The Davis Voter

League of Women Voters^®
of Davis

Newsletter for LWV Davis

Newsletter for LWV Davis

Contents. Sponsors. Votes For Women. National and State Studies. Virginia Isaacs. Cool Davis Festival. United Nations Day with Jane Roberts. AB 413 signed. NPV Compact Law. Redistricting.

September/October 2011 Voter

Dear Fellow League Members, I received the following message from our national President Elisabeth MacNamara:
Dear Jean, Today we celebrate the 91st anniversary of the 19th amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote. Since 1920, women voters have been a major influence in American politics and in making our society safer and more secure for families and children. While women have made enormous strides, our leaders are making decisions that erode much of the work of several generations of women voters. From taxes to health care to access to voting and education, many of the protections that we fought for and have come to depend on are currently at risk. Many of the issues confronting our country today have the greatest impact on women and children. But many more women need to exercise their right to vote. And still more should seek and win elected office. In honor of Women's Equality day, encourage someone you know - man or woman + to register to vote. We have much to be proud of and much to celebrate this Women's Equality Day, but as we look ahead, let's do more than dream of what we can achieve, let's work to accomplish it. Best wishes,
It appears that from Elizabeth's message we are still a very necessary organization with lots still to accomplish. Help us do it. Volunteer when asked. Call your president and see what she and your board needs, 758-4405. Look forward to hearing from you sometime soon!
Yours in League, Jean Canary, President of the Davis League of Women Voters

LOCAL NEWS

Dorothy Brazelton, women's history specialist, booked the Blanchard Room at the Davis Public Library for our public 100th anniversary celebration of women gaining the right to vote in California. Imagine yourself on horseback, 100 years ago, traveling to rural communities in Northern California, and starting a rally to persuade men to give you the vote. The history of "How California Women Won the Vote" will be presented with photos and stories of courageous, public-spirited women and their struggle to finally gain voting rights in 1911. Save the date and invite friends for the celebration of this inspiring, epic crusade: Thursday, October 13, 7-9 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Participate

Popular, regular public monthly meetings at University Retirement Community, in the Activity Room, will resume on the third Monday, September 19, at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Two national League studies for which LWVUS has already prepared materials will be presented for consideration: Public Education and the Federal Government, consensus due by Nov. 30, and Privatization of Government Services, consensus deadline, May 1, 2012. The purpose of this study is to identify 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. An update of the position on the Initiative and Referendum Process in California was agreed to by members attending the LWVCA convention last spring. A timetable will be set by the state study committee. In addition, attendees at the monthly meetings are always invited to contribute information on local news regarding League interests in state and local budgets affecting health, education, social services, and housing. Water issues is another hot topic. Hungry after these deliberations? Consider staying after the meeting, making a choice from the deli menu, and lunching together in the delightful URC garden patio. At URC, the new, free parking garage may be available by this date. For more research on water issues in Yolo County, the LWV Woodland invites Davis League members to attend a meeting on Thursday, September 29 at 2 p.m. in Woodland. Phone (530) 662-0387 for address. Their six areas of focus for study are on their website: http://woodland.ca.lwvnet.org/WaterStudy.html

MEMBER NEWS

A leading founding officer of the LWV Davis in 1958, Virginia Isaacs, passed away on August 4. A year ago, on August 25, when LWVD celebrated the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, she knew she was to be honored, but she was unable to attend. Virginia assisted the founding group to do the necessary research for the booklet, "Know Your Community:" before it could be officially recognized by the national League. A celebration of Virginia's life will take place on Saturday, September 17, at 1 p.m. in the Senior Center multipurpose room.

LWV Davis Enters Cool Davis Festival

At the Veteran's Memorial Center from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, the LWVD will offer a unique opportunity to visitors to join in a national campaign to sign the "Clean Air Promise." The LWV, in association with partners in the energy and public health communities is asking members of Congress, community leaders, and citizens to promise to protect the health of children and families from air pollution. The purpose is to make clean air a public health issue and counter the effort of some members of Congress to strip the EPA of its authority under the Clean Air Act of l970 to enforce provisions limiting harmful carbon pollution from power plants, factories, and trucks. Recent advocacy efforts by the LWVUS's President have been directed toward upholding the EPA's climate standards. If you are concerned about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decide to become involved in this extraordinary League campaign..

Women, Population, and the U.N. Millennium Development Goals

AN INVITATION TO CELEBRATE UNITED NATIONS DAY ON OCTOBER 23
Jane Roberts, co-founder of 34 Million Friends of the United Nations Population Fund (http://www.34millionfriends.org) will speak on Women, Population, and the U.N. Millennium Development Goals as part of the United Nations Day celebration by the Davis chapter of the United Nations Association. Her talk is co-sponsored by International House Davis, the League of Women Voters, and the American Association of University Women.
The program will take place on Sunday, October 23rd from 2:30 + 4:30 p.m.in the Community Room at International House, 10 College Park, Davis. It is free and open to the public and there will be refreshments.
Gender inequality is, according to Ms. Roberts, the moral scourge and moral challenge of the age. "When a girl is born somewhere in the world, it is very likely she won't have the advantages of education, health, and economic security enjoyed by her brother. It is possible she will be forced to marry at a young age. Childbirth for her will be risky and her ability to control her fertility will be compromised. "
The year 2011 is also the year the planet will attain a population of 7 billion people, twice as many people as in 1960, and heading toward 9 billion by 2050. Unless the world commits to the MDGs which target alleviating poverty, improving education and health, and empowering women and girls to make choices for their lives, Ms. Roberts sees little chance of an acceptable future for people, the planet, and peace. She quotes Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon: "In women the world has the most significant but untapped potential for development and peace."
Ms. Roberts has been honored by MS Magazine, Women's eNews, by the American Public Health Association and is featured in the international best-seller "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof and journalist Sheryl Wudunn. She has also raised over $4.2 million for UNFPA by asking 34 million Americans to give one dollar.
For more information contact Verena Borton at (530)756-0632 or rvborton@comcast.net

STATE ITEMS

On August 8, Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 413, by Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, a bill essentially the same as the one the LWVDavis studied three years ago and supported. The Yolo County Clerk-Recorder can now conduct up to three local elections using mainly mail ballots. At least one polling location per city will remain open on Election Day for those who are unable or prefer not to vote using a mailed ballot. The county will also establish ballot drop off locations. The bill becomes effective on Jan.1 2012 and sunsets, Jan.1, 2018.

The National Popular Vote

The bill was signed by Gov. Brown recently, to the approval of the LWVCA, who has promoted it for years. California joins seven states and the District of Columbia now waiting for additional states representing a majority of the Electoral College to pass it. When that happens, the National Popular Vote for President will allow every vote and every voter in every state to be equal and relevant.

REDISTRICTING

On August 15, twelve of fourteen members of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission supported all of the final maps: 80 Assembly, 40 Senate, 53 Congressional, and 4 Board of Equalization. One commissioner voted against all 177, and one opposed some. The League of Women Voters of California and Common Cause, promoters of the transparent redistricting legislation, officially declared the maps " an acceptable climax to an open public process." Immediately, California Republican Party Chair, Tom Del Beccaro, said his party objected to the Senate maps, which could give the Democrats two additional seats and give the party the two-thirds super majority necessary to raise taxes. Their referendum drive needs 504,760 valid voter signatures to qualify for the June 2012 ballot. Yolo County citizens, after expressing disappointment and dismay at the initial maps that divided the county, lobbied for a "community of interest" around agriculture, the delta, watersheds, and the wine industry. The approved maps retain a Yolo County "voice" for its interests. Yolo County will stay in an odd numbered state senate district, the fifth district, which allows voters to elect a senator in 2012 as scheduled. In the newly drawn congressional districts, John Garamendi, will run in the third, while Mike Thompson will run in the fifth. Mariko Yamada will continue to serve Yolo County residents in the new assembly district and Lois Wolk in the new senate district.

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