Action and Advocacy

Where does the League stand on public issues? What can you do now?? How to contact your elected representatives.

Action Now National League Positon Statements California League of Women Voters Positions Local Action Local Positions They Represent You

Action Now

Currently in Washington, DC

League efforts focus on:

Voting Rights
Improving Elections
Registering Voters
Educating Voters
DC Voting Rights

Currently in Sacramento

The following specific issues were selected for emphasis within California at LWVC Convention for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2013:

Local League President Whitney Explains the LWV's Position

National League of Women Voters Positions

Includes the official statements of position for each program area, briefly traces significant past actions and achievements, and indicates links among positions. The LWVUS public policy positions reflect the 2010-2012 program adopted by the 2010 convention of the League of Women Voters of the United States; the "positions in brief" listed there summarize the official statements of position included in this guide. Updated following biennial convention. Includes:

California League of Women Voters Positions

The LWVC has a series of priorities: the Issues for Education and Advocacy set every two years at the LWVC convention, the legislative priorities set for each legislative session by the board, and the core issues of the League that include redistricting, elections, initiative and referendum process, voting rights, campaign finance reform and reproductive choices.

Natural Resources Issues

Government Issues

Social Policy Issues

Local Action

The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause.

Positions result from a process of study. Any given study, whether it be national, state, or local, is thorough in its pursuit of facts and details. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.

Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.

It is the "consensus statement" -- the statement resulting from the consensus questions -- that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken.

Local Positions

LWV SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY POSITIONS

Government

San Luis Obispo City/County Government: Two positions joined in 1977, Review 1986, 2004.

The League supports policies and actions that achieve a responsive and representative government; promote increased citizen understanding of finances and greater involvement of the public and staff in budget-making and long-range financial planning; and provide for the periodic evaluation of locally levied taxes, licenses, and fees. The League supports policies and actions that promote the effective operation of citizen advisory commissions, committees, task forces and other advisory bodies.

San Luis Obispo City/County Planning and Land Use: Adopted 1976, 1976, Review 1987, Update 2003.

The League supports policies and actions that provide for orderly and sustainable growth and development; protect the land resources and environmental and aesthetic qualities of our county and cities; ensure public access to the decision- making process; and encourage cooperation and effective coordination among all entities involved in planning and land use policy and implementation.

Natural Resources

Air: Adopted 1972, Review 1990.

The League supports policies and actions that establish the strictest air-quality standards to protect air resources, and that develop efficient enforcement and implementation procedures to attain and maintain high quality standards, not to preclude participation in regional planning.

Water: Adopted 1969, Update 1975, Review 1981, 1986, Update 1996.

The League supports policies and actions that provide for protection and efficient management of water resources, with emphasis on conservation and high standards of environmental quality in all areas. League supports consideration of a variety of water supply sources, including reclamation.

Social Policy

Education: Adopted 1964, Update 1986, Review 1992.

The League supports policies and actions that produce high-quality education; require accountability; establish, implement, and periodically evaluate education plans; include public participation; and set goals, objectives, and priorities for all education programs, kindergarten through grade 12.

Environmental Health: Adopted 1978, Review 1990, 2004.

The League supports policies and actions that result in an effective, well-enforced environmental health program. The Environmental Health Division of the County Health Department should have primary responsibility for the program.

Juvenile Justice: Adopted 1970, Update 1974, 1989, Review 2004.

The League supports a juvenile justice system whose policies and actions emphasize crime prevention, appropriate custody, restitution, rehabilitation of offenders, and protection of society.

Law Enforcement: Adopted 1981, Update 1985, 1995.

The League supports a law enforcement system whose policies and actions emphasize public education, crime prevention, effective programs to deal with offenders, victims, and witnesses, and ensure well-trained officers.

Local Library: Adopted 1997.

The League recognizes that the San Luis Obispo City/County Library System is an integral part of each community it serves. It supports adequate funding from both the State and County governments to preserve and enhance the system.

Local Public Health: Two Positions Joined and Updated 1992.

The League supports an integrated county health system that emphasizes preventative medicine and primary care, including mental health and dental services, and promotes and assures equal access for all persons.

Workforce Housing: Adopted 2004.

The League supports policies, long-range planning and actions that increase the supply of safe, decent, adequate and affordable workforce housing, both rentals and home ownership, while ensuring livable neighborhoods and sustainable communities.