President's Column
Happy New Year to all!
This is the time of the year when we typically
talk about new beginnings after looking at
where we have been. Our December holiday
luncheon in which we honored nine women who
have been in the League for 50 years or more
reminds us of the contributions and legacy of
those who have been in the league years before
us. In those days, meetings were in the day and
League members brought their children to
meetings where there was a hired babysitter to
care for the children. Members talked about the
need for stimulation and involvement in the
issues of the day. That is something we share
today.
Today we need to look at different ways of doing
things, while we honor our traditions. Sharing
board jobs, using electronic communication and
trying collaborations with other leagues are ways
we can reshape the League for todayʼs needs.
The Bulletin is carrying a summary of State
League positions as a way of refreshing our
memories of where the League stands. All of
us get questions from the community about our
positions. The long version and the detail can
be found on the League of Women Voters
of the U.S. and the League of Women Voters of
New York State web sites.
Do you know what the Leagueʼs position is on
hydrofracking? Under LWVUSʼ Natural
Resources positions, state leagues can act to
support appropriate state regulation of
hydrofracking which is what the State League
has done in New York. (See the advocacy
section of the State Leagueʼs website.) The
resolution adopted by the National Convention in
2010 stated in part that it called on the national
board to use the resources of the League to
support and lobby for significant strengthening of
appropriate regulation, oversight, inspection,
and penalties associated with the development
of fossil fuel resources. This strengthening
should include additional legislation requiring
federal agencies to regulate drilling and mining
in a manner consistent with the preservation of a
healthy environment."
The Leagueʼs position currently does not support
banning of hydrofracking. The Saratoga League
would like to advocate for a stronger
LWVUS/LWVNY position on hydrofracking so
we need to be informed on a changing issue.
Joan Elliott
President
Have you ever wondered whether the League of
Women Voters participates with other
organizations to advocate at the state level for
particular issues? It does.
The Leagueʼs oldest ally is the Committee for
Modern Courts which it joined in 1985 to pursue
judicial issues of joint concern.
In 2009, the The League joined the Water
Management Advisory Committee and the
Empire State Future in 2009.
Other coalitions joined include:
Campaign for an Independent Public Defense
Coalition for a Healthy New York (tobacco)
Campaign for the Community Preservation Act
Friends of New York Environment
Gideon Coalition
Healing Our Waters Coalition
Health Care for All New York (HFANY) Temporary
Coalition until last year (2010)
Integrity in Government (Coalition that includes
NYPIRG, Common Cause, Citizenʼs Union, Brennan
Center).
NY Coalition to End Lead Poisoning (CELP),
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV)
New York State Coalition for School Based Primary
Care
New York State Citizens Coalition for Voter
Participation and Fair Elections (formally NYS
Citizens Coalition on Help Americans Vote Act
(HAVA) Implementation).
NYS Pay Equity Coalition (NYSPEC)
Reform New York Coalition with Common Cause,
NYPIRG,
Citizens union, Brennan Center for Justice, Free
NewYork/ Mark Bitz, etc.)
Smart Growth Working Group (SGWG)
NYS Public Defenders Association
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League of Women Voters of Schenectady County, New York. All rights reserved.
![[LWV]](images/lwv76.gif)
