LWVOC Blow By Blow Blog

Mark your calendars for Feb. 21-23 Legislative Summit

From State President Deirdre Macnab

Please join us in Tallahassee this February for the state League's Legislative Summit -- not only will you be making a difference in Florida, but it'll be FUN too! You will gain valuable knowledge about our state and the issues affecting it, as well as make sure that our legislators hear from the people.

We have two evenings of entertainment planned, including a cocktail reception at the exclusive Governor's Club and our second annual Old Capitol Gala in the historic Senate chambers. Come to Tallahassee to lobby and return to your hometown an expert on what is happening statewide. This year's Legislative Summit will be one of our best yet, and we hope that you are motivated to come to Tallahassee and help the League move our state forward!

Get out your calendar, BlackBerry, iPhone, etc. and SAVE THE DATE:
LWVF 2012 Legislative Summit, Tallahassee, February 21-23, 2012.

We will be sending more information soon, but we want to be sure we're on your dance card for 2012!
See you there!

HELP FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN

By Ann Hellmuth

League member Fern Lefkowitz was telling me the other day about her work with Fern Creek Elementary School Foundation. The A school has about 350 students, 85 percent of whom receive subsidized or free lunches. Twenty-percent of the children are homeless. All the children receive free breakfasts.

Fern said the foundation is ramping up help for the children of the "working poor" who cannot afford lunch and are often sent to school without food or money to buy it. Orange County rules dictate that a student may charge lunch one. If it is not paid back, no more charging. Instead of a hot nutritious lunch, they receive a peanut butter sandwich and a carton of milk. Even if a family is only making $200 over $22,000 a year, which is the threshold for a free lunch, their children are denied.

The foundation is also providing weekend "food security."

"We know many of our children go home to no dinner," Fern said. :Weekends can be very long when even meager rations are unavailable. Some children have been found stuffing food in their pockets from lunch so they can have it during the weekend."

Fern said the foundation provides packs of food on Fridays. They are meal-ready, shelf-stable packages provided free by Second Harvest.

Second Harvest provides the foundation with 210 packs per month but 1,200 are needed. Churches and private contributions are helping but there are always more hungry children who needed to be helped. Fern Creek is the first school agency of Second Harvest.

In addition, Fern said, many of the children don't have basic clothes like underwear and socks. Corrective lenses are also in short supply.

HOW CAN WE HELP? 

The League will collect canned goods for the hungry children at our Nov. 9 and Dec. 14 Hot Topics.

Please check your pantries and see what you can spare. It is horrifying to think of children in our neighborhoods going hungry. How can they learn when they hardly have the energy to think?

LEAGUE MEMBERS LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 

 

 

Insights into Affordable Care Act

By Michele R. Levy

VP and Local Government Co-Chair

 

I just got back from an interesting afternoon at the Marks St. Senior Center on the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Florida. The League was well represented with former Orange County President Charley Williams, Chair of our Membership Comm., Sarah Goodwin, Secretary Nancy Rudner Logo, Local Government member Jean Siegfried. and myself.

 

State Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, chaired the meeting. Also present were Orange County Representatives Scott Randolph and Geraldine Thompson.

 

Florida has turned back a total of  $150 million to the federal government and most of that has been for health care, Rich said. She said Florida's money has not gone back into the Federal treasury, but has been given to other states. This is not money we can get back for the health of our children, our poor, our elderly and our disabled.

 

Michael Miller, from Community Catalyst gave an overview of the Affordable Health Care Act.  He said it was passed with the premise that everyone should have access to affordable health care. It fixes the broken health insurance market, subsidizes coverage for those who cannot afford it, and ensures payment for value. You cannot deny people coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions, you cannot charge women more than men for the same coverage and you cannot raise premiums based on poor health, Miller said. 

 

There are no death panels and no government take over, but it does expand Medicaid for those who cannot afford private coverage.

Miller stressed that this generation of kids will have poorer health outcomes than their parents.

 

Dave Chandler from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, talked about health exchanges and savings for small businesses. He stressed that employers who have less than 50 employees can opt out of the system, but those that don't will receive tax credits.

 

Karen Woodall from the Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy said that Florida is so far behind the eighth ball in preparing for 2014 when the entire bill becomes effective.

 

She said that even the other states who have filed law suits like Florida, have started to plan for the enactment of the bill. She also said that the law suits about the mandatory part of the bill is on a fast track to the Supreme Court, and it should happen in 2012.

 

There were testimonials from people in the crowd and pleas to get behind our legislators and push them to stop turning away money and prepare for the inevitable. It was an energized group of people that left the building.

 

Become a Ruth S. Shur Fellow

The Ruth S. Shur Fellows team is now expanding to support more Leagues across the country. LWVUS is now accepting nominations for League members to join Ruth S. Shur Fellows (like Shayna) to become a part of our national coaching team and be a part of something great! Ruth S. Shur Fellows mentor and support two state coaching teams, who support and mentor local Leagues in strengthening their own capacity to make democracy work. Ruth S. Shur Fellows receive LWVUS-funded training in best practices of mentoring and coaching, recruiting new League members, developing new leaders, retaining members, and reaching out and connecting to the community. Fellows also are afforded multiple networking opportunities to meet new League members from across the nation. Ruth S. Shur Fellows are expected to commit to a two-year term.

 Need more information or have questions? Participate in the LWVUS-presented, interactive webinar “Become a Shur Fellow” on Wednesday, November 2 at noon. Register here to secure your seat in the webinar. Learn about the benefits of being a Ruth S. Shur Fellow and submit a nomination here.

 Nominations must be submitted online by November 7, 2011. Self-nominations are welcome!

 We sincerely hope you will consider nominating yourself or a League member you know to join us in strengthening League capacity to make democracy work! If you have questions, please contact Sara R. Sanders srichman@lwv.org.

 Best regards,

 Mary Klenz

Chair, LWVUS Membership and League Support Committee

 

 

Beware TABOR/Smart Caps

By Ann Hellmuth

A grim picture of what could happen to Florida if Amendment 3 (SmartCaps) is approved by voters in 2012 was outlined today (Oct. 27) by two experts on the devastating effects a similar amendment - TABOR - has had on the state of Colorado.

Pushed by Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, Amendment 3 would restrict state revenue growth to the rates of inflation and population. Taxpayers are promised that any left-over money would be returned to them as refunds.

But in the end, Floridians will pay more as services are cut and the costs are shifted," warned Rob Gray, vice president at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Gray said that TABOR was approved by Colorado voters in 1992 when it was seen as "controlling spending and very enticing... but bit by bit, year by year, people began asking questions. Why class sizes were bigger? Why there were no after-school sports? Why no vaccination programs? And they found out it was TABOR."

When Coloradoans complained to their legislators they were told that "their hands were tied. They couldn't do anything. It was enshrined in the Constitution and it was impossible to take it out," he said.

Colorado suspended TABOR for five years in 2005 but the damage was done. The state fell to 49th in K-12 spending, teacher salaries dropped to 50th in the nation and the state ranks 48th in state funding for higher education as a share of personal income. As a result tuition has dramatically increased, Gray said.

Kristi Hargrove, who described herself as a Conservative Republican, businesswoman and a mom, told a gathering at the home of State President Deirdre Macnab, how as a PTA member in her home town of Crested Butte, Colo.,  TABOR at first sounded good. But in 2001-02 her school district was put on a fiscal watch. Teachers got a raise, which took all the district's reserves.

"We had to cut $1 million out of an $11 million budget between February and May," she said. "We cut textbooks, janitorial services, instructional materials and supplies. At first we blamed the school board but then things came to light. It turned out the kids weren't getting as much money" from the state.

 "The formula - inflation and population - meant that budgets were being cut every year," Hargrove said. "My principal spends 80 percent of her time on the budget. The PTA pays for textbooks, instructional materials and supplies."

Hargrove said that when people understand what TABOR is, they don't like it.

"It has been a steady diet of cuts, cuts, cuts. We've lost elementary counselors, elementary Spanish. There is no end to it."

When you "take away a legislator's accountability, you are taking away their conscious decision making," Hargrove said. "You don't want to be on auto pilot."

Because Colorado's TABOR amendment touches on 17 separate subjects, overturning it would involve having 17 different amendments, Gray said.

"if something like this passes in Florida there is no hope for our children," said Roy Miller, president of the Children's Campaign. "I'm telling people if this passes stay away from Florida."

 

 

President's Letter

WATCHING DEMOCRACY AT WORK

By Ann Hellmuth

The first rows of the Orange County Commission chamber were packed with Occupy Orlando protesters wearing “I am the 99%” stickers. One man swept in wearing a floor-length black cloak trimmed with red. A young woman, armed with an Apple computer, appeared to be filming events.

It was an hour before the Orange County legislative delegation was to begin hearing public testimony Monday on legislative priorities and the rows of seats were quickly being filled. Dark-suited lobbyists moved into position, some lined the walls, others crammed into seats beside representatives of organizations ranging from the Junior League of Greater Orlando to Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families, Metro Plan Orlando, the Center for Drug-Free Living and Metro Plan Orlando. Orange County Elections Supervisor Bill Cowles and county school board Chair Bill Sublette were slated to speak. A young child screamed. Tax Collector Earl K. Wood made a rare public appearance.

We were about to see democracy at work.

Together with state President Deirdre Macnab, LWVOC 1st VP Michele Levy and Advocacy Chair Caroline Emmons-Schramm, I was firmly ensconced in the second row, clutching my clipboard and copy of my speech as if my life depended on it. I’ve interviewed presidents and kings, mass killers and billionaire philanthropists, but being chosen to outline the League’s legislative priorities to the Florida lawmakers had my stomach churning. What if they asked me questions, I couldn’t answer?

“Give me an example of a corporation earning money in the state but reporting the income in other states,” I begged Caroline, who had written the speech for me. “Walmart,” she replied, giving me a sympathetic nod. “You’ll be fine.”


Members of the delegation took their seats and Rep. Eric Eisnaugle was elected delegation chair. Sublette was the first to speak, asking the delegation to “maintain the current level of per student funding.”

Cowles explained how the current law will create a major early-voting problem in East Orange County because of a shortage of authorized facilities such as city halls, public libraries and supervisor of elections buildings. He said there needed to be more flexibility with early voting sites.

I see a train wreck coming,” Cowles warned. “We need more floor space, parking...Is it fair that 35 percent of Orange County has one location to use [for early voting]?”

Dr. Joel C. Hunter, pastor of Northland Church, pleaded on behalf of the homeless. Nancy Jacobson of Equal Rights Alliance called on Florida to help put the ERA in the U.S. Constitution. “Women want seats at the table,” she said.

It was 4.45 p.m. by the time I moved into position to speak - I was the 26th called - and several of the delegation members had left the room. Recalling how tired I would get when I sat on the Orange Redistricting Advisory Committee after listening to about 20 speakers, I cut my speech to the bare minimum.

The League’s priorities are: Equitable tax policy reform that provides adequate funding for State services including, review of all current tax exemption and repeal of those that do not serve a public purpose, collection of taxes on Internet sales, levying taxes on corporations earning money in the state but reporting income in other states. Measures to protect, extend and encourage voting including increasing early voting sites. Immigration - policies that ensure fair treatment under the law for all persons. Redistricting - Transparency in the process of drawing new legislative and congressional districts, utilizing the standards in the Florida constitution and moving up the calendar so challengers will have an opportunity to file before a deadline passes.

There were no questions and in less than the allotted three minutes, I was back in my seat. A feeling of relief swept over me.

Odds and ends … Looking forward to the discussion between former Rep. Patricia Schroeder, a League member, and feminist Gloria Steinem at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Rollins College ...2nd VP Sandra A. Powers and her membership committee team did a fantastic job of organizing the new-member party...Board members Sara Segal and Sara Isaac leading efforts to redesign the League’s website...best wishes to board member Lynda Van Scoyoc who will undergo hip-replacement surgery next month..Have layout skills and are willing to help produce The Voter? Contact me at abhellmuth@gmail.com.. Remember you can check out our facebook page - facebook.com/LWVOC - for daily updates on League news, events and breaking political stories....MARK NOV. 9 on your Calendars for the Hot Topics Luncheon. Philanthropist and financier Michael Poole has put together a program on Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! - where did they go? How do we get them back?

Hope to relaunch education committee

By Ann Hellmuth

Excited. May have found a chair for the education committee. Will keep you posted. I hate the fact that the LWVOC doesn't have an active education committee with so many challenges facing our school districts.

Orange County School Board Chair Bill Sublette told the Orange County legislative delegation that he realized they had a difficult job because of the economy but it was essential to maintain the current level of per student funding.

"The situation is very, very dire for public education," Sublette said.

Sublette said there was a need to put more accountability in place for charter schools.

Of 23 charter applicants, no more than half a dozen qualified to run a charter school...most "see a giant pot of public money to go after," said Sublette, adding that the districts ended up denying 95 percent of applicants.

League's priorities

Here are the League's prioritie issues for the upcoming legislative session. I will present them this afternoon to the Orange County legislative delegation, which is holding hearings at the county commission chambers from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thanks to Advocacy chair Caroline Emmons-Schramm for putting them together.

In terms of fiscal policy, we support:

• Equitable tax policy reform that provides adequate funding for State services including
  • Review of all current tax exemptions and repeal of those that do not serve a public purpose.
  • Collection of taxes on Internet Sales
  • Levying taxes on corporations earning money in the state but reporting the income in other states.

In the area of election law, we support:

• Measures to protect, extend and encourage voting.

In terms of immigration policy, we support:

• Immigration policies that ensure fair treatment under the law for all persons

In terms of redistricting, we support:

• Transparency in the process of drawing new legislative and congressional districts, utilizing the standards in the Florida constitution.

Thanks to all who made the evening a success

From Sandra A. Powers,

Membership Chair

Hello, Great Membership Committee Members and Other Special Participants,

 Before this wonderful, cool fall day slips away, I want to thank each of you for the wonderful evening we had last night.  Everyone brought their own spark and enthusiasm to the event and I am told that our guests truly had a good time. 

I want to thank Carol Davis and Barbara Siry for organizing the check in table.  You were both so welcoming of each person and they immediately found themselves in a friendly place.

 Sara Segal, your invitation was responsible for catching the eyes of anyone who received it.  Thanks so much for you support with the invitation and for being an inspiration to several of us "newbies" on the Communications Committee.  I know that we will benefit brom your input as we go along.

 Thanks to Sarah Goodwin for her suggestion of the prize drawings.  They injected some fun and kept the evening upbeat.  And, thanks for the wonderful flower arrangements.  What a pretty table as people gathered at the entry!  Mugs, pins, flowers...you put it all together.

 Andrea Kobrin, the food was fantastic.  As always, thank you for planning so well with our caterers, Cuisiniers; I saw LOTS of salmon being eaten!

 Anna Eskamani, thanks for your welcoming smile down in the lobby and guiding guests upstairs.  You are living proof that the League of Women Voters is welcome to all, and the younger a member is, the more opportunity she or he has to learn about making our communities  better places in which to live.  Thanks for your input as we go along with our committee work in spite of your school responsibilities.

 Rosemary DuRocher, where did you learn to be so inspirational a speaker?  I took the good advice of others when it was suggested that I contact you to address our new members. You now have permanent, honorary 'emerita" status on the Membership Committee.  Thanks so much for your gift of motivation.

 "Dean" Caroline Emmons-Schramm, speak on!  I know you could have walked us through the political history of Florida, the League and much more, but your words about advocacy  gave everyone a true sense of the concrete work and value of the League.  In addition to all the good times, it's members like you who guide us in the work that needs to be accomplished.

 Michele Levy, First Vice President, you spoke so eloquently about Local Government.  I suspect you will hear from some new members; the guidance you and Andrea Kabrin provide on this active committee make me glad I am a part of the League; I  know that Local Government is pivotal in learning about the workings of our Florida government.

 Barbara Knapp, thanks for keeping tally.  We had at least 44 people attend and we needed your records to do the welcoming. And, we missed you.

 Thank you, President, Ann Hellmuth, for your hard work and encouragement to all in the League. Your sense of humor goes a long way toward keeping a serious mission enjoyable.  This will be an exciting year for all of us and I am so glad that you are guiding us into the work that has to be done.  (aka: the fray)

 And, board members, thank you for attending.  I know that some board members were unable to join us, but life sometimes just gets in the way of the best plans. 

 Warm regards,

 

Sandra Powers

evieada@aol.com

 

 

 

 

New-member party a night to remember

By Ann Hellmuth

LWVOC President

Former LWVOC President Rosemary DuRocher (1978-79) certainly knows how to captivate an audience. You could have heard a pin drop Thursday night when Rosemary described how a phone call to the late Flo Neidig, whose energy, intellect and determination put the LWVOC on the map, changed her life.

It was the early '70s and Rosemary had just moved to Orlando with her husband and was looking for ways to use her time. She heard about the League and called Flo, was invited to attend a meeting, put to work on League issues and in no time elected president. From that phone call, Rosemary, told some 20 new members attending a get-together in Merrill Lynch's Winter Park office, life-long friendships were formed.

You are always apprehensive about staging events. Will people come? Will they have a good time? What will we talk about? But as LWVOC president, I can honestly say it was an evening to to remember. The new members were enthusiastic, offering help and ready to be engaged.

The event, which drew more than 50 members, spouses and friends, was organized by Vice President and Membership Chair Sandra A. Powers, who did a phenomenal job of adding the personal touch to the event, providing small gifts and organizing a new-member drawing for VOTE pins. Welcoming guests were Voter Services Chair Carol Davis and member Barbara Siry. Hot Topics Chair Andrea Kobrin organized the food and Advocate Chair Caroline Emmons-Schramm told new members how the League studies issues and adopts its program. Vice Predsident Michele Levy outlined the work of the local government committee. Member Sue Foreman took the photos, which will be posted on our facebook page.

 Roger Pickar, the former public relations director for New Jersey's Education Department, was among the new members who expressed an interest in possibly heading up an education committee. Former LWVOC President Christine Donovan (2001-2003) inquired about launching a environmental committee.

UCF student Anna Eskamani, a new member who has already helped organize events for the League, told how students at UCF were already trying out the new "Be Ready -  2012 Elections!" mobile phone app, launched Wednesday by the state League and Microsoft to provide a quick and easy way to update voter registrations or request an absentee ballot by using a Smartphone. 

Other new members attending included: Mary Balk, Virginia Aldridge, Debra Booth, Maria Desangles, Cheryl Force, Alice Gilmore, Robert Hook, Judith Kaplan, Kelly Lafferman, Fern Lefkowitz, Janet Line, Jane Lockett, Betty McClary, Ruth Patrick, Beverly Paulk, Celeste Sandangelo and Joe Saunders

The remark I loved was made by returning member Jean Yglesias, who was overheard telling past LWVOC president and now head of state Voter Services, Charley Williams: "I thought if I got involved my head would not explode."