Transcription
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CONCORD-CARLISLEBULLETINMarch 2014LWVCC Website: www.lwvcc.orgP.O. Box 34 Concord, Massachusetts 01742-0034Volume 18 2013-14 #3CALENDARMARCH1219WedWed232526SunTuesWedLWVCC Local Program Planning, 1360 Monument St. (Beeuwkes)6:30-8:30 PMLWVCC Agriculture Study Consensus Meetings, two sessions41 Canterbury Court (Cindy Nock)9:30-12:00 noon89 Crescent Rd. (Erin Pastuszenski)7:00-9:30 PMLWVCC Carlisle Town Meeting Preview, Clark Room, Town Hall2-4:00 PMConcord Town ElectionPolls open 7:00 am-8:00 PMLWVMA Day on the Hill, State House, Boston10:00 AMAPRIL2131416232830WedSunMonWedWedMonWedLWVCC Board Meeting, 89 Crescent Rd. (Erin Pastuszenski)9 coffee, 9:15 mtgLWVCC Carlisle Candidates Forum, Clark Room, Town Hall3-5:00 PMLast Day to Register for Concord Annual Town MeetingLWVCC Concord Warrant Review Meeting, Mtg Room, Keyes Rd. Bldg 8:30 AMLWVCC Special Board Meeting for Warrant Review, Fowler Library 9 coffee, 9:15 mtgCarlisle Town Meeting, Corey Auditorium, Carlisle School7:00 PMLWVCC Book Group, Author Discussion with Katharine Esty10-11:30 programPot luck lunch follows, 342 Sudbury Rd. (Anne Hayden) lunch 11:45-1:00 PMSunM-THTuesWedWedWedConcord Town Meeting begins, CCHS Auditorium2:00 PMConcord Town Meeting, CCHS Auditorium7:00 PMCarlisle Town ElectionPolling open 7:00 am-8:00 PMLWVCC Board Meeting, 398 Lowell St. Carlisle (Launa Zimmaro)9 coffee, 9:15 mtgLWVCC ESC Meeting, Newbury Court (Anita Barker)8:00 AMLWVCC Annual Meeting, TBAMAY45-8672121JUNE46-10Wed LWVCC Board Meeting, 1360 Monument St. (Nancy Beeuwkes)Fri-Tues LWVUS National Convention, Dallas TX9 coffee, 9:15 mtg.Members are invited to attend monthly Board meetings.Please contact Cindy or Dee if you would like to attend any of them.The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization of men and women formed in 1920 anddedicated to the principles of self-government established by the Constitution of the United States. The Leagueworks to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.Co-PresidentsCindy Nock(978) 369-3996Co-Presidents@lwvcc.orgDee Ortner(617) 379-2749Co-Presidents@lwvcc.orgMembershipPaula Vandever(978) 369-9268Membership@lwvcc.orgBulletin Editor Anne Hayden(978) 369-8526BULLETIN@lwvcc.orgWebmasterJulie Rohwein(978) 371-2267wm@lwvcc.org1
CO-PRESIDENTS’ LETTERCindy Nock and Dee Ortner, Co-PresidentsMarch 2014Dear League Members,Have you heard them yet? The birds are chirping the arrival of Spring - and not asnowless day too soon!Already in Concord we’ve had hearings on Warrant Articles held by the FinanceCommittee, Planning Board and Board of Selectmen. They are still being televised on CCTV, ifyou missed any. In Carlisle, the LWVCC is holding a Town Meeting Preview on several highinterest articles in late March. And this year, Carlisle will hold its Town Meeting on April 28th,before Concordians head to the high school for our multi-day TM, which starts on May 4th.In preparation for these events, the League is busy reviewing our positions, askingquestions at hearings and listening to what our fellow townspeople are saying at variouscommittee and board meetings. This is what we do so that we can inform all of our members(and non-members), hold discussions for our membership that result in informed decisions, andhave our collective voice heard. And this is what the citizens of our towns expect from us, theLeague of Women Voters of Concord and Carlisle.But, you know all of this. What you may not know or have heard about, is that we held ahigh-turnout candidate forum for one contested and two uncontested races in Concord. Thequestions posed were respectful, probing and truly engaging. So many additional questions werehand-delivered during the event that candidates received a list of unasked questions, just in casethey wanted to respond on their websites or in letters to the editors.We’re also in the closing portion of a national study on agriculture. The Committeetasked to research and organize this effort has developed such enthusiasm that it is working withother groups within our towns and elsewhere to provide more opportunities to better inform ourcitizens of the complexities involved in the production and delivery of ‘good’ food.We’ll stop here. You can read more about what else is happening in the League on thefollowing pages.We encourage you to make your voices heard and cast your votes at the polls and at ourTown Meetings. And, don’t forget, Annual Meeting will be in May – we’d love to see you there!Yours in League,Cindy Nock and Dee Ortner, Co-PresidentsEditor’s note: Included in this Bulletin is a transcription of the informative talk that Dr.Alexander Keyssar gave on Voter Rights at the January Members Breakfast. It is the four pageinsert that you will find in the center of the bulletin. Kudos to Cindy Nock for willingly listeningto hours of tape and transcribing the talk for the enlightenment of all of our members. .2
MEMBER NEWSNEW DIRECTORY IN MAILWe hope you have received the LWVCC2014 Membership Directory. If you noticeany errors or missing information, such asthe estimate of the year you first joined theLWV, please contact me. Send an e-mail to:membership@lwvcc.org orvandeverP@aol.com with questions,information and time availability.SAVE THE DATECONCORD WARRANT REVIEWPlease join us for a meeting to review theConcord Warrant on Wednesday morning,April 16, 8:30am, at the Keyes Roadconference room. Moderator Eric Van Loonand Selectman Carmin Reiss will be there todiscuss the status of various articles andprovide current information about them.Since the Warrant closes in early January,there are inevitable changes to wording(within the original scope of the article) orarticles that may not be moved for variousreasons. By April 16, we can expect moreinformation about the recommendations ofthe Board of Selectmen (BOS), the FinanceCommittee, Planning Board, and the SchoolCommittees on various articles. ModeratorVan Loon will speak to what articles may beon the consent calendar this year. Thismeeting provides a chance to ask all yourpre-Town Meeting questions!So far this year we have added 26 newmembers, including three HouseholdMemberships. Please feel free to contact meif you would like to get together to talkabout the League and your particularinterests. It has been a joy to meet so manyof you and learn about the incredible assetsour new members provide.We are a nonpartisan political organizationthat encourages informed and activeparticipation in government, works toincrease understanding of major publicpolicy issues and influences public policythrough education and advocacy. Nonpartisan means that the League neversupports or opposes any political party orcandidate and political means that we studyissues of interest to our members and workto influence the outcome of those issues. Ifyou have a particular issue of concern, youcan contact me at the above email address orour Co-Presidents, Cindy Nock and DeeOrtner, at: Co-Presidents@lwvcc.org. Wethank you for your continued support asmembers and donors of time, money,enthusiasm and dedication to the League ofWomen Voters of Concord-Carlisle.Paula Vandever, Membership ChairCommittee members include: LaurenBakewell, Nancy Beeuwkes, Mary Chapman,Irmi Doane & Barbara LewisThe League Board will then meet onWednesday, April 23, 9:15am, in the FowlerLibrary meeting room, to discuss anddetermine whether the League will speak toany of the articles in support or oppositionor take no action at Town Meeting. Allmembers are welcome to attend thismeeting.The League Board will follow the sameprocess with the Carlisle Town Warranthowever a date has not been set yet.Ardis Bordman, ChairConcord Town Initiative Committee3
extent and limits of public information. Youcan access A Guide to the MassachusettsPublic Records Law atwww.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/guide.pdfand the Open Meeting Law athttp://www.mass.gov/ago/openmeeting.WHAT IS SUNSHINE WEEK?For the past three years, our League has senta letter to the Concord Journal drawingattention to Sunshine Week. [See this year’sletter on the next page.] The Florida Societyof Newspaper Editors (FSNE) launchedSunshine Sunday in 2002 in response toefforts by some Florida legislators to createscores of new exemptions to the state’spublic records law. Several states followedFlorida’s lead, and in June 2003, theAmerican Society of Newspaper Editors(ASNE) hosted a Freedom of InformationSummit in Washington where the seeds forSunshine Week were planted. With aninaugural grant from the John S. and JamesL. Knight Foundation, which has continuedto support this effort, Sunshine Week waslaunched by the ASNE in March 2005. Thisnonpartisan, non-profit initiative iscelebrated in mid-March each year tocoincide with James Madison’s birthday onMarch 16.Almost 200 years ago, James Madisonwrote, “A popular government, withoutpopular information, or the means ofacquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or atragedy; or, perhaps both.” His wordsremain a call to action today.Ardis Bordman, ChairTown Government InitiativeNATIONAL PROGRAM PLANNINGLWVCC held its annual national programplanning session on the afternoon ofFebruary 12 at the home of Barbara Lewis inCarlisle. Under LWVUS rules each Leaguecan make two recommendations for a newstudy or for a review of an existing Nationalposition. Our first recommendation was:Review and update the existing LWVUSposition on Campaign Finance in light of therecent Supreme Court decisions andestablish League criteria for a constitutionalamendment and/or legislation pertaining toCampaign Finance Reform.Sunshine Week is a set aside time to focuson the public’s right to know what itsgovernment is doing and why. Massachusetts has an Open Meeting Law and a PublicRecords Law (akin to Freedom ofInformation at Federal level). These lawsspell out what is required of State and localgovernments regarding posting of agendasand minutes, the right of the public to accessrecords and documents with few exceptions,and much more.We did not make a second recommendationas such, but we commented that there wasstrong interest in extending the AgricultureStudy since there had been insufficient timebetween the availability of study materialsand the date when local consensus was dueto cover the material fully.The Open Meeting Law defines what is ameeting, a deliberation, a public body, andthe need to avoid serial deliberation(discussing business from one person of aboard/committee to another without publicknowledge). The law even states a copycharge of a maximum of 20 cents per pageand 50 cents for computer printouts. Thereare various time limits for requests,responses, and appeals. The laws tell you theRecommendations from all Leagues will bereviewed by the LWVUS board to decide onprogram recommendations to the delegatesat the June convention.Nancy Cronin, National Program4
March 10, 2014Ms. Kathie Ragsdale, EditorThe Concord Journal150 Baker Avenue Ext.Concord, MA 01742RE: Sunshine WeekTo the Editor:March 16-22 is Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide discussion about the importance of accessto public information, and what it means to each of us and to our community. It is a time toremember the important role that each of us has in keeping Concord healthy, vibrant and strong.We all have the right to know what our government is doing—both its successes and failures.Exercising our right to know gives us – the public – power. It allows us to hold elected officialsaccountable on election days and beyond.For decades, members of the League of Women Voters have worked for open government. Wework to ensure that all voices are heard as decisions are made about our community’s future. Weinvite all of you to join us by making your voice heard not only on election days but alsothroughout the year.We also encourage everyone to attend local School and Town government meetings and to visitthe School (www.concordschools.net) and Town websites (www.concordma.gov) to read aboutwhat our local boards and committees are doing. In particular, we urge everyone to learn aboutthe Town Warrant Articles and participate in Concord’s Annual Town Meeting, starting Sunday,May 4, and to vote in the Town election on March 25.Sincerely,Dee OrtnerCindy NockCo-presidentsLeague of Women Voters of Concord-Carlisle5
VOTER SERVICEBarbara Lewis (Carlisle) and Erin Pastuszenski (Concord)Contact Erin or Barbara anytime, by phone or at VoterService@lwvcc.org, if you’d like to getinvolved with the League’s work on voting and elections.Carlisle Candidates’ Forum April 13Don’t miss an opportunity to see thecandidates who are running for local officein Carlisle at the League’s Candidates’Forum, in the Clark Room at Town Hall onSunday, April 13, 3 to 5 p.m. All voters areinvited. If you’d like to volunteer to help,please contact Barbara Lewis.Coming up: Local Elections and TownMeetingsConcord: Town Election – Tuesday, March 25,7am-8pm Voter Registration Deadline for TownMeeting – Monday, April 14 Annual Town Meeting – Sunday, May 4,2pm, continuing Mon/Tue/Wed, 7pm,CCHSCarlisle: LWVCC Warrant Preview – Sunday,March 23, 2-4pm, Carlisle Town Hall LWVCC Candidates’ Forum – Sunday,April 13, 3-5pm, Carlisle Town Hall Finance Committee Hearing – Monday,April 21 Annual Town Meeting – Monday, April28, 7pm, Corey Aud., Carlisle School Town Election – Tuesday, May 6, 7am8pmLWVCC Informs Concord Voters aboutLocal CandidatesAt the League of Women Voters’ ConcordCandidates’ Forum on Sunday, March 2, anaudience of over 70 people filled the TownHouse Hearing Room. They heard from allof the candidates who will appear on theMarch 25 ballot: Eric Van Loon (candidatefor reelection as Town Moderator), MichaelLawson (candidate for Board of Selectmen)and two candidates vying for one seat on theSchool Committee, David Garrison andWallace Johnston. Each candidateresponded to a wide range of questions fromthe League and from the public. NancyCarapezza, LWV of Wayland member and aformer President of the LWV ofMassachusetts, moderated the forum.LWVCC to Hold Carlisle WarrantPreview March 23The League will host a forum March 23 onseveral major issues expected to be beforethe voters at Carlisle’s April 28 AnnualTown Meeting. The forum will exploreproposed articles on education, land use,town budget, and the use of the historicHighland Building. Carlisle voters areencouraged to attend the League forum onSunday, March 23, from 2 to 4 p.m., in theClark Room at Carlisle Town Hall. ContactBarbara at VoterService@lwvcc.org tovolunteer to help.The Concord Journal covered the event, andLWVCC’s forum video is now showing onChannel 8 and may be viewed on demand atCCTV’s website, www.concordtv.org. Inaddition, the LWVCC’s Voter Guide to thecandidates will appear in the March 20edition of the Concord Journal; thecandidates’ statements will be posted on theLeague’s website, www.lwvcc.org.6
Rounding out our efforts this electionseason, LWV “Vote Tuesday” signs willremind voters to go to the polls on March25.PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TOWNGOVERNANCE SET FOR MAYThe Town Governance Study Committee(TGSC) was appointed in March 2013 bythe Board of Selectmen (BOS) to review theTown Charter and governance. It has metevery two weeks since then to research,discuss and make preliminary recommendations for any changes. Its working groupshave researched and reported on thefollowing topics: Town ChartersComparison, Town Meeting, ElectedOfficials, Library, Technology,Town/School Coordination, and GeneralGovernance Principles.The League thanks the candidates forparticipating in the forum and the voterguide; our sponsor for use of the TownHouse, Town Clerk Anita Tekle; ourmoderator, Nancy Carapezza; CCTV,particularly Kester Krueger; and all of ourwonderful League volunteers, includingDebbie Barr, Nancy Beeuwkes, EnidBoasberg, Ardis Bordman, Di Clymer,Marge Daggett, Irmi Doane, Ashley Galvin,Louise Haldeman, Jen Johnson, LauraMcKenna, Cindy Nock, Dee Ortner, ErinPastuszenski, and Rebecca Purcell. Ourvolunteers are the best!The Committee will publicize itspreliminary recommendations in April andwill hold two public hearings at 7:00pm onWednesday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 20.After the hearings it will prepare finalrecommendations for the BOS, taking intoaccount public comments at the hearings.Voter Service CommitteeThe Voter Service Committee held ameeting on February 27 at the FowlerBranch of the Concord Public Library, andthe discussion there became the basis for apreliminary plan for our activities thissummer and fall. Meeting notes areavailable, and if you’d like a copy, pleasecontact Erin at VoterService@lwvcc.org.Some of the preliminary recommendationsinclude: keeping Open Town Meeting andmaking it more accessible, not adding arecall provision to the charter, andsuggesting that the BOS appoint an auditcommittee and a technology committee. Atechnology committee could develop waysthat information technology could be used topromote broader and more active citizenparticipation in Concord government.The next meeting of the Committee will bein April, date to be announced in MondayMember News. If you are interested in thecommittee or in helping out with voterregistration (for students and others),candidate forums for the state elections thisfall, or other voter engagement projects,please call or email Erin or Barbara to findout how you can get involved.The TGSC’s final recommendations and theSelectmen’s response can have long termeffects on Concord governance. The Leagueshould be prepared to comment on theserecommendations at the hearings. Yourparticipation is important when we reviewthe TGSC’s report. Information about theTGSC can be found at www.concordma.govunder Boards and Committees, TownGovernance Study Committee.Nancy Cronin, LWVCC Observer7
TAKE PART INCONCORD CITIZEN SURVEYSParticipation and involvement in localgovernment has many choices. The hearingsfor the 2014 Town Meeting were televisedand can be viewed on demand athttp://concordtv.org at your convenience aswell as all regular Board of Selectmen andSchool Committee meetings.KATHARINE ESTY WILL DISCUSSHER NEW BOOK IN APRILOn April 30, 2014, the LWVCC will host anauthor’s discussion with League memberKatherine Esty. She will talk about her newbook, Twenty-Seven Dollars and a Dream:How Muhammad Yunus Changed the Worldand What It Cost Him. The program willbegin at 10:00am with this presentation andat 11:30am we will break and have a potluck lunch. The meeting will be held atAnne Hayden’s house, 342 Sudbury Rd. inConcord.At this time you can participate directly bytaking part in two town surveys. One asksabout recreation facilities. You can accessthis survey at the Recreation Commissionwebsite, click Recreation survey athttp://www.concordman.gov/pages/ConcordMA Recreation/Concord%20Recreation%20Survey. You can also print the form andmail it to the Concord Recreation Department, 90 Stow Street, Concord MA 01742.Muhammad Yunus was the creator of themicrocredit movement that has empoweredmillions of poor women around the world.For this achievement he was awarded theNobel Prize for Peace in 2006, the USPresidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 andthe US Congressional Gold Medal in 2013.The other asks about Concord bicycling androad safety eSurvey .In her book, Katharine Esty shows how oneperson was able to change the world.Katharine’s personal impressions of Yunusand her experiences in Bangladesh giveadded personal insight and perspective tothis story.Heller and Heller Consulting is workingwith the Recreation Department to reviewexisting Town recreational facilities andprograms and develop planning for thefuture needs of the town for the next 5-7years. Their report is expected to becomplete in June.All League members and their friends areinvited to attend this program and pot luckluncheon. RSVPs are requested so that theseating can be arranged for the meeting.Contact Anne Hayden by phone (978-3698526) or email (anne.hayden@comcast.net).Anne Hayden, ChairLWVCC Book GroupIt is important that survey responses reflectthe view of as many citizens as possible.Take part!Ardis Bordman, ChairTown Government Initiative8
New Changes in School Committee votes: Annual Budget approval must be by a66.67% of the total weighted vote of thefull committee, not just those present. Future amendments must first beapproved by three fourths (3/4) of the fullcommittee, not just those present, eachtown having only one vote. If approved, theamendments must then be passed by eachmember's legislative body (as is the casenow) and with the approval of theCommissioner of Education. To incur debt two thirds (2/3) of the fullcommittee, not just those present, mustapprove, each town having only one vote.Then the legislative bodies of all membercommunities must approve. If one or morecommunities fail to approve, then there is asecond, more lengthy, procedure asspecified by state statute (See RegionalAgreement on the website). Admission of a new community must havea three fourths(3/4) vote of the fullcommittee, not just those present, eachtown having only one vote. Since thisconstitutes a change to the RegionalAgreement, the legislative bodies of allmembers must approve as well as theCommissioner of Education.NEW MINUTEMAN REGIONALAGREEMENT GOES TO SPRING TMThis spring the sixteen member communitiesthat make up the Minuteman High School (VocTech) Regional District will vote on a newRegional Agreement. The proposed newagreement must be approved by the TownMeetings of all 16 towns before it can takeeffect. The new agreement has been developedover the last two years with inputs invited fromevery town, town manager, selectman, andfinance committee to meet many of theshortcomings of the old agreement as the districtgears up to renovate or rebuild the school.The new Regional Agreement is more complexand detailed, especially related to assigningcapital costs, than the old one. This article is abrief overview of material from the Minutemanwebsite developed by Carrie Flood, Concord'srepresentative to the Minuteman SchoolCommittee. For more information, eement-ratf-raas.New protocols: 4-year rolling average of enrollment ofstudents to be used in assessing thecommunities for the operating budget andcapital costs. This will smooth theassessments from year-to-year. For yearstowns have complained about the"surprises" each spring in Minuteman'sassessment due solely to the variation in thenumber of students enrolled "this year" incontrast to "last year". Weighted voting will be the usual practicein voting at committee sessions. Using theOctober 1 enrollment of a town relative tothe total number of students from themember towns, a "weight" or percentage isgiven to each town. Under normalCommittee practice, a greater than 50% ofthe weighted vote of the members presentwould constitute approval of a motion. (SeeNote.) The appointing authority for a newcommittee representative would be Boardof Selectmen (or Mayor in case of a city)except that a town by bylaw or Charterprovide for appointment by the Moderator.Withdrawal of a community:A member community may withdraw from thedistrict, if the legislative body of the membercommunity votes by a two thirds (2/3) vote to doso AND with the approval of a majority of thelegislative bodies of the member communitiesAND with the approval of the Commissioner ofEducation. The withdrawal would not take placefor three years.Note: At the School Committee meeting onMarch 11, the Committee voted on a lateproposal to change the definition of a"weighted" vote. In the new language, aweighted vote will be made up of 50% byweight from the 4-year rolling average ofstudents and 50% by equal share (50 /16 3.125% per member).Marge Daggett, ObserverLWVCC Minuteman High School9
The League of Women Voters and the Wildand Scenic River Stewardship Councilencourage nominations for the twelfth AnnualRiver Steward Award. Send nominations toMary Antes, 11 Old Farm Circle, Wayland,MA 01778 by April 11, 2014. Nominationforms are available at the Town House, theNatural Resources Commission office, andboth libraries, or online at the ConcordCarlisle LWV website www.lwvcc.org.Contact Mary Antes, 508-358-2571 ormantes2@verizon.net with any questions.2014 RIVER STEWARDSHIP AWARDNOMINATIONDue April 10thThe League of Women Voters and the Wildand Scenic River Stewardship Council aresoliciting nominations for the 12th AnnualRiver Stewardship AwardDo you know someone who is an outstandingadvocate for the Sudbury, Assabet andConcord Rivers? Is there an inspiring projector creative program that protects the beautyand health of our rivers or is dedicated tobuilding an environmental legacy for futuregenerations? We seek individuals,organizations, youth, teachers, businesses,government employees and others whosework will inspire children, families, and townand school leaders to protect and preserve ourwild and scenic rivers.2013 Award winners included: Amber Carrfor her work spanning many towns and severalyears; Steve Tobin, Greg Peterson, SallySwift, and Christa Collins of Carlisle; GordonShaw of Concord; The Lowell Leaders inStewardship (LLS) Class of 2013; Bill Placeof Sudbury; and the Wayland WellheadProtection Committee (Sherre Greenbaum,Jennifer Riley, Tom Sciacca, Linda Segal, andKurt Tramposch).As pioneers in conservation, the League ofWoman Voters in partnership with the Wildand Scenic River Stewardship Council presentthe River Stewardship Awards. Twenty-ninemiles of the Sudbury, Assabet and ConcordRivers have been federally designated as Wildand Scenic Rivers because of theiroutstandingly remarkable resources includingecology, recreation, scenery, history andliterature. The River Steward Award honorsunsung heroes within the river communitieswho are doing their part to promote, preserveand protect the Sudbury, Assabet and ConcordWild and Scenic Rivers today, and for futuregenerations.Past Concord winners include: GordonShaw, Susan Beede, Susan Erikson and herThoreau School 5th grade class, Nat Marden,Dr. Bryan Windmiller , Sally Farrow,Elizabeth Sluder, the Thoreau SchoolRiverwalk Committee, The Rowan family,Bob Lemaire, C. C. King, Marian Thornton,Emma Schumacher, Elena Colman, KatieLebling and the Mill Brook Task Force.Janet Rothrock, LWVCC memberRiver Stewardship Award CommitteeThe purpose of the River Stewardship Awardis to honor individuals or organizations whoseactions promote, preserve, and protect thewatershed. Eligible communities for theawards include, but are not limited to, theshoreline towns of Framingham, Wayland,Sudbury, Lincoln, Concord, Bedford, andCarlisle.10
various local Leagues and other civic groupsin Massachusetts, with refinements based onaudience feedback. LWVUS CampaignFinance Task Force Chair, Toni Larsen,presented the program to the LWVUSNational Board in early March.CAMPAIGN FINANCE UPDATEThe LWVMA Campaign Finance StudyCommittee (CFSC) with support from theLWVMA Board has not let coldtemperatures and snow drifts throw us offtrack as we tick-off our checklist inpreparation for the 2014 National LWVUSConvention in Dallas, June 6-10.Our objective is that the Primer andPresentation will become the prototype for aLWV National Program that will bedistributed to Leagues throughout the nationas a resource for public education in theircommunities on this important topic.In early January, LWVMA sent a request toLeagues across the nation asking for supportat LWVUS Program Planning meetings. Webelieve Leagues are looking to clarify themeaning of the League’s position onCampaign Finance. The position has notbeen reviewed since 19731 despitemonumental changes handed down by theSupreme Court. We should know LWVUS’sresponse to this appeal for clarification soon.At the 2010 Convention, LWVCCrecommended to the LWVUS Board that itconsider the need for an Amendment tocorrect the Supreme Court’s ruling inCitizens United. In 2012, LWVCC spearheaded a Resolution to Convention callingon LWVUS to advocate for a ConstitutionalAmendment to allow States and Congress toregulate money in elections. The Resolutionpassed by an overwhelming majority ofdelegates but LWVUS has not acted.LWVMA will submit a new Resolution at2014 Convention with more specificlanguage that supports a particularamendment resolution currently beforeCongress to allow regulation of money inelections (SJR 19: Senator Thomas Udall,New Mexico2 or HJR 20: ThomasMcGovern, MA3).The Democracy in the Balance (DIB)program on Campaign Finance initiatedimmediately after the 2010 Supreme Courtdecision by LWVCC, and LWVCC’scommitment to influence LWVUSConventions in 2010 and 2012 continues tobuild partners and momentum as we headfor Convention 2014!The Build-up to Convention 2014Working with the LWVUS Task Force onCampaign Finance, the CFSC pulledtogether material to write a Primer onCampaign Finance this winter. It is a 40page document that provides a history andoverview of money in politics, pros and consof the various remedies and discussionquestions to initiate conversations.A third edition PowerPoint Presentation (thefirst was prepared by LWVCC forConvention 2012) was also produced by theCFSC this winter and is being presented toLWVUS will include a workshop oncampaign finance reform in its priorityissues’ workshops at Convention. CFSC isalso developing its program for Convention.We will caucus to advocate for ourresolution and work with the LWVUS TaskForce to roll-out the CF Tool Kit.Becky Shannon, LWVMA CFC uery/z?c113:H.J.RES.20.IH:/211
CASINOS IN MASSACHUSETTSTHE STORY CONTINUESThe Massachusetts Gaming Commission hascompleted the first part of its task byawarding the Town of Plainville a license toopen a slot parlor.
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CONCORD-CARLISLE BULLETIN LWVCC Website: www.lwvcc.org March 2014 P.O. Box 34 Concord, Massachusetts 01742-0034 Volume 18 2013-14 #3 CALENDAR MARCH 12 Wed LWVCC Local Program Planning, 1360 Monument St. (Beeuwkes) 6:30-8:30 PM 19 Wed LWVCC Agriculture Study Consensus Meetings, two sessions
