominating committee was not able to identify anyone willing to serve as president. However, the three vice-presidents have agreed to share the responsibilities of president. Let Cindy, Tammy or Cecile know if you have questions or issues for the state board.  A full board list with contact information can be found on page 4 of this issue.

The Kentucky LWV Board would like to updates on local League activities and is asking each local board to send their Voter/newsletter to the state vice-presidents who will forward it to the state board. We are also assuming local presidents will serve as the liaison to the state League unless we are notified otherwise. Please send your newsletter to: Tammy Fagley, Cindy Heine and Cecile Schubert.

State Studies: LWVKY has undertaken two studies this year. Local presidents will receive study materials and consensus questions from study committee chairs. The state board would like to thank theLouisville and Hopkinsville Leagues for taking the initiative on these studies.

Juvenile Drug Court Study

Civic Education in KY Schools

State Legislative Liaison:

Terry Naydan was appointed to be our state legislative liaison. Terry will let you know about issues on which we need to contact legislators.

The board is asking each local league to appoint a legislative liaison that will be Terry’s contact. She can be reached at:  terrynaydan@aol.com.

HELP WANTED: Voter Editor

    The LWVKY Board is looking for an editor for the state’s quarterly newsletter.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn what’s going on at the state LWV and to serve the League from the comfort of your own home!!

Please contact Tammy Fagley, Cindy Heine or Cecile Schubert if you have questions or might be willing to serve as Voter Editor.

Gubernatorial Candidate Debate

Tuesday, October 11, 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET

Co-sponsors:KentuckyBroadcasters Association and the LWV ofKentucky

Performing Center for the Arts, Eastern Kentucky University,Richmond

This event will be broadcast widely on radio and television. It is not open to the public but the League will have tickets for our members. If you are interested in attending contact: Terry Naydan (terrynaydan@aol.com) or Nita Smith (nitavotes@aol.com).

LWVKY Holiday: Fund Raising Party

December 3, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. ET

The LWVKY and Lexington LWV will co-host this holiday event and silent auction with all proceeds going to LWVKY.  Al Smith, journalist and former host of KET’s “Comment onKentucky,”  will speak about “Journalism Today.”  His memoir, WORDSMITH: My Life in Journalism, to be published in November, will be available for purchase and signing.

Suggested Donation: $25/person or $40/couple       Location:Lexington, TBA

Grant Funds Available: Spring 2012 Youth Voter Registration

The LWVEF announced a new grant opportunity to support Leagues as they engage young voters in 2012. State and local Leagues are encouraged to contact Maggie Duncan  mduncan@lwv.org) or go to ription/application at lwv.org in “The Toolbox” for more information.

Membership Recruitment Initiative (MRI)

In response to the national League’s 30-year decline in membership, LWVUS has created a Membership Recruitment Initiative (MRI). Our state coaches, Nikole Wolfe and Carolyn Self, have information and can provide support for your League. They are willing to visit local Leagues to share ideas about the kinds of things each member can do to recruit new members.

TIPS for Recruitment:

Carry LWV brochures in your purse and share them when you come across potential members.

Wear your LWV pin at public meetings.

Target specific groups as co-sponsors for activities, groups whose members may have an interest in League activities.

Think of someone YOU can invite to a meeting or other League function!

National Studies

LWVUS Education Study

The Education Study scope is broad and includes the following areas under the role of the federal government in public education (preK through grade 12): the history, funding and equity issues which are addressed under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the common core standards/assessments which are required for many federal grant programs but are national, not federal. The culminating position will address only those issues delineated in the scope.

Consensus Kit: Available at www.lwv.org

The Education Study Leaders’ Guide

Public Education Consensus Response Form

Public Education Consensus Meeting Materials-PowerPoint

Public Education Consensus Meeting Materials-Consensus Questions

Consensus Reports from local Leagues are due November 30, 2011.

LWVUS Privatization Study

The purpose of this study is to identify those parameters and policy issues to be considered in connection with proposals to transfer federal, state or local government services, assets and/or functions to the private sector. It will review the stated goals and the community impact of such transfers, and identify strategies to ensure transparency, accountability, and preservation of the common good.

Timeline:

August-October 2011    Information provided to local and state Leagues

November 2011-May 2012    Leagues are encouraged to participate in the study on                                                                   Privatization of Government services, assets and functions, and the impact on local communities by scheduling meetings to educate members and communities about the issue and come to consensus.

RecommendedReading: Available at www.lwv.org

·         Government Privatization: History, Examples, and Issues

·         Paul Starr, “The Meaning of Privatization,”  Yale Law and Policy Review 6 (1988)

·         Privatization: ASeattleLeague Study

Contact Committee Chair Janis McMillen at jkmcmillen@kc.rr.com with questions.

Calendar of Events

 September 25, 3 p.m.      Afternoon of Music-Fund Raising Event for LWV  Louisville

Host: Melvin Dickinson, conductor of the Louisville Bach Society; featuring Anne Richardson, cellist and Margaret Dickinson, organist

LouisvilleBach House,4607 Hanford Lane

Suggested donation: $50

For more information: Beverly Moore

October 8, 10:00 a.m.-noon           LWVKY Board Meeting, State offices,Frankfort

October 11, 7:00 p.m. ET             Gubernatorial Candidate Debate (Check local listings for radio and television coverage.)

December 3, 3:00-5:00 p.m.         LWVKY Board meeting,Lexington

December 3, 5:00-7:00 p.m.         Holiday Fund Raising Party,Lexington; Location to be announced

February 11, 10:00 a.m.-noon      LWVKY Board meeting, State offices,Frankfort

April 28                                             LWVKY Board meeting and Council, time and location to be announced

2011-2012 Board of LWVKY

President                    Vacant

1st VP                           Cindy Heine             Cindy.Heine@InsightBB.com

2nd VP                         Tammy Fagley          taf1969@netscape.com

3rd VP                          Cecile Schubert       cecilel@roadrunner.com

Secretary                    Nicole George          ngeorge828@yahoo.com

Treasurer                   Steve Senft                s.senft@InsightBB.com

Elec. Director            Richard Heine          rcheine@InsightBB.com

Elec. Director            Beverly Moore           BeverlyDM@aol.com

Membership              Carolyn Self              bcself@newwavecomm.net

Leg. Liaison               Terry Naydan             terrynaydan@aol.com

CONTACT INFORMATION:

LWV ofKentucky

1009 Twilight Trail, Suite103

Frankfort,KY40601

502-875-6481

KentuckyLWV@gmail.com

http://lwvky.org/

Special thanks to Judy Johnson, LWV member in Lexington, for formatting this Voter.

 The League of Women Voters of Kentucky is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Bills that KRC supported that will become law:

SB 7 – Improves government fiscal transparency by making legislative, judicial, and executive branch expenditure records, and certain records of higher educational institutions available on the web.

SB 70 – Updates the soil contamination screening levels used to determine remediation options for contaminated properties to reflect the more current EPA Region 3 Screening Level Table.

HB 26 – Provides the framework for two or more wastewater utilities in the counties of Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, Meade and Oldham counties may elect to create a regional wastewater commission.

HB 259 – Will create process for siting up to 5 demonstration projects for geologic sequestration of cardon dioxide in the Commonwealth.

HB 385 – Requires the changes in mining bond calculation methodology be incorporated into regulation.

Bills that KRC opposed that passed:

SB 50 – Allows a private transmission pipeline company to condemn private lands to construct a pipeline for transmission of carbon dioxide for private use.

Bills that fell by the wayside (* indicate KRC opposed):

*SB 34 – Would have eliminated the current prohibition on construction of new nuclear power plants in the Commonwealth.

*SB 151 – a proposal to replace appointed Public Service Commissioners with elected Commissioners.

*HCR 128 – Called on Congress to block funding to Office of Surface Mining until scientific evidence justifying the stream protection rule is provided.

*SJR 99 – Would have declared Kentucky a sanctuary state from EPA’s regulation of water permits for mines.

*SR 116 – A resolution that would have called on Congress to prohibit EPA from adopting regulations on greenhouse gases and to impose a moratorium on any new EPA air regulations and to require EPA to conduct a cost-benefit analysis on planned regulations.

HJR 90 – Would have directed the Ky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to update the contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which would end the in lieu fee programs.

Other Bills of Interest that passed:

HB 1 – Will place on the 2012 ballot a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife.

HB 119 – Allows for optional adoption by cities of training programs for city officials, including incentives for those being trained.

HB 166 – Mandates that state parks promote the sale of Kentucky Proud agricultural products.

HB 242 – Creates an advisory committee on radon and a certification program for entities engaged in radon measurement, mitigation and laboratory analysis.

HB 250 – Will amend and update law regarding licensure of home inspectors and provide authority for Board of Home Inspectors to take disciplinary action against licensees.

HB 330 – Will amend KRS 278.021 to define circumstances that constitute abandonment of a public utility and create court-supervised receivership process for returning control of the utility or liquidating its assets.

HB 362 – Will amend state law regarding ginseng and require licensing of ginseng dealers.

HB 433 – Will amend waste tire statutes to create a five-member Waste Tire Working Group, would create receipt programs for tires contracted for out of state processing or disposal.

HJR 5 – will direct a study be contracted of the effectiveness of economic development incentive programs.

HCR 13 – Concurrent resolution will establish a legislative task force on childhood obesity.

Pendleton County League of Women Voters President Shawn Nordheim, Secretary Melissa Miller and Treasurer Wendy Harrison recently registered Pendleton County High School students to vote. The voter registration event occurred during lunchtime on May 23 at the high school. Thirty students became new registered voters.

Consistently, fewer eligible young Pendleton County citizens are registered to vote than that of any other age group. Of those young citizens who are registered to vote, the majority do not take advantage of the opportunity to do so.

Voter registration is one of the key activities of the Pendleton County League. The league will work to register not only young citizens but also all age groups of citizens who are not registered to vote. To register to vote in Kentucky, one must be at least 18 years of age by the next election, must be a citizen of the U.S. and a resident of the state.

The League plans both annual fall and spring voter registration drives to register as many new voters as possible.

The Pendleton County League of Women Voters is a chapter of the State and National League of Women Voters. The Pendleton County League is a nonpartisan civic organization that encourages the informed and active participation of Pendleton County citizens in the electoral process, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and promotes civic engagement in the community through voter education and advocacy.

The Pendleton County League welcomes women and men who would like to become involved with this organization, either as a member at large or perhaps as a future member of the board of directors. The time commitment is not significant, but the benefits of involvement to the community are substantial. If you would like more information or if you would like to join the Pendleton County League of Women Voters, you may contact Shawn Nordheim, president at smnordheim@aol.com, Bill Mitchell, staff at bill.mitchell@nkadd.org or Melissa Miller, secretary at redden0117@aol.com.

 Presidents’ Message

This is the last e-Voter Nita and I will be sending as the co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of Kentucky.  Our term was finished at Convention on April 9^th.  We thank everyone who helped make this last year a success for the League.  Our local Leagues facilitated many forums for candidates running for office.  You answered many “Calls to Action” from both National and the State League.  Many of you joined Nita and I in Frankfort to lobby our representatives for our positions on specific legislation.  You also joined us in Frankfort on Women’s Suffrage Day, which commemorated the 90^th anniversary of finally obtaining the vote.

A highlight of our term was the fundraiser we had at Terry’s house which featured Joel Pett, the Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist.  He showed us the method he uses to draw our current politicians and also a little bit of his own political philosophy.  We raised enough money at the fundraiser to pay for two months rent for our Frankfort office, thanks to your generosity.

We decided to try a one-day Convention this year.  Most of the 38 delegates we asked said they preferred this new format.  At Convention we decided to conduct two studies, one on funding the juvenile drug court and the other on civics education in Kentucky schools –two topics of great interest to most of us.

We also voted for officers for the next term.  Happily, our three vice presidents, Cindy Heine, Tammy Fagley, and Cecile Schubert, our secretary, Nicole George and our treasurer, Steve Senft, all agreed to take another term.  The only position left open is that of President.  The three vice presidents will fulfill the president’s duties until a new president is recommended by the Nominating Committee.

We wish to thank Cecile Schubert and her committee from the Berea/Madison County League for hosting our Convention.  The Boone Tavern was a wonderful setting for conducting the business of the League.  The luncheon was delicious and our guest speaker, Representative Jim Wayne of Louisville, gave us an informative overview of what happened at this last legislative session.

Thanks to the entire KY Board and all of the members of the League for all of the support you have given us during these last two years.  We also wish to thank our intern from the University of Kentucky, Brittany Moore, for the fine study she conducted on the ninety year history of the League of Women Voters of Kentucky. It was a job well done!

We are also pleased that we leave the presidency with the knowledge that we have a brand new local League emerging in Pendleton County.  We wish them the best of luck!

Best regards,

Nita Smith & Terry Naydan

Co-Presidents, LWV of KY

“What can we make of this madness, this senseless act of violence? And terrible though this event was for all of us now, what might the long term effects be? Will it make public figures – politicians, media figures, celebrities – more mindful of the potentially harmful impact of their angry words – or will everyone continue to put their own agendas first, without regard to the climate they create? Will it make the public more trusting of the patriotic motivations of their elected leaders – or will respect for them be further diminished? Will it make our elected leaders more willing to reach out to meet and hear from their constituents directly – or will it reinforce the growing gap between voters and those they put in office? Will it allow Americans to feel comfortable and welcome in the public space – or will they conclude that it is safer to stay home and drop out of the conversation? It is clearly time for each of us to consider these issues, individually and as a community.

“For 90 years, the League has worked to facilitate the civil exchange of different points of view, to bridge the gap between the voters and the elected, and to help improve the functioning of government. We hope that moving forward our nation will come together to foster and strengthen the very essence of our representative democracy: ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

We agree with the sentiments of our National president and pledge, going forward, to continue providing forums in which all citizens will be free to express their political opinions knowing that they will be received in a civil manner.

Nita Smith and Terry Naydan
Co-Presidents, LWV of Kentucky

A Day at the Legislature – February 16

All members of the League are invited to join Nita and me for “a day at the legislature” on Wednesday, February 16, at the Capitol in Frankfort. We will meet in the cafeteria annex at 9:30 am. After discussing the bills we are supporting or opposing, the group members will separate to observe a committee meeting of their own choice. We will meet again for lunch, hopefully with a member of the legislature joining us for a few minutes to inform us about what bills he/she is working on.
Individual League members may wish to visit their own legislators to lobby for our position on a bill or just to say hello. Legislators’ offices may be contacted during normal business hours by calling LRC at 502-564-8100. Please call ahead so that they can give you an appointment time.
You may then wish to see either a session of the General Assembly or Senate. (We will obtain tickets for you to observe the Legislature “in action” if you inform us ahead of time). You can leave the gallery anytime you wish if you cannot stay for the entire session.
We hope many of you can join us as a visit to the Legislature is always an informative.

Bills We are Supporting

HB 21 – sponsored by Rep. Wayne – An act relating to public financing of judicial campaigns. We agree that judicial races are different from other races and should not be influenced by moneyed interests.

HB 70 – sponsored by J Crenshaw, A.Simpson, B.Yonts – An act relating to persons entitled to vote. Amend the KY Constitution to allow former felons who have paid their debt to society to have their right to vote restored to them automatically.
Bills We are Opposing

SB 111 – sponsored by D.Seum, D. Williams – An act permitting a parent to enroll for attendance a child in the school nearest to the child’s home. This may not always be feasible for many reasons. School systems must decide how to best use their facilities for the benefit of their students.

SB 6 – sponsored by J. Schickel, B.Smith – An act relating to unauthorized aliens. This bill would expand the state’s authority to enforce federal immigration law. It includes provisions that authorize police to attempt to determine a person’s immigration status if he/she is stopped for another reason, such as a traffic violation, and is suspected of being an illegal immigrant. This bill has passed the Senate. It is similar to Arizona’s immigration law.

We will issue updates from time to time on the bills we are watching.

First Call to Convention
LWV of KY State Convention Saturday, April 9

We are making plans for our one-day Convention at the beautiful Boone Tavern in Berea on April 9th. Each local League is entitled to send delegates. According to our bylaws,
Leagues are entitled to one voting delegate for every 10 members up to 50 members and one delegate thereafter for every additional 20 members. For example, if your local League has 70 members, you would be entitled to six voting delegates.
We vote for officers of the KY Board at convention and for directors at Council. Our Nominating Committee will present a slate of officers to the delegates. However, delegates can nominate a member from the floor of the Convention for any office as long as they have notified that person ahead of time.
We welcome proposals for the state program from local Leagues as long as they are received by the KY Board at least three weeks before the convention. As an example, at the National Convention, we voted to study the federal role in education as well as a study of privatization of government services. We may wish to study these areas of government at the state level. We welcome your suggestions.
We will have two plenary sessions, one in the morning, where we make proposals, and one in the afternoon, where we vote on them. We will have a wonderful luncheon in the new Skylight Room at the Boone Tavern. At our luncheon, we have invited a member of the House to speak on the 2011 legislative session. We are looking forward to meeting with members of the League from around the State. Please join us if you can.

Energy Efficiencies Study Completed

We have just completed our Energy Study and we will be sending you the results very soon. We will use this document as a guide for supporting or opposing environmental bills that will come up in the next legislative session. Now that we know more about energy efficiencies, we feel we can judge fairly future proposed bills on the subject. Thank you to all of you who participated in the study. We especially need to thank Elizabeth Crowe, the chair of the Energy Study, as well as Nancy McDuffie, and Joan Lindop, who were the other members of this important committee. Thank you for your guidance and hard work!

Dates to Remember
Wed, Feb. 16 A Day at the Legislature – meet at 9:30 am in annex caferia
Sat., April 9 State Convention at the Boone Tavern in Berea

The League of Women Voter of Kentucky
Suburban Park, Bldg. D, Ste. 103, 1009 Twilight Trail, Frankfort, 40601

However, if you are former felon and do not want to wait for the Kentucky legislature to act, you can apply for a partial pardon from the Governor under the law as it reads today, by first requesting restoration of your civil rights.  This is done by filling out a one-page form, sent to you by the Division of Probation and Parole.  The addrss is: Department of Corrections, Division of Probation & Parole, PO Box 2400, Frankfort, KY 40602-2400.  Attn: Restoration of Civil Rights.  It takes about two months for processing.  The former felon will get a certificate in the mail, which states that he/she has his/her right tovote restored plus a voter registration card.  When the voter registration card is filled out and sent to the County Clerk of the district in which the former felon lives, he/she can vote.

A RESOLUTION congratulating the League of Women Voters on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of founding, and adjourning the House of Representatives in its honor:

WHEREAS,  the League of Women Voters was founded in 1920, mere months before the Nineteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution was ratified, and women across the nation gained the right of suffrage; and

WHEREAS,  the League of Women Voters is a grassroots organization. with affiliated Leagues in all 50 states, including the Commonwealth, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Hong Kong; and

WHEREAS, for 90 years, the League of Women Voters has supported a framework of government that is representative. accountable. and responsive to its citizens; and

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters has adhered to a strict policy of nonpartisan action while simultaneously working to influence government policy at all levels through advocacy, and;

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters has steadfastly maintained equality of all people, international cooperation, and responsible stewardship of our natural environment as some of its highest principles;  and

WHEREAS, over the course of nine decades, the League of Women Voters has played a vital civic education role in our nation because of its firm belief that a democracy can thrive only when its citizens are fully informed and participate enthusiastically in the political process; and

WHEREAS, in all these ways, the League of Women Voters has made the United States and this Commonwealth a better place to live for all of its citizens;

NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the House of  Representatives of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1.  The menbers of the house of Representatives, both individually and collectively, thank the  League of Women Voters for its 90 years of service  to democatic ideals of civic participation and education, and congratulate the organization on its longevity.

Section 2.  When the House of Representatives adjourns this day, it does so in honor of the League of Women Voters.

Section 3.  The clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Kentucky League of Women Voters, Suburban Park, Building D, Suite 103, 1009 Twilight Trail, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.