LWV in Action

League of Women Voters^®
of Norman

The League of Women Voters takes action on priority issues.

LWVOK Press Release on Voter ID. Clean Energy Policies. Climate Change Legislation. Health Care Reform. Voter Registration. Judicial Campaign Spending. Voter ID Requirements. District of Columbia Voting Rights. Cap Greenhouse Gases. Public Financing of Federal Elections. OKC Union Station Rail Yard Demolition. Green Infrastructure. Coal-Fired Power Plants.

LWVOK Urges Governor Henry to Veto Voter ID Legislation

VOTER ID BILL NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
For Immediate Release April 3, 2009
Tulsa, OK -- "The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma (LWVOK) opposes legislation requiring voters to present identification each time they go to the polls," said Gloria Caldwell, League spokesperson. "Senate Bill 4, introduced by Senator John Ford, will make a government-issued Voter ID a requirement at the polling place. We strongly urge Governor Henry to veto this legislation."
Read press release here.
April 8, 2009 -- Governor Henry vetoes voter ID bill.
Gov. Henry sides with League, AARP, vetoes SB 4

LWVUS Promotes Clean Energy Policies in U.S. Senate

The League and partners sent a letter to members of U.S. Senate committees to convey strong support for clean energy policies.
March 25, 2009
Dear Members of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee:
On behalf of our millions of members and supporters we write to convey our strong support for clean energy policies that will promote renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as reduce global warming emissions and protect our natural resources. Clean energy policies, along with a cap on global warming pollution, are a key component of a comprehensive solution to climate change.
Read the full text of the letter here.

League Urges Support for Developing Countries in Climate Change Legislation

The League and partners write to the leaders of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
March 25, 2009
Dear Chairman, Ranking Members and Members of the Committee:
On behalf of the millions of members and supporters of our organizations, we are writing to urge that comprehensive climate legislation include substantial investments to support adaptation to climate change impacts and the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in developing countries.
Read the full text of this letter here.
The League and partner organizations asked the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to make additional modifications to comprehensive climate legislation that includes strong financial support for international adaptation to climate change impacts and the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions.
April 14, 2009
Our organizations were extremely encouraged and pleased by the inclusion of the International Climate Change Adaptation Program in the March 31 discussion draft of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. We strongly urge you to keep those provisions in the legislation when it is formally introduced and provide the necessary resources to implement the program to help the world's most vulnerable communities respond to existing and future threats from climate change. These provisions are essential elements in a discussion draft that is a very important and timely step forward in addressing the climate challenge facing our country and the world.
Read the full text of this letter here.

Health Care Reform

The LWVUS sent a letter to Senators urging them to support strong and effective health care legislation.
March 18, 2009
America is facing a health care crisis caused by a combination of skyrocketing costs and an insurance system that leaves 47 million of us without any coverage. The current health care system is endangering both our economy and our health, and voters have made it clear that they want change. As Congress begins to consider health care reform legislation, the League of Women Voters urges you to consider the following issues.
Read the full text of this letter here
The League and coalition partners submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services supporting recision of the HHS regulation that would have a negative impact on patient access to health care services and information.
April 9, 2009
Dear Acting Secretary Johnson,
The undersigned organizations are writing to strongly support the proposed regulation, "Rescission Proposal," published on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, by the Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS" or "Department") to fully rescind the HHS regulation entitled "Ensuring That Department of Health and Human Services Funds Do Not Support Coercive or Discriminatory Policies or Practices in Violation of Federal Law" ("HHS Regulation" or "Regulation").
Read the full text of this letter here

LWVUS Perspective on Current Problems in Voter Registration

LWVUS President Mary Wilson sent a letter to Senate Rules Committee Chair Charles Schumer regarding a number of vote registration concerns.
March 11, 2009
Senator Charles Schumer
Chairman, Committee on Rules and Administration
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We are writing to provide our perspective on current problems in voter registration. We ask that this letter be included in the record of the hearing the Rules Committee held on this subject today.
The single most important issue in voter registration is the failure of the states to fully implement -- and the failure of the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce -- Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Section 7 requires that states provide extensive voter registration opportunities at public assistance and disability agencies. Registration figures indicate, and investigations by outside organizations confirm, that most states are not implementing the law.
Read the full text of the letter here
Also see The LWV is an Advocate for the Voter

Judicial Campaign Spending Argued Before U.S. Supreme Court

League's Amicus Brief Sees Judicial Independence, Due Process At Stake
March 3, 2009
Washington, DC--Today the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Caperton v. Massey, a case that weighs the influence of campaign spending in state court elections with judicial independence. The League of Women Voters joined an amicus brief in this case that calls on the Supreme Court to both preserve judicial impartiality and reform judicial selection.
"The League is involved with this case because of its compelling importance -- too much special interest money is being dumped into state court elections nationwide," said Mary G. Wilson, national President of the League of Women Voters. "The Supreme Court can do a great deal of good in this case by ruling in favor of judicial impartiality and restoring confidence in our nation's courts."
"There has been an alarming trend across the country of increasing financial contributions from special interests to judicial elections," stated Wilson. "For the past decade, state and local Leagues have been working with concerned citizens and communities to reform judicial campaigns and lessen the influence of special interest contributors on the legal system."
"Americans are looking to the nation's highest court and their decision in Caperton v. Massey to stem the flow of special interest money and politics into our courts," Wilson concluded. "Citizens need to know that due process and judicial independence will not be compromised for political gain. Every American's right to equality under the law must be protected. "

LWV Opposes Voter ID Requirement

In a Letter to the Editor published February 5, 2009 by The Norman Transcript the League of Women Voters of Norman speaks out in opposition to SB4 introduced by Sen. John Ford of Bartlesville and HB1037 introduced by Rep. Sue Tibbs of Tulsa requiring all eligible voters in Oklahoma to present photo identification at the polls. On February 4, 2009 HB1037 passed out of the House Rules Committee for a final vote on the floor of the Oklahoma House.
A guest column, Voter ID legislation is not in the public interest, submitted to The Norman Transcript and published February 21, 2009 explains LWV opposition to voter ID legislation.
A guest column from the LWV, League of Women Voter opposes bill published by the Tulsa World on February 26, 2009 outlines the issues surrounding the current voter ID legislation.
For more information on this issue:
The Truth About Voter Fraud, by Justin Levitt, published by the Brennan Center for Justice, Š2007
Restrictive Voter Identification Requirements, published by Project Vote, March 23, 2007.

District of Columbia Voting Rights

League of Women Voters Congratulates Senate on Historic Action
February 26, 2009
Washington, DC -- The League of Women Voters today hailed the U.S. Senate's historic action passing S. 160, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009, on a strong vote.
"We are on the brink of history," said Mary G. Wilson, national president of the League of Women Voters. "Today the U.S. Senate voted in favor of voting rights for all citizens."
"Based on today's strong vote, we are encouraged that 2009 may finally be the year that DC citizens will achieve voting rights," Wilson stated. "Today's action marks another tremendous step forward for everyday citizens living in our capital city."
Opponents attach amendments in an attempt to stall DC Voting Rights in the U.S. House of Representatives
March 2, 2009 -- LWVUS sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging passage of HR 157 without amendments. Read the full text of the letter here. Use the online Action Alert system to contact your member of Congress here.

LWVUS Urges U.S. House to Cap Greenhouse Gases

January 15, 2009
League President Mary Wilson sent a letter to members of the House of Representatives urging them to take quick and strong action against global climate change by supporting a cap on green house gas emissions.
Read the full text of the letter here.
LWVUS Fact Sheet on greenhouse gases and climate change, League of Women Voters, Š January 2009.

Public Financing of Federal Elections

On November 25, 2008 the League of Women Voters and other concerned organizations sent a letter to incoming Senators urging them to support public funding of elections. Similar letters were sent to Members of the House of Representatives:
"We are writing to congratulate you on your election to the U.S. Senate, and to let you know that we look forward to working with you and your new colleagues in the 111th Congress to address the issue of large campaign contributions in the electoral process. New, election-week polling data suggest wide and deep public support for public funding of elections, and we believe that the next congressional session will be a crucial moment to advance this ground-breaking reform."
Read the full text of the letter here.

Action on OKC Union Station Rail Yard Demolition

In order to reduce highway congestion, fuel consumption and vehicular pollution, and to provide better access to housing, jobs, recreation and medical care, the LWVN advocates the development and maintenance of energy-efficient and time-efficient public transportation systems within the City of Norman and connecting with other communities in Oklahoma. Priority should be given to government-funded transportation projects that are directed toward better public access to fuel-efficient transportation and the reduction of single occupancy vehicles on the roadways. --LWVN Local Program Positions
On August 7, 2008 the LWV of Norman sent a letter to Mayor Cindy Rosenthal requesting that the Council "forward to Governor Henry a resolution which supports saving the Union Station rail yard in Oklahoma City and asks him to declare a moratorium on the Crosstown Expressway in order to save the rail yard. We think that the rail yard is a valuable state asset for future development of multimodal public transportation for Central Oklahoma, including Norman, and we think that it should be preserved rather than torn up to make way for the Crosstown Expressway."
The Norman City Council passed a resolution on September 23, 2008 requesting the Governor of Oklahoma "appoint a special commission to consider future rail transit options in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area; future uses of Union Station and its associated rail lines to enhance future rail transit for the state of Oklahoma; and alternate routes for the Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway."
Citizens can weigh in on this issue by writing or telephoning Governor Brad Henry now and expressing support for the appointment of a special commission to investigate possible realignment of the Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway at the OKC Union Station in order to save the rail yard as a future transportation hub. See LWVN Action Alert (10/31/08) .
Further action was taken by the LWV of Norman on November 11, 2008 in the form of a letter to Gov. Brad Henry urging him "to take the initiative as Governor to issue a moratorium on relocation of the Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway through the state-owned Oklahoma City Union Station rail yard." It was published online as an open letter to Gov. Brad Henry by The Norman Transcript on November 22, 2008 and in print on November 23, 2008.
A letter from the Governor's office was received at the LWVN post office box. The letter appears to be a standard form response to requests for a moratorium on relocation of the I-40 Crosstown at Union Station until an independent commission can determine if realignment is feasible. The Norman League believes that there is additional information that the Governor needs to consider and further discussion is needed on this issue. An LWVN response was sent to Governor Henry on January 7, 2009.
Issue Resources
Oklahomans for New Transportation Alternatives Coalition (OnTrac)
Save the Rail Infrastructure League of Women Voters of Norman, September 10, 2008.
City of Norman Resolution passed and adopted on September 23, 2008.
"Norman councilmembers unanimously passed a resolution in support of preserving the state's chance for an intermodal rail system and preservation of the Union Station rail yard at their regular Tuesday evening meeting." Excerpt from Council passes rail resolution by Carol Cole-Frowe, The Norman Transcript, September 23, 2008.
Collins, Johnson hold passenger rail study, The Norman Transcript, September 28, 2008.
"Communities including Shawnee, Norman, Chickasha and El Reno have passed resolutions to back ONTRAC's efforts." Groups pass resolutions for rail yard by Amanda Gire, News-Star.com, October 9, 2008.
"We are talking about something that can't be replicated. ... This is a very critical juncture for future transportation planning." --Garl Latham of Latham Railway Services of Irving, Texas. Excerpt from Rail group criticizes ODOT by Carol Cole-Frowe, The Norman Transcript, October 28, 2008.

League and Partners Urge Congressional Leaders to Include Green Infrastructure in any Stimulus Bill

In a September 12, 2008 letter to congressional leaders the League and other concerned organizations urged that any economic stimulus bill include green infrastructure and green jobs development that immediately puts people to work and reinvigorates the economy. An aid package for automakers should be tied to guaranteed improvement in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy of manufacturer's fleets.
Read the text of the letter here.

LWVUS Calls for Moratorium on Coal-Fired Power Plants

August 7, 2008
Washington, DC - The League of Women Voters today called for a moratorium on new construction of coal-fired electric power plants.
"Global warming is happening now," said national League President Mary G. Wilson. "If we wait for federal action from our congressional leaders, it will be too late. We must take immediate and aggressive action to halt climate change," she said.
"Burning more coal is too big a risk for too many people," Wilson said. "Coal is the single largest source of global warming pollution in the U.S., with power plants responsible for 33 percent of CO2 emissions. Because of this pollution, we already face increasingly severe heat waves and droughts, intensifying hurricanes and floods, disappearing glaciers and more wildfires. If left unchecked, the effects will be catastrophic to us and our planet," she said.
Read the full press release here.
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