League of Women Voters of Kitsap

Ben Brostoff, a senior at Central Kitsap High School, and Leaguers Pam Hamon and Catherine Ahl recently joined forces to register young voters in advance of the Feb. 9 CK levy election. Here’s how Ben describes the experience:

When I was approached by Kids Matter (the levy support group) to organize the student-led portion of their get-out-the-vote campaign for the upcoming school levy, I realized quite quickly that the main problem was not getting student voters to support the levy, it was getting student voters.
After a little research into putting on a voter registration drive, I started to get interested. I decided to make this my Eagle Scout project, for I doubted there could be something more worthy of the Scouts than making students into responsible citizens.
But I knew I needed experienced help, and for that my mother suggested the League of Women Voters, and said that I might contact them through a friend of my stepfather’s, Mrs. Pam Hamon.  Mrs. Hamon kindly offered the help of the LWV, and referred me to Catherine Ahl, LWV Kitsap President.  I was initially overwhelmed that such a higher up (remember, I’m just a high school senior) would even communicate with me, but Mrs. Ahl amiably guaranteed me the help of the League, and so the real work began.
I commandeered my school’s leadership class, kindly volunteered by Ms. Fox, the CKHS activities director, and set out on my project.  Soon, I encountered the roadblocks of every high school registration drive – motivating the students, making it look easy, and making sure that they met the eligibility requirements.  Unfortunately in my case, the eligibility requirements meant that I could only register a twelfth of the seniors (those who were already 18 or would be by the levy election).
But, I went ahead and started, though admittedly without great optimism. I was thankfully saved by the experience of the League members who volunteered to work with me. They came in with a smile and seemed unfazed by the students who blew us off or shot us dirty glances. In the end, I think we turned the student perspective around and we registered just about everyone we could – around 40 students, or a twelfth of the senior class.
The League members’ calm, unhurried manner was far more helpful than any advice they could have given me; their presence and experienced demeanor reassured me that this is just what happens, even with adults, and that I should not be worried or threatened by it.  So, for that simple reassurance, thank you to those who helped me with my project, and to the League at large, thank you. You may not know it, but you make a difference just by being there.

Ben Brostoff

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

You may have noticed President Obama’s critique of the recent Supreme Court decision on corporate spending on campaigns during his State of the Union speech.
The League shares Obama’s concerns.
Longtime League member Pam Hamon recently wrote the following letter to the editor on the recent Supreme Court decision on corporate campaign spending:

To the Editor:
It’s a sad day for democracy and the individual voter. The Supreme Court’s 5 to 4 decision now allows large corporations, banks, financial institutions and unions the ability to spend, without limits, funds from their treasuries for candidate and issue campaigns. This goes against 30 years of precedence and a century of practice. Voters will need to do more homework to be sure they fully understand the issues before casting their votes because we all know money counts and manipulates.
Pam Hamon
Poulsbo

Here is the national League position on the Supreme Court decision:

Washington, DC –The following is a statement by Mary G. Wilson, national president of the League of Women Voters on the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC. The League filed an amicus brief in this case:
“The Supreme Court has made a tragic mistake. Their decision announced today in Citizens United v. FEC is constitutionally irresponsible and will surely bring about an anti-democratic revolution in how we finance elections in this country. Today, basic pillars of American democracy have been undermined – that elections should not be corrupted by vast corporate wealth and that the voters should be at the center of our democratic system.
“Justice Stevens had it right when he said, in his dissent, ‘The Court’s ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the Nation. The path it has taken to reach its outcome will, I fear, do damage to this institution.’
“In creating a new constitutional right for corporations to spend unlimited amounts of their shareholder’s money to determine the outcome in candidate elections, the Court has unleashed into our elections tremendous sums of money from for-profit corporations that cannot possibly be matched in quantity by contributions from ordinary citizens. The only possible outcome of this is that big money and special interests will have an even tighter grip on our democracy.
“Congress and the President enacted campaign finance laws over a series of decades for a reason – to protect our democracy from the perverse influence of big money in our elections. In making this decision, the Court has ignored the best interests of the American public and our representative form of government.”

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Below is an alert and request for donations issued today by the the national League of Women Voters:

The Supreme Court has made a tragic mistake.

Their decision last week in Citizens United v. FEC has created a new constitutional right for corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose candidates at every level of government. This throws out the protections against corporate and union spending in elections that have served our democracy for nearly a century.

In doing so, the Court has ignored the best interests of the American public and our representative form of government.

That’s why I’m asking you to make an emergency contribution so we can fight back today.

You may be asking, what does this all mean for me?

First: the Supreme Court ruling has given the green light for corporations to now intervene directly in elections — from the local school board or zoning commission to Congress and the President of the United States — taking the power away from average voters like you and me.
Second: corruption could skyrocket out of control — now that the Court has allowed unlimited corporate and union expenditures, the power of well-paid lobbyists linked with those interests will vastly increase.
Through our 90-year history, the League has fought to ensure that voters are at the center of our political process. Now we must work harder than ever before to elevate citizen voices above those of special interests and corporations.

Right now, the stakes could not be higher for people like you and me who care about open, honest government and a healthy democracy. The upcoming 2010 Census and quickly-approaching mid-term elections will shape the political landscape for the next decade — the outcome of both must reflect the diversity of our nation and NOT the pocketbooks of corporations.

We will continue to fight, despite this devastating blow to the principles protecting American democracy. And we need you with us more than ever.

As a leader in the ongoing fight to make our democracy as vibrant as ever, we will not stop, we will not give up, and we will not give in. If ever there was a moment when our democracy needed to work for all its citizens, not greedy corporations or power-hungry special interests, this is it. To succeed, we need your support.

Please, contribute today.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Mary G. Wilson
President, LWVUS

P.S. The Court’s ruling means that big money and special interests will have an even tighter grip on our democracy. But we can, and we will, fight back. Please join with us as we work to stop special interests and corporations from freezing Americans out of our government.

For more information go to www.lwv.org.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Each month in the LWV Kitsap newsletter, the Voter, President Catherine Ahl, delivers a message to members. Here is her message from the February Voter.
In January at our Program Planning meetings we discussed why we do studies – to reach consensus, form positions, and take action. Besides contacting our members of Congress and state Legislators, writing letters to the editor is a way of taking action. Since Sept. I have seen three letters in the Kitsap Sun from our members on League positions and would like to recognize them. Fran Moyer (CK unit) wrote a letter supporting Health Care Reform, Elisabeth Bondy (CK unit) on the connection between Campaign Finance Reform and Health Care legislation, and Patsy Campbell (BI unit) on the Stupak amendment limiting a woman’s Right to Choose in the House Health Care bill.

I encourage all of you to read the LWVWA Legislative Newsletter each week during this session (Jan. 11-March 11), pick a bill or budget provision to support, write your Legislators, AND write a letter to the editor. Remember these letters are from you as an individual, not speaking for League. LWVK has over 100 members – voices. Let’s use them.

On another topic, at the annual meeting last May we approved a Study of Health Care in Kitsap County. The Health Care committee has determined that “A Report on the Adequacy and Accessibility of Primary Health Care Services in Kitsap County” is more appropriate. In order to produce this report, a variety of interviews will be conducted and need a lot of “woman power.” Please offer an hour or two of your time to Pam Hamon at pchamon@msn.com or 360-598-3508

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

The League supports bills that would make the names and addresses of those who sign initiative or referendum petitions public records.
It also supports a bill that would abolish the death penalty in Washington state.
Here are the League positions on these two bills:

Support – HB 2418 – Making the names and addresses of persons signing initiative or referendum petitions public records
League position – The League of Women Voters supports openness and transparency in government and to further open government, the initiative process must remain open to public oversight.
ACTION – Please contact members of the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee (Hunt, Appleton, Armstrong, Alexander, Flannigan, Hurst, Miloscia & Taylor) and ask them to pass this bill out of the committee.
LWVWA Lobby Team Contact – Katy Sheehan, katysheehan@gmail.com, 360-250-0431

Support – SB 5476 – Abolishing the Death Penalty.
League position – The League supports the abolition of the Death Penalty. The Death Penalty is not fairly administered and disproportionately affects the poor and minorities, it is more expensive than a life sentence, the risk of executing the innocent exists, many families of victims do not wish for a death sentence, every other Western Democracy except for Japan has abolished the death penalty, and there is nothing to show that it deters violence.
ACTION – Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee (Kline, chair; Regala, McCaslin, Carrell, Gordon, Hargrove, Kohl-Welles, Roach) and ask them to support SB 5476 by passing it out of their committee.
LWVWA Lobby Team Contact – Katy Sheehan, katysheehan@gmail.com, 360-250-0431

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WASHINGTON 2010 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
LWVWA Strengthens Democracy – public campaign financing for judicial positions – reform of campaign contributions reporting and disclosure – protect funding that invests in today in order to promote a more secure future for all citizens
Strengthens Education and Early Learning
- a new K-12 basic education funding structure – expand the definition of basic education to include children from birth to five – support quality improvements to child care programs – promote policies and programs that promote the wellbeing and safety of all children – improved components of the childcare subsidy and co-pay system
Improves Access to Health Care
- guarantee access for all residents in comprehensive, uniform, and affordable health services – maintain funding for the Basic Health Plan, Cover All Kids, incentives for primary care doctors to work in underserved areas, the Health Insurance Partnership, and public health
Protects Natural Resources and Human Health
- adopt an effective program to clean up, and prevent pollutants from entering, the waters of the state – protect children from harm due to exposures to toxic chemicals and other toxic substances
- support all efforts to reduce carbon gas emissions as quickly as possible – support responsible land use planning to decrease climate change – enact energy efficiency and conservation programs
Promotes a Balanced Transportation System
- increase affordable and reliable access to public transportation – decrease the number of single-occupancy vehicles on roads, bridges and ferries – increase fuel efficiency by promoting development and use of alternative fuel sources across all modes of transportation

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Sorry this blog has been inactive for so long. I now vow to update it regularly.
You have probably seen the news about the recent Supreme Court decision on corporate spending in elections. Here is the national League of Women Voters response:

CITIZENS UNITED DECISION SETS OFF REVOLUTION IN CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Supreme Court Erred, Decision Undermines Basic Pillar of American Democracy

Washington, DC –The following is a statement by Mary G. Wilson, national president of the League of Women Voters on the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC. The League filed an amicus brief in this case:

“The Supreme Court has made a tragic mistake. Their decision announced today in Citizens United v. FEC is constitutionally irresponsible and will surely bring about an anti-democratic revolution in how we finance elections in this country. Today, basic pillars of American democracy have been undermined – that elections should not be corrupted by vast corporate wealth and that the voters should be at the center of our democratic system.

“Justice Stevens had it right when he said, in his dissent, ‘The Court’s ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the Nation. The path it has taken to reach its outcome will, I fear, do damage to this institution.’

“In creating a new constitutional right for corporations to spend unlimited amounts of their shareholder’s money to determine the outcome in candidate elections, the Court has unleashed into our elections tremendous sums of money from for-profit corporations that cannot possibly be matched in quantity by contributions from ordinary citizens. The only possible outcome of this is that big money and special interests will have an even tighter grip on our democracy.

“Congress and the President enacted campaign finance laws over a series of decades for a reason – to protect our democracy from the perverse influence of big money in our elections. In making this decision, the Court has ignored the best interests of the American public and our representative form of government.”

###

Become a fan of the League on Facebook.

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

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

League President Catherine Ahl displays "No State Income Tax" sign brought by some attendees at the League's forum at the Eagle's Nest in Bremerton on Wednesday.

From left, Rep. Sherry Appleton, Rep. Larry Seaquist and Sen. Derek Kilmer at Wednesday's forum.

Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-26th District, makes a point during the forum.

Legislators at Wednesday’s League of Women Voters forum agreed that the state’s budget situation looks dire, but they managed to find a few rays of hope in a bleak picture.
“We wouldn’t do this if we weren’t optimists by nature,” said Rep. Christine Rolfes, D-23rd District, told a packed audience of about 70 people.
On the bright side for transportation, she said the state is on track for building three new ferry boats. And even though they are small ferries, they will relieve the overall shortage of boats once they come into the system. She said they also provide jobs for boat builders and economic stimulus for local communities once they are put into service.
Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-26th District, said that during the current recession more people than ever are looking for worker retraining programs at community colleges. Olympic College has a waiting list of 1,000 people in need of such training, he said.
Even with budget constraints the Legislature did manage to put $20 million more into worker retraining last year, and Kilmer would like to see that amount increased by taking a small percentage of worker compensation funds paid by employers and putting it into retraining.
Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-23rd District, said serving on the Health and Human Services Committee in the House is the most difficult assignment she has had in the Legislatures.
“People are talking about cutting out the Basic Health plan,” she said. “It already has a waiting list with more people on it than are in the plan. This means we have 70,000 people with no health insurance.”
She said these are the people who end up in the emergency room. And the costs, she said, are passed on to the rest of us whether we realize it or not.
Catherine Ahl, president of LWV Kitsap and moderator of the forum, asked whether cutting one major program, such as the Puget Sound Partnership, would be worth doing to save other programs.
Rolfes said that even if all spending on natural resources were eliminated it would only save half a billion dollars when the Legislature is faced with trimming $2 billion from the budget during the session beginning in January.
Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-26th District, said it’s a false dichotomy to think that cutting out spending on the environment will somehow help the economy. It’s just the opposite, he said.
“The route out of the bottom on this recession is through green jobs and better stewardship,” he said.
The others agreed that spending on cleaning up Puget Sound and other environmental initiatives will help pull us out of the recession.
The lawmakers had a hard time trying to come up with new areas for cutting.
Rep. Kathy Haigh, D-35th District, said the Legislature cut out teachers’ cost-of-living increases last session and did not fund I-728, which normally provides money for class size reduction and enrichment programs.
All of the state’s universities saw severe budget cuts, with the result that tuition is rising.
“As we talk about no new taxes,” she said, eyeing signs around the room brought by anti-tax advocates, “we need to realize we are putting the burden on our kids. They are coming out of school with huge debts.”
Despite the problems facing the state, Ahl said she was encouraged by the turnout at the meeting and hoped to see many of the same faces in Olympia next year when she and other League members go to lobby the legislators.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Local legislators will be on hand Wednesday to discuss the upcoming legislative session in Olympia and to answer questions about the state budget crisis.
The League of Women Voters of Kitsap will host a meeting with our local elected representatives from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Eagles Nest, 1200 NW Fairgrounds Road, Bremerton.
Confirmed guests for the event titled “Let’s Talk Dollars and Sense with our Legislators”: 23rd District: Rep. Sherry Appleton, Rep. Christine Rolfes; 26th District: Sen. Derek Kilmer, Rep. Larry Seaquist; 35th District: Rep. Kathy Haigh.
Please plan to attend and bring your questions for our elected leaders. The event is free and open to the public.
For information call 360-509-2695.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Sam Reed, Washington’s secretary of state, is predicting a 51 percent voter turnout for the off-year election. And he calls that number “respectable.”
It’s in line with off-year turnouts for the last 40 years, but it’s a far cry from last year’s record-high turnout of 85 percent. Exciting races for president and governor coaxed even reluctant voters to cast a ballot in 2008.
This year, the only statewide ballot issues concern unmarried domestic partner rights and property taxes. The League of Women Voters recommends voting yes on R-71 and no on I-1033. The latest polls show voters leaning toward the same positions.
The Washington Poll, from the University of Washington, showed R-71 winning by 56 percent to 39 percent among registered voters. If passed, the referendum would affirm the domestic partner law passed by the Legislature. It provides legal protections for lesbian and gay couples and seniors who are in committed relationships.
The poll also showed registered voters rejecting I-1033 by 46 percent to 41 percent, with 13 percent undecided. Among likely voters and those who had already voted the no margin was higher, with 49 percent saying they would vote or had voted no and 40 percent indicating they would vote yes.
I-1033 is a Tim Eyman-sponsored initiative that would limit revenue increases for state, city and county governments to the rate of inflation and population growth. Any money collected above the limit would be used to reduce property taxes.
While the potential effects of this measure were not entirely clear, the governor’s budget office projected it would divert more than $8 billion from state, city and county general funds into property-tax relief from 2011 to 2015.
The latest Public Disclosure Commission figures show the No on 1033 Committee has raised nearly $3.5 million to fight the measure and has spent $3.2 million. Many unions, including the National Education Association, the Teamsters and the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) have contributed large sums, as has Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. Eyman’s group, in contrast, raised only $670,000 in support of the initiative.
Most of us have probably voted by now, but if, by chance, you still have that ballot sitting on your kitchen table, be sure to fill it out and mail it in ASAP. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 in order to count for this election.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post