IMPACT ON ISSUES IN NEW YORK STATE 2003-2005

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

- REGISTRATION PROCIDURES - 2
- VOTING QUALIFICATIONS - 3
- ABSENTEE VOTING - 4
- DIVISION FOR SERVICEMEN’S VOTING - 5
- THE PRIMARIES - 5
- UNIFORM ADMINISTRATION OF THE ELECTION LAW - 7
- SIMPLIFICATION OF ELECTION LAW - 8
- SCHOOL ELECTIONS - 8
- ELECTRONIC VOTING EQUIPMENT - 8
- PETITIONING PROCESS: BALLOT ACCESS - 9
- CAMPAIGN FINANCING - 10
- TERM LIMITS - 14 

- CITIZEN RIGHTS - 17
- INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES - 19
- PUBLIC POLICY ON REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES - 19
- GUN CONTROL - 22
- VOTING RIGHTS - 24
- APPORTIONMENT - 24
- LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES - 29
- ETHICS - 34
- CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION - 35
- FILLING OF VACANCIES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE - 38
- INDIRECT INITIATIVE - 38

- ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE - 39
- DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION - 44
- PERSONAL HEALTH DECISION-MAKING - 47
- FINANCING OF HEALTH CARE - 49 

- COURT SYSTEM - 53
- COALITION TO ADEQUATELY FUND THE JUDICIARY - 59
- JUDICIAL SELECTION - 59
- JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE - 64
- PRE-ARREST PROFILING - 67
- PRETRIAL PROCEDURES - 68
- GRAND JURY - 69
- LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE INDIGENT - 70
- CRIMINAL LEGAL SERVICES - 70
- CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES - 74
- ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION - 75
- ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION - 76
- TRIAL JURY - 82
- ACTION TAKEN UNDER LWVUS PRINCIPLE - 85 

- AIR QUALITY - 87
- ENERGY - 87
- WASTE MANAGEMENT - 88
- SUPERFUND - 89
- HAZARDOUS WASTE - 89
- WATER RESOURCES - 91
- LAND USE - 93
- URBAN SPRAWL - 96
- ERIE/BARGE CANAL - 98 

- INTEGRATION IN EDUCATION - 99
- QUALITY IN EDUCATION - 99
- EMPLOYMENT - 100
- CHILD CARE - 100
- EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY - 101
- MEETING BASIC HUMAN NEEDS - 102
- WELFARE REFORM - 102
- EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) - 103
- MEDICAID FUNDING OF ABORTIONS - 104
- FAIR HOUSING - 104

- FINANCING EDUCATION - 107
- PROPERTY TAX - 112
- PUBLIC AUTHORITIES -  114
- STATE BUDGET PROCESS - 115 

- WOMEN AND THE LAW - 123
- CHILD SUPPORT/CUSTODY - 124
- PAY EQUITY - 127
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-  129
- RATIFICATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT - 132

- LWV LAKE ERIE BASIN COMMITTEE (LEBC) - 133
- INTERBASIN TRANSFER OF WATER - 135

 

INTRODUCTION

LWVNYS Impact on Issues is a guide for League leaders on the LWVNYS public policy positions.  Every two years, local Leagues participate in the LWVNYS program planning process by reviewing existing positions and making recommendations for the future. Member agreement on issues (consensus or concurrence) follows in depth study and is developed into the formal positions presented in this publication.  These positions are the basis for action.  Action is also taken in support of the League Principles listed on the following page.

The format of this edition provides the positions in brief, the full position statements, and the background and action that have been taken.  Some sections have an “Action Taken under LWVUS Positions” section for LWVNYS action only.  This guide is meant to be used not only for LWVNYS positions but also as a companion book to the LWVUS Impact on Issues when deciding what action can be taken on an issue.

Leagues at the local and Inter-League Organization (ILO) level should use national and state League positions to take action in their own communities.  It is the responsibility of the local or ILO League board to determine whether member understanding and agreement exist; whether the specific action to be taken is clearly covered under the position(s); and whether the action makes sense in terms of timing, need and effectiveness.

If the local or ILO League wishes to initiate action at the state level using state League positions, it must first consult with the state League Issues Vice President.

We encourage local and regional Leagues to use League positions to influence public policy.  A visible action plan can help the League of Women Voters contribute to an “informed and active participation” by all the citizens of New York.

Over the years dedicated League members have made the publication of Impact On Issues In New York State possible.  Every two years Off-board Specialists, the League President, and the office staff have worked to update this document.  As Vice President of Issues, it was my responsibility to coordinate this update, and I wish to thank the following individuals for their efforts to make this update possible: Aimee Allaud, Lenore Banks, Barbara Bartoletti, Marian Bott, Ruth Cusak, Lois Haignere, and Taffy Tarbell and especially Stephanie Lopez in the office.

Sally Robinson
Vice President Issues

 

 

Principles

The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States.

The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.

The League of Women Voters believes that every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.

The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing, and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government.

The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems.

The League of Women Voters believes that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems and that development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.

Where Do the Principles Come From?

The Principles are “concepts of government” to which the League subscribes. They are a descendant of the Platform, which served from 1942 to 1956 as the national repository for “principles supported and positions taken by the League as a whole in fields of government to which it has given sustained attention.” Since then, the Principles have served two functions, according to the L WVUS Bylaws: 1) authorization for adoption of national, state and local program (Article XII), and 2) a basis for taking action at the national, state and local levels (Article XII).

The appropriate board authorizes action to implement the Principles once it determines that member understanding and agreement do exist and that action is appropriate. As with other action, when there are ramifications beyond a League’s own government jurisdiction, that League should consult other Leagues affected.

The national board suggests that any action on the Principles be taken in conjunction with current League positions to which they apply and on which member agreement and understanding are known to exist. The Principles are rather broad when standing alone, so it is necessary to exercise caution when considering using them as a basis for action. Furthermore, since 1974 most of the Principles have been an integral part of the national program, most notably in the criteria for evaluating government that appear at the end of the listing of public policy positions.

 

Impact on Issues, 2002-2004, p. 70, LWVUS