- LWVWV members - lists.bikelover.org

Fw: November 2024 Newsletter.pdf
by bmurrell＠frontier.com 21 Nov '24

21 Nov '24

Local League Presidents, State Board, League Friends: Attached is the November newsletter from the Huntington League of Women Voters. Enjoy! Beverly MurrellPatricia Keller

1 0

LWV Federal Judiciary Study Kickoff
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 17 Nov '24

17 Nov '24

League members, It is exciting to share that Judy Ball, President of the League of Women Voters of Morgantown-Monongalia County, is serving on the Federal Judiciary Study Committee! This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about and contribute to a League study from its earliest stages by joining the Federal Judiciary Study Kickoff! League studies like this are increasingly rare, often replaced by Consensus studies due to the historically lengthy process involved. However, this study is intentionally designed with a shortened time frame, aiming to establish a final position by June 2025. This makes it a unique chance to have your voice heard and to influence League work on this important topic. I encourage all members to participate in the webinar [1] on November 20 at 6 pm ET or register [1] to stay updated on the study materials and timeline. Engaging early ensures you're part of shaping this critical initiative, showcasing the power of the League in addressing pressing issues. Let's support Judy and the entire Committee in this significant effort! Best, Jonathan -------- Original Message -------- Join our webinar on Nov. 20 for an overview of our federal judiciary study ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser [2]. [3] Dear Jonathan, At the 2024 LWVUS Convention, Leagues overwhelmingly agreed to conduct a new national study on the Federal Judiciary. The study will be completed in a shortened time frame -- conducted in just one year, with the final position set to be announced at LWVUS Council in June 2025. I am happy to report that the work on this study has commenced. A Committee has been appointed and will be led by Kimberley Fraser (DC), LWVEF trustee. The Committee also includes Helen Hutchison (CA), Cecile Scoon (FL), Judy Ball (WV), Joan Hunault (MI), Susan Hart (TX), and Nan Shuker (DC). The Committee will provide members with an overview of the study timeline, scope, and materials during a webinar [4] on November 20, 2024, at 6pm ET. Please join us to hear more from the Committee chair and vice-chair and find out how you can be part of this LWVUS study. REGISTER NOW: FEDERAL JUDICIARY STUDY KICKOFF [5] Even if you cannot attend the webinar, registering will ensure you receive any materials shared. We look forward to continuing to work together to successfully execute this study. In League, Dianna Wynn President, League of Women Voters of the US [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC, 20036 Links: ------ [1] https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlc-GprjIuG9VfA9p7yWa5OTEr7Oz0Cz… [2] https://default.salsalabs.org/T61d058bf-f05b-4cab-9780-9ec894855f45/cf6ddd4… [3] https://default.salsalabs.org/T06d18689-9503-408a-bcf9-55ca9aec7926/cf6ddd4… [4] https://default.salsalabs.org/T21a4f4bf-9cec-4146-8877-2337ee31646d/cf6ddd4… [5] https://default.salsalabs.org/T82c27c73-330d-4a7d-a577-400460f9c3d5/cf6ddd4… [6] https://default.salsalabs.org/T83cbac91-6f24-4786-9d50-4d5bbfd6c365/cf6ddd4… [7] https://default.salsalabs.org/T0dc60a0d-ff3c-4dac-8c89-14189a12f058/cf6ddd4… [8] https://default.salsalabs.org/T53c88203-f8cf-41e4-9541-3fdc7734c616/cf6ddd4… [9] https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf1694fcc-d961-4dc1-a6c1-461f1b364dee/cf6ddd4… [10] https://default.salsalabs.org/Tc0f830d4-5376-4359-9992-51c5214d9b4f/cf6ddd4…

1 0

LWV of Morgantown-Monongalia County invite
by LWV Morgantown-Monongalia County 28 Oct '24

28 Oct '24

You are invited to subscribe to LWVMM’s new Substack. https://lwvmorgantown.substack.com/?r=4na4m6&utm_campaign=pub-share-checkli…

1 0

VOTE411 Update; Send Us Your GOTV Pics; Huntington Area Newsletter
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 27 Oct '24

27 Oct '24

*VOTE411 Update: 54 candidates and counting. Help us get more. * LWV of WV is excited to be participating in VOTE411 this year. *VOTE411.org* <http://VOTE411.org> is designed to be a “one-stop shop” for election information, providing voters with simple, accessible tools to help them navigate the voting process. VOTE411 provides personalized candidate information, early voting dates, polling place locations, and other helpful election information for all voters nationwide. Additionally, VOTE411 is designed to help voters understand where candidates stand on the issues they care about most. To make our guides, we asked local, state, and national candidates about issues of importance to our communities. Candidates’ responses are shared word for word. However, despite repeated outreach from the League and VOTE411, some candidates have not yet answered our questions. 2024 will be a pivotal election for our democracy, and voters deserve to hear directly from all candidates running for office in their communities. That’s where you come in. *Have your candidates answered our questions?* Enter your address at *VOTE411.org* <http://VOTE411.org> to find out. If not, click here <https://www.vote411.org/candidate-contact> to help get candidates to respond. Together we can hold candidates accountable for providing West Virginia voters with the information we need. *Informing & Empowering Voters: Send Us Your GOTV Pics * Please send a photo of you voting, registering folks to vote, promoting VOTE411 to lynwidmyer(a)gmail.com We love to see photos of our members doing what we do best: Informing and empowering voters with knowledge. We will do a collage and send it out to you on Election Day. Thanks for all you do! *Huntington Area Newsletter* ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bevery Murrell To: LWVWV Members State Board, Local League Presidents and League Friends: Attached is the Huntington League of Women Voter's October newsletter. Hope you enjoy! Beverly Murrell Patricia Keller

1 0

Fall VOTER 2024
by teresa.m.koon＠gmail.com 06 Oct '24

06 Oct '24

Hello – Attached is the Fall 2024 Voter. Read up on the latest news from the LWV of West Virginia. Teresa Koon Editor

1 0

Make Some Noise: Tell the Legislature to Support Child Care, not Tax Cuts
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 30 Sep '24

30 Sep '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] The Governor has called the WV Legislature into Special Session, beginning today, Sep 30. Among the Governor’s priorities are more tax cuts. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/.../2nd-Extraordinary... <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/2024/proclamations/2nd-Extraordinar…> Tax cuts affect revenue and the budget. Less revenue likely means cuts to vital services. The priority should be addressing child care not more tax cuts. *Contact your legislators now & Make Some Noise!*

1 0

Virtual Exhibit! Our Votes, Our Values
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

I thought I'd share two engaging virtual exhibits now available from the Art Museum of WVU that may pique your interest: * Our Votes, Our Values [1]: This powerful exhibit explores the history and impact of voting, a topic deeply aligned with the League's mission to empower voters and strengthen democracy. You can explore it online at your convenience. * Afterward, you might enjoy Mapping Climate Change: The Knitting Map and The Tempestry Project [2], which creatively visualizes the pressing global issue of climate change through art and textiles. Best regards, Jonathan Links: ------ [1] https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=BvFGGzqEDM4 [2] https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=aAV4Az1cpYh

1 0

Huntington Area League September Newsletter
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

From: Beverly Murrell To: LWVWV State Board, Local League Presidents and League Friends: Thank you for all your support to the Huntington League of Women Voters. We hope you enjoy our September newsletter. Beverly Murrell Patricia Keller

1 0

Fw: Let's Play Debate Bingo!
by Judy Ball 10 Sep '24

10 Sep '24

Get your bingo card here. - Judy Judy K. Ball, PhD, MPA she/her (pronouns)9 Palmetto Drive Morgantown, WV 26508 240.997.1222 (cell) BallJK(a)aol.com Begin forwarded message: On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 11:38 AM, Team LWV <lwv(a)lwv.org> wrote: @media screen and (max-width:40em){#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-small-12 {max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;}#yiv2153151616 #yiv2153151616sli-background {background-color:transparent !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-logo img {width:80% !important;min-width:200px !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-hide-for-small, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-hide-for-small-only {display:none !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-show-for-small-only {display:block !important;}#yiv2153151616 table.yiv2153151616sli-show-for-small-only, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-show-for-small-only table {display:table !important;width:100%;}#yiv2153151616 td.yiv2153151616sli-show-for-small-only, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-show-for-small-only td {display:table-cell !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small span, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small p {text-align:center !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-center-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-social-icons-list, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-center-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-social-icons-list {float:none !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small.yiv2153151616tiny .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small.yiv2153151616small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small.yiv2153151616large .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer {width:auto !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small.yiv2153151616expand .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer {width:100% !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-center-for-small img, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-center-for-small img {float:none !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;display:block;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small span, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small p {text-align:left !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-left-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-social-icons-list, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-left-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-social-icons-list {float:left !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small.yiv2153151616tiny .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small.yiv2153151616small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small.yiv2153151616large .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer {width:auto !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small.yiv2153151616expand .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer {width:100% !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-left-for-small img, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-left-for-small img {float:left !important;margin-left:0 !important;margin-right:auto !important;display:block;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small span, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small p, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-button td {text-align:right !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-right-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-social-icons-list, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-right-for-small .yiv2153151616sli-social-icons-list {float:right !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small.yiv2153151616tiny .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small.yiv2153151616small .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small.yiv2153151616large .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer {width:auto !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small.yiv2153151616expand .yiv2153151616sli-email-button-table-outer {width:100% !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-text-right-for-small img, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-align-right-for-small img {float:right !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:0 !important;display:block;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-full-width-for-small {max-width:100% !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:600px) {#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616dnd-header-logo {padding:20px 25px 0 25px !important;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616dnd-header-logo img {width:100% !important;max-width:296px !important;}}#yiv2153151616 #yiv2153151616sli {max-width:600px;margin:0px auto;background-color:rgb(254, 254, 254);padding:0em;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-element, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-element td, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-email-element, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-email-element td {font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51, 51, 51);}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-element a, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-email-element a, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-unsubscribe a {color:rgb(130, 2, 99);}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616button, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616email-button {background:rgb(130, 2, 99);color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-color:#222222;border-radius:8px;border-width:0px;border-style:none;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616sli-divider {background:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);min-height:1px;width:100%;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616outer {max-width:600px;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616three-column .yiv2153151616column {max-width:200px;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616two-column .yiv2153151616column {max-width:300px;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616webkit {max-width:600px;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616callout {background-color:rgb(238, 238, 216);border-color:#222222;border-radius:0px;border-width:0px;border-style:none;padding:1em;}#yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616callout, #yiv2153151616 .yiv2153151616callout-without-border-bg {color:#222222;}#yiv2153151616 img {max-width:100%;}#yiv2153151616 #yiv2153151616sli-background {background-color:rgb(239, 239, 239);}Your free bingo cards enclosed ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ | | | | | | Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser | | | | | | | | | | | | | DONATE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Judy, It's time to play Presidential Debate Bingo! Debates are crucial to democracy, as they allow us to hear directly from political candidates. Motivate your friends and family to tune in by turning it into a game! | | | | | Get Your Bingo Card | | | | | | | | | | | How quickly will the candidates mention important issues like "jobs" and "housing?" Who will make the first joke about the "mute button?" Will someone mention "brat" summer? Tune in and find out! Happy Bingo-ing! In League, | | | | | | | | Team LWV League of Women Voters of the US | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | League of Women Voters 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC, 20036 | | | | | | | | | Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences | | | | |

1 0

Webinar Invite from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
by LWV Morgantown-Monongalia County 04 Sep '24

04 Sep '24

Our friends from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Eastern Panhandle Alumnae Chapter are inviting us — LWV of WV — to attend their upcoming webinar. link to register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcvdOuorDsjHte8Mh1Opfwc8KW6EfgNm9bO Details:

1 0

Subject: August Newsletter
by bmurrell＠frontier.com 07 Aug '24

07 Aug '24

State Board, Local League Presidents and League Friends: Attached is the August newsletter from the Huntington League of Women Voters. We thank you for your support and hope you enjoy our newsletter. If you are available next Saturday, we would love to see you at our celebration of our 50 year members. Beverly MurrellPatricia Keller ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Patricia Keller <patriciakeller337(a)gmail.com>To: Beverly Murrell <bmurrell(a)frontier.com>Sent: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 06:34:18 PM EDTSubject: Resending newsletter Sent from my iPhone

1 0

LWVUS Statement on President Biden standing down from reelection
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 21 Jul '24

21 Jul '24

Dear LWVWV Members, We are writing to share the official statement from the League of Women Voters of the United State regarding President Biden's decision to withdrawal from presidential race. The statement was issued by LWVUS as a member National Task Force on Election Crises. You can read the full statement and more about candidate succesion here <https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/president-biden-withdraws-reele…> . LWVUS and LWVWV have also shared the statement on our social media channels. -- Julie Julie Archer President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094

1 0

May Newsletter
by bmurrell＠frontier.com 29 May '24

29 May '24

State Board, Local League Presidents and League Friends: Attached is the May newsletter from the Huntington League of Women Voters. Enjoy! Beverly MurrellPatricia Keller

1 0

Register Now: LWVWV State Council, May 18 @10AM
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 17 May '24

17 May '24

*A personal note from Lyn Widmyer:* *I joined the Board a year ago as 1st Vice President. It hasbeen such a wonderful experience and the energy from Board members has been trulyinspirational. We are increasing our influence at the state legislative level and at the LWVUSlevel. Please stay active and whenever you can, recruit new members to join us. We have great* *momentum now—let’s keep it up!!!!* Please join us at the 2024 State Council. *Register here <https://forms.gle/4AXJEZAtKzq44yae6>*. *LWVWV Council Meeting: Saturday, May 18, 10 AM* Join us as we highlight a fantastic year of activities and rekindle your enthusiasm for the LWV of WV! The detailed agenda is here <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-LId_5XzEw_Q8oYOQBApnM-c14uNh9B/edit?u…>. Please pay special attention to the morning session that starts at 10:30 am: Megan Brown from LWVUS will brief us on the VOTE411 program and how we can help promote that program for voter education and election information Judy Ball and Julie Archer will share lessons learned from the Make Some Noise program and the 2024 Legislative Scorecard. This was truly a team effort and many League members contributed their time and energy. Please share your suggestions on how to make the program even better! (Check out Judy's interview with WV Public Broadcasting here <https://wvpublic.org/w-va-league-of-women-voters-offers-2024-legislative-sc…>.) We will be discussing the need to form LWVWV positions on public education and local levies. Both these topics are important state concerns and we need to form more detailed LWVWV positions on them. BUT WAIT!! THERE’S MORE!!!!! After these topics, we will break at noon for a refreshment break. Stick around to hear BIG NEWS about the LWVUS convention which will be in June in Washington DC, Julie Archer, Lyn Widmyer and Judy Ball will be attending. The LWVWV will be on the agenda for two very important topics: our proposal for a small state caucus workshop has been accepted and we have co-sponsored a request for a resolution regarding Ethics In Government. We also want to hear from you about topics and issues we should share at the national convention. To finish up the Council session, we will hear portfolio and committee reports. The managers have been very busy and here is our chance to learn more about the LWVWV activities and concerns. WHEW—the LWVWV has been busy! In addition to approving the budget for the coming year and receiving input and guidance on our program work, we still need volunteers for Voter Service and Nominating Committee. Please consider helping! *We look forward to seeing you Saturday, May 18! Please register here: https://forms.gle/4AXJEZAtKzq44yae6 <https://forms.gle/4AXJEZAtKzq44yae6> *

1 2

League Updates: 2024 Legislative Scorecard; State Council May 18
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 27 Apr '24

27 Apr '24

*LWVWV Releases 2024 WV Legislative Scorecard * The League of Women Voters of West Virginia has published its Legislative Scorecard for the 2024 West Virginia legislative session. This scorecard compiles the votes of all senators and delegates on 26 bills that became law. These 26 laws are significant to the LWVWV because they directly relate to key LWVWV priorities <https://lwvwv.org/2024/01/04/lwvwv-2024-program-policy-priorities/> in four policy areas: strengthening democracy, safeguarding equal rights, protecting children and families, and creating a sustainable future. The LWVWV Legislative Scorecard for 2024 (and for 2023) is available in a searchable format at LWVWV.org. See press coverage here <https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/league-of-women-voters-releases-2024-wv-…> . *Reminder: LWVWV 2024 State Council May 18* A friendly reminder that our 2024 State Council, which will be held virtually on Saturday, May 18 at 10AM. An outline of the agenda and topics to be discussed is below. The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year can be found here <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wG5wL_54zMkTWgMDboqcIm1ADkEvqW3-/view?usp=…>. The registration link will be forthcoming. *Who is eligible to attend council? *Delegates are state board members, local League presidents, MAL-Unit chair, and other League delegates. Visitors are all other League members in attendance. The state bylaws provide for the following number of local League delegates at council: the president (or alternate) plus two delegates from each local League. MAL Units are entitled to one delegate at council. *LWVWV COUNCIL May 18, 2024 AGENDA:* *10:00 am Call to Order/Agenda Changes/Additions* - Roll Call of Local Leagues - Discussion & Passage of the Budget for 2024-2025 *10:30 am Presentations/Discussion* - Review at 2024 Legislative Session and what comes next (Judy/Julie) - LWV Vote 411 program (guest speaker from national - Status of Voter Service chair for LWVWV - Need to Develop LWVWV Positions on All Levels of Public Education; Local Levies *12:00 pm Break* *12:15 pm National Convention* - Update on Ethics in Government Resolution to LWVUS (co-signed by WVLWV Board) - LWVWV request for Small State League caucus workshop has been accepted! - Direction from membership to delegates attending national convention *12:45 Unfinished Business* - Status of Nominating Committee - Portfolio & Committee Reports *2:00 ADJOURN* *Spice It Up and Support the League of Women Voters* LWVWV member Conni Gratop Lewis flagged this special offer from Penzey's Spices. For a limited time their Popcorn Gift Box is only $10.00. $5 from every sale will be donated to The League of Women Voters. Details here <https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/it%27s-popcorn-time-gift-box/c-24/p-…>. (Limit 5 Boxes. Offer ends Sunday, April 28.)

1 0

Call to Council: Mark Your Calendars for May 18
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 07 Apr '24

07 Apr '24

Dear LWVWV Members, This is the official call to our *2024 State Council*, which will be held virtually on *Saturday, May 18* at *10AM*. The agenda and registration link will be forthcoming. The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year is attached. The agenda and registration link will be forthcoming. Who is eligible to attend council? Delegates are state board members, local League presidents, MAL-Unit chair, and other League delegates. Visitors are all other League members in attendance. The state bylaws provide for the following number of local League delegates at council: the president (or alternate) plus two delegates from each local League. MAL Units are entitled to one delegate at council. Please mark your calendars. We look forward to seeing you on May 18. In League, Julie Archer President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094

1 0

LWVWV VOTER Newsletter Spring 2024
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 02 Apr '24

02 Apr '24

Hello! Attached is the spring League of Women Voters of West Virginia VOTER where you can learn about our activities during the 2024 Legislative Session and other LWVWV updates. A hard copy will also be sent to those on the distribution list. In League, Teresa Koon VOTER Editor

1 0

April LWV of Huntington Newsletter
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 28 Mar '24

28 Mar '24

From: Beverly Murrell To: LWVWV Members State Board, Local Board and League Friends: Attached is the Huntington League of Women Voter's newsletter. Enjoy! Beverly Murrell Patricia Keller

1 0

Make Some Noise: Tell the Governor to Veto SB 841 and HB 5105
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 13 Mar '24

13 Mar '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] The WV Legislature has adjourned but the Governor can still veto two bills we strongly oppose. *SB 841* weakens unemployment insurance benefits despite more than 1,500 workers receiving layoff notices in recent weeks. Cutting unemployment benefits harms our state’s economy and harms families. *HB 5105 *would roll back the state’s school vaccination requirements. It would allow students attending virtual classes to be exempted from vaccine requirements. It would also allow would allow the state’s 143 private or parochial schools to develop their own rules for vaccines. Medical professionals, concerned that such exemptions may lead to an increases in such diseases as measles and polio, have urged the Governor to veto HB 5105 The LWVWV strongly supports protecting children and families. Please call Governor Justice at 304-558-2000 or email him at governor(a)wv.gov. Tell him to veto *SB 841* and *HB 5105*.

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE! Oppose SB 601 and SB 614
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 07 Mar '24

07 Mar '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *The 60-day Legislative session is about to end but the House will vote on two bills tomorrow (Friday) that need your attention!! Please OPPOSE:* *SB 601 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=601&year=…>* is named the WV Women’s Bill of Rights, but it has nothing to do with strengthening the rights of women in areas like education, employment, or reproductive health. Instead, it takes away rights. SB 601 would limit the definition of sex to sex assigned at birth (only two options) and eliminate recognition of gender identity that differs from sex assigned at birth. Passed by Senate Feb 28. *SB 614 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=614&year=…> *authorizes teachers to remove and/or suspend elementary school children for certain behaviors and permits involvement of law enforcement. LWVWV supports evidence-based counseling and intervention for students with behavior problems, but many school districts in WV cannot provide these supports. SB 614 does not include any funding for school districts to provide behavioral support. Instead, it allows the removal and suspension of children at the teachers' discretion. Passed by Senate Feb 12. *MAKE SOME NOISE *and contact your Delegates and urge them to oppose SB 601 and SB 614.

1 0

Make Some Noise: OPPOSE SB 352 and SB 841 as they reach House floor for vote
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 06 Mar '24

06 Mar '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] S*B 352* <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=352&year=…> modifies the West Virginia abortion ban. Prior to a legal, medically necessary abortion, this bill mandates specific elements of informed consent, including information about medical risks and alternative care options. Physicians have expressed concern that this bill will introduce scientifically inaccurate information into the informed consent process. *SB 841 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=841&year=…> *changes the structure of unemployment benefits in the state. It reduces the duration for unemployment benefits at the same time when two major employers in West Virginia with hundreds of employees are shutting down. *Both bills have passed the Senate, so please contact your member of the House Delegates <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house/> to vote NO on SB 352 and SB 841.*

1 0

OPPOSE HB 5159 - Weakens Child Labor Laws
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *HB 5159 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=5159&year…> passed the House on Feb 20 and is on Senate Workforce Committee <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/committees/senate/SenateCommittee.cfm?Chart=wf> agenda today. It will likely go to Senate Judiciary <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/> after that.* *Contact your Senators and tell them to OPPOSE this bill, OPPOSE weakening of child labor laws in West Virginia.* HB 5159 would permit *a child age 14 or 15 years* to be employed or allowed to work and removes many current safeguards to ensure children are and remain in school. It also weakens parental consent requirements. A 14-year-old is likely entering 9th grade, a critical starting point toward high school graduation. Poor school attendance and low educational attainment are problems in our state. This bill would take us in the wrong direction and tend to trap more West Virginians in low-wage jobs. Children who would be employed at such young ages are more likely to come from lower income families and may already be at risk of not finishing their education. Finally, putting 14- and 15-year-olds into the workforce is NOT the means to fix our states low labor force participation rate.

1 0

OPPOSE HB 5297 in House -- ACT NOW
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 27 Feb '24

27 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *OPPOSE HB 5297 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=5297&year…> removing gender-affirming care for minors. Set for House vote Wednesday.* HB 5297 is an all-out ban on medically-necessary gender-affirming care for minors. HB 5297 would remove the ability of doctors to prescribe medications for minors at risk of harming or killing themselves as they struggle with gender identity. Such medical intervention is permitted now but would be eliminated by HB 5297. The Legislature tried to enact a similar ban during the 2023 session but, fortunately, did not succeed. HB 5297 would *eliminate* the compromise language passed last year. *MAKE SOME NOISE by contacting your Delegate <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house/> and urging a NO vote on HB 5297.*

1 0

STOP SB 601 - fake Women's Bill of Rights
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 26 Feb '24

26 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *OPPOSE the fake Women's Bill of Rights!* SB 601 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=601&year=…> is on the Senate Judiciary Committee agenda this afternoon at 3:00 pm. This may be our last best hope of stopping this bill from becoming law. The companion bill HB 5243 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5243&year…> has already passed the House. Contact Senate Judiciary Members <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/> and tell them West Virginia wants a real Bill of Rights for Women. SB 601 is not that.

1 0

SUPPORT SB 496 - TODAY
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 22 Feb '24

22 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] SUPPORT SB 496 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=496&year=…>, the CROWN Act, on Senate Judiciary agenda this afternoon. We already asked you to SUPPORT SB 495 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=495&year=…>. The two bills are similar, different sponsors. Contact Senate Judiciary Members <https://wvecouncil.org/wv.../senate-judiciary-committee/>.

1 0

Special February Edition of Huntington LWV Newsletter
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 20 Feb '24

20 Feb '24

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Beverly Murrell To: Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:21:16 +0000 (UTC) Subject: Special February Edition of Huntington Newsletter State Board, Local League Presidents and League Friends: Attached is a special edition of the Huntington League of Women Voter's February newsletter. We hope you enjoy it and will be able to help us celebrate this great event. Sincerely, Beverly Murrell Patricia Keller

1 0

SUPPORT Medicaid in WV
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *SUPPORT Medicaid* for vulnerable West Virginians! Some facts about Medicaid: - In 1965, Medicaid was enacted to be the Federal-state funded health insurance program for certain low-income people. - Because of income levels in WV, hundreds of thousands of our citizens depend on Medicaid for their healthcare. - Medicaid is a bargain for WV -- the Federal government matches *with multiple dollars* every state dollar that goes into Medicaid. - If you aren't eligible for Medicaid, you benefit too, because Medicaid helps healthcare providers in WV stay in business. Now, Medicaid is projected to have a $114 million funding gap. Flat budgets, touted by the Governor and others, don't adapt to rising costs. Some of the ideas being floated in the Legislature to fill the gap will reduce access to health care for Medicaid beneficiaries -- children, families, the elderly -- and will reduce the Federal match. Contact the Senate Finance Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-finance-committee/> (Chair Sen. Eric Tarr <eric.tarr(a)wvsenate.gov>) and the House Finance Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/wv-house-finance-committee/> (Chair Del. Vernon Criss <vernon.criss(a)wvhouse.gov>). Tell them to SUPPORT Medicaid and its beneficiaries -- children, families, the elderly -- and reject proposed cuts to this vital program.

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE to Safeguard Equal Rights & Reject Discrimination
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 18 Feb '24

18 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *SUPPORT two bills to Safeguard Equal Rights for West Virginians.* *SB 495 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=495&year=…>* would prohibit racial discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles. *SB 744* <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=744&year=…> would prohibit civil rights violations based on disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. *Another bill passed by the House of Delegates is in direct conflict with SB 744.* On Feb. 14, the House passed *HB 5243 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=5243&year…>*, the fake “Women’s Bill of Rights.” HB 5243 does nothing to protect or enhance the rights of women, but would discriminate against transgender people. All three bills are pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/>. *Tell committee members to protect the rights of West Virginians by passing SB 495 & SB 744, and rejecting HB 5243.* *Time is of the essence*. The legislative session is more than halfway finished and bills we want to see pass are due are out of committees in their house of origin by Feb. 25. *Important note:* Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Trump is the lead sponsor of SB 495 and SB 744. Senators Mike Caputo and Mike Woelfel are co-sponsors of SB 495.

1 0

Fwd: Legislative Update - Childcare
by suzi brodof 15 Feb '24

15 Feb '24

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: The WV Women's Alliance <mail(a)networkforgood.com> Date: Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 10:10 AM Subject: Legislative Update - Childcare To: <suzibrodof(a)gmail.com> [image: Image] Yesterday, parents and child care providers from across the state traveled to the State Capitol for Child Care Day at the Legislature. We are asking for lawmakers to vote yes on HB4797 and help solve the child care crisis in West Virginia. *Unaffordable for Families* Right now, the cost of child care is out of reach for many of our state’s families as they are spending more on childcare than the cost of in-state tuition at Marshall University or West Virginia University. As a result, one parent often makes the difficult choice to set aside their career and care for their children, straining household finances. *Hard to Access* Even if a family can afford child care, much of our state is a child care desert. Many corners of the state have no child care providers, while others have limited availability and long waiting lists. Statewide, nearly 26,000 West Virginian children are unable to access child care. <http://em.networkforgood.com/ls/click?upn=VAGGw4zHikj3d-2F5242H3Zi4jErjsMKa…> *Providers Cannot Make Ends Meet* Right now, child care centers are paid for families who receive child care assistance based on attendance - i.e. only when and if a child shows up for care. This can make for an unstable budget. Meaning it could hurt their business. And if it happens enough, they can be forced to close. And that’s exactly what’s happening. TODAY the House Health and Human Resources Committee will consider HB 4797 that changes reimbursement from attendance to enrollment basis. *Tell your legislators that WV families need child care. Tell them to Vote YES on HB 4797.* Tell your legislator to vote YES on HB 4797! <http://em.networkforgood.com/ls/click?upn=VAGGw4zHikj3d-2F5242H3ZlrxsCz1FaO…> Donate Here! <http://em.networkforgood.com/ls/click?upn=VAGGw4zHikj3d-2F5242H3Zh166BaRd7N…> WV Womens Alliance Inc PO Box 11522 Charleston, WV 25339 Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser <http://em.networkforgood.com/ls/click?upn=VAGGw4zHikj3d-2F5242H3ZjuH-2BolzA…> Unsubscribe <http://em.networkforgood.com/ls/click?upn=VAGGw4zHikj3d-2F5242H3ZjuH-2BolzA…> [image: Facebook] <http://em.networkforgood.com/ls/click?upn=VAGGw4zHikj3d-2F5242H3Zt3VNsJdH1j…> [image: Instagram] <http://em.networkforgood.com/ls/click?upn=VAGGw4zHikj3d-2F5242H3ZqLi6nHLtvw…> [image: TikTok] <http://em.networkforgood.com/ls/click?upn=VAGGw4zHikj3d-2F5242H3ZrtXkd1GzM9…>

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE - SUPPORT SB 630
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 15 Feb '24

15 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *LWVWV SUPPORTS SB 630 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=630&year=…>, a bill to protect election officials, including poll workers.* *On Senate Judiciary Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/> agenda, **3 p.m., Thursday, Feb 15**.* This bill defines protections for election officials and election workers, including poll workers, while performing their duties and clarifies the conditions and circumstances of such protections.

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE - OPPOSE SB 593
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 15 Feb '24

15 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *OPPOSE SB 593 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=593&year=…>, a bill to prohibit Ranked Choice Voting.* *On Senate Government Organization Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/wv-senate-government-organization-com…> agenda, **10 a.m., Thursday, Feb 15**.* This bill would prohibit ranked choice voting (RCV) in any West Virginia election. RCV is used successfully in a number of other states and localities. A prohibition runs counter to the position taken by LWVWV in 2021: *LWVWV position on Ranked Choice Voting:* LWVWV supports legislation that assures that the candidate preferred by the majority of voters will be the winner of the election. The League supports Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), initially to elect West Virginia Supreme Court Justices, with consideration to expand RCV for future elections.

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE -- OPPOSE HB 5243, FAKE Women's Bill of Rights
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 14 Feb '24

14 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] Let's MAKE SOME NOISE, League members! HB 5243 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=5243&year…> has passed the House 87-12. It now heads to the Senate. Don't give up. Make your Senators <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate/> know how bad this bill is for West Virginians. *Other harmful bills cruising through the Legislature*: SB 515 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=515&year=…> approved by Senate Education Committee to force schools to out transgender students. Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/>. HB 4233 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=4233&year…> would ban non-binary from birth certificates. Passed the House 93-5; now headed to the Senate Health & Human Resources Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/wv-senate-health-and-human-resources/> .

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE - OPPOSE SB 352 on Abortion
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 09 Feb '24

09 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] Let's Make Some Noise on this addition to the Abortion Ban! OPPOSE SB 352 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=352&year=…> . Contact your senators: WV Senate <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate/> The WV Legislature passed a near-total abortion ban in 2022. Now they want to make it worse! SB 352 requires health professionals to deceive their patients by sharing medically inaccurate claims and pushing discredited protocols that could harm patients. This bill is on first reading on the Senate floor. It would: - Creates special requirements for consent for abortion that do not improve counseling or even provide accurate information - Requires providers to lie to patients and push possibly harmful claims about medication abortion. - Push the deceptive and incendiary idea of “born alive” to try to make people support obstacles to abortion – and to perpetuate lies about how abortion is provided. For more information from WV Free <https://secure.everyaction.com/WoYHfIk9BEyq5PlBF1C77A2>.

1 0

LETS MAKE SOME NOISE to Protect Election Workers
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 09 Feb '24

09 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *Let’s Make Some Noise and SUPPORT SB 630 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=630&year=…> and HB 5362 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=5362&year…> to protect election workers!* These bills define protections for election officials and election workers, including poll workers, while performing their duties and clarifies the conditions and circumstances of such protections. HB 5362 goes a step further by prohibiting doxxing of election workers Referred to Judiciary Committees of both Senate and House: Senate Judiciary Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate-judiciary-committee/>, Contact Phone: 304-357-7880 House Judiciary Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house-judiciary-committee/>, Contact Phone: 304-340-3252

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE to Protect Children & Families in WV
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 09 Feb '24

09 Feb '24

[image: lwv msn logo.png] *Let’s Make Some Noise to Protect Children & Families in WV!* Contact your senators: Full WV Senate <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate/> *OPPOSE SB 562 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=562&year=…>, which would expand employment & training requirements for SNAP benefit eligibility. * This would require a new bureaucracy, which is costly, to keep hungry people from getting minimal food benefits. The cost-benefit ratio is not in anyone’s interest. Presently in Senate Workforce Committee <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/committees/senate/SenateCommittee.cfm?Chart=wf> , Committee Contact Phone: 304-357-7920. *OPPOSE SB 614 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=614&year=…>, which is ostensibly to address elementary behavior intervention and safety, as determined K-6 teachers. * Behavioral interventions require funding and expertise that many WV school districts do not have. There is nothing in the bill about ongoing behavioral therapy or how to pay for it. Students would be removed from classrooms and, possibly, their schools, losing equal access to education. Evidence shows that such interventions often target our most vulnerable children — children of color, children from families navigating poverty, children who have experienced trauma. They deserve better. This bill is on third reading in the Senate, which is the final step before passage.

1 0

Correction: MAKE SOME NOISE to Protect Transgender Rights
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 05 Feb '24

05 Feb '24

*CORRECTION:* Our earlier version of this alert included the wrong bill number for the erroneously named the “Women’s Bill of Rights.” The correct bill number is HB 5243 *NOT* HB 4253. It has been corrected below. Unfortunately, the bill has advanced to the full House. *Please Make Some Noise with your delegate <https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/> and urge them to oppose the bill. * ---------- Forwarded message --------- Date: Mon, Feb 5, 2024 at 5:18 PM Subject: [LWVWV] MAKE SOME NOISE to Protect Transgender Rights Two bills right now require your attention! Let’s MAKE SOME NOISE to Protect Transgender Rights! *Oppose SB 515 and HB 5243.* [image: lwv msn logo.png] School is often the only safe space for transgender students. We oppose *SB 515* because it would jeopardize that safety. SB 515 requires teachers to report to school administrators any time a student requests to be called a new name or to use different pronouns in class. School administrators are then required to notify the students’ parents or guardians. Let members of the Senate Education Committee know you oppose SB 515. Protect the rights of transgender students in West Virginia! *Senate Education* Name District Email Phone Azinger, Mike 03 - R mike.azinger(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7970 Boley, Donna J. 03 - R donna.boley(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7905 Chapman, Laura Wakim 01 - R laura.chapman(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7918 Clements, Charles H. 02 - R charles.clements(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7827 Deeds, Vince 10 - R vince.deeds(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7959 Grady, Amy 04 - R amy.grady(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7855 Maynard, Mark R. 06 - R mark.maynard(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7808 Oliverio, Mike 13 - R mike.oliverio(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7919 Plymale, Robert H. 05 - D robert.plymale(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7937 Roberts, Rollan A. 09 - R rollan.roberts(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7831 Stover, David 09 - R david.stover(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7807 Taylor, Jay 14 - R jay.taylor(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7914 Trump IV, Charles S. 15 - R charles.trump(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7880 *HB 5243* is erroneously named the “Women’s Bill of Rights.” The bill does nothing to protect or enhance the rights of women but would discriminate against transgender people, for example, by banning them using restrooms that align with their gender identity in government buildings. Let the members of the House Judiciary Committee know you oppose HB 5243. The list of members, their emails and phone numbers may be found here: https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house-judiciary-committee/ .*Update on SB 468, the Meet Baby Olivia Bill* We sent you a Make Some Noise message on this very troubling bill requiring 8th graders to watch a fetal development video produced by an anti-abortion group that has been discredited for their misleading and misrepresentative videos. We will keep you informed of SB 468’s progress as it moves through the legislature. *Revised link for text of HJR 27* The link we provided in an earlier Make Some Noise notice does not work. Here is another link to HJR 27, a proposal to amend the state constitution to guarantee reproductive rights for WV citizens. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hjr27%20in… <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hjr27%20in…>

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE to Protect Transgender Rights
by Lyn Widmyer 05 Feb '24

05 Feb '24

Two bills right now require your attention! Let’s MAKE SOME NOISE to Protect Transgender Rights! *Oppose SB 515 and HB 4253.* [image: lwv msn logo.png] School is often the only safe space for transgender students. We oppose *SB 515* because it would jeopardize that safety. SB 515 requires teachers to report to school administrators any time a student requests to be called a new name or to use different pronouns in class. School administrators are then required to notify the students’ parents or guardians. Let members of the Senate Education Committee know you oppose SB 515. Protect the rights of transgender students in West Virginia! *Senate Education* Name District Email Phone Azinger, Mike 03 - R mike.azinger(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7970 Boley, Donna J. 03 - R donna.boley(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7905 Chapman, Laura Wakim 01 - R laura.chapman(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7918 Clements, Charles H. 02 - R charles.clements(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7827 Deeds, Vince 10 - R vince.deeds(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7959 Grady, Amy 04 - R amy.grady(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7855 Maynard, Mark R. 06 - R mark.maynard(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7808 Oliverio, Mike 13 - R mike.oliverio(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7919 Plymale, Robert H. 05 - D robert.plymale(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7937 Roberts, Rollan A. 09 - R rollan.roberts(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7831 Stover, David 09 - R david.stover(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7807 Taylor, Jay 14 - R jay.taylor(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7914 Trump IV, Charles S. 15 - R charles.trump(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7880 *HB 4253* is erroneously named the “Women’s Bill of Rights.” The bill does nothing to protect or enhance the rights of women but would discriminate against transgender people, for example, by banning them using restrooms that align with their gender identity in government buildings. Let the members of the House Judiciary Committee know you oppose HB 4253. The list of members, their emails and phone numbers may be found here: https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house-judiciary-committee/ .*Update on SB 468, the Meet Baby Olivia Bill* We sent you a Make Some Noise message on this very troubling bill requiring 8th graders to watch a fetal development video produced by an anti-abortion group that has been discredited for their misleading and misrepresentative videos. We will keep you informed of SB 468’s progress as it moves through the legislature. *Revised link for text of HJR 27* The link we provided in an earlier Make Some Noise notice does not work. Here is another link to HJR 27, a proposal to amend the state constitution to guarantee reproductive rights for WV citizens. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hjr27%20in… <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hjr27%20in…> -- Lyn Widmyer, Vice President, LWVWV 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE! Support Constitutional Amendment on Reproductive Rights
by Lyn Widmyer 03 Feb '24

03 Feb '24

A new amendment to the WV Constitution has been proposed to guarantee reproductive rights for WV citizens. The proposed amendment as outlined in HJR (House Joint Resolution) 27 would eliminate the most onerous parts of WV’s near-total abortion ban while still having some limits on reproductive health care. The LWVWV SUPPORTS this compromise and urges our members to *Make Some Noise*! Tell your Legislators, “Put this issue on the ballot and let the people decide.” [image: lwv msn logo.png] The first step in the process toward a constitutional amendment is consideration of HJR 27 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/resolution_history.cfm?year=2024&…> by the House Committee on Health and Human Resources. *MAKE SOME NOISE* and call or email to ask that HJR 27 be placed on the agenda of the House Committee on Health and Human Resources! To get to the ballot, HJR 27 needs to achieve a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate. But first it must be considered by the House Committee on Health and Human Resources. The contact information for the chairs and vice chairs is included below as well as a link to the full committee. *Full committee: **WV House Health and Human Resources* <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/wv-house-health-and-human-resources/> *Del. Amy Summers, Chair* *HOD District 73* *amy.summers(a)wvhouse.gov* <amy.summers(a)wvhouse.gov> *(304) 340-3269* *Del. Heather Tully, Vice-Chair* *HOD District 49* *heather.tully(a)wvhouse.gov* <heather.tully(a)wvhouse.gov> *(304) 340-3269* *Del. Mike Pushkin, Minority Chair* *HOD District 54* *mike.pushkin(a)wvhouse.gov* <mike.pushkin(a)wvhouse.gov> *(304) 340-3106* *Del. Ric Griffith, Minority Vice-Chair* *HOD District 27* *ric.griffith(a)wvhouse.gov* <ric.griffith(a)wvhouse.gov> *(304) 340-3355* -- Lyn Widmyer, Vice President, LWVWV 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201 -- Lyn Widmyer 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201 web page: lynwidmyer.net

1 0

[LWVWV} MAKE SOME NOISE! Solar energy Support HB 4834, Oppose HB 5131
by Lyn Widmyer 31 Jan '24

31 Jan '24

Here are two bills addressing solar energy that deserve our attention. The LWVWV legislative priority is to Create a Sustainable Future by supporting legislation that provides opportunities for West Virginians to access a diverse energy grid. HB 4834 is consistent with this priority; HB 5131 is not. MAKE SOME NOISE and contact members of the House Energy Committee to support HB 4834 and to oppose HB 5131 [image: 0badbe91-e769-4e11-af5c-c1638faaab90.png] *HB 4834 * Broadens availability of solar energy production to small consumers with inadequate roof space or excessive shade, and provides a utility bill credit for a subscriber's proportionate share. *HB 5131 *This bill changes the formula for crediting a consumer's electric bill for solar energy generated by the consumer's solar panels, thereby reducing the amount of the credit. *House Energy and Manufacturing <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house-energy-committee/>* Name District Email Phone Anderson, William 010 - R bill.anderson(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3101 Barnhart, Trenton 009 - R trenton.barnhart(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3195 Bridges, Jordan 033 - R jordan.bridges(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3297 Clark, Thomas C. 048 - R thomas.clark(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3916 Coop-Gonzalez, Elias 067 - R elias.coop-gonzalez(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3145 Cooper, Roy 040 - R roy.cooper(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3119 Crouse, Kathie Hess 019 - R kathie.crouse(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3118 DeVault, Mike 074 - R mike.devault(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3249 Dillon, Henry 029 - R henry.dillon(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3155 Fehrenbacher, Bob 011 - R bob.fehrenbacher(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3137 Foggin, Dave 014 - R dave.foggin(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3136 Hansen, Evan 079 - D evan.hansen(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3125 Heckert, Scot 013 - R scot.heckert(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3394 Holstein, Josh 032 - R josh.holstein(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3184 Horst, Chuck 095 - R charles.horst(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3148 Hott, John Paul 085 - R johnpaul.hott(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3399 Rowe, Larry L. 052 - D larry.rowe(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3287 Sheedy, Charles 007 - R charles.sheedy(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3111 Stephens, Jeffrey 006 - R jeffrey.stephens(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3151 Street, George 083 - R george.street(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3160 Vance, Adam 035 - R adam.vance(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3163 Warner, Debbie 082 - R debbie.warner(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3127 Westfall, Steve 016 - R steve.westfall(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3140 Worrell, Evan 023 - R evan.worrell(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3175 Young, Kayla 056 - D kayla.young(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3362 Zatezalo, Mark 002 - R mark.zatezalo(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3101

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE to Keep Anti-Abortion Propaganda Out of WV Schools
by Lyn Widmyer 28 Jan '24

28 Jan '24

Call, text, write or e-mail your Senator now and OPPOSE SB 468! SB 468 would require “human biology related to pregnancy and human development inside the womb” be added to school course curriculum. It [image: 000e166c-b53c-41a5-8e8b-5b44a3d0c8da.png] mandates that a specific video entitled “Meet Baby Olivia” ostensibly showing growth and development of a fetus as well as a high-definition ultrasound video showing early fetal development must be shown. The “Meet Baby Olivia” video is a product of Live Action, a notorious anti-abortion group. As noted in a Dominion Post editorial, “the purpose of this video is not to educate but to indoctrinate” and is full of inaccurate and misleading content. SB 468 conflicts with the LWVWV policy to Safeguard Equal Rights and protect reproductive freedom. SB 468 is a thinly disguised attack on that freedom by adding anti-abortion propaganda into West Virginia school curriculum. Click here <https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/> to find your Senators using your address or location, or use this fast action link <https://secure.everyaction.com/Bq6bsAVZ9UaPtPOURM1hdA2> provided by WV FREE to email your Senators now. WV Senate <https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/> Name District Email Phone Azinger, Mike 03 - R mike.azinger(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7970 Barrett, Jason 16 - R jason.barrett(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7933 Blair, Craig P. 15 - R craig.blair(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7801 Boley, Donna J. 03 - R donna.boley(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7905 Caputo, Mike 13 - D mike.caputo(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7961 Chapman, Laura Wakim 01 - R laura.chapman(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7918 Clements, Charles H. 02 - R charles.clements(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7827 Deeds, Vince 10 - R vince.deeds(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7959 Grady, Amy 04 - R amy.grady(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7855 Hamilton, Bill 11 - R bill.hamilton(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7906 Hunt, Mark 08 - R mark.hunt(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7841 Jeffries, Glenn 08 - R glenn.jeffries(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7866 Karnes, Robert 11 - R robert.karnes(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7973 Maroney, Mike 02 - R mike.maroney(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7902 Martin, Patrick 12 - R patrick.martin(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7845 Maynard, Mark R. 06 - R mark.maynard(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7808 Nelson, Eric 17 - R eric.nelson(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7854 Oliverio, Mike 13 - R mike.oliverio(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7919 Phillips, Rupie 07 - R rupie.phillips(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7857 Plymale, Robert H. 05 - D robert.plymale(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7937 Queen, Ben 12 - R ben.queen(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7904 Roberts, Rollan A. 09 - R rollan.roberts(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7831 Rucker, Patricia 16 - R patricia.rucker(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7957 Smith, Randy 14 - R randy.smith(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7995 Stover, David 09 - R david.stover(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7807 Stuart, Mike 07 - R mike.stuart(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7939 Swope, Chandler 06 - R chandler.swope(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7843 Takubo, Tom 17 - R tom.takubo(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7990 Tarr, Eric 04 - R eric.tarr(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7901 Taylor, Jay 14 - R jay.taylor(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7914 Trump IV, Charles S. 15 - R charles.trump(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7880 Weld, Ryan 01 - R ryan.weld(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7984 Woelfel, Mike 05 - D mike.woelfel(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7956 Woodrum, Jack 10 - R jack.woodrum(a)wvsenate.gov (304) 357-7849 -- Lyn Widmyer, Vice President, LWVWV 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201

1 0

HB 4806 MAKE SOME NOISE!
by Lyn Widmyer 25 Jan '24

25 Jan '24

[image: image.png] HB 4806 would mandate use of bathrooms and changing areas in schools to be based on “gender assigned at birth.” This bill conflicts with LWV WV policies to safeguard equal rights regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. LWVWV calls HB 4806 legislative bullying. Transgender students already have enough to deal with in their schools. The Legislature shouldn’t be adding to their struggles. The bill defines “reasonable accommodation” as “access to a single-occupancy restroom or changing area.” We call that segregation. In a statement, Isabella Cortez, gender policy manager for the civil rights organization Fairness West Virginia, called the bill a “brazen attempt by our lawmakers to ignore a binding court ruling from the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.” (WV Watch, Jan 25, 2024). HB 4806 has passed the House Education Committee and is en route to the Judiciary Committee. MAKE SOME NOISE!!!! Contact Judiciary members (contact information below) and tell them to comply with the 4th Circuit ruling, even if they’re not concerned with harming transgender students. *House Judiciary Committee Members* <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house-judiciary-committee/> *Name* *District* *Email* *Phone* Akers II, James Robert 055 - R jb.akers(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3340 Fast, Tom 051 - R tom.fast(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3252 Fluharty, Shawn 005 - D shawn.fluharty(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3270 Foster, Geoff 020 - R geoff.foster(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3121 Garcia, Joey 076 - D joey.garcia(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3124 Hansen, Evan 079 - D evan.hansen(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3125 Hillenbrand, Rick 088 - R rick.hillenbrand(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3176 Kelly, David 008 - R david.kelly(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3226 Kimble, Laura 071 - R laura.kimble(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3102 Kirby, Todd 044 - R todd.kirby(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3180 Kump, Larry 094 - R larry.kump(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3122 Mallow, Phil 075 - R phil.mallow(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3331 Marple, Keith 069 - R keith.marple(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3141 Martin, Carl 065 - R carl.martin(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3167 Nestor, Ty 066 - R ty.nestor(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3178 Phillips, Chris 068 - R chris.phillips(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3192 Pritt, Chris 053 - R chris.pritt(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3156 Ridenour, Bill 100 - R bill.ridenour(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3248 Shamblin, Andy 059 - R andy.shamblin(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3392 Steele, Brandon 042 - R brandon.steele(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3162 Ward, Bryan 086 - R bryan.ward(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3154 Warner, Debbie 082 - R debbie.warner(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3127 Westfall, Steve 016 - R steve.westfall(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3140 Zatezalo, Mark 002 - R mark.zatezalo(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3101 -- Lyn Widmyer, Vice President LWVWV 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201

1 0

Update: Still time to Make Some Noise on HB 4016
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 23 Jan '24

23 Jan '24

So many bad bills, the House Judiciary couldn’t get through them all on Monday. So … still time to MAKE SOME NOISE and let your Legislators know that HB 4016 is a bad bill. Expect it to be back on the Judiciary agenda Wednesday, Jan 24. See Lyn's email below for contact information. You can read more about HB 4016 and other proposed election law changes here <https://www.wvnews.com/statejournal/government/west-virginia-house-consider…> . ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Lyn Widmyer via LWVWV members <members(a)lists.lwvwv.org> Date: Sun, Jan 21, 2024 at 5:39 PM Subject: [LWVWV] MAKE SOME NOISE! Oppose another voter suppression bill! To: <members(a)lists.lwvwv.org> There are so many bad bills on the Jan. 22 agenda of the House Judiciary Committee, it is difficult to select the worst! We are focusing on HB4016 because it constitutes voter suppression and is in direct contradiction to the LWVWV policy priority of Strengthening Democracy. HB 4016 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4016%20i…> prohibits the delivery of unsolicited absentee ballot applications to any person who has not specifically requested one from the county clerk. This offensive bill makes it a crime for any person or organization to distribute *absentee ballot applications*. That is applications, NOT ballots. HB 4016 will have a chilling effect on those who work to encourage voting because it will prohibit the distribution of a public document available for download from the Secretary of State’s website. MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!!! Tell your legislators (especially if they are on the Judiciary Committee) to say NO to HR 4016. And tell them NOW as the committee is meeting Monday, Jan 22. *House Judiciary Committee Members* <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house-judiciary-committee/> *Name* *District* *Email* *Phone* Akers II, James Robert 055 - R jb.akers(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3340 Fast, Tom 051 - R tom.fast(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3252 Fluharty, Shawn 005 - D shawn.fluharty(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3270 Foster, Geoff 020 - R geoff.foster(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3121 Garcia, Joey 076 - D joey.garcia(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3124 Hansen, Evan 079 - D evan.hansen(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3125 Hillenbrand, Rick 088 - R rick.hillenbrand(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3176 Kelly, David 008 - R david.kelly(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3226 Kimble, Laura 071 - R laura.kimble(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3102 Kirby, Todd 044 - R todd.kirby(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3180 Kump, Larry 094 - R larry.kump(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3122 Mallow, Phil 075 - R phil.mallow(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3331 Marple, Keith 069 - R keith.marple(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3141 Martin, Carl 065 - R carl.martin(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3167 Nestor, Ty 066 - R ty.nestor(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3178 Phillips, Chris 068 - R chris.phillips(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3192 Pritt, Chris 053 - R chris.pritt(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3156 Ridenour, Bill 100 - R bill.ridenour(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3248 Shamblin, Andy 059 - R andy.shamblin(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3392 Steele, Brandon 042 - R brandon.steele(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3162 Ward, Bryan 086 - R bryan.ward(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3154 Warner, Debbie 082 - R debbie.warner(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3127 Westfall, Steve 016 - R steve.westfall(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3140 Zatezalo, Mark 002 - R mark.zatezalo(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3101 -- Lyn Widmyer 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201 web page: lynwidmyer.net

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE! Oppose another voter suppression bill!
by Lyn Widmyer 21 Jan '24

21 Jan '24

There are so many bad bills on the Jan 20 agenda of the House Judiciary Committee, it is difficult to select the worst! We are focusing on HB4016 because it constitutes voter suppression and is in direct contradiction to the LWVWV policy priority of Strengthening Democracy. HB 4016 <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4016%20i…> prohibits the delivery of unsolicited absentee ballot applications to any person who has not specifically requested one from the county clerk. This offensive bill makes it a crime for any person or organization to distribute *absentee ballot applications*. That is applications, NOT ballots. HB 4016 will have a chilling effect on those who work to encourage voting because it will prohibit the distribution of a public document available for download from the Secretary of State’s website. MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!!! Tell your legislators (especially if they are on the Judiciary Committee) to say NO to HR 4016. And tell them NOW as the committee is meeting Monday, Jan 22. *House Judiciary Committee Members* <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house-judiciary-committee/> *Name* *District* *Email* *Phone* Akers II, James Robert 055 - R jb.akers(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3340 Fast, Tom 051 - R tom.fast(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3252 Fluharty, Shawn 005 - D shawn.fluharty(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3270 Foster, Geoff 020 - R geoff.foster(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3121 Garcia, Joey 076 - D joey.garcia(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3124 Hansen, Evan 079 - D evan.hansen(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3125 Hillenbrand, Rick 088 - R rick.hillenbrand(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3176 Kelly, David 008 - R david.kelly(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3226 Kimble, Laura 071 - R laura.kimble(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3102 Kirby, Todd 044 - R todd.kirby(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3180 Kump, Larry 094 - R larry.kump(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3122 Mallow, Phil 075 - R phil.mallow(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3331 Marple, Keith 069 - R keith.marple(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3141 Martin, Carl 065 - R carl.martin(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3167 Nestor, Ty 066 - R ty.nestor(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3178 Phillips, Chris 068 - R chris.phillips(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3192 Pritt, Chris 053 - R chris.pritt(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3156 Ridenour, Bill 100 - R bill.ridenour(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3248 Shamblin, Andy 059 - R andy.shamblin(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3392 Steele, Brandon 042 - R brandon.steele(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3162 Ward, Bryan 086 - R bryan.ward(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3154 Warner, Debbie 082 - R debbie.warner(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3127 Westfall, Steve 016 - R steve.westfall(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3140 Zatezalo, Mark 002 - R mark.zatezalo(a)wvhouse.gov (304) 340-3101 -- Lyn Widmyer 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201 web page: lynwidmyer.net

1 0

January newsletter
by bmurrell＠frontier.com 19 Jan '24

19 Jan '24

League Local Presidents, State Board and Friends: Attached is the January newsletter of the Huntington League of Women Voters. We wish each of your a Happy New Year and hope you enjoy the newsletter. Beverly Murrell Patricia Keller

1 0

: We MADE Some Noise! HB 4675 Pulled from Committee Agenda
by Lyn Widmyer 18 Jan '24

18 Jan '24

THANK YOU to everyone who contacted state legislators to oppose HB 4675, mandating photo ID to vote. The bill was taken off the agenda for the House Judiciary Committee meeting agenda on Wednesday. That's good news, but it could be taken up at a future meeting. In the meantime, the Judiciary Committee has yet to consider on HB 4593 (the subject of our first action alert), which would require WV First Foundation, the body responsible for disbursing opioid settlement funds, to be subject to the requirements of the Open Governmental Proceedings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. The foundation has been criticized for a lack of transparency. HB 4593 seeks to change that and cleared its first hurdle in the Legislature last week <https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2024/01/11/opioid-settlement-foundation-…> when it was approved by the House Health Committee. So if you haven't already, Make Some Noise. Contact members of the House Judiciary Committee <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/house-judiciary-committee/> and your legislators <https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/>. Urge them to support HB 4593! As the Legislature continues to meet, we will keep you informed of all legislation that needs the involvement of LWVWV members. -- Lyn Widmyer, Vice President, LWVWV 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201

1 0

HB 4675 MAKE SOME NOISE Against Voter Suppression
by Lyn Widmyer 16 Jan '24

16 Jan '24

Voter suppression will be considered by the House of Delegates Judiciary Committee, Wednesday, Jan 17, 1 pm, in the form of HB 4675. The bill requires picture ID to vote. Current WV law requires ID to vote but allows 10 forms of non-photo ID. HB 4675 would eliminate all these forms of non-photo ID. HB 4675 would prevent anyone lacking a photo id from voting. Here is the bill: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill.../bills_History.cfm... <https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_History.cfm?input=4675&year…> MAKE SOME NOISE! Contact your Legislators to OPPOSE HB 4675! Not sure who your Legislators are? Look them up here ...: https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/ <https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/?fbclid=IwAR2ZHJfX0NliuaDhhl7nZJiq1Br…> [image: image.png] -- Lyn Widmyer 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201 web page: lynwidmyer.net

1 0

LWVWV: Make Some Noise!!! HB 4593
by Lyn Widmyer 14 Jan '24

14 Jan '24

MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!! Here it is, our very first call to action for the 2024 Legislative session! HB 4593 would require WV First Foundation, the body responsible for disbursing opioid settlement funds, to be subject to the requirements of the Open Governmental Proceedings Act and the Freedom of Information Act Introduced by: Delegates Summers, Tully, Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker), Pushkin, Hamilton, Petitto, Shamblin, Sheedy, Miller, Rohrbach, and Griffith West Virginia is expected to receive around $1 billion over the next five years. The LWV believes open and accountable government is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. The WV First Foundation should establish priorities and make decisions on distribution of funds in a manner that allows residents to view and comment on their proposals. This bill will foster that openness. MAKE SOME NOISE! Contact your legislators to support this bill! [image: 4f2de4f5-c967-41b5-aaf7-4884d66380ae.png] -- Lyn Widmyer 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201 web page: lynwidmyer.net

1 0

LWVWV Updates: 2024 Legislative Session, LWV Wood County Disbandment
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 12 Jan '24

12 Jan '24

The WV Legislature is session—and so is the League! First, many thanks to the League members who joined us on January 4 for the briefing on our Legislative Scorecard project, and *our priorities for the legislative session <https://lwvwv.org/2024/01/04/lwvwv-2024-program-policy-priorities/>*. It was a terrific turnout. You may view the hour long session *here* <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIpHFi5YDFU>. The Legislature began their 60 day session on January 10. Led by our League Legislative Action Workgroup (LLAW), we are monitoring the daily activities of the Legislature. Yes, you read that right: we are monitoring the Legislature on a DAILY basis for bills that affect League priorities. We are thrilled to have the following League members taking the lead on monitoring bills as they relate to our four top issue areas, or buckets as we like to call them: *Strengthening Democracy:* Judy Ball (LLAW chair) *Safeguarding Equal Rights:* Jan Gossett *Protecting Children & Families:* Nancy Ulrich and Joe Golden *Creating a Sustainable Future:* Neal Barkus Jonathan Rosenbaum is providing technical support. Lyn Widmyer will manage Make Some Noise notices to members when we need your help to contact legislators. Julie Archer serves a our lobbyist on the ground in Charleston. [image: LWVWV 4 Buckets.png] Please watch for our action alerts via email or* follow us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/lwvwv>**@lwvwv* <https://www.facebook.com/lwvwv> to keep up with the action and join us in making some noise when we call on you. The Legislative Scorecard is an exciting opportunity to influence legislation and show legislators the LWVWV is watching! You can explore the Legislative scorecard and learn more about our policy priorities for 2024 at *LWVWV.org <https://lwvwv.org/>*. Wood County LWV Decision to Disband Accepted with Regret On December 9, 2023, the LWVWV Board of Directors accepted with regret the request by Wood County LWV to disband. This was a sad decision as the LWV of Wood County has such a storied history and such a wonderful record of community involvement. Members will become Members at Large and we hope they will continue to be involved in League activities. In League, Julie Acher, President Lyn Widmyer, 1st Vice President

1 0

Reminder: Jan. 4 @7PM - LWVWV Legislative Scorecard & Policy Priorities Webinar
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 02 Jan '24

02 Jan '24

Happy New Year! Beginning January 10, the League of Women Voters of West Virginia (LWVWV) will be monitoring votes and actions of our Legislature in relation to our four top policy priorities: - Strengthening democracy by making it easier to vote - Safeguarding equal rights - Protecting children & families - Creating a sustainable future The LWVWV Legislative Scorecard, first published in 2023 (available at lwvwv.org) records how individual members of the Legislature voted on 25 bills in these four areas that became law in 2023. We will use the same framework as we monitor the upcoming 2024 Legislative session. Please join us Thursday, January 4th at 7PM to learn more about our 2023 legislative scorecard <https://lwvwv.org/scorecard-overview/> and how the process will be applied to the upcoming legislative session. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdOquqzsvHNTlR3w8HWZfn_ow2BqmgI… For more on our priorities and the upcoming legislative session, please see the attached op-ed from the LWV Morgantown-Monongalia County, which was published in *the Dominion Post*. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday. Sincerely, Julie Archer President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094

1 0

LWVWV Legislative Scorecard & Policy Priorities Webinar - Jan. 4 @7PM
by League of Women Voters of West Virginia 26 Dec '23

26 Dec '23

Dear LWVWV Members, Please join us *Thursday, January 4th at 7PM* to learn more about our 2023 legislative scorecard <https://lwvwv.org/scorecard-overview/>, and ways you can Make Some Noise on LWVWV policy priorities during the upcoming legislative session. *Register here:* https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdOquqzsvHNTlR3w8HWZfn_ow2BqmgI… Invite your friends to join us too. We look forward to seeing you then. Best, Julie Archer President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094

1 0

Huntington November Newsletter
by bmurrell＠frontier.com 04 Dec '23

04 Dec '23

State Officers Attached is teh Huntington November newsletter. Enjoy! Beverly 7 Trish

2 1

Huntington LWV October Newsletter
by Julie Archer 06 Nov '23

06 Nov '23

Dear League Members and Friends, Please find attached the October Newsletter from the Huntington League of Women Voters. A focus is their Fall Membership and Finance Drive. *Please support your Local League! * We encourage local Leagues and League members to share news and updates with our statewide list and to create relevant content for our website. If you have submissions, please reach out to Jonathan (jr(a)lwvwv.org) or I. ICYMI: Our legislative scorecard is making some noise! https://westvirginiawatch.com/2023/11/02/the-league-of-women-voters-in-wv-r… The full scorecard in searchable format is available at https://lwvwv.org/. While you're there, check out our latest Action Alerts for other ways to make some noise. -- Julie Julie Archer President, LWVWV julie(a)lwvwv.org (304) 610-9094

1 0

MAKE SOME NOISE to #SolveChildCare
by Julie Archer 02 Nov '23

02 Nov '23

*MAKE SOME NOISE: Tell our Congressional delegation to support funding for child care* On March 11, 2021, Congress passed the AMERICA RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA), which allotted $24 billion specifically for childcare providers. The childcare funding provision of ARPA ended on September 30, 2023, causing a steep drop off in federal child care funding. The Century Foundation <https://tcf.org/content/report/child-care-cliff/>, a think tank based in New York, predicts that five states will suffer the most from the loss of federal child care funding — Arkansas, Montana, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia <https://tcf-ccs-map.netlify.app/assets/factsheets/Child%20Care%20State%20Fa…>. Without intervention, 23,231 children in our state are expected to lose their child care as a result of the loss of federal funding On September 13, 2023, U.S. Senators Patty Murray, Bernie Sanders, Catherine Clark and Rosa de Laura, along with 33 additional colleagues introduced the Child Care Stabilization Act to extend the federal child care stabilization funding. Additionally, 78 members of the US House of Representatives signed the bill. *To date, West Virginia Senators and Representatives have failed to join with the other members of Congress. * *MAKE SOME NOISE! Tell our Congressional delegation to SUPPORT the Child Care Stabilization Act (S. 2777 and H.R. 5433). * *Let them know that West Virginia children deserve high-quality care, childcare, and education!* *The Honorable Joe Manchin III* United States Senate 306 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC, 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3954 E-mail: senator_manchin(a)manchin.senate.gov *The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito* United States Senate 172 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC, 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6472 E-mail: https://www.capito.senate.gov/contact/contact-my-office *The Honorable Carol Miller* U.S. House of Representatives - 1st District 465 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3452 Email: https://millerforms.house.gov/contact/ *The Honorable Alex Mooney* U.S. House of Representatives  - 2nd District 2228 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C 20511 Phone: (202) 225-2711 Email: https://mooney.house.gov/contact/ *Want more information?* LWVWV members Nancy Ulrich and Joe Golden have a summary of the bills and child care issues in West Virginia in the fall issue of the <https://lwvwv.org/2023/10/30/fall-voter-2023/>WV Voter <https://lwvwv.org/2023/10/30/fall-voter-2023/>. Child care is critical for West Virginia's economy and families, but many have no or limited access to it. Watch this short video to learn more about the child care crisis and what we can do to address it: https://tinyurl.com/WVNeedsChildCare *Help LWVWV and partners #SolveChildCare.* Additional resources: https://www.dominionpost.com/2023/10/11/local-childcare-advocates-push-for-… https://tcf.org/content/report/child-care-cliff/ https://childcareforeveryfamily.org/action/ *Want to know how your state legislators voted on issues related to protecting children and families? *Explore LWVWV's Legislative Scorecard at https://lwvwv.org/. To learn more, check out this article on the scorecard at West Virginia Watch <https://westvirginiawatch.com/2023/11/02/the-league-of-women-voters-in-wv-r…> .

1 0

Fall 2023 VOTER newsletter
by teresa.m.koon＠gmail.com 30 Oct '23

30 Oct '23

Hello! Attached is the fall LWV of WV VOTER. A hard copy will also be sent to those on the distribution list. You can learn about our Legislative Scorecard, the importance of the Child Care Stabilization Act and other League priorities in this issue of the VOTER. In League, Teresa Koon VOTER editor

1 0

JOIN Your Fellow LWVWV League members as we MAKE SOME NOISE!
by Julie Archer 26 Oct '23

26 Oct '23

The LWV of West Virginia is excited to introduce a new initiative: a* Legislative Scorecard* that tracks the votes of our state senators and delegates on legislation important to the League. This Scorecard was approved by the Board at the August meeting. *Interested to know how your state legislators voted on bills to make voting easier, safeguard equal rights, protect children and families, or create a sustainable future? * The Legislative Scorecard covers each of these League priorities. We assembled and documented ALL the votes of ALL state senators and delegates for 25 bills of interest to the League that became law. Why do we need a Legislative Scorecard? - The 2023 regular session of the WV Legislature resulted in 333 bills becoming law, too many for anyone to consume easily. A scorecard highlights League priorities. - We want to hold legislators, regardless of party, accountable for their votes on League priorities. - We want League members to know how their legislators voted. - We want voters to be informed about how their legislators are performing. - We want to establish a framework to repeat for the 2024 and subsequent legislative sessions. *The full Legislative Scorecard is available on the LWVWV website at http://LWVWV.org <http://lwvwv.org>* This is the first time LWVWV has had the capacity to develop a product like this. A very special thanks goes to the League Legislative Action Workgroup (LLAW) for all their work to make it happen. LLAW meets every other Monday and has members from across the state including Judy Ball, Joe Golden, Nancy Ulrich, Lyn Widmyer, and myself. Thanks also to Jonathan Rosenbaum for using his technical savvy and expertise to make this new tool accessible and searchable. We hope you are as excited about this project as we are. Please share with your friends, neighbors and others in your networks who might be interested. And keep an eye out for our next newsletter, which will explain more about the project and discuss more ways you can use the scorecard to *Make Some Noise*. Best, -- Julie Julie Archer President, LWVWV julie(a)lwvwv.org (304) 610-9094

1 0

Create WV WVU Visioning Survey - Sept. 6, 11:59pm Deadline
by Julie Archer 06 Sep '23

06 Sep '23

Following up on Lyn's email and our letter to the WVU Board of Governors and administration, I wanted to forward this survey from Create WV regarding the WVU debacle, which was shared with me by several people. You don't have to be a WVU alum to complete this survey. Everyone in our state is affected by what is happening with the University. We need to let the Board of Governors and the adminstration know that we oppose cuts proposed for the faculty, staff, degrees, and course offerings, as well as the punitive manner in which these cuts are being implemented and the obvious efforts to downplay the adverse impacts on the university, the community, and the state. The survey and tonight's visioning session are another way to make some noise and take action in response to the WVU bugetary crisis. -- Julie Julie Archer President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: *Robin Godfrey* <rlgdfry(a)yahoo.com> Date: Mon, Sep 4, 2023 at 4:49 PM Subject: Fw: [Create WV] WVU Visioning Survey - Sept. 6, 11:59pm Deadline FRIENDS, PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY ATTACHED RE: THE DEBACLE AT WVU. (It took me under 4 min. to respond). *It's due by 11:59 p.m. WED. SEPT 6.* It's sponsored by Create WV (with THANKS for this courageous effort to *Rebecca Kimmons, Dan Page, and Morgan King*), which is holding 4 public hearings around the state. There's one more WED. SEPT 6 AT 6 PM, YOU CAN PARTICIPATE BY ZOOM (see attached). IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE HELP STOP THE IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE ABOUT TO BE DONE TO OUR 'FLAGSHIP' UNIVERSITY. Thanks! *FROM CREATE WV:* We invite you to take a few minutes to provide your vision for WVU in writing. *The survey should take less than 10 minutes, and the deadline is 11:59 pm on Wednesday, September 6th. Take the survey here. <https://forms.gle/VUNN8rPFjqnCCye79> * *Please share with your networks, too!* *On September 6th at 6 pm, there will be another session in-person in Morgantown and on zoom, which you can access here <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5756549148?pwd=RGJ5a2RrdGxRNmdoTU92ZnlBNXZ4UT09>.* . Best, Morgan King P.S. Check out resources to take action and learn more on the WVU budgetary crisis here <https://createwv.org/wvu-future/wvu-budget-crisis-resources-2023/>! WVU Budgetary Crisis 2023 Resources - Create WV TAKE ACTION: Petitions and Sign-on Letters LEARN MORE: Press and Articles STAY INFORMED: Websites and Social Media <https://createwv.org/wvu-future/wvu-budget-crisis-resources-2023/> *Morgan King* *Tel:* +1(304)590-0014 *Email:* morganking513(a)gmail.com

1 0

Make Some Noise! Oppose proposed cuts to WVU budget
by Lyn Widmyer 05 Sep '23

05 Sep '23

The LWVWV has sent a letter (attached) to President Gee, the Provost, and the Board of Governors opposing proposed cuts to faculty, staff, degrees, and (in some cases) entire departments at WVU. As stated in the opening lines of the letter: *The League of Women Voters of West Virginia (LWVWV) opposes the cuts proposed for the faculty, staff, degrees, and course offerings of West Virginia University (WVU). We also oppose the punitive manner inwhich these cuts are being implemented and the obvious efforts to downplay the adverse impacts on theuniversity, the community, and the state.* Until at least September 15, WVU faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members need to write letters or attend any public events on these issues. The impacts of the WVU cuts will be felt not just within WVU, or the Morgantown area, but will ripple throughout the state of West Virginia. Contact information: The Office of the Provost can be reached at provost(a)mail.wvu.edu The Office of the President at presidentsoffice(a)mail.wvu.edu The Special Assistant to the BOG at valerie.lopez(a)mail.wvu.edu *We urge all LWVWV members to make their voices heard on these important issuesimmediately*. -- Lyn Widmyer 1434 Cattail Run Road Charles Town, WV 25414 304 279 3201 web page: lynwidmyer.net

1 0

Opportunity: ERA rally Seneca Falls
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 06 Jul '23

06 Jul '23

From: Adrianne Dering <hopecrestcoton(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, July 3, 2023 3:58 PM Subject: ERA rally Seneca Falls I am planning to attend and would be happy to drive someone else or caravan. Adrianne Dering 770-241-0489

3 2

Spring 2023 VOTER newsletter
by teresa.m.koon＠gmail.com 31 May '23

31 May '23

Hello! Attached is the spring LWV of WV VOTER. A hard copy will also be sent to those on the distribution list. You can learn about 2023 LWV WV Convention, our new website, League activity during the 2023 legislative session, and the League Legislative Action Workgroup (LLAW) in this issue of the VOTER. In League, Teresa Koon VOTER editor

1 0

Take Action to Protect Vital Social Programs
by Julie Archer 22 May '23

22 May '23

The cuts in essential federal funding to the states included in the US House bill to raise the debt ceiling (HR 2811). If enacted, these cuts will do harm to some of West Virginia's most vulnerable. One estimate is that West Virginia alone could lose $8.3 billion in federal funding over the next decade. Many West Virginians would be adversely affected by these drastic cuts in federal funding. Of particular concern to West Virginia are cuts in food assistance and health care that depends on federal grants. HR 2811 would also impose burdensome work requirements on Medicaid recipients and those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits . If work requirements are enacted for Medicaid eligibility, 21 million Americans overall and nearly 220,000 West Virginians will be at risk of losing their health coverage, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While work requirements might make good sound bites, we know that work requirements for Medicaid eligibility in Arkansas in 2018 turned out to be counter-productive: 17,000 Arkansans lost their Medicaid coverage within 3 months with no appreciable rise in employment. Contact our Senators and Governor Jim Justice today. Tell them to show their support for West Virginia and the most vulnerable West Virginians by opposing this political gamesmanship that can deprive West Virginians of a more secure and better life. Urge Governor Justice to join other governors around the county who have made voiced their opposition to cuts in essential federal funding to the states and to expanded work rquirements for social programs. Governor Justice - 304-558-2000 or governor(a)wv.gov. Tell our Senators to stand up for West Virginia families, and vote to pass a debt ceiling extension without cuts or red tape barriers to Medicaid, food stamps and other vital programs. Senator Manchin - 202-224-3954 (Washington) or 304-342-5855 (Charleston) senator_manchin(a)manchin.senate.gov Senator Capito - 202-224-6472 (Washington) or 304-347-5372 (Charleston) https://www.capito.senate.gov/contact/contact-my-office You can also take action here [1] courtesy of our friends at West Virginians for Affordable Health Care. --- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) President, League of Women Voters of WV (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://p2a.co/3pnaINf

1 0

Fwd: [Morgantown LWV] REMINDER - LWV Morgantown-Mon County Annual Meeting
by LWV Morgantown-Monongalia County 17 May '23

17 May '23

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: LWV Morgantown-Monongalia County <lwvmorgantown(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, May 17, 2023 at 3:02 PM Subject: [Morgantown LWV] REMINDER - LWV Morgantown-Mon County Annual Meeting To: <vshearscpa(a)gmail.com>, <nichols330(a)gmail.com>, <morgantown(a)lwvwv.org>, Shirley Rosenbaum <shirley.rosenbaum(a)gmail.com>, Lyndell Millechia < millecchia(a)comcast.net>, Jonathan Rosenbaum <jr(a)lwvwv.org>, Nancy Ulrich < nvulrich(a)gmail.com>, Vicki Conner <vicki_conner(a)msn.com>, Judy Ball < balljk(a)aol.com>, Julie Archer <julie(a)lwvwv.org>, <lynwidmyer(a)gmail.com> Sunday, May 21, 2 pm (check-in begins at 1:30 pm) Zoom invitation below. Speaker: Dr. Katie Hill, WVU Medicine Topic: *Challenges of Medical Practice in West Virginia and the WVU MUSHROOM Program* We plan to reserve plenty of time for your questions. Business meeting to follow presentation. Packet attached. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Judy Ball - Interim President ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Zoom invitation: Topic: LWVMM Annual Meeting Time: May 21, 2023 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83822601692 Meeting ID: 838 2260 1692 One tap mobile +16465588656,,83822601692# US (New York) +16469313860,,83822601692# US Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 305 224 1968 US +1 309 205 3325 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 564 217 2000 US +1 669 444 9171 US +1 689 278 1000 US +1 719 359 4580 US +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver) +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 360 209 5623 US +1 386 347 5053 US +1 507 473 4847 US Meeting ID: 838 2260 1692 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/k0HCxdTHU

1 0

LWVWV State Convention Reminder - Don't Miss Our Guest Speaker!
by Julie Archer 10 May '23

10 May '23

This is a friendly reminder about our upcoming vitual convention, Saturday, May 13. Check-in begins at 9:30 AM and the convention opens at 10 AM. You'll find the agenda below and other relevent convention materials here [1]. Don't miss our guest speaker, author, historian and activist, Elisabeth Griffith, PhD [2] at 1PM. LWVWV members and guests are invited to join us for the presentation by Dr. Griffith, followed by a Q&A. We ask that you kindly register at https://lwvwv.org/convention/. Please share this flier [3] and the registration link with interested friends and colleagues as appropriate. More about our speaker and theme from our hosts, the League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area: > The Fight for Women's Equality, It's Not Over! > > In honor of our LWVWV 2023 convention theme, 'The Fight for Women's > Equality, It's Not Over!', we asked historian, author and activist > Elisabeth Griffith to join us as guest speaker. We are very grateful > that she accepted our invitation. Elisabeth's knowledge and experience > in the struggle for women's rights are sure to illuminate and inspire! > We realize that there is a problem of inequality not just for women but > for so many people for different reasons. Standing on a platform of > equal rights when faced with a growing portion of society that is not > inclusive of diversity remains a dilemma. The Equal Rights Amendment > resolution has failed to advance toward ratification and our next steps > are unclear. We face rising forces in American politics that defy > reason and bend the traditional ideals of a true democracy. We see our > right to vote and the security in its counting being increasingly > challenged. The LWV now finds itself as a nonpartisan organization with > partisan problems. When there is political opposition at odds with our > platform of organizational priorities, how can our voices be heard? > What can history teach us about advocacy strategies that work? What we > do know at this crossroad in the 21st century is that we must stay true > to our LWV mission: 'Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.' > > We hope that our listening members and guests will be posing worthy > questions in the chat to spur further dialogue with Elisabeth! LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WEST VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION - May 13, 2023 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8106186796?pwd=V2FhZktOZWxwV3QvalRKTzRqcXBiZz09 or Dial 1 (309) 205 3325 ; Meeting ID: 810 618 6796 Passcode: 546014 AGENDA 9:30 - 10:00 am - Registration/Check-In 10:00 - 11:00 am - First Plenary Session * Call to Order - Effie Kallas * Welcome & Introduction of Host Committee - Huntington League * Recognition of Local Leagues & Introduction of Delegates by Local League Designee * Credentials Report - Jonathan Rosenbaum * Adoption of Convention Rules * Additions to & Adoption of Convention Agenda * Report of Nominating Committee - Jonathan Rosenbaum * Presentation of Proposed Program - Judy Ball * Presentation of Proposed Budget - Teresa Koon 11:00 am - Presidents' Report - Julie Archer & Effie Kallas 11:10 am - Women's Suffragists Memorial - Wendy Thomas 11:15 am - Reports of State Board Members and Direction _Administration & Voters Service _ * Endowment Trust - Teresa Koon * Voters Service - Vicki Conner * WV Voter - Teresa Koon * Website - Jonathan Rosenbaum _Program Portfolios _ * Election Laws/Legislative Action Workgroup (LLAW) - Judy Ball * Natural Resources - Nyoka Baker Chapman * Education - Shirley Rosenbaum * Taxation & Finance - Vicki Conner * Health Care - Betty Barrett 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Lunch Break 1:00 - 2:00 pm - GUEST SPEAKER* Dr. Elisabeth Griffith, author of Formidable: _American Women and the Fight for Equality 1920-2020_ - Introduction by Effie Kallas *Guests who are not members of the League are invited to join us for this portion of the convention. Flier [3] - Registration Link [4] 2:00 - 3:00 pm - Second Plenary Session Call to Order - Julie Archer * Adoption of Budget * Adoption of Program * Election of Officers & Directors * Direction to National Council * Closing Remarks 3:00 pm - Adjournment -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16OuZfUZY2xBf4NTme889vyk66Iz442qd?us… [2] https://www.elisabethgriffith.com/ [3] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ahWfKRs19tL2frvP6EzWbX_hvq-Z1zOi/view?usp=… [4] https://lwvwv.org/convention/

1 1

Spring 2023 Member Newsletter & Annual Meeting Invitation
by Judy Ball 05 May '23

05 May '23

The League of Women Voters of Morgantown-Monongalia County invites members of the LWV of West Virginia to attend our annual meeting, Sunday, May 21, 2023. Details for Zoom below. We are especially excited about our Guest Speaker, Dr. Katie Hill, WVU School of Medicine. She will discuss her experiences providing care in other countries and how those experiences can inform methods to address healthcare disparities in West Virginia. LWVWV members are invited to join us for the presentation with plenty of time for Q&A. Hope to see you there. Yes, you may invite others, as appropriate. Judy K. Ball, PhD, MPAInterim PresidentLWV of Morgantown-Monongalia Countylwvmorgantown(a)gmail.com Subject: Spring 2023 Member Newsletter & Annual Meeting Invitation Spring 2023 Member Newsletter & Annual Meeting Invitation#yiv1766857480 p{margin:10px 0;padding:0;}#yiv1766857480 table{border-collapse:collapse;}#yiv1766857480 h1, #yiv1766857480 h2, #yiv1766857480 h3, #yiv1766857480 h4, #yiv1766857480 h5, #yiv1766857480 h6{display:block;margin:0;padding:0;}#yiv1766857480 img, #yiv1766857480 a img{border:0;height:auto;outline:none;text-decoration:none;}#yiv1766857480 body, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480bodyTable, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480bodyCell{min-height:100%;margin:0;padding:0;width:100%;}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnPreviewText{display:none !important;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480outlook a{padding:0;}#yiv1766857480 img{}#yiv1766857480 table{}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480ReadMsgBody{width:100%;}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480ExternalClass{width:100%;}#yiv1766857480 p, #yiv1766857480 a, #yiv1766857480 li, #yiv1766857480 td, #yiv1766857480 blockquote{}#yiv1766857480 a .yiv1766857480filtered99999 , #yiv1766857480 a .yiv1766857480filtered99999 {color:inherit;cursor:default;text-decoration:none;}#yiv1766857480 p, #yiv1766857480 a, #yiv1766857480 li, #yiv1766857480 td, #yiv1766857480 body, #yiv1766857480 table, #yiv1766857480 blockquote{}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480ExternalClass, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480ExternalClass p, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480ExternalClass td, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480ExternalClass div, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480ExternalClass span, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480ExternalClass font{line-height:100%;}#yiv1766857480 a .yiv1766857480filtered99999 {color:inherit !important;text-decoration:none !important;font-size:inherit !important;font-family:inherit !important;font-weight:inherit !important;line-height:inherit !important;}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480templateContainer{max-width:600px !important;}#yiv1766857480 a.yiv1766857480mcnButton{display:block;}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImage, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnRetinaImage{vertical-align:bottom;}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent{}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent img{height:auto !important;}#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnDividerBlock{table-layout:fixed !important;}#yiv1766857480 body, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480bodyTable{background-color:#FAFAFA;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480bodyCell{border-top:0;}#yiv1766857480 h1{color:#202020;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:26px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:125%;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;}#yiv1766857480 h2{color:#202020;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:22px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:125%;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;}#yiv1766857480 h3{color:#202020;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:125%;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;}#yiv1766857480 h4{color:#202020;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:125%;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templatePreheader{background-color:#fafafa;background-image:none;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:center;background-size:cover;border-top:0;border-bottom:0;padding-top:9px;padding-bottom:9px;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templatePreheader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templatePreheader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{color:#656565;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;line-height:150%;text-align:left;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templatePreheader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent a, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templatePreheader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p a{color:#656565;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateHeader{background-color:#FFFFFF;background-image:none;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:center;background-size:cover;border-top:0;border-bottom:0;padding-top:9px;padding-bottom:0;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateHeader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateHeader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{color:#202020;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:16px;line-height:150%;text-align:left;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateHeader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent a, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateHeader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p a{color:#007C89;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateBody{background-color:#ffffff;background-image:none;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:center;background-size:cover;border-top:0;border-bottom:0;padding-top:9px;padding-bottom:9px;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateBody .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateBody .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{color:#202020;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:16px;line-height:150%;text-align:left;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateBody .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent a, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateBody .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p a{color:#0e20ac;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateFooter{background-color:#FAFAFA;background-image:none;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:center;background-size:cover;border-top:0;border-bottom:0;padding-top:9px;padding-bottom:9px;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateFooter .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateFooter .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{color:#656565;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;line-height:150%;text-align:center;}#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateFooter .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent a, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateFooter .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p a{color:#656565;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:underline;}@media only screen and (min-width:768px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480templateContainer{width:600px !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 body, #yiv1766857480 table, #yiv1766857480 td, #yiv1766857480 p, #yiv1766857480 a, #yiv1766857480 li, #yiv1766857480 blockquote{}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 body{width:100% !important;min-width:100% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnRetinaImage{max-width:100% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImage{width:100% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCartContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionTopContent, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnRecContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionBottomContent, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnTextContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnBoxedTextContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageGroupContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionLeftTextContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionRightTextContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionLeftImageContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionRightImageContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageCardLeftTextContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageCardRightTextContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageCardLeftImageContentContainer, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageCardRightImageContentContainer{max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnBoxedTextContentContainer{min-width:100% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageGroupContent{padding:9px !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionLeftContentOuter .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionRightContentOuter .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent{padding-top:9px !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageCardTopImageContent, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionBottomContent:last-child .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionBottomImageContent, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionBlockInner .yiv1766857480mcnCaptionTopContent:last-child .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent{padding-top:18px !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageCardBottomImageContent{padding-bottom:9px !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageGroupBlockInner{padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageGroupBlockOuter{padding-top:9px !important;padding-bottom:9px !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnBoxedTextContentColumn{padding-right:18px !important;padding-left:18px !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageCardLeftImageContent, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnImageCardRightImageContent{padding-right:18px !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;padding-left:18px !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcpreview-image-uploader{display:none !important;width:100% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 h1{font-size:22px !important;line-height:125% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 h2{font-size:20px !important;line-height:125% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 h3{font-size:18px !important;line-height:125% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 h4{font-size:16px !important;line-height:150% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnBoxedTextContentContainer .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 .yiv1766857480mcnBoxedTextContentContainer .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{font-size:14px !important;line-height:150% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templatePreheader{display:block !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templatePreheader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templatePreheader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{font-size:14px !important;line-height:150% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateHeader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateHeader .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{font-size:16px !important;line-height:150% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateBody .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateBody .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{font-size:16px !important;line-height:150% !important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:480px){#yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateFooter .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent, #yiv1766857480 #yiv1766857480templateFooter .yiv1766857480mcnTextContent p{font-size:14px !important;line-height:150% !important;}} Spring 2023 Member Newsletter & Invitation to May 2023 Annual Meeting. | | | | | View this email in your browser | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Spring 2023 | | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | | | | | | | | Contents - LWV-MM ANNUAL MEETING,Sunday, May 21, 2023 - Guest Speaker:Katie Hill, M.D., WVU Medicine - Business Meeting (begins at 3:00) - Meeting Documents - Meeting Log-in Details - Proposed Program: Summary and Comments on Proposed Amendments - Interim President’s Report - Join the League of Women Voters ofMorgantown-Monongalia County | | | | | | | | LWV-MM ANNUAL MEETING, Sunday, May 21, 2023 The 2023 Annual Meeting for League of Women Voters of Morgantown-Monongalia County will be held SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (1:30-2:00 check in) Attendance via Zoom or by phone. Details below. | | | | | | | | Guest Speaker: Katie Hill, M.D., WVU Medicine Challenges of Medical Practice in West Virginia and the WVU MUSHROOM Program | | | | | | | Dr. Katie Hill is Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Practice, WVU School of Medicine. She will talk about her experiences in other countries, and how those experiences relate to addressing healthcare disparities in West Virginia. She is currently the director of the MUSHROOM program (Multidisciplinary Unsheltered Homeless Relief Outreach Of Morgantown). Questions/ Discussion with speaker to follow. | | | | | | | | | Business Meeting (begins at 3:00) President’s report – Judy Ball Secretary’s report – Vicki ConnerTreasurer’s report - Finance report for May 2023 – Vicky Shears - Proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 – Vicky Shears - Adoption of proposed budget Review of Non-partisanship Policy – Judy Ball Nominations for Directors and Officers 2023-2025 – Vicki Conner - Call for Nominations from the Floor - Election of Directors and Officers Review and Adoption of Local Program – Judy Ball Motions from the FloorMotion to Adjourn | | | | Meeting Documents - Proposed Program Priorities 2023-2024 (pdf) - Proposed Budget 2023-2024 (pdf) - Non-partisanship Policy (pdf) | | | | | | | | Meeting Log-in Details Topic: LWV-MM Annual Meeting Date/Time: May 21, 2023 2:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) (1:30-2:00 check in) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83822601692 Meeting ID: 838 2260 1692 One tap mobile +16465588656,,83822601692# US (New York) +16469313860,,83822601692# US Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) Meeting ID: 838 2260 1692 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/k0HCxdTHU | | | | | | | | Proposed Program: Summary and Comments on Proposed Amendments In 2022, LWV-MM adopted a program that focused our priorities to better reflect the availability of members to lead action, advocacy, and education efforts. The three priorities adopted in the 2022 program were: - Voters service - Social justice - Environmental Protection This year, the Board is recommending only minor adjustments from the program adopted last year. The minor changes were designed to recognize recent local actions and legislative initiatives that deserve LWV observation and action. Three Other Areas remain, not as top priorities, but important enough that LWVMM will be following them and acting as needed. These Other Areas in the proposed program include: - Local government - Education - Broadband access | | | | | | | | | | Interim President’s Report Greetings! I am Judy Ball, and for those who don’t know, I began serving as Interim President of the League of Women Voters of Morgantown-Monongalia County back in January when then-President Sarah Barnes resigned. --- READ MORE --- | | | | | | | | | | | | Renew Your Membership Today! | | | | | | | | | Join the League of Women Voters of Morgantown-Monongalia County Become part of a community that shares a passion for creating positive change on the local, state, and national levels. When you become a member of the Morgantown-Monongalia County League of Women Voters, you also become a member of the LWV-US and the LWV-WV. Membership in the League is open to all persons (not just women) over the age of 16. Annual dues are $48 for an individual, $72 for a household (two at the same address), and $5 for a student. Checks should be made to LWV Morgantown-Mon County and mailed to: LWVMM Treasurer, Vicky Shears, 463 Cobun Ave., Morgantown, WV 26501. You can also pay via PayPal with your credit card at http://tinyurl.com/paylwvmm. Contributions are also welcomed and encouraged. (Membership dues and contributions to the League of Women Voters are not deductible as a personal or business expense for tax purposes.) For more information about the League, send us an email at lwvmorgantown(a)gmail.com or call our Membership Chair, Shirley Rosenbaum at (304) 599-2370 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Copyright © 2023 League of Women Voters Morgantown Monongalia, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: League of Women Voters Morgantown Monongalia531 Woodland CirMorgantown, WV 26505-2335 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. | | | | |

1 0

Join the LWVWV to hear Author, Historian and Activist Elisabeth Griffith on 05/13/2023 at 1 pm!
by Julie Archer 05 May '23

05 May '23

Don't miss our Convention Guest Speaker! LWVWV members and guests are invited to join us for a presentation and Q&A with author, historian and activist, Elisabeth Griffith, PhD at 1pm on May 13 during LWVWV's 2023 Biennial Convention. Details below. Hope to see you there and please share with interested friends and colleages as appropriate. -------- Original Message -------- SUBJECT: Join the LWVWV to hear Author, Historian and Activist Elisabeth Griffith on 05/13/2023 at 1 pm! DATE: 2023-05-05 10:47 FROM: Nyoka Baker Chapman, LWVWV and LWV Huntington Board Member TO: Greetings to Friends and Colleagues of the League of Women Voters of West Virginia! You are cordially invited to join us on Saturday, May 13th at 1 pm to hear our LWVWV 2023 Convention Guest Speaker Elisabeth Griffith, Phd. https://www.elisabethgriffith.com/ [1] Just Complete the Registration Link: https://lwvwv.org/convention/ Please circulate this flier as deemed appropriate! The Fight for Women's Equality, It's Not Over! In honor of our LWVWV 2023 convention theme, 'The Fight for Women's Equality, It's Not Over!', we asked historian, author and activist Elisabeth Griffith to join us as guest speaker. We are very grateful that she accepted our invitation. Elisabeth's knowledge and experience in the struggle for women's rights are sure to illuminate and inspire! We realize that there is a problem of inequality not just for women but for so many people for different reasons. Standing on a platform of equal rights when faced with a growing portion of society that is not inclusive of diversity remains a dilemma. The Equal Rights Amendment resolution has failed to advance toward ratification and our next steps are unclear. We face rising forces in American politics that defy reason and bend the traditional ideals of a true democracy. We see our right to vote and the security in its counting being increasingly challenged. The LWV now finds itself as a nonpartisan organization with partisan problems. When there is political opposition at odds with our platform of organizational priorities, how can our voices be heard? What can history teach us about advocacy strategies that work? What we do know at this crossroad in the 21st century is that we must stay true to our LWV mission: 'Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.' We hope that our listening members and guests will be posing worthy questions in the chat to spur further dialogue with Elisabeth! The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan volunteer organization that encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate, but is engaged in local, state, and national issues of importance to our communities. The League works to influence public policy through advocacy and education. League membership is open to all men and women age 16 or older. More at: www.lwv.org [2] (National) and www.lwvwv.org [3] (WV). Links: ------ [1] https://www.elisabethgriffith.com/ [2] http://www.lwv.org/ [3] http://www.lwvwv.org/

1 0

The Fight for Women's Equality, It's Not Over! - Invitation to LWVWV members & guests
by Julie Archer 03 May '23

03 May '23

LWVWV member and guests are invited to join us for a presentation and Q&A with author, historian and activist, Elisabeth Griffith, PhD at 1pm on May 13 during LWVWV's 2023 Biennial Convention. Click here [1] to register. From our hosts, the League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area: > The Fight for Women's Equality, It's Not Over! > > In honor of our LWVWV 2023 convention theme, 'The Fight for Women's > Equality, It's Not Over!', we asked historian, author and activist > Elisabeth Griffith to join us as guest speaker. We are very grateful > that she accepted our invitation. Elisabeth's knowledge and experience > in the struggle for women's rights are sure to illuminate and inspire! > We realize that there is a problem of inequality not just for women but > for so many people for different reasons. Standing on a platform of > equal rights when faced with a growing portion of society that is not > inclusive of diversity remains a dilemma. The Equal Rights Amendment > resolution has failed to advance toward ratification and our next steps > are unclear. We face rising forces in American politics that defy > reason and bend the traditional ideals of a true democracy. We see our > right to vote and the security in its counting being increasingly > challenged. As a nonpartisan organization, the LWV now finds itself as > a with partisan problems. When there is political opposition at odds > with our platform of organizational priorities, how can our voices be > heard? What can history teach us about advocacy strategies that work? > What we do know at this crossroad in the 21st century is that we must > stay true to our mission: 'Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.' > > We hope that our listening members and guests will be posing worthy > questions in the chat to spur further dialogue with Elisabeth! Click here [1] to register. Share the flier [2] and/or a post from our Facebook page [3] to help spread the word. -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094 (cell) www.lwvwv.org [4] Links: ------ [1] https://lwvwv.org/convention/ [2] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ahWfKRs19tL2frvP6EzWbX_hvq-Z1zOi/view?usp=… [3] https://www.facebook.com/lwvwv/ [4] http://www.lwvwv.org

1 0

Invitation to LWVWV Virtual State Convention - Saturday, May 13
by Julie Archer 29 Apr '23

29 Apr '23

Greetings LWVWV Members, I am excited to invite you to our upcoming virtual state convention on Saturday, May 13. The Zoom link and agenda are below. You will find documents related to the convention here [1]. We'll continue to add items to this folder. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Elisabeth Griffith, author of Formidable: _American Women and the Fight for Equality 1920-2020. _See flier [2] for more on Dr. Griffith. Guests who are not members of the League are invited to join us for this portion of the convention. (LWV members can attend entire convention, just can't vote unless they are a delegate. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, please inquire with your local League.) We kindly ask that everyone register here [3] so that we can check the list of attendees against our official membership roster. The agenda has been updated since the previous notice. There are no proposed by-law changes at this time. Looking foward to seeing you on May 13! Best, Julie LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WEST VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION May 13, 2023 via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8106186796?pwd=V2FhZktOZWxwV3QvalRKTzRqcXBiZz09 or Dial 1 (309) 205 3325 ; Meeting ID: 810 618 6796 Passcode: 546014 AGENDA Registration 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. First Plenary Session 10:00 a.m. * Call to Order - Effie Kallas * Additions to Agenda * Welcome & Introductions Huntington League Credentials Report * Roll Call of Local Leagues * Adoption of Convention Rules * Adoption of Convention Agenda * Report of Nominating Committee [4] - Jonathan Rosenbaum * Presentation of Proposed Program [5] * Presentation of Proposed Budget [6] - Teresa Koon Presidents' Report Julie Archer & Effie Kallas Reports of State Board Members and Direction _Administration & Voters Service _ * Endowment Trust - Teresa Koon * Voters Service - Vicki Conner * WV Voter - Teresa Koon * Website - Jonathan Rosenbaum _Program Portfolios _ * Election Laws/Legislative Action Workgroup (LLAW) - Judy Ball * Natural Resources - Nyoka Baker Chapman * Education - Shirley Rosenbaum * Taxation & Finance - Vicki Conner * Health Care - Betty Barrett LUNCH BREAK 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Guest Speaker 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Dr. Elisabeth Griffith, author of Formidable: _American Women and the Fight for Equality 1920-2020_ Guests are invited to join us for this portion of the convention Flier [2] - Registration Link [3] Second Plenary Session 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Call to Order - Julie Archer * Adoption of Budget * Adoption of Program * Election of Officers & Directors * Direction to National Council * Closing Remarks Adjournment 3:00 p.m. -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16OuZfUZY2xBf4NTme889vyk66Iz442qd?us… [2] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ahWfKRs19tL2frvP6EzWbX_hvq-Z1zOi/view?usp=… [3] https://lwvwv.org/convention/ [4] https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ba1zKHhK7BFb5mLl2KWOvFDePzCqXK9u/edit?u… [5] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEfRbE3B2FQrQ8AhWgZxNs5Rr5YODYsc/view?usp=… [6] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UfwcAWTQbtjFM1YjBhNWXxaPDQOpG1XT?us…

1 0

You're Invited to the LWVWV State Convention - Saturday, May 13
by Julie Archer 24 Apr '23

24 Apr '23

Greetings LWVWV Members, I am excited to invite you to our upcoming virtual state convention on Saturday, May 13. The Zoom link and tenative agenda are below. You will find documents related to the convention including our proposed budget for 2023-2024 and the report from our nominating committee here [1]. We'll continue to add items to this folder. Guests are invited to join us for our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Elisabeth Griffith, author of Formidable: _American Women and the Fight for Equality 1920-2020. _See attached flier for more on Dr. Griffith. We kindly ask that everyone register here [2] so that we can check the list of attendees against our official membership roster. More details and materials to come. Looking foward to seeing you on May 13! Best, Julie LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WEST VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION May 13, 2023 via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8106186796?pwd=V2FhZktOZWxwV3QvalRKTzRqcXBiZz09 or Dial 1 (309) 205 3325 ; Meeting ID: 810 618 6796 Passcode: 546014 AGENDA Registration 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. First Plenary Session 10:00 a.m. * Call to Order - Effie Kallas * Additions to Agenda * Welcome & Introductions Huntington League Credentials Report * Roll Call of Local Leagues * Adoption of Convention Rules * Adoption of Convention Agenda * Report of Nominating Committee [3] - Lyn Widmyer * Presentation of Proposed Program - Julie Archer * Presentation of Proposed Budget [4] - Teresa Koon Presidents' Report Julie Archer & Effie Kallas Reports of State Board Members and Direction _Administration & Voters Service _ * Endowment Trust - Teresa Koon * Voters Service - Vicki Conner * WV Voter - Teresa Koon * Website - Jonathan Rosenbaum _Program Portfolios _ * Election Laws/Legislative Action Workgroup (LLAW) - Judy Ball * Natural Resources - Nyoka Baker Chapman Education - Shirley Rosenbaum * Taxation & Finance - Vicki Conner * Health Care - Betty Barrett LUNCH BREAK 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Guest Speaker 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Dr. Elisabeth Griffith, author of Formidable: _American Women and the Fight for Equality 1920-2020_ Guests are invited to join us for this portion of the convention Flier [5] - Registration Link [2] Second Plenary Session 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Call to Order - Julie Archer * Adoption of Bylaws Revision * Adoption of Budget * Adoption of Program * Election of Officers & Directors * Direction to National Council * Closing Remarks Adjournment 3:00 p.m. -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16OuZfUZY2xBf4NTme889vyk66Iz442qd?us… [2] https://nextgen.lwvwv.org/convention/ [3] https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ba1zKHhK7BFb5mLl2KWOvFDePzCqXK9u/edit?u… [4] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UfwcAWTQbtjFM1YjBhNWXxaPDQOpG1XT?us… [5] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ahWfKRs19tL2frvP6EzWbX_hvq-Z1zOi/view?usp=…

1 0

Notice of LWVWV State Convention; Proposed 2023-2024 Budget
by Julie Archer 08 Mar '23

08 Mar '23

Greetings LWVWV Members, I am excited to share this notice regarding our upcoming virtual state convention from our hosts, the League of Women Voters of the Huntington Area: > Our Board has committed to the date of Saturday, May 13 for the LWVWV > convention with the theme being 'The Fight for Women's Equality, It's > Not Over!' Dr. Elisabeth Griffith, author of _Formidable: American > Women and the Fight for Equality 1920-2020, _has agreed to be our > featured speaker. Please mark your calendars and save the date. Related to the convention, please find attached our proposed budget for 2023-2024 and a treasurer's report detailing current income and expenses through February. More details and materials to come. Looking foward to seeing you on May 13! Best, Julie -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094 (cell)

1 0

ACTION against HB 2007
by Judy Ball 03 Feb '23

03 Feb '23

HB 2007 has passed the House in a bipartisan vote. Now it goes to the Senate. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2023_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb2007%… 1) Safeguarding Equal Rights is one of LWVWV’s legislative priorities. Equal rights includes trans rights. To succeed in the 21st Century, West Virginia must be welcoming for all. 2) LWVWV supports health care for all West Virginians including access to evidence-based treatment. Evidence-based healthcare for trans kids can be life-saving care. HB 2007 violates these principles. Please contact your Senators to try to stop this cruel and abusive bill. - Judy Judy K. Ball, PhD, MPA 9 Palmetto Drive Morgantown, WV 26508 240.997.1222 (cell) BallJK(a)aol.com

1 0

Absentee Voting Information for Homebound and Disabled Voters
by Julie Archer 02 Feb '23

02 Feb '23

Dear LWV WV Members, I'm writing to share a resource from the League's recently formed Legislative Action Workgroup (LLAW). One of our goals is to expand and improve access to absentee voting. Unlike 2020, you need an excuse to vote absentee in this election, but many homebound and disable voters are unaware that they qualify to vote absentee. Attached is an instructional flier developed by LLAW member Joe Golden to be placed in Raleigh County Senior Center and distributed through Meals on Wheels in Raleigh County. Other LLAW members are working with local senior services organizations to facilitate distribution in their respective counties. Other counties "participating" in this year's "pilot project" include Cabell, Monongalia and Jefferson. We look forward to sharing the results of the pilot with you after the election and distributing this resource more widely in 2024. In the meantime, please feel free to share with anyone from this information, but remember that the Nov. 2 deadline for submitting an requests for an absentee ballot is approaching fast. If you have any questions about this project please reach out to LLAW Chair Judy Ball at balljk(a)aol.com or myself. Best, Julie -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV & LLAW Member (304) 610-9094 (cell)

2 1

2022 Shale & Public Health Conference
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 15 Dec '22

15 Dec '22

Highly recommended conference about the health affects from shale gas development with peer reviewed studies. You can always watch this conference afterwards, so please register regardless of your schedule. -Jonathan Register Now for November 15 & 16, 2022 Tenth Annual Shale & Public Health Conference Tuesday, November 15, 2022 & Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from noon to 4pm EST The conference is presented by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. This is an online ZOOM conference. Login details will be provided closer to the event. Register [1] The conference is free but you need to register! More information and videos from past conferences: shalepalwv.org [2] Featuring: * Synthesis of 10 years of research - what have we learned? * New evidence: Researchers present their latest studies on the health impacts of shale gas development * Environmental Justice * Special guest speakers explore the relationships between research findings and government policy * Community Voices More Information and Registration [3] Or call 1-800-61-SHALE You may also pass along this information to a friend or colleague who would be interested in attending. Visit our Website: www.ShalePalwv.org [4] Links: ------ [1] https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001muRVKCBz7CKgTffwO_sJYpaiEPO9NWgsQY4q-iLzyvr… [2] https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001muRVKCBz7CKgTffwO_sJYpaiEPO9NWgsQY4q-iLzyvr… [3] https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001muRVKCBz7CKgTffwO_sJYpaiEPO9NWgsQY4q-iLzyvr… [4] https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001muRVKCBz7CKgTffwO_sJYpaiEPO9NWgsQY4q-iLzyvr…

1 1

LWV of WV VOTER
by teresa.m.koon＠gmail.com 25 Sep '22

25 Sep '22

Good morning - Attached please find the League of Women Voters of West Virginia Fall newsletter. Read about LWV WV positions on constitutional amendments on the November ballot, our new Legislative Action Workgroup, WV opportunities for clean energy, board member letters to the editor, and more. Teresa Koon LWV WV Editor

1 0

Aug. 31 @6PM - Virtual strategy session on Amendments 2 and 4
by Julie Archer 27 Aug '22

27 Aug '22

If you were unable to attend last week's grassroots strategy meeting on Amendments 2 and 4, a virtual session has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 31st at 6PM. Details and registration link are below. The session will provide and overview of Amendments 2 and 4, along with best messaging practices. Julie --- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, League of Women Voters of WV (304) 610-9094 (cell) www.wvcag.org [1] - www.wvoter-owned.org [2] -------- Original Message -------- SUBJECT: Virtual strategy session on constitutional amendments that take control + revenue from our communities DATE: 2022-08-25 13:55 FROM: Kelly Allen <kallen(a)wvpolicy.org> TO: CC: "LShepherd(a)afsc.org" <LShepherd(a)afsc.org>, Seth DiStefano <sdistefano(a)wvpolicy.org> Hello hello, Hope folks are doing well, and apologies if you receive this information more than once. This November West Virginia voters will consider constitutional amendments that would have significant impacts on funding and control of our communities, our public schools, and the local services that we rely on. If they pass, they would greatly shift control away from voters, communities, and families. Please join us next Wednesday, August 31 from 6-730 pm for a virtual meeting to discuss "what's at stake" with these amendments, to strategize about how we can educate our communities about them, and to coordinate and plug into efforts that are already ongoing. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudemvqD8vGtAqvPRFc5FV6d5xYrL-Jr… [3] Please reach out with any questions! Kelly Allen Executive Director WV Center on Budget and Policy 304-612-4180 @kellakelWV she/her Sign up for our weekly newsletter [4] Links: ------ [1] http://www.wvcag.org [2] http://www.wvoter-owned.org [3] https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudemvqD8vGtAqvPRFc5FV6d5xYrL-Jr… [4] https://wvpolicy.org/newsletter/

1 0

RECORDING - Empty Chair Forums Workshop
by Judy Ball 24 Aug '22

24 Aug '22

Recording of last night’s workshop has been uploaded and is available at https://youtu.be/XFi_3WjCe6M Also, copy of PowerPoint slides & Empty Chair Policy with Pilot Guidelines are attached. Thank you, everyone who attended & everyone who expressed interest in these materials. Anyone with questions, please free to contact me or Effie. - Judy Judy K. Ball, PhD, MPA 9 Palmetto Drive Morgantown, WV 26508 240.997.1222 (cell) BallJK(a)aol.com

2 1

Reminder: Empty Chair Forums Workshop (8/23); Amendments 2 & 4 - Grassroots Meeting (8/24)
by Julie Archer 19 Aug '22

19 Aug '22

Happy Friday! This is just a friendly reminder about two upcoming events: On Tuesday evening, 8/23, LWVWV will host a virtual workshop on Conducting Empty Chair Candidate Forums under the LWVWV pilot adopted for the 2022 General Election. The workshop will be lead by our Co-President Effie Kallas, and our 2nd Vice President and Election Laws Director, Judy Ball. Details and zoom link are below. On Wednesday, 8/24, the American Friends Service Committee, the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, NAACP-WV and the West Virginia Alliance for Local Control are hosting a grassroots gathering in Bridgeport to discuss Amendments 2 and 4, their potential consequences, and how individuals and organizations can get involved to make sure our friends, family, and communities know what's at stake. If you plan to attend, the RSVP deadline is Monday, 8/22. Details and flyer can be found below. -- LWV is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Conducting Empty Chair Candidate Forums Time: Aug 23, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84577274954 Meeting ID: 845 7727 4954 One tap mobile +16465588656,,84577274954# US (New York) +16469313860,,84577274954# US Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 444 9171 US Meeting ID: 845 7727 4954 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kObgGnLj1 -- What's at Stake for Our Communities with Amendments 2 and 4? _On election day, West Virginians will vote on Amendment 2, which would give the state legislature control of $515 million in property taxes that fund our schools and communities. State legislators have already said they plan to use that control to give corporations- many of them located outside of West Virginia- a big tax cut. But what does that mean for our communities, our schools, our local businesses, our parks and libraries?_ _Also on the ballot is Amendment 4, which would essentially give the legislature power to determine school curriculum, further politicize our children's education and have a stifling effect on public education across the board._ _Please join us on Wednesday, August 24th from 10am- 2pm at the Bridgeport Conference Center__ to learn more about Amendments 2 and 4, their potential consequences for our communities, and how you can get involved to make sure your friends, family, and peers know what's at stake. Lunch will be provided._ _If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Kelly Allen at kallen(a)wvpolicy.org__ _ This gathering will be hosted by the American Friends Service Committee, the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, NAACP-WV and the West Virginia Alliance for Local Control. While we'd love to see you in person, we will do our best to provide a virtual or recorded option for those who cannot make it to Bridgeport. -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) (304) 610-9094

1 0

LWVWV OPPOSES THREE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON FALL BALLOT
by Julie Archer 13 Aug '22

13 Aug '22

LWVWV OPPOSES THREE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON FALL BALLOT On July 15, The League of Women Voters of West Virginia Board voted to oppose 3 of the 4 amendments on the November general election ballot [1]. Oppose Amendment 1: Clarification of Judiciary's Role in Impeachment Proceedings Oppose Amendment 2: Property Tax Modernization Oppose Amendment 4: Education Accountability Amendment 3 concerns the incorporation of religious denominations and churches. The LWVWV has no policy position regarding this issue, and so has no recommendation. The basis for the League's opposition to three of the amendments follows: Amendment 1: Clarification of the Judiciary's Role in Impeachment Proceedings The LWVWV and the LWVUS believe in representative government that all powers of the government should be exercised within the constitutional framework of a balance among the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. The League also believes firmly in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, and that individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged. (See pages 10 and 51 of LWVUS Impact on Issues [2]). For these reasons the LWVWV opposes this amendment. This amendment would cut loose future impeachment proceedings of the state legislature from all constitutional restraint, potentially denying a public official faced with impeachment their right to due process, thereby eroding existing checks and balances between the three branches of government and undercutting public trust in the political process. Amendment 2: Property Tax Modernization Amendment This amendment would authorize the Legislature to exempt business related machinery and equipment from taxation. The LWVWV opposes this amendment because of the potential effect on local funding of important services like schools, libraries and parks. Communities in our state should be able to rely on a stable, long term source of revenue (like taxes on personal property used for business activity). Removing this revenue source from localities reduces their options for local investment. This amendment is inconsistent with LWVWV positions to support a state tax system that relies on diverse sources of income and provides an adequate, stable yield, and to oppose any tax reform or change which negatively affects the state's or local government's ability to provide necessary services. Amendment 4: Education Accountability This amendment would make policies by the State Board of Education subject to legislative review. In 1958 the voters amended the state constitution to give general supervisory authority over the school system to the State Board of Education. LWVWV supported that change. The State Board of Education is comprised of citizens from diverse backgrounds and education expertise who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. This model provides stability in terms of educational programming and allows timely response to educational issues. Granting the state legislature authority over state education rules and policies will, in the words of the Board of Education [3], only make our system of education "less efficient, more chaotic and subject to partisan politics." Please keep an eye our for educational materials and event from the LWVWV. In the meantime, you might be interested in the following. SAVE THE DATE: What's at Stake for Our Communities with Amendments 2 and 4? On election day, West Virginians will vote on Amendment 2, which would give the state legislature control of $515 million in property taxes that fund our schools and communities. State legislators have already said they plan to use that control to give corporations- many of them located outside of West Virginia- a big tax cut. But what does that mean for our communities, our schools, our local businesses, our parks and libraries? Also on the ballot is Amendment 4, which would essentially give the legislature power to determine school curriculum, which would have a stifling effect on public education across the board. Please plan to join us on Wednesday, August 24th from 10am- 2pm at the Bridgeport Conference Center to learn more about Amendments 2 and 4, their potential consequences for our communities, and how you can get involved to make sure your friends, family, and peers know what's at stake. Lunch will be provided. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Kelly Allen at kallen(a)wvpolicy.org by Monday, August 22nd. _This gathering will be hosted by the American Friends Service Committee, the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, the West Virginia NAACP and the West Virginia Alliance for Local Control. While we'd love to see you in person, we will do our best to provide a virtual or recorded option for those who cannot make it to Bridgeport. _ _For now, you can read more about Amendment 2 and its potential consequences__ __here_ [4]_ and__ __here_ [5]_._ -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/Proposed-Amendments2022.aspx [2] https://www.lwv.org/impact-issues [3] https://s3.amazonaws.com/wvmetro-uploads-prod/2022/03/2022-WVBE-HJR102-Stat… [4] https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwvpolicy.… [5] https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvloc…

1 0

Invitation for Empty Chair Virtual Workshop
by Judy Ball 29 Jul '22

29 Jul '22

Mark your calendars!Effie Kallas and I invite you to join us for a virtual workshop on Conducting Empty Chair Candidate Forums under the LWVWV pilot adopted for the 2022 General Election. Event banner and Zoom invitation below. - JudyJudy K. Ball, PhD, MPA9 Palmetto DriveMorgantown, WV 26508240.997.1222 (mobile)BallJK(a)aol.com LWV is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Conducting Empty Chair Candidate Forums Time: Aug 23, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/84577274954 Meeting ID: 845 7727 4954One tap mobile+16465588656,,84577274954# US (New York)+16469313860,,84577274954# US Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 444 9171 US Meeting ID: 845 7727 4954Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kObgGnLj1

2 2

Special Session Update: Final Vote on Abortion Ban Tomorrow
by Julie Archer 28 Jul '22

28 Jul '22

Yesterday, the West Virginia House passed House Bill 302 [4], which would completely ban abortion in the Mountain State. This bill is moving at breakneck speed through the Senate, a final vote expected to take place tomorrow, Friday, July 29. Here's the latest call to action from the Women's Heath Center of West Virginia [5]: > _Friends,_ > > _Despite public anger and outcries from the chamber gallery, > anti-abortion politicians in the WV House of Delegates forced the > passage of a total ban on abortion yesterday. The process was > fast-tracked in an unprecedented and overtly politicized manner. And we > are disgusted by the callous disregard forced birth legislators have > shown for the lives of West Virginian women and people who can become > pregnant. _ > > _At 1 PM tomorrow, the WV Senate will meet to vote on (and in all > likelihood pass) House Bill 302 - a total ban on abortion [1]. _ > > _This is it. This is our final chance to gather and make legislators > hear our voices before a complete ban on abortion in West Virginia goes > into effect. _ > > _We need you to show up at the WV State Capitol in a bold way tomorrow > morning at 11 AM. Bring your energy, your signs, your passion, and your > voices._ [2] > > _RSVP TO PACK THE CAPITOL_ [2] > > _EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATOR TO VOTE NO! [3]_ > > [Links below to alternative tools for finding and contacting your > Senators] > > _These people work for YOU. They need to know we are not backing down. > Keep calling them, keep emailing them (send a quick one here [3]), keep > sharing our posts on social media, and show up tomorrow._ > > _This is not the end. We will never stop fighting for the abortion > rights of West Virginians. Ever. _ > > _See you tomorrow, _ > > _Katie Quinonez_ > _Executive Director_ > _Women's Health Center of West Virginia_ Can't make it to the Capitol tomorrow? Use these tools from Planned Parenthood to call [6] and email [7] your Senators, or click here [8] to look up your legislators or send an email to every member of the WV State Senate. Follow @PPSATWV [9] and @womenshealthwv [10] on Twitter for live updates. We won't go back and we won't back down. We are in a fight to make sure everyone has the power to control their own bodies, lives, and futures. -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) (304) 610-9094 Links: ------ [1] https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=HB302+ENG.… [2] https://www.facebook.com/events/2330326450452471 [3] https://secure.everyaction.com/p1Yrhdv-cUW_AURCgEVOXA2 [4] https://click.everyaction.com/k/48451817/358317576/-1655958767?nvep=ew0KICA… [5] https://www.womenshealthwv.org/ [6] https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/find-your-leg-wv [7] https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/protect-abortion-wv [8] https://wvecouncil.org/wv-legislature/senate/ [9] https://twitter.com/PPSATWV [10] https://twitter.com/womenshealthwv

1 0

Action Needed: Speak Out Against WV Abortion Ban
by Julie Archer 26 Jul '22

26 Jul '22

As you probably know, last week Govenor Justice called a special session to make cuts to the state's personal income tax. Yesterday, the Governor amended the call to include abortion and lawmakers are moving quickly to completely ban abortion in West Virginia. Here's the latest from our friends from Planned Parenthood along with actions you can take: > State house lawmakers introduced and advanced a bill that would > completely ban abortion in the Mountain state. They are fast-tracking > the bill to make sure it passes by the end of the week. We need to act > NOW. > > We will not sit back while legislators attempt to take away our > personal freedoms. We need to raise our voices, show out, and make sure > our elected officials know that West Virginians do NOT want them to ban > abortion. > > Here's how you can take action: > > * Join us at the public hearing on Wednesday, July 27. The hearing > starts at 9:00 a.m. If you'd like to sign up to speak, arrive at the > Capitol by 8:00 a.m. Click here [1] to get more info and RSVP. > * Call your legislators. Calling is the most effective method of > contacting legislators. Not sure who represents you or how to contact > them? Click here [2] to look up your state legislators and get a sample > script of what to say. > * Send an email to your elected officials and tell them to vote "no" on > abortion bans. Click here [3] to send an email. > > This is an all-hands-on-deck moment like we have never seen before. We > won't back down and we won't stop fighting to ensure our ability to > decide if, when, and how we become parents is protected. > > Are you with us? > > Alisa Clements > Director of Public Affairs > > Emily Womeldorff > Advocacy Campaigns Director > > P.S. This abortion ban will be moving quickly [and will be up for a > final vote in the House] tomorrow [Wednesday, July 27]. Get live > updates on Twitter @PPSATWV [4]. Thank you for taking action. It is critical that we make our voices heard for reproductive choice. In League, Julie -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) (304) 610-9094 Links: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/events/566452918448207 [2] https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/find-your-leg-wv [3] https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/protect-abortion-wv [4] https://twitter.com/PPSATWV

1 0

Volunteers Needed for League Legislative Action Workgroup
by Julie Archer 11 Jul '22

11 Jul '22

Dear LWVWV Members, At our Council meeting in May, the LWVWV Board along with local League Presidents approved a proposal for a new League Legislative Action Workgroup (LLAW). Proposal is attached. The idea behind this initiative is simple. In recent years, our advocacy efforts have been concentrated in the periods just before and during the legislative session when legislators are already focused on their priorities and less likely to listen to us and change course. Our advocacy could be more effective if we mounted more continuous -- we would say persistent -- action throughout the year. LLAW's inaugural focus will be on legislation related to voting. Voting is where success could have the greatest impact in WV and where we can build on an established foundation of prior years' advocacy. How do we make LLAW real? LLAW needs volunteers -- Volunteers from every local League in WV and members at large. The LLAW philosophy is that _everyone is good at something but rarely, if ever, is anyone good at everything_. Therefore, a dedicated group can maximize effectiveness by combining their varied skill sets. As they say, it takes a village. To volunteer, please respond directly to this email and to_ Judy Ball, balljk(a)aol.com by July 25._ If you have questions, Judy is happy to answer them (email or call her at 240.997.1222). She plans to schedule a virtual organizational meeting of LLAW by the end of July. Whether we love Zoom or not, it is more convenient, safe, and economical than driving all over WV. In League, Julie Archer & Effie Kallas Co-Presidents, LWVWV

1 0

We Dissent: Our Lives— and Our Democracy — Are at Stake
by Julie Archer 08 Jul '22

08 Jul '22

LWVWV Members, The League continues to stand in power with our reproductive rights partners and all persons who fear the dangerous consequences of the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion. This is a very scary time for women and all people who may become pregnant. It is critical that we show up and make our voices heard for reproductive choice. I hope to see some of you tomorrow (July 9) in Charleston for the We Dissent: Rally for Abortion Rights [1] at the the State Capitol, 2-4PM. If you can't make it to Charleston, I'm also sharing some additional actions, events, and resources from WV reproductive justice organizations and others for people to feel empowered at home. Thanks for all you do! This battle is far from over. Our lives -- and our democracy -- are at stake. In League, Julie RECORDED EVENTS: 'Let's Talk About Abortion: Your SCOTUS Questioned Answered' [2] - Virtual discussion with ACLU-WV Legal Director Loree Stark and Women's Health Center Executive Director Katie Quiñonez about the recent Supreme Court Ruling, what it means for West Virginia, and what's next. 'Let's Talk About Abortion: Faith and Reproductive Rights' [3] - Virtual discussion with leaders from a variety of faith traditions to talk about the recent SCOTUS decision and how we can respond. RESOURCES & ACTIONS: Women's Health Center is still here but is pausing their abortion services. Click here [4] to learn about the other services they provide and how you can support their work. Then take action by signing their petition to repeal the "crime of abortion" in West Virginia [5]. Activist Do's & Dont's Guide [6] from Liberate Abortion (in particular see post-decision Do's & Dont's on messaging, language and images) Abortion is Essential to Democracy [7] - This pre-decision series of essays from the Brennan Center for Justice series provides fresh takes on the importance of lawful abortion access coming from the democracy angle (distinct from the reproductive rights and justice angle) and focusing on issues like money in politics and the power of state courts to fight back. Several pieces, such as "The Danger of Laws Criminalizing Pregnancy Outcomes" may be of particular interest in this new post-_Roe_ climate. --- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094 Links: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/events/717324863019741 [2] https://www.facebook.com/ACLUWV/videos/742865630357216/?__cft__[0]=AZU8HLp6… [3] https://fb.watch/e8cfi6P9vu/ [4] https://www.womenshealthwv.org/ [5] https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/west-virginians-support-access-to-abort… [6] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6190838c98732d54b730968a/t/629e2870a… [7] https://msmagazine.com/abortion-is-essential-to-democracy/

1 0

SCOTUS Has Overturned the Right to Abortion: Vigils Tonight Statewide
by Julie Archer 24 Jun '22

24 Jun '22

LWVWV Members, As you have probably already heard, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned _Roe v. Wade_ [1]_. _See the message below from Dr. Deborah Turner, LWVUS President. This is a very scary time for women and all people who may become pregnant. For anyone who experiences pregnancy, our basic freedoms depend on our ability to control our reproductive health. It is critical that we show up and make our voices heard for reproductive choice. If you would like to stand in solidarity and community with others who value and support the freedom of abortion rights and access, vigils are planned across the state tonight: * Charleston, Robert C. Byrd US Court House, 8:30pm * Beckley, Robert C. Byrd US Court House, 7pm * Lewisburg, Greenbrier County Court House, 7pm * Morgantown, Mon County Court House, 7pm * Shepherdstown, Main St. at Shepherd University, 7pm * Parkersburg, Planned Parenthood Vienna, 7pm * Wheeling, Heritage Port, 7pm To help ensure West Virginians can continue to get the abortion care they need, you may also want to consider making a donation to the Women's Health Center of WV Choice Fund [2]. In League, Julie --- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President, LWVWV (304) 610-9094 -------- Original Message -------- SUBJECT: SCOTUS Just Overturned the Right to Abortion DATE: 2022-06-24 18:17 FROM: "Dr. Deborah Ann Turner @ League of Women Voters" <lwv(a)lwv.org> TO: julie(a)wvcag.org REPLY-TO: lwv(a)lwv.org A devastating decision with immediate consequences Julie, In a decision that will impact millions of women and child-bearing people, the Supreme Court of the US ruled 6 - 3 to overturn the constitutional right to abortion [3]. Today's ruling, which fails to even say the word "women," sends a terrifying message. When women and other childbearing people can no longer control their own bodies, they are no longer equal in our democracy. Further, this decision threatens the status of other constitutional rights, such as those protecting marriage equality, intimate conduct, and the right to contraception. The League continues to stand in our power with our reproductive rights partners and all persons who fear the dangerous consequences of this decision -- many of whom are already organizing a response [4]. We will use our anger to fight in the legislatures, in the courts, and in the streets. This battle is far from over. Our lives -- and our democracy -- are at stake. In coalition, Dr. Deborah Ann Turner LWVUS Board President Read our statement [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20036 Unsubscribe [10] Links: ------ [1] https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/politics/dobbs-mississippi-supreme-court-abo… [2] https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/SZoCjtuFoOb1r-pEN87_eA [3] http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=xHo2%2FtR%2Bf3kTTQ9… [4] http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=N6tNIRtwNK6JBGaIOav… [5] http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=VZaVod0h2JNnMdXNc3X… [6] http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=rXlKs8oZtz7AfmFTfic… [7] http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=pPM8eou207Jp5eq5KHF… [8] http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=HL%2FhWnMl9%2BRuY4J… [9] http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=DXcOakmAYy3EbYaryne… [10] http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=BaHJ8CtHhY3FC3pPjSH…

1 0

Thursday Event - LWVUS Convention 2022
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 22 Jun '22

22 Jun '22

It's LWVUS Convention time, again! The Thursday evening "Women Power Democracy Panel" event is open to everyone, including those not registered for Convention and non-members, and will be streamed on Facebook from 8pm - 9pm. You do not need a Facebook account to view the event, just visit the webpage at https://www.facebook.com/events/1326106187798575 . Synopsis: Since the 2020 election, we have seen new barriers to voting and continued attacks on our democracy - and women are continuing to lead the fight to protect voting rights through advocacy, litigation, and organizing. This panel discussion will feature key partners of the League who are working towards the four pillars of Women Power Democracy: build more trust in our elections, grow our electorate with equity, create fairness for voter access, and ensure community districting truly reflects our population. The conversation will discuss the challenges of anti-voter laws, the continued mis- and disinformation, as well as the solutions for reaching voters and ensuring impacted communities are prepared to make their voices heard at the polls in 2022. Speakers: Noelle Damico, Director of Social Justice, The Workers Circle Nicole Melaku, Executive Director, National Partnership for New Americans Christian Nunes, President, National Organization for Women Allison Riggs, Director, LWVUS Board (moderator) -Jonathan

1 0

Final Reminder & Updated Agenda: LWV-WV Council Meeting - May 21 at 10AM
by Julie Archer 20 May '22

20 May '22

Dear LWV-WV Members, This is a final reminder that State Council 2022 will be held tomorrow Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Councils are held in the interim years between Conventions primarily for the adoption of a budget for the coming fiscal year. Per our bylaws, the Council shall be composed of the presidents of the local Leagues or an alternate in the event a president is unable to attend, two delegates chosen by each local League, one delegate from each MAL Unit, and the state board. League members are welcome to join us. We will also have a special guest speaker, Renate Pore, Chair of the WV Suffragist Memorial Committee. The Zoom link and updated agenda are below. You can find items related to the agenda here [1]. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow! Julie LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WEST VIRGINIA May 21, 2022, 10:00 AM State Council & Board Meeting by Video Conference https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8106186796?pwd=V2FhZktOZWxwV3QvalRKTzRqcXBiZz09 Dial: 1 (646) 558-8656 OR 1 (301) 715-8592 - Meeting ID: 810 618 6796 - Passcode: 546014 Board: Julie Archer & Effie Kallas, Co-Presidents; Nancy Ulrich, 1st Vice President; Judy Ball, 2nd Vice President; Teresa Koon, Treasurer; Carline Shaw, Secretary; Directors: Betty Barrett, Nyoka Baker Chapman, Vicki Conner, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Shirley Rosenbaum Agenda 10:00 a.m. Call to Order/Agenda Changes/Additions - Effie Kallas 10:05 a.m. Board Minutes - March 19/Decisions by Email - Carline Shaw 10:10 a.m. Treasurer's Report - Teresa Koon 10:15 a.m. State Council 2022 * Roll Call of Local Leagues - Teresa Koon * Discussion & Passage of the Budget for 2022-23 - Teresa Koon 10:45 a.m. Guest Speaker & Discussion - Renate Pore, WV Women's Suffragists Memorial 11:15 a.m. Break (5 minutes) 11:20 a.m. Announcements/New & Unfinished Business Announcements/Upcoming Events * May 22 - LWV Morgantown-Monongalia Co. Annual Meeting - 12:30-1PM Check-In * 1 PM - Guest Speaker, Dr. Lisa Tetrault, Carnegie-Mellon University - "When Women Won the Right to Vote: An American Fiction" (see newsletter link below for details) * https://mailchi.mp/7a69ab7f5442/spring-2021-member-newsletter-16087551 * June 4 - Caring for Creation Together: A WV Interfaith Climate Conference * Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/wvaclimate LWVWV has been asked to co-sponsor (see flier and co-sponsorship options) * June 18 - Poor People's Campaign - Moral March on Washington * https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/june18/ * Ridesharing & buses available [2] for those interested in attending in-person * Virtual actions New Business National Convention - Appoint Delegates Julie Archer * Landing page for convention information: https://www.lwv.org/league-management/council-convention/2022-national-conv… * Dates: June 23-26, 2022 -- This is a fully hybrid (in-person and virtual) event with in-person events taking place in Denver, Co. * Representation is based on membership. Each local League is entitled to at least one delegate and the state board can send three delegates. League members may also attend as observers. * Local League representation * 1-49 members = 1 delegate * 50-99 members = 2 delegates * 100-149 members = 3 delegates * The registration fee is $475 per in-person delegate/observer and $300 per virtual delegate/observer. * LWVWV has received a $1500 discount code that can be applied towards registrations. * Registration Deadline: June 6 Unfinished Business * Legislative Action Workgroup Proposal - Judy Ball * Voter Services * Voter's Guide/Forum Updates - Vicki Conner, Local Voter Services Directors * Constitutional Amendments - Campaigns For and Against * Schedule Meeting with LWVUS re: Vote411 - Julie Archer * How can WV make the best use of the platform in future elections? * Zoom Licenses - Teresa Koon (Holding space for announcements, updates on the following, if any) * Policy Review/Updates - Jonathan Rosenbaum * Update Position on Election Reform, Voter Access/Ease of Voting - Judy Ball Update Positions on Health Care, Libraries - Betty Barrett Reminder: Concurrence policy and examples shared via email prior to January board meeting. Noon - Lunch Break 12:30 p.m. Portfolio & Committee Reports * Education & Membership - Shirley Rosenbaum * Election Laws - Judy Ball * Fair Maps/Redistricting - Nyoka Baker Chapman * Health Care - Betty Barrett * Judicial Selection - Nancy Ulrich * Natural Resources - Nyoka Baker Chapman * Taxation & Finance - Vicki Conner * Voter - Teresa Koon * Website & Tech - Jonathan Rosenbaum 1:15 p.m. Set Meeting Dates for 2022-23 1:30 p.m. Adjourn -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President (304) 610-9094 Links: ------ [1] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gxbqrf6cn93VzI_SIh5B17au327gzOds?us… [2] https://rally.co/ppc

1 0

Reminder: LWV-WV Council Meeting - May 21 at 10AM
by Julie Archer 19 May '22

19 May '22

Dear LWV-WV Members, This is a friendly reminder that State Council 2022 will be held this Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Councils are held in the interim years between Conventions primarily for the adoption of a budget for the coming fiscal year. Per our bylaws, the Council shall be composed of the presidents of the local Leagues or an alternate in the event a president is unable to attend, two delegates chosen by each local League, one delegate from each MAL Unit, and the state board. League members are welcome to join us. We will also have a special guest speaker, Renate Pore, Chair of the WV Suffragist Memorial Committee. The Zoom link and agenda are below. Several items related to the agenda are attached. If you plan to attend please RSVP by replying to this email to receive additional materials. Look forward to seeing you Saturday! Julie LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WEST VIRGINIA May 21, 2022, 10:00 AM State Council & Board Meeting by Video Conference https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8106186796?pwd=V2FhZktOZWxwV3QvalRKTzRqcXBiZz09 Dial: 1 (646) 558-8656 OR 1 (301) 715-8592 - Meeting ID: 810 618 6796 - Passcode: 546014 Board: Julie Archer & Effie Kallas, Co-Presidents; Nancy Ulrich, 1st Vice President; Judy Ball, 2nd Vice President; Teresa Koon, Treasurer; Carline Shaw, Secretary; Directors: Betty Barrett, Nyoka Baker Chapman, Vicki Conner, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Shirley Rosenbaum Agenda 10:00 a.m. Call to Order/Agenda Changes/Additions - Effie Kallas 10:05 a.m. Board Minutes - March 19/Decisions by Email - Carline Shaw (minutes attached) 10:10 a.m. Treasurer's Report - Teresa Koon 10:15 a.m. State Council 2022 * Roll Call of Local Leagues - Teresa Koon * Discussion & Passage of the Budget for 2022-23 - Teresa Koon (proposed budget attached) 10:45 a.m. Guest Speaker & Discussion - Renate Pore, WV Women's Suffragists Memorial 11:15 a.m. Break (5 minutes) 11:20 a.m. Announcements/New & Unfinished Business Announcements/Upcoming Events * May 22 - LWV Morgantown-Monongalia Co. Annual Meeting - 12:30-1PM Check-In * 1 PM - Guest Speaker, Dr. Lisa Tetrault, Carnegie-Mellon University - "When Women Won the Right to Vote: An American Fiction" (see newsletter link below for details) * https://mailchi.mp/7a69ab7f5442/spring-2021-member-newsletter-16087551 * June 18 - Poor People's Campaign - Moral March on Washington * https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/june18/ * Ridesharing & buses available [1] for those interested in attending in-person * Virtual actions New Business National Convention - Appoint Delegates Julie Archer * Landing page for convention information: https://www.lwv.org/league-management/council-convention/2022-national-conv… * Dates: June 23-26, 2022 -- This is a fully hybrid (in-person and virtual) event with in-person events taking place in Denver, Co. * Representation is based on membership. Each local League is entitled to at least one delegate and the state board can send three delegates. League members may also attend as observers. * Local League representation * 1-49 members = 1 delegate * 50-99 members = 2 delegates * 100-149 members = 3 delegates * The registration fee is $475 per in-person delegate/observer and $300 per virtual delegate/observer. * LWVWV has received a $1500 discount code that can be applied towards registrations. * Registration Deadline: June 6 Unfinished Business * Legislative Action Workgroup Proposal - Judy Ball (proposal attached) * Voter Services * Voter's Guide/Forum Updates - Vicki Conner, Local Voter Services Directors * Schedule Meeting with LWVUS re: Vote411 - Julie Archer * How can WV make the best use of the platform in future elections? * Zoom Licenses - Teresa Koon (Holding space for announcements, updates on the following, if any) * Policy Review/Updates - Jonathan Rosenbaum * Update Position on Election Reform, Voter Access/Ease of Voting - Judy Ball (concurrence proposal attached) * Update Positions on Health Care, Libraries - Betty Barrett Reminder: Concurrence policy and examples shared via email prior to January board meeting. Noon - Lunch Break 12:30 p.m. Portfolio & Committee Reports * Education & Membership - Shirley Rosenbaum * Election Laws - Judy Ball (2022 Election Update attached) * Fair Maps/Redistricting - Nyoka Baker Chapman * Health Care - Betty Barrett * Judicial Selection - Nancy Ulrich * Natural Resources - Nyoka Baker Chapman * Taxation & Finance - Vicki Conner * Voter - Teresa Koon * Website & Tech - Jonathan Rosenbaum 1:15 p.m. Set Meeting Dates for 2022-23 1:30 p.m. Adjourn -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President (304) 610-9094 Links: ------ [1] https://rally.co/ppc

1 0

LWV-WV Council Meeting - May 21 at 10AM
by Julie Archer 14 May '22

14 May '22

Dear LWV-WV Members, State Council 2022 will be held on May 21, from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Councils are held in the interim years between Conventions primarily for the adoption of a budget for the coming fiscal year. Per our bylaws, the Council shall be composed of the presidents of the local Leagues or an alternate in the event a president is unable to attend, two delegates chosen by each local League, one delegate from each MAL Unit, and the state board. League members are welcome to join us. We will also have a special guest speaker, Renate Pore, Chair of the WV Suffragist Memorial Committee. The Zoom link and agenda are below. If you plan to attend please RSVP by replying to this email to receive additional materials related to the agenda. Julie LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WEST VIRGINIA May 21, 2022, 10:00 AM State Council & Board Meeting by Video Conference https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8106186796?pwd=V2FhZktOZWxwV3QvalRKTzRqcXBiZz09 Dial: 1 (646) 558-8656 OR 1 (301) 715-8592 - Meeting ID: 810 618 6796 - Passcode: 546014 Board: Julie Archer & Effie Kallas, Co-Presidents; Nancy Ulrich, 1st Vice President; Judy Ball, 2nd Vice President; Teresa Koon, Treasurer; Carline Shaw, Secretary; Directors: Betty Barrett, Nyoka Baker Chapman, Vicki Conner, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Shirley Rosenbaum Agenda 10:00 a.m. Call to Order/Agenda Changes/Additions - Effie Kallas 10:05 a.m. Board Minutes - March 19/Decisions by Email - Carline Shaw (minutes attached) 10:10 a.m. Treasurer's Report - Teresa Koon 10:15 a.m. State Council 2022 * Roll Call of Local Leagues - Teresa Koon * Discussion & Passage of the Budget for 2022-23 - Teresa Koon (proposed budget attached) 10:45 a.m. Guest Speaker & Discussion - Renate Pore, WV Women's Suffragists Memorial 11:15 a.m. Break (5 minutes) 11:20 a.m. Announcements/New & Unfinished Business Announcements/Upcoming Events * May 22 - LWV Morgantown-Monongalia Co. Annual Meeting - 12:30-1PM Check-In * 1 PM - Guest Speaker, Dr. Lisa Tetrault, Carnegie-Mellon University - "When Women Won the Right to Vote: An American Fiction" (see newsletter link below for details) * https://mailchi.mp/7a69ab7f5442/spring-2021-member-newsletter-16087551 * June 18 - Poor People's Campaign - Moral March on Washington * https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/june18/ * Ridesharing & buses available [1] for those interested in attending in-person * Virtual actions New Business National Convention - Appoint Delegates Julie Archer * Landing page for convention information: https://www.lwv.org/league-management/council-convention/2022-national-conv… * Dates: June 23-26, 2022 -- This is a fully hybrid (in-person and virtual) event with in-person events taking place in Denver, Co. * Representation is based on membership. Each local League is entitled to at least one delegate and the state board can send three delegates. League members may also attend as observers. * Local League representation * 1-49 members = 1 delegate * 50-99 members = 2 delegates * 100-149 members = 3 delegates * The registration fee is $475 per in-person delegate/observer and $300 per virtual delegate/observer. * LWVWV has received a $1500 discount code that can be applied towards registrations. * Registration Deadline: June 6 Unfinished Business * Legislative Action Workgroup Proposal - Judy Ball (proposal attached) * Voter Services * Voter's Guide/Forum Updates - Vicki Conner, Local Voter Services Directors * Schedule Meeting with LWVUS re: Vote411 - Julie Archer * How can WV make the best use of the platform in future elections? * Zoom Licenses - Teresa Koon (Holding space for announcements, updates on the following, if any) * Policy Review/Updates - Jonathan Rosenbaum * Update Position on Election Reform, Voter Access/Ease of Voting - Judy Ball * Update Positions on Health Care, Libraries - Betty Barrett Reminder: Concurrence policy and examples shared via email prior to January board meeting. Noon - Lunch Break 12:30 p.m. Portfolio & Committee Reports * Education & Membership - Shirley Rosenbaum * Election Laws - Judy Ball * Fair Maps/Redistricting - Nyoka Baker Chapman * Health Care - Betty Barrett * Judicial Selection - Nancy Ulrich * Natural Resources - Nyoka Baker Chapman * Taxation & Finance - Vicki Conner * Voter - Teresa Koon * Website & Tech - Jonathan Rosenbaum 1:15 p.m. Set Meeting Dates for 2022-23 1:30 p.m. Adjourn -- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President (304) 610-9094 Links: ------ [1] https://rally.co/ppc

1 0

LWV WV Spring 2022 Voter
by teresa.m.koon＠gmail.com 11 Apr '22

11 Apr '22

Good evening League Members! Attached is the latest VOTER newsletter from LWV of West Virginia. Lots to read in here! For those of you who get hard copies, those are still coming in the mail if you prefer to read it that way. Expect it one day next week. Teresa Koon Editor LWV WV

1 0

- Today at 4:30: LWV forum on winter resource accessibility
by balljk＠aol.com 10 Mar '22

10 Mar '22

Hello, League members, Hope you can join us for our Winter Warming Forum to discuss ideas to make warming shelters and winter heating resources more accessible, more effective, and with dignity for WV communities! We will host a panel of experts at 4:30 today with a Q&A at the end. Questions can be sent in via Zoom chat or Facebook Live. Watch live: - Watch on Zoom - Watch on Facebook Video will be available on the same Facebook page if you’re unable to attend. Marly Ynigues Social Justice Chair League of Women Voters of Morgantown-Monongalia County -- • Liberi • Marly Hazen Ynigues She • YEN-knee-GUESS

1 0

Wednesday, 10am - League of Women Voters Bill Tracking Program
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 07 Mar '22

07 Mar '22

Dear League Members, Although it's late notice, a fantastic opportunity has just materialize. Our League will offer a tutorial on using the Legislature's Bill Tracking feature. Our West Virginia Legislators introduce hundreds of bills each legislative session. Keeping abreast of these bills as they wind their way through the legislative process can be challenging. Fortunately, there is a handy tool on the Leguslature's website that helps citizens stay up to date. Join us for a Zoom conference on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 10:00am for a tutorial on the Legislature's Bill Tracking feature. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71584366211?pwd=UlfibEV-XoMaDsGPqbYSPVolhyHABi.1 Meeting ID: 715 8436 6211 Passcode: hZrD7Y John Tice from the Legislature's Office of Reference and Information will guide us through setting up an account, maneuvering through the "Bill Tracking" feature, and storing items of interest for later reference. Please mark your calendars for this fantastic and timely program. You'll use your newly acquired skills immediately as the last, and busiest, week of the Legislative session is upon us. Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday! --Effie Kallas

1 0

ACTION on HB 4293 - Voting by Absentee
by balljk＠aol.com 01 Mar '22

01 Mar '22

HB 4293 is up for 2nd Reading on House Floor today. Contact your Legislators and urge them to vote NO. If it passes the House, as it likely will, contact your Senators. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bulletin_Board/house_calendar_special.cfm?ses… The purpose of HB 4293 is to prohibit the delivery of unsolicited absentee ballot applications to any person who has not specifically requested one from the county clerk. (text excerpt below) WHY ACTION?This bill is a solution in search of a problem. The Legislature has already decided not to expand absentee voting as it was conducted successfully in 2020. That means most West Virginian voters are not eligible to vote by absentee. Even those who are eligible are deterred from applying because the rules are vague and overly complicated. Yet, this bill wants to further limit and penalize county clerks and others from distribution of absentee ballot applications to voters who might be eligible. It makes no sense. It is voter suppression and will have a chilling effect on county clerks who try to encourage voting. TEXT excerpt: (o) (1) If any election official knowingly and intentionally mails or delivers an application for an absentee ballot to any voter without the specific request of that voter, that person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned in a state correctional facility for a period of not more than six months, or both fined and imprisoned. (2) If any person, not an election official, knowingly and intentionally mails or delivers more than 10 applications for an absentee ballot to a group of voters without the specific request of those voters, that person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned in a state correctional facility for a period of not more than six months, or both fined and imprisoned. - Judy Judy K. Ball, PhD, MPA 9 Palmetto Drive Morgantown, WV 26508 240.997.1222 (cell) BallJK(a)aol.com

1 0

Event Invitation - Democracy and Social Justice Forum
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 19 Feb '22

19 Feb '22

You are invited to a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of West Virginia. Please mark your calendars. Subject: Democracy and Social Justice Bills before the WV Legislature When: Saturday, February 19, 10:30 am What: This is a 45 minute virtual forum for League members, guests and the public, which will provide an overview about bills concerning Election and Social Justice in the Legislature. The audience is encouraged to ask questions following the presentations. Why: Democracy and Social Justice are two of our three priorities selected for action and education. Our intent is to promote ACTION while there is still time. Location: Spread the word. Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81726695353?pwd=V2dGNEtNd0dRNWt1U2tNek5JaU5xdz09 Our Speakers: Democracy: Judy K Ball, State League Elections Chair The League's focus on Democracy includes voting rights, election reform, and redistricting. Congress has failed to enact Federal protections for voting rights, despite months of effort and advocacy. Recognizing that, the League has turned its attention to bills introduced in the 2022 session of the WV Legislature. Social Justice: Kimberley Crockett, Jefferson County League and Delta Sigma Theta The League is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because, to succeed in the 21st Century, West Virginia must be welcoming for all. Kim is an attorney who is well versed on the bills currently before the legislature. These bills include the Crown Act, Human Rights Commission, and reproductive health. In recent years, lawmakers have declined to strengthen the state's civil rights code to prohibit hair discrimination and protect members of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in employment and housing. They have also continued their assault on the reproductive freedom of West Virginians. In League, LWVWV

1 2

You're Invited: Democracy & Social Justice Legislative Briefing
by Julie Archer 19 Feb '22

19 Feb '22

What: League members and their guests are invited to a virtual forum on bills concerning Democracy and Social Justice in the Legislature. The audience is encouraged to ask questions following the presentations. When: Saturday, February 19, 10:30 am Where: Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81726695353?pwd=V2dGNEtNd0dRNWt1U2tNek5JaU5xdz09 Why: Democracy and Social Justice are two of our three priorities selected for action and education. Our intent is to promote ACTION while there is still time. Our Speakers: Democracy: Judy K Ball, State League Elections Chair The League's focus on Democracy includes voting rights, election reform, and redistricting. Congress has failed to enact Federal protections for voting rights, despite months of effort and advocacy. Recognizing that, the League has turned its attention to bills introduced in the 2022 session of the WV Legislature. Social Justice: Kimberley Crockett, Jefferson County League and Social Action Chair, Delta Sigma Theta The League is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because, to succeed in the 21st Century, West Virginia must be welcoming for all. Kim is an attorney who is well versed on the bills currently before the legislature. These bills include the Crown Act, Human Rights Commission, and reproductive health. In recent years, lawmakers have declined to strengthen the state's civil rights code to prohibit hair discrimination and protect members of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in employment and housing. They have also continued their assault on the reproductive freedom of West Virginians. --- Our third priority for area is Environmental Protection. Here are two opportunities to participate in policy discussions on issues related to water quality, climate, economic transition and more. Wednesday, February 16 at 6:00 pm - the WV Environmental Council's Virtual E-Day This annual day of advocacy will include a legislative update from WVEC member groups, WV legislators, and the WVEC lobby team, as well as music and a silent auction. Registration link and more details here [1]. Thursday, February 24 at 7:00 pm - the WV Rivers Coalition is hosting a legislative update with WV legislators focused on water policy. Register here [2]. --- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://wvecouncil.org/join-us-next-week-for-virtual-e-day-2022/ [2] https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIufu6urTMvHtCstCiK9LD8Tjrl-KNjgY…

1 1

LWV-WV Action Alert & Legislative Update
by Julie Archer 16 Jan '22

16 Jan '22

Dear LWV-WV Members, First things first. As you know, the WV Legislature is now in session. On the second day, members of the House of Delegates started moving a bill that would ban abortions at 15 weeks, just like a Mississippi law under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill (HB 4004), would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, well below viability and the line set forth by _Roe v. Wade_. HB 4004 and HB 4005, which imposes invasive, cruel, unnecessary requirements regarding disposal of fetal tissue, have both passed the passed through the House Health committee and are on their way to Judiciary. This is a red alert moment for reproductive freedom. Now is the time to be heard. There will be a public hearing tomorrow (Jan. 17) at 3 PM [1] on these bills in the House of Delegates Chamber at the State Capitol. At this time, the hearing is limited to in-person participation, which may be difficult, if not impossible, due to the impending winter storm. As such, members are asked to contact their members via other means. The League of Women Voters supports the right of individuals to make their own reproductive choices, and opposes laws intended to restrict access to abortion. Additionally, the League supports equitable access to a basic level of care that covers reproductive health services including abortion. The right to decide if or when to have a child is essential to a person's ability to make highly personal decisions about their body and their future. It is essential for social, economic, and racial equality. We can't stand by while politicians try to restrict people's personal freedoms and take away their health care. Find your legislators here. [2] --- Additionally, related to the legislative session, are a number of events this week related to the LWV-WV's priorities for 2022. (See complete list priorities below.) Tuesday, January 18 - 6-7:15 PM - Information Session on the Feasibility of Advanced Nuclear in WV - The WV Environmental Council (WVEC) and others are hosting for an informational session on both the benefits and risks of repowering coal plant sites for advanced nuclear energy development or small modular reactors (SMRs) in West Virginia followed by a presentation from state legislators on the political landscape around proposed nuclear legislation and a Q&A discussion. Register here [3]. Thursday, January 20 - Environment Day (E-Day) - Hosted by the WVEC - Initially, scheduled as an in-person event, E-Day has been cancelled due to COVID concerns. A possible virtual event will take place latter in the session. In the meantime, check out WVEC's first newsletter of the year [4] to learn more about what they'll be watching for this year. You can sign up for their weekly legislative updates here [5]. Thursday, January 20, 6-7 PM - Health Care for All WV's Civic Engagement Training - (Virtual/Zoom) - How do you contact and build relationships with your representatives? - How do you track a bill from start to finish? - How do you use the West Virginia Legislature page? - How do you support state healthcare legislation? Learn how to find your representative(s), build relationships with them, and share what's most important to you as a West Virginian. Register here [6]. (Note: LWV-WV is a member of the Health Care for All WV coalition.) Friday, January 21 - Fairness WV Fight for Freedom Day of Action for reproductive freedom and LGBTQ equality. Although initially an in person lobby day, this event is now a virtual day of activities. Register here [7]. --- The LWV-WV has identified three main areas as legislative priorities for 2022. These represent only the primary focus areas for the League for the coming year. We will continue to work with partners on other issues. Democracy The right to vote and equal access to the ballot are pillars of our democracy and guiding principles for the LWV. We will: * Oppose restrictions on voter registration or voting. * Advocate for methods to increase voter turnout, based on lessons learned from the 2020 elections. * Prioritize measures to make voting easier, while protecting election security, including no-excuse absentee voting and expanded options for ballot return and early in-person voting. * Support legislation to modernize election methods, reduce taxpayer costs, and reduce administrative burden. * Oppose any effort to make political spending less transparent. * Support measures to increase transparency and public participation in the next redistricting process. Social Justice The LWV is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because, to succeed in the 21st Century, West Virginia must be welcoming for all. We will: * Oppose legislative efforts to suppress civil and Constitutional rights. * Support legislation to ban discrimination and ensure equality of opportunity in education, employment, and housing for all West Virginians regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. * Support health care for all West Virginians including expanded Medicaid coverage, subsidies for affordable coverage under the ACA, measures to eliminate disparities in health care availability and outcomes for Black and other minority communities, and access to evidence-based treatment and harm reduction strategies to save lives affected by substance use disorders. * Advocate for state and local budgets that cover essential services and protect our most vulnerable. Environmental Protection Climate change is no longer a distant or future threat. The LWV is committed to protecting the planet along with the health and safety of all West Virginians. We will: * Support updating water quality standards to strengthen protections for human health, and support measures to expand access to water service that meets these standards. * Target strategic management of natural resources to protect the planet for this and future generations. * Advocate for environmental priorities that are coupled with a creative and just transition for workers in fossil fuel industries. * Oppose facilities that add, expand, or preserve dependence on fossil fuels. Best, Julie ----- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/events/3299913780237668 [2] https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ [3] https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpf-CrpjwpHtC21edh2ww08sUmhpKA5R… [4] https://wvecouncil.org/green-volume-32-issue-1/ [5] https://wvecouncil.org/action-alerts-signup/ [6] https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtcuiorjIjHN0-CUgLF_72HKinaCMAFg… [7] https://fairnesswv.org/2021/11/05/mark-you-calendar-for-the-fairness-for-al…

1 0

LWVMM January 2022 Newsletter
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 13 Jan '22

13 Jan '22

Sending this on behalf of LWVMM. Local Leagues are encouraged to send their newsletters to the statewide email list. Happy new year from LWV-Morgantown/Monongalia County! View this email in your browser [1] January 2022 _Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy._ CONTENTS * Fall Member Meeting * LWV-MM Report on Voters Service * LWV-MM Report on Redistricting * Communications * LWV-MM Report on Social Justice Priorities * LWV-MM Report on Broadband Access * JOIN US * MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION * WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! _FALL MEMBER MEETING_ Our Fall meeting was held October 24 via Zoom. This was not a business meeting, so our only agenda item was to hear from guest speaker Carye Blaney, Monongalia County Clerk. Carye spoke about how she felt Mon County would be affected by the voting rights bills that are being considered in Congress. Carye stated that she is very confident in the accuracy and security of elections in this County. Our voting machines are the most up-to-date available and nowhere do they connect to the internet. She feels we could easily meet all the criteria recommended in the voting rights bills but stated that some West Virginia counties would have difficulty. The smaller, less economically secure counties have outdated equipment and very small County Clerk staff so they would need funds and assistance in order to meet the requirements. _LWV-MM REPORT ON VOTERS SERVICE_ We are watching the two bills currently blocked in the United States Senate: The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom To Vote Act. The latter is sponsored by Senator Manchin. John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act The Voting Rights Act of 1965 removed barriers to Black enfranchisement, banning poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures preventing African Americans from voting. A major portion of the VRA was effectively gutted by the Supreme Court in 2013 and numerous states, most in the South, responded almost immediately with new voter suppression laws. The John R. Lewis Voting Right Advancement Act seeks to reinstate much of those protections. This bill was passed by the House on August 24, 2021 along partisan lines with no Republican votes in favor. It was introduced in the Senate in October 2021, but cloture on the motion to proceed was rejected on November 3. Freedom to Vote Act The Freedom To Vote Act is a modified version of the For The People Act. Senator Manchin and others wrote the FTV Act in hopes of gathering Republican support but so far that has not happened. Cloture on the motion to proceed was rejected on October 20. Proponents of the bill point to ever-intensifying actions in states to pass laws aimed at reducing voters' access to elections and giving state legislatures the ability to overturn the outcomes of elections. What Happens Now? Since mid-December, President Biden has recognized voting rights legislation as the most critical action that needs to be taken up by Congress now. This means the priority is to focus on filibuster reform, especially for voting rights. The new LWV-US slogan on filibuster reform is _Fix It or Nix It_ because, without reform or repeal, a minority of the Senate will continue to hold voting rights bills hostage. A vote on filibuster repeal or reform is expected by January 17. 2022 Mid-Term Elections The Voters Service committee will be actively planning for candidate forums during the 2022 election season. - Vicki Conner _LWV-MM REPORT ON REDISTRICTING_ What District Am I In? Redistricting and the move to single-member Delegate districts have significantly changed boundaries for Mon County. Mon is now in Congressional District 2, is split between new state Senate Districts 2 and 13, and has 6 new Delegate districts that will elect one Delegate each. Carye Blaney, Monongalia County Clerk, has made a new interactive map available for Monongalia County. Use it to find your new districts at the link below. Just type in your address and tell the map to search for it. Thank you, Carye! https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b03055801196406fa273… [2] - Judy Ball _COMMUNICATIONS_ Judy Ball, Marly Ynigues, and Vicki Conner are working with a WVU student intern, Abagail Carte, to build a new website for LWV-MM. The goal is to have a site that provides easily accessible information for our members and the public, which will attract more interest in the activities of the League. We expect the site to go live in the Spring and will send updated information to League members as appropriate. - Vicki Conner _LWV-MM REPORT ON SOCIAL JUSTICE PRIORITIES_ Warming Shelters LWV-MM presented a statement to Morgantown City Council on Nov. 30 to advocate for the City to open a winter warming shelter Downtown in addition to the one operating at Hazel's House of Hope. We also asked that all warming shelters be seasonal, not temperature-dependent (and open on other cold days beyond the scheduled timeframe) to provide stability of access to emergency resources. The Board has created a committee to address warming shelter concerns. Please contact Marly Ynigues at marlydubvee(a)gmail.com if you'd like to get involved. Read the full statement by LWVWV-MM [3]. See coverage in the Dominion Post [4]. Police Review Board LWV-MM supported the Civilian Police Review and Advisory Board. A December judicial ruling has prevented the City of Morgantown from implementing the Board or appointing members. LWV-MM urges the City to appeal the decision by advocating for stated uses of the Board (e.g., providing feedback on public safety policy) other than the use that was ruled against (disciplinary advising). - Marly Ynigues, Social Justice Chair _LWV-MM REPORT ON BROADBAND ACCESS_ According to FCC data, at least 30% of our state's rural homes and businesses currently lack adequate broadband access, leaving West Virginia with one of the nation's lowest broadband connectivity rates. Broadband expansion in West Virginia has been hindered by the cost of extending networks into mountainous rural areas. The state Broadband Office estimates that a combination of federal, state, local government, and private resources will expand broadband availability to at least 200,000 new locations in West Virginia. Governor Justice announced the plan in October and expects that roughly $718 million will be allocated for the project by Fall 2022. The funds will be allocated through competitive programs that draw matching funds from private-sector and local government partners, generating more than $1 billion in total broadband investment. Details of a news release from October 2021 can be seen here: https://governor.wv.gov/News/press-releases/2021/Pages/Gov.-Justice-announc… [5] - Vicki Conner JOIN US The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization. Providing nonpartisan information and promoting democracy count among our major priorities. Join or renew your membership in the League today to help us carry on this mission. Also, feel free to forward this email to your friends who may be interested in the League's activities. We are eager to add to our ranks. Renew Your Membership Today! [6] MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION When you become a member of the Morgantown-Monongalia County League of Women Voters, you are also a member of the LWV-US and the LWV-WV. Membership in the League is open to all persons (not just women) over the age of 16. Annual dues are $48 for an individual, $72 for a household (two at the same address), and $5 for a student. Checks should be made to LWV Morgantown-Mon County and mailed to: Lyndell Millecchia, 476 Lawnview Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505. You can also pay with credit card or PayPal at http://tinyurl.com/paylwvmm [7]. Dues must be received by December 31 to meet the LWV-US membership deadline. If you are unsure about whether your dues are paid, email Lyndell at millecchia(a)comcast.net. The League also welcomes and encourages contributions to support our work. Membership dues and contributions to the League of Women Voters are not deductible as personal or business expenses for tax purposes. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! We apologize to new member Kenneth Martis whose name we misspelled in the October Newsletter. _Copyright (c) 2022 League of Women Voters Morgantown Monongalia, All rights reserved._ Add us to your address book [8] [9] Links: ------ [1] https://mailchi.mp/4a6339b2427c/spring-2021-member-newsletter-15616323?e=ac… [2] https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… [3] https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… [4] https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… [5] https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… [6] https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… [7] https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… [8] https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/vcard?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&id… [9] http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&amp…

1 0

WV Climate Alliance webinar about Advanced Nuclear
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 12 Jan '22

12 Jan '22

Greetings from Nyoka, Information regarding a webinar on Advanced Nuclear sponsored by WV Climate Alliance and others is found below. This webinar is not advocating for Advanced Nuclear Facilities but is for the purpose of Information and Education on the subject. It seems that there is quite a bit of interest in bringing these facilities to WV. Here is some supportive information and background on the need to become informed on the issue of Advanced Nuclear Reactors. https://energycentral.com/news/advanced-nuclear-reactors-touted-retiring-co… Here is the registration link Bit.ly/AdvancedNuclear [1] The event will be held on January 18th at 6 pm Links: ------ [1] http://Bit.ly/AdvancedNuclear

1 0

Sat 1/08 at 3pm MTG W/ Seneca Lake Guardian/Cryptocurrency mining and the use of Fossil Fuels for Energy Sources, Environmental Impact
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 07 Jan '22

07 Jan '22

Please join us tomorrow, Saturday 1/08 at 3 pm for this _very important _meeting on Cryptocurrency Mining from Fossil Fuel Energy Sources. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85343653174 Seneca Lake Guardian is a New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation with 501(c)(3) and is dedicated to preserving and protecting the health of the Finger Lakes, its residents and visitors, its rural community character, and its agricultural and tourist related businesses through public education, citizen participation, engagement with decision makers, and networking with like-minded organizations. https://senecalakeguardian.org/Greenidge-Bitcoin-Mining [1] See an interview with Yvonne Taylor, Vice President of Seneca Lake Guardian here on CBS news. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/bitcoin-mining-and-its-environmental-costs/#x We are extremely grateful that Seneca Lake Guardian could arrange this meeting with us on such short notice. _On information and belief_, the proposed facility at 5900 Morgantown Industrial Park will be converting electricity from an onsite natural gas well and operating 24/7 to run blockchain data. Full clarification on the function of the facility has yet to be disclosed. The outrageous amount of energy required to run and cool Bitcoin mining facilities has hastened the purchase of entire coal fired power plants to run their operations, such has already been reported for the plant in Grant Town WV. A special Thank You to Paula Hunt, Duane Nichols and Jim Kotcon and others for their work on completing comments that helped prompt the public meeting next Tuesday regarding the Air Quality Permit Application R13-3533 (Marion Energy Partners LLC - Science Facility) pending approval by the WVDEP. I am again providing information regarding the DEP public meeting on 1/11 at 6pm below. See the Green Arrow. Also see more here at https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2022/01/03/proposed-%E2%80%9Cscience-facility%… Thank you! Nyoka Baker Chapman LWVWV Board of Directors LWV of the Huntington Area Board of Directors LWVWV Natural Resources Committee LWVWV Fair Maps Committee ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 304 710 2812 The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan volunteer organization that encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate, but is engaged in local, state, and national issues of importance to our communities. The League works to influence public policy through advocacy and education. League membership is open to all men and women age 16 or older. More at: www.lwv.org [2] (National) and www.lwvwv.org [3] (WV). DEP to Hold Public Meeting and Extend Public Comment Period The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Air Quality (DAQ) will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, to provide information and receive comments regarding Marion Energy Partners LLC's air quality permit application. Marion Energy Partners has proposed to construct a data processing facility located at 5900 Morgantown Industrial Park, Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia, at 39.60559 latitude and -79.98176 longitude. The DAQ will hold the public meeting virtually at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Instructions for providing oral comments at the virtual public meeting are provided below. Representatives from the DAQ will conduct the meeting regarding the construction application submitted by Marion Energy Partners on August 18, 2021. To participate online or by telephone, registration is required by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. To register, please complete the registration form at: https://forms.gle/vZvJirkUKayGee1W7 [4]. To register to provide oral comments, please indicate "yes" you want to provide oral comments on the record when you register. A confirmation email will be sent with information on how to join the public meeting. If you do not have internet access and want to register to participate via telephone, please contact Sandie Adkins or Stephanie Hammonds at (304) 926-0475. Oral comments are limited to five (5) minutes. Video demonstrations and screen sharing by commenters is not permitted. Written comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2022: · Email written comments to Edward.S.Andrews(a)wv.gov with "Marion Energy Partners Comments" in the subject line, or · Mail hard copy comments to Edward Andrews, WV Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Air Quality, 601 57th Street, SE, Charleston, WV 25304. Instructions for downloading additional information, including copies of the draft permit, application, and all other supporting materials relevant to the permit decision is available at: https://dep.wv.gov/daq/permitting/Pages/NSR-Permit-Applications.aspx [5]. Links: ------ [1] https://senecalakeguardian.org/Greenidge-Bitcoin-Mining [2] http://www.lwv.org/ [3] http://www.lwvwv.org/ [4] https://forms.gle/vZvJirkUKayGee1W7 [5] https://dep.wv.gov/daq/permitting/Pages/NSR-Permit-Applications.aspx

1 0

Running for Office video
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

This is an addendum to the Huntington Bulletin in regards to the section: Running for Office Workshop By: Martha Woodward The League is partnering with the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism Broadcasting Department to film a Running for Office Workshop November 30. Because we will miss the deadline for the Newsletter with the connection information we will put that out by email and media after we have it. We expect to distribute the program across the state to encourage new candidates to run. Of course presentations such as this work best with an audience, but that is not yet possible. So, publishing it far and wide is our best option at the moment. Here is the video link! https://youtu.be/Qbc2mpJGigI Downloadable file: https://livemarshall-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/stanley50_marshall_ed… Should you share it widely? Yes! The Huntington Area LWV prepared this video (Martha Woodward mostly, with wonderful help from Marshall's broadcasting staff and faculty) available on YouTube. While it is locally based, it is true across the state. WE are interested in sharing it widely. Please take a look and see if you can use it in your area. We were careful to make it bi- and non-partisan. Questions or comments, contact Martha Woodward or me. Betty Barrett

1 0

Huntington Bulletin - December 2021
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

> League Friends, Local League Presidents and State Board, > Attached is the League of Women's December newsletter. Enjoy and Merry Christmas to each of you. > > BJ & Patricia

1 0

Climate Rally and Climate Time Capsule
by Nyoka B 29 Oct '21

29 Oct '21

Greetings everyone. Just a reminder that there will be a Climate Rally tomorrow in Charleston. See the info below. The LWVWV will have a booth there where we will be accepting Hopes, Prayers and Wishes for our climate future to add to a current project (spurred by the Climate Rally) a Climate Time Capsule to be opened in 2050. The MU James E. Morrow Library special collections will archive until then! We are certainly working to see that IPCC goals of zero emissions by that date will be met. It will also house timely news articles and efforts made by WV citizens and organizations to help curb climate change. As well, copies of requests made to our WV senators to keep the climate initiatives in the reconciliation bill and the Build Back Better plan. https://www.whitehouse.gov/build-back-better/ and more. Please see the attached Climate Capsule Cover below. *IF ANY OF YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE CLIMATE TIME CAPSULE, PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO ME. * There us still time to do so over the weekend! I won't complete the assembly until next week Nyoka. 🕊 <https://click.everyaction.com/k/38014552/313611208/-961530893?nvep=ew0KICAi…> There's nothing scarier than climate change and its debilitating impacts. From devastating floods and deadly heat waves to the health and economic costs of inaction, climate change is deeply affecting our West Virginia communities. Join us *Saturday, October 30 from 1 - 2:30 p.m*, for a *HALLOWEEN RALLY for CLIMATE ACTION* <https://click.everyaction.com/k/38014560/313611251/-961530893?nvep=ew0KICAi…>, in front of the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse Building, 300 Virginia St. E., in downtown Charleston WV. Our goal is to let Senator Joe Manchin hear a wide variety of West Virginian voices, urging him to protect our land and people by standing with clean energy. We'll have music, speakers, a climate action opportunity, a photo booth to send a climate message and more. We'll hear a virtual address to the rally from Dr. Michael E. Mann one of the world's leading climate scientists. NOTE: This is a COVID mask-wearing outdoor event. Please wear masks if you come. You're welcome to wear Halloween ones, too! If you aren't vaccinated, please get with your local Health Department, physician or local healthcare provider. Your health matters. PARKING: There are lots of parking spaces in the nearby Town Center Mall parking garage and on local streets. *Thank you for taking action with West Virginia Citizen Action!*

1 0

Halloween Rally for Climate Action as forwarded from Gary
by Nyoka B 28 Oct '21

28 Oct '21

<https://click.everyaction.com/k/38014552/313611208/-961530893?nvep=ew0KICAi…> There's nothing scarier than climate change and its debilitating impacts. From devastating floods and deadly heat waves to the health and economic costs of inaction, climate change is deeply affecting our West Virginia communities. Join us *Saturday, October 30 from 1 - 2:30 p.m*, for a *HALLOWEEN RALLY for CLIMATE ACTION* <https://click.everyaction.com/k/38014560/313611251/-961530893?nvep=ew0KICAi…>, in front of the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse Building, 300 Virginia St. E., in downtown Charleston WV. Our goal is to let Senator Joe Manchin hear a wide variety of West Virginian voices, urging him to protect our land and people by standing with clean energy. We'll have music, speakers, a climate action opportunity, a photo booth to send a climate message and more. We'll hear a virtual address to the rally from Dr. Michael E. Mann one of the world's leading climate scientists. NOTE: This is a COVID mask-wearing outdoor event. Please wear masks if you come. You're welcome to wear Halloween ones, too! If you aren't vaccinated, please get with your local Health Department, physician or local healthcare provider. Your health matters. PARKING: There are lots of parking spaces in the nearby Town Center Mall parking garage and on local streets. *Thank you for taking action with West Virginia Citizen Action!*

1 0

October 2021 Member Newsletter
by LWV Morgantown-Monongalia County 16 Oct '21

16 Oct '21

Fall Member Meeting Coming Up - OCT 24 View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/39a12a6fb206/spring-2021-member-newsletter-14933559?e=b7…) October 2021 Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. ** Contents ------------------------------------------------------------ * Fall Member Meeting * Fall Member Meeting: Zoom Invitation * President's Message * LWV-MM Report on Voters Service * LWV-MM Report on Redistricting * LWV-MM Report on Broadband Access or Lack Thereof * JOIN US * MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION * WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! ** Fall Member Meeting ------------------------------------------------------------ ** October 24, 2021, 6:00 p.m. ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Featured Speaker: Carye Blaney, Monongalia County Clerk ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Topic: The For the People Act ------------------------------------------------------------ Due to COVID, this meeting will be held virtually. Zoom information below. Usually the Fall Meeting is an opportunity for members to socialize and hear an interesting speaker on a timely topic. Sadly, the pandemic has made in-person socializing risky, so we’ll each have to bring our own punch and cookies and assemble in our homes. One thing the pandemic doesn't change: we’ll still have an interesting speaker on a timely topic. Our speaker will be Carye Blaney, Monongalia County Clerk. Carye has been our County Clerk since 2007 and although her office is responsible for many county functions (including recording real estate documents, handling probate estates, recording births and deaths), we in the League mostly associate her with voting. As County Clerk, Carye is responsible for ensuring that citizens are able to register or change their voter registrations, and that they can use those registrations to vote at a secure location and that they can be confident that all votes cast will be honestly counted. Carye will be speaking with us about the Freedom To Vote Act. The Freedom to Vote Act is the compromise version of the For the People Act currently being considered by Congress and is co-sponsored by Senator Manchin. The Act proposes to promote racial justice, thwart the assault on voting rights occurring in many states, set national standards to protect the freedom to vote, and it addresses many other issues. You can get more information on the Act at: https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… (https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… ) Please join us as we welcome Carye and if you have questions about the Act, we will have a short question and answer period after her presentation. ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Fall Member Meeting: Zoom Invitation ------------------------------------------------------------ LWV Morgantown-Monongalia County is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: LWV-MM Fall Member Meeting Time: Oct 24, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… Meeting ID: 836 1806 4534 Passcode: 299770 One tap mobile +13017158592,,83618064534#,,,,*299770# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,83618064534#,,,,*299770# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 836 1806 4534 Passcode: 299770 Find your local number: https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… ** President's Message ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ It is always challenging to figure out where to start one of these messages -- especially when it is your first as the new president of our League. As I have probably not met many of you yet, I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself and explain why I am a member of the League. My name is Sarah Barnes and I live in Morgantown with my husband, Steven Marra, our teenage daughters, and our faithful (to me, anyway) dog, Murray. I joined the League after meeting Shirley and Jonathan Rosenbaum in 2017 at an event at the old Erickson Alumni Center (before they transformed it into the WVU Art Museum). Shirley simply asked me if I would be interested in joining the League of Women Voters and, without hesitation, I said that I would. If you recall, there seemed to be a growing awareness in 2017 that we were headed for contentious times. Fighting gerrymandering, helping people register to vote (and be able to vote), and learning more about who was running for office at all levels were things I felt were exceedingly important. I’m glad I joined, but the challenges to our voting rights that were only hinted at in 2017 are more pressing than ever now. Which brings me to today. When I was asked if I would consider being nominated to serve as the League President, I was concerned that I would not have enough time to offer our organization and be effective. I’m happy to say, that with the assistance of past-president and current secretary Vicki Conner, our new vice-president Judy Ball, treasurer Lyndell Millechia, the rest of the board (Jonathan and Shirley Rosenbaum, Nancy Ulrich, Marly Ynigues, Carol Barnes, and Penny Thomas), and our dedicated members, those concerns have eased. We have adopted a great program which focuses on specific areas (voter services, social justice, broadband access, and more) that have a huge impact on voting rights and voter education and information. We are looking forward to the challenges of 2022 and are already working hard to fight for fair redistricting maps, supporting efforts to protect our rights and access to the ballot, and register voters. In 2022, we will continue to step up our efforts to register voters in Monongalia County and educate and inform through candidate forums. Monongalia County has a large student population, many of whom have not registered or updated their registration for our county. We have a great opportunity to increase the number of students who are registered to vote by increasing our voter registration outreach to them. But to do that we need your help. If you are interested in serving on committees working with voter services, social justice, broadband, or the other areas the League is involved in, please let us know! Email lwvmorgantown(a)gmail.com (mailto:lwvmorgantown@gmail.com) and let us know if you would like to help by serving on subcommittees for any of our program efforts: * Voters Service - Coordinator: Vicki Conner * Social Justice - Coordinator: Marly Ynigues * Broadband Access - Coordinator: Sarah Barnes * Other Areas: Local Government, Natural Resources, Education - Need volunteer coordinator(s) As always, thank you for being a member of the League of Women Voters Morgantown-Monongalia County. I look forward to meeting all of you when we get back to safely meeting in-person. Until then, I’ll settle for seeing you all on October 24 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. See you then! - Sarah Barnes ** LWV-MM Report on Voters Service ------------------------------------------------------------ In 2021, most of the election activity has been legislative activity. More on that below. 2021 has been an off-election year except for local City Council and Education Excess Levy elections, but 2022 will be an interesting one to watch. Here’s a link to the WV Secretary of State site with details about the 2022 election season. https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… We will be electing: * U.S. House of Representatives * County Commission * State Senate * County Clerk * House of Delegates * Circuit Clerk * State Executive Committee * Board of Education * District Executive Committees: Congressional, Senatorial, and Delegate * County Executive Committee * Conservation District Supervisor As usual, the League will be sponsoring forums for the various local offices, so watch for those dates to be announced in Fall 2022. Remarkably, more than 400 bills relating to voting access were introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions and many new voting laws have been passed. In fact, 18 states have passed 30 laws that adversely impact a citizen’s right to vote. You can find details about these laws and their impacts on www.brennancenter.org. However, 2021 has not been all bad news for voters’ rights. The Brennan Center reports that at least 25 states enacted 54 laws with provisions to expand voting. “…These laws expand access to early and mail voting, make voter registration easier, and restore voting rights to Americans with past convictions, among other measures. Many of the states in which voting is already comparatively more accessible are the same as those enacting policies to further strengthen voting access, deepening a national divide such that the promise of the right to vote depends increasingly on where Americans happen to live [emphasis added]. More than 900 bills with expansive provisions have been introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions…” In WV, SB 565, endorsed by Secretary of State Warner, would have reduced the number of days for early voting and voting by absentee ballots, supposedly to give the County Clerks more time to get the poll books ready for Election Day. That bill passed handily in the Senate but died in the House Judiciary Committee. We will need to be alert to other voting changes in the 2022 Legislative session. Congressional Democrats have proposed bills to restrict the ability of states to negatively impact voting rights. The For The People Act has morphed into the Freedom To Vote Act in an attempt to garner the 60 votes needed to pass it. Senator Manchin is one of the authors of the amended Act. So far there has been no indication that 10 Republicans will vote for it, so some actions to limit the filibuster might be required. Unfortunately, Senator Manchin and others have previously expressed a negative view on changes to the filibuster, so passage is very much up in the air. And there has not been much activity on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which seeks to reinvigorate the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and reinstate some Federal control over which states can impose laws restricting voting rights. You can find good information on that at https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… - Vicki Conner ** LWV-MM Report on Redistricting ------------------------------------------------------------ Every 10 years, as instructed by the U.S. Constitution, a Census of the entire U.S. population is conducted and those counts form the basis for allocating members of the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 States. The Census is also used by each State for redrawing Legislative districts. For West Virginia districts for the Senate and House of Delegates must be re-evaluated and re-drawn according to Federal and State law. It is likely that the 2020 Census and subsequent redistricting will always carry an asterisk [*]. First, there were lawsuits over whether the Census could include a question about citizenship (the courts ultimately said no). Then came the pandemic, and Census data collection -- the part that involves direct contact with people who didn't respond by mail or electronically -- was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns. Of course, that resulted in the data collection going longer than initially planned, but then data collection was cut off before the final deadline (an inexplicable late change). All the delays in collection and processing backed up delivery of data to the states, which backed up state efforts to work on their redistricting plans, and on and on. Maybe multiple asterisks are in order. Regardless, the “final” Census data were delivered on August 12, 2021, so the states could begin their work. (For comparison, the 2010 Census data for redistricting were delivered to the states during February-March 2010.) In WV, the delays resulted in a severely truncated timeframe for the Legislature to complete its redistricting work. Under WV law, anyone running for election in 2022 must reside in their district one year prior to the 2022 election. Thus, the new districts must be in place prior to November 8, 2021. Further complicating the WV redistricting process in 2021 are two other factors: 1. Our loss of one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Previously, WV has had three representatives in Congress. Beginning in 2022, that number will shrink to two due to the state's extraordinary loss of population over the past decade. Those two new districts will still need to meet Constitutional standards for population equality, compactness, and adherence to county boundaries. 2. Reconfiguration of House of Delegates districts. Previously, the 100 members of the House of Delegates were divided among single-member and multi-member districts. For example, the whole 51st district, which covers the bulk of Monongalia County, is represented by five Delegates. But in 2018, the Legislature passed a law to change that. Multi-member districts will go away, and the Legislature will have to draw 100 single-member districts out of 55 counties. Those districts will still need to meet Constitutional standards for population equality, compactness, adherence to county boundaries and communities of interest. WV legislators got a head start by assembling a Joint Committee on Redistricting, June 7, 2021. Dates for public hearings were announced on July 8, with procedures for public hearings announced on July 23. Between July 27 and September 16, twelve in-person public hearings were conducted in venues all across the state. The hearing in Morgantown was among the most heavily (if not the most heavily) attended. Three virtual public hearings were conducted from September 20 to September 22. The Joint Committee has posted all of the hearings on YouTube at https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&…. Maps! Unfortunately, the Joint Committee did not make any proposed maps available prior to or during the public hearings so that the public could direct their comments toward particular features. Some states have laws that require maps to be a part of the public hearing process; WV has no such mandate. The first proposed maps were rolled out publicly in Committee hearings: * The Senate Committee has met multiple times, September 23, 30, October, 6, 7, 8. During their first meeting, the Senate Committee adopted a rule that proposed maps would be posted at least 24 hours in advance of discussion, to give the public an opportunity to comment. They have adhered to that rule, so far. * The House Committee has met only once, September 30. The Committee unveiled several Congressional maps and one map of House of Delegates districts. None of the maps has been discussed publicly. * All public comments are posted on the Joint Committee’s website. However, none of the meeting materials (other than agendas and maps) are posted. The Governor has called a Special Session of the Legislature to begin the week of October 11. The exact process for how the proposed redistricting maps will be taken up has not been revealed at this writing. We may know the fate of Monongalia County in the redistricting process, however, by our fall meeting. - Judy Ball ** LWV-MM Report on Broadband Access or Lack Thereof ------------------------------------------------------------ From the Local Program for 2021-22: The pandemic proved that education, community engagement, and achievement of the LWV’s other priorities depend on access to 21st century digital infrastructure, a need that will not expire when the pandemic is over. 2021-2022 Priority: Advocate for and support access to high-speed, affordable broadband for all residents, schools, libraries, and businesses in the county and state. Current Status: There is statewide acknowledgement that broadband services are sorely lacking, especially outside the larger communities of WV. Those of us living in Morgantown have several options for internet providers and packages within those provider companies, but you don’t have to travel far into the County to see service degrade and disappear. Pieces of the Bureaucratic Puzzle In the 2017 Legislative session, the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council was established, with the primary emphasis being the development of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the State. As stated in WV Code, “... it is a primary goal of the Governor, the Legislature and the citizens of this state, by the year 2020, to make every municipality, community, and rural area in this state, border to border, accessible to Internet communications through the expansion, extension and general availability of broadband services and technology…” Obviously we haven’t achieved the 2020 goal, and you can see more about the Council at https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… In early 2021, the WV Department of Commerce created a new “Office of Broadband” which is tasked with coordinating the state’s efforts around implementation of a statewide broadband system. It isn’t clear how this office will interact with the Broadband Enhancement Council. In June 2021 the West Virginia Broadband Investment Program was initiated. This program will use the ARPA funds to expand broadband. The ARPA will dedicate $2.17 billion to West Virginia through various funding streams. The Capital Projects Fund includes $138 million for broadband development in West Virginia. “The focus of the Capital Projects Fund on the continuing need for connectivity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic complements the broader range of uses, including for broadband infrastructure, of the American Rescue Plan’s separate $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.” (from Broadband Enhancement Council June 20, 2021 https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&… What’s Happening Locally In April 2021 the Monongalia County Commission announced a tentative timeline for implementing a broadband strategy. They have since chosen Ice Miller Whiteboard, a consulting firm, to do a feasibility study and develop a strategic plan. In a town hall on Sept 29, Commissioner Sikora said that surveys are ongoing and as of that date, about 1700 citizens have participated. There has been no official timeline announced for what comes next. It is not clear how this Mon County initiative intersects with the state effort. The League of Women Voters Morgantown/Monongalia County will continue to advocate for expansion of broadband across the state and especially across our own region. We will try to put the puzzle together and will keep you updated in future newsletters. - Vicki Conner ** JOIN US ------------------------------------------------------------ The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization. Providing nonpartisan information and promoting democracy count among our major priorities. Join or renew your membership in the League today to help us carry on this mission. Also, feel free to forward this email to your friends who may be interested in the League's activities. We are eager to add to our ranks. Renew Your Membership Today! (https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&…) ** MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ------------------------------------------------------------ When you become a member of the Morgantown-Monongalia County League of Women Voters, you are also a member of the LWV-US and the LWV-WV. Membership in the League is open to all persons (not just women) over the age of 16. Annual dues are $48 for an individual, $72 for a household (two at the same address), and $5 for a student. Checks should be made to LWV Morgantown-Mon County and mailed to: Lyndell Millecchia, 476 Lawnview Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505. You can also pay with credit card or PayPal at https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&…. Dues must be received by December 31 to meet the LWV-US membership deadline. If you are unsure about whether your dues are paid, email Lyndell at millecchia(a)comcast.net. The League also welcomes and encourages contributions to support our work. Membership dues and contributions to the League of Women Voters are not deductible as personal or business expenses for tax purposes. ** WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Lynda Goldberg Kenneth Martin Marly Ynigues ------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================ Copyright © 2021 League of Women Voters Morgantown Monongalia, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: League of Women Voters Morgantown Monongalia 531 Woodland Cir Morgantown, WV 26505-2335 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? You can ** update your preferences (https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/profile?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&id=1…) or ** unsubscribe from this list (https://lwvwv.us20.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=4cfc532d297ffd33b5a9c2322&…) . Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…

1 0

Upcoming Events: Redistricting; Climate, Jobs and Justice; Suffrage Celebration
by Julie Archer 16 Aug '21

16 Aug '21

The WV Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting is continuing to hold public hearings now through September 16. The next public hearing is tomorrow, August 17, in Martinsburg. Dates for three virtual public hearings have yet to be announced. See the full schedule and other redistricting information and resources compiled by our Fair Maps Committee here. [1] ----- The West Virginia Climate Alliance and a number of other organizations are holding a virtual public forum on Tuesday, August 24th from 7 to 8:30 pm. Climate, Jobs and Justice: A public forum on West Virginia's future is designed to educate and inform the public where climate policy stands in Congress and what people can do to impact this policy. Collin O'Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, will be joined by Pam Nixon of West Virginia NAACP, Jeremy Richardson of Unions of Concerned Scientist, and Sean O'Leary of Ohio River Valley Institute. It's a great lineup. Register here: Meeting Registration - Zoom [2] Over the next two months we will either adopt significant policy addressing the climate crisis or fail once again to make meaningful reforms. Please share the attached invitation with anyone who might be interested. ----- On August 26, please grab your favorite drink and join Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic for their Cocktails for a Cause: Celebration of Suffrage. Panelists include: South Carolina State Senator Margie Bright Matthews; Executive Director of the New North Carolina Project, Aimy Steele; and Effie Kallas, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of West Virginia. Register for FREE today. [3] Thursday, August 26, 2021 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. via Zoom As we commemorate the 101st anniversary of suffrage for many American women, we also recognize the ongoing fight for voting rights. States across the country have introduced a surge of legislation that would make it harder to cast a ballot, particularly targeting people of color, people with low-income, and young people. Voter suppression directly impedes our ability to control our bodies and plan our futures. These political attacks are a tremendous threat to what we stand for. Cocktails for a Cause [4] will feature an exciting panel discussion on Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic's role in getting out the vote in 2022, and standing against voter suppression. Register today! [5] Your support makes it possible for Planned Parenthood Votes! West Virginia PAC to expand and protect reproductive health and rights in West Virginia. BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR [6] or register here for free. [7] ----- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://lwvwv.org/redistricting-information-resources/ [2] https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsceuvqzkqHtWHMZ-j7Pw3KjMLmBd9zP… [3] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838848/300105240/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi… [4] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838858/300105247/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi… [5] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838863/300105254/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi… [6] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838870/300105260/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi… [7] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838877/300105271/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi…

1 0

Action Alert: WV Water Protections Under Revision – Act by July 19
by Julie Archer 11 Aug '21

11 Aug '21

We're sharing this important Action Alert from our friends at the WV Rivers Coalition. All Hands on Deck: WV Water Protections Under Revision A recent a policy decision by the WVDEP related to water quality standards creates a loophole to allow industries to dump more toxins in our source water. This proposal is part of a second round of human health criteria revisions - the portion of our water quality standards that protects our health from dangerous pollutants like cancer causing toxins, chemicals known to cause birth-defects, and poisons like cyanide. Submit comments on the proposal today! [1] This policy is dangerous for West Virginia. Not only will it allow more toxins in our drinking water sources, it creates a shortcut for polluters to allow EVEN MORE toxins in our water with less public involvement. Ways this policy puts our health and our water at risk: * The proposal creates a loophole for industry to further weaken the human health criteria on a case-by-case basis if industry funds a study that sways the WVDEP to decide that water and fish can handle more toxins. * This is handout to big corporations, who can afford the studies. Hint: chemical manufacturers asked for this loophole, so we are pretty sure they can afford these studies and are confident they believe they can demonstrate results in their favor. * There is already a process in place to revise water quality standards. The revision sidesteps that procedure by creating a shortcut that reduces scrutiny and public input in decision-making. * The loophole exacerbates environmental justice issues by allowing more toxins in waters near industrialized areas, which are often poorer communities that are already struggling with problems related to social, economic, and environmental justice. * On top of all these factors, it's just plain old bad policy. It's_ _vague and sets a precedent for further weakening of water quality standards statewide. This is an all hand on deck call to action! You can submit comments on the proposal through July 19 here [1]. It's important for the WVDEP to hear personalized responses from commenters. Think about how the policy change would affect you and your loved ones personally. In addition to submitting written comments, please plan to join the virtual public hearing on the proposal on July 19 at 6:00PM [2]. Links: ------ [1] https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/hhc2021/index.html [2] https://dep.wv.gov/events/Pages/event.aspx?eventid=363

2 1

Young WV Week of Action; Redistricting Public Hearings
by Julie Archer 26 Jul '21

26 Jul '21

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this email reversed that dates for the Morgantown & Martinsburg Young WV rallies. Today kicks off a Week of Action organized by Young West Virginia [1]. They are hosting rallies across the state to help garner community action in support of the For the People Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and D.C. Statehood. These pro-democracy reforms are our once in a generation opportunity to protect our freedom to vote, end partisan and racial gerrymandering, and get dark money out of politics. Join a rally near you. Events are happening in: * Monday July 26, Charleston - RSVP here [2] - Facebook Event [3] * Tuesday July 27, Huntington - RSVP here [4] - Facebook Event [5] * Thursday July 29, Bluefield - RSVP here [6] - Facebook Event [7] * Friday July 30, Morgantown - RSVP here [8] * Saturday July 31, Martinsburg - RSVP here [9] Join Young WV's week of action and play a part in fulfilling the promise of our democracy. This week is also the start of a series of listening sessions hosted by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting, with public hearings in Winfield (Tuesday 7/27) and Logan (Thursday 7/29). All 12 in-person public hearings will take place from 6 to 8 PM, with doors opening at 5:30 PM to begin the sign-in process. Anyone who would like to be guaranteed an opportunity to speak during the hearings will need to be present to sign in by 6 PM. See the full schedule and other redistricting information and resources compiled by our Fair Maps Committee here. [10] Let's take advantage of the upcoming hearings to let legislators know that when it comes to our districts, we want a transparent process we can trust, where communities remain whole and where voters have an equal voice. Thanks for all you do! Julie -- Julie Archer Co-President, League of Women Voters of West Virginia (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/youngwestvirginia/ [2] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402408/ [3] https://www.facebook.com/events/1658370897701899 [4] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402409/ [5] https://www.facebook.com/events/308223144373789 [6] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402410/ [7] https://www.facebook.com/events/1307742959661053 [8] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402411/ [9] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402412/ [10] https://lwvwv.org/redistricting-information-resources/ 

1 0

Young WV Week of Action; Redistricting Public Hearings
by Julie Archer 26 Jul '21

26 Jul '21

Today kicks off a Week of Action organized by Young West Virginia [1]. They are hosting rallies across the state to help garner community action in support of the For the People Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and D.C. Statehood. These pro-democracy reforms are our once in a generation opportunity to protect our freedom to vote, end partisan and racial gerrymandering, and get dark money out of politics. Join a rally near you. Events are happening in: * July 26th Charleston * July 27th Huntington * July 29th Bluefield * July 30th Martinsburg * July 31st Morgantown You can find events and RSVP here [2]. This week is also the start of a series of listening sessions hosted by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting, with public hearings in Winfield (Tuesday 7/27) and Logan (Thursday 7/29). All 12 in-person public hearings will take place from 6 to 8 PM, with doors opening at 5:30 PM to begin the sign-in process. Anyone who would like to be guaranteed an opportunity to speak during the hearings will need to be present to sign in by 6 PM. See the full schedule and other redistricting information and resources compiled by our Fair Maps Committee here. [3] Let's take advantage of the upcoming hearings to let legislators know that when it comes to our districts, we want a transparent process we can trust, where communities remain whole and where voters have an equal voice. Thanks for all you do! Julie -- Julie Archer Co-President, League of Women Voters of West Virginia (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/youngwestvirginia/ [2] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/?country=US&end_date=2021-08-01T0… [3] https://lwvwv.org/redistricting-information-resources/ 

1 0

Join Us Thursday for Redistricting for the People Teach-In
by Julie Archer 15 Jun '21

15 Jun '21

A friendly reminder about our Redisticting For the People! Teach-In on redistricting and the For the People Act. Who: League of Women Voters of West Virginia & special guests What: Redistricting for the People! Teach-In [1] When: Thursday, June 17 at 7 PM Where: Facebook Live [2] or Zoom Why: We will discuss how the redistricting process is going to work this year, how the For the People Act would impact it in the future, and what you can do to get involved. Click here to register [1]. Special guests include Delegates Barbara Fleischauer & Evan Hansen, who have sponsored bills to establish and independent redistricting commission, and Senator Charles Trump, Co-Chair of the WV Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday! Links: ------ [1] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/395760/ [2] https://www.facebook.com/events/828015494755862

1 0

Join Us Thursday for Redistricting for the People Teach-In
by Julie Archer 12 Jun '21

12 Jun '21

Join the League of Women Voters of West Virginia for a teach-in on redistricting and the For the People Act! Who: League of Women Voters of West Virginia & special guests What: Redistricting for the People! Teach-In [1] When: Thursday, June 17 at 7 PM Where: Facebook Live [2] or Zoom Why: We will discuss how the redistricting process is going to work this year, how the For the People Act would impact it in the future, and what you can do to get involved. Click here to register [1]. Speakers include Delegates Barbara Fleischauer & Evan Hansen with Moderator Effie Kallas from Co-President of LWV-WV. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday! Links: ------ [1] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/395760/ [2] https://www.facebook.com/events/828015494755862

1 0

Redistricting panel event - June 10 at 7pm
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 30 May '21

30 May '21

Redistricting at the State and Federal Level and What It Means to West Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle. The Stubblefield Institute Community Engagement Committee is hosting another event on June 10th at 7 p.m. Redistricting at the State and Federal Level and What It Means to West Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle will feature a panel of Delegate Jason Barrett, Delegate John Doyle, Gary Wine, and Dr. Kenneth Martis. This event will be moderated by Hannah Geffert. Join us on Facebook Live or on Zoom. To register for Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F7ZrH2jPR0exPlK5S6_qkA Speaker Bios: Kenneth C. Martis is a Professor Emeritus of Geography at West Virginia University. He received his PhD in Geography from the University of Michigan and is the author or co-author of eight award winning books on American elections and the United States Congress. His first book, The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts: 1789-1983, is first in American history to map every congressional district for every election and catalog all state redistricting laws. For his work on mapping American political history he has received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, American Association of Geographers, Everett McKinley Dirksen Congressional Leadership Research Center, Huntington Library, and the Newberry Library. His publications have received numerous scholarly, publication, design, and reference awards from organizations including: American Historical Association; Organization of American Historians; Library Journal; Association of American Publishers, Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division; American Library Association, Choice Magazine; Washington Publishers; and College and Research Libraries. In addition to his publications, Professor Martis received every major teaching accolade awarded by West Virginia University, culminating in his selection as the United States/West Virginia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Washington, DC. John Doyle (Democratic Party) is a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 67. Doyle was born in Covington, Virginia, and lives in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Doyle served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970 and reached the rank of lieutenant. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Shepherd University in 1966. Doyle's career experience includes working as a real estate salesman with Referrals Realty. Gary Wine has been involved in technology since 1991 and have spent all of it supporting local governments in West Virginia. Post college he went to work for Harrison County, WV serving as the Technology Director. In 1998, he left and went to work for a IBM business partner supporting SMB and West Virginia local governments through 2007. In late summer 2007, he started as the Director of Information Technology for Berkeley County and served in that role up to 2018 when he was promoted to Deputy County Administrator. Jason Barrett is a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 61st district. Barrett ran for re-election to the West Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 61. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020. Barrett previously served in the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 61 from 2012 to 2014. He was also an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for District 54, West Virginia House of Delegates in the November 2, 2010 state legislative election. Barrett is also a small business owner in the Eastern Panhandle. He currently lives in the Eastern Panhandle with his wife Summer. Hannah Geffert is retired from teaching both history and political science at Shepherd University. She has written extensively on the nineteenth century civil rights movement and on West Virginia women and the Civil War pension system. She was a radio talk show host and has moderated numerous political debates.

1 0

New LWVWV statewide members list
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 30 May '21

30 May '21

Dear WV League of Women Voter members, At the State Convention on May 15 we decided to setup a statewide email list (listserv) to better proliferate announcements and action alerts. This list is moderated, which means any emails sent to members(a)lists.lwvwv.org will be examined and then released to the list if their content is relevant. More events than ever before are now being held virtually, and this trend is likely to continue since we have all learned from experience how effective this is at removing distance barriers. In fact, the next email you receive shall be about a forum event titled "Redistricting at the State and Federal Level and What It Means to West Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle." I will be keeping this list updated with addresses that are on file with the National League roster, so if you want to leave this list, make sure you indicate to me that you don't want to be subscribed again. If for any reason you want to leave this list, you may unsubscribe by sending an email to members-leave(a)lists.lwvwv.org , or you can just ask me. -Jonathan

1 0