ELECTION LAW
Support of measures to protect, extend and encourage the use of the franchise; open the political system by enacting a public campaign financing law for statewide offices; establish legal, ethical campaign guidelines; monitor campaign practices; simplify rules for ballot access. Restore integrity to the election process + specifically support for uniformity in election laws and procedures in their implementation and enforcement; promote measures that ensure the integrity of all ballots; support adequate funding for these procedures, including training of all involved election personnel* .
Opposition to term limits for members of the NYS Legislature.
Opposition to term limits for NYS statewide elected officials.
GOVERNMENT
Support of standards to ensure equitable representation in the State legislature and the congress.
Support of improved measures to provide representation for legislative districts in case of a vacancy.
Support of responsive and responsible legislative processes which increase the role of the individual member and the committee system.
Support of effective lobbying and ethics regulation.
Support of procedural reforms in the constitutional convention process to promote openness and
nonpartisanship.
Support of the consolidation of governmental units and the sharing of major governmental services as a means of promoting the efficient and effective operation of government when done through a cooperative and transparent process.
HEALTH CARE
Support a single payor concept as an acceptable approach to implementing League positions on equitable access and cost containment.
Support of measures to assure a basic level of quality physical and mental health care for all state residents including regulatory incentives to encourage development of cost-effective alternative methods of delivery; funding for health promotion and disease prevention programs; provisions for effective citizen participation in health policy decisions.
Support of measures that enable individuals to assume responsibility for their own health and to participate in decisions including termination of extraordinary life-extending procedures.
Support for uniform eligibility and coverage of basic health care costs through public financing.
JUDICIAL
Support of a unified state court system with improved provisions for judicial selection.
Support of statewide guidelines for law enforcement at all levels to prevent racial and economic profiling.
Support of measures to improve pretrial procedures in the criminal courts.
Support of measures to promote a fair and efficient jury system.
Support of alternatives to incarceration.
Opposition to the death penalty, with life without parole as the primary alternative
NATURAL RESOURCES
Support for measures to achieve watershed protection including limiting pesticide use and applying Best Management Practices.
Support for a state-established, intergovernmental system for land resource management.
Support for a proactive role for New York State in regional land use planning, containing urban sprawl and protecting sensitive areas.
Support of reconditioning of the New York State Erie/Barge Canal System and its development for
recreational uses.
SOCIAL POLICY
Support measures to meet the needs for low-income housing through use of state funds and incentives to localities
STATE FINANCES
Support reforms for greater equity in education financing for both pupils and taxpayers.
Support raising funds to provide New York's children with a sound basic education through increases in the New York State personal income tax, implemented in a progressive fashion.
Oppose in principle the use of public funds to support non-public schools, kindergarten-twelfth grade.
Support a uniform equitable assessment and property tax system.
Support for the replacement of the existing local residential property tax relief programs in which relief goes to all with programs based on need, with annual cost of living adjustment.
Support of measures to provide for openness and accountability in the operation of the New York State public authority system.
Support of a timely and responsive state budget.
Support the funding of public higher education and the existing formula for financing the community system, 1/3 tuition, 1/3 state aid, and 1/3 county support.
WOMENS ISSUES/SOCIAL POLICY
Support of measures which hold marriage to be an economic partnership with a presumption of equality between the spouses.
Opposition to measures that contain a presumption of joint custody of the children.
Support for equity in employment laws and practices and equal pay for jobs of comparable worth.
Support of measures to reduce the incidence and effects of domestic violence.
These state positions are based on LWVUS principles and public policy positions. State actions
on other items not covered under a state position can also be taken under LWVUS positions.
Reproductive choices (Government Positions) and welfare reform (Meeting Basic Human Needs)
position are two examples.
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League of Women Voters of Schenectady County, New York. All rights reserved.
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