Historic Health Care Reform Passed
Read this statement by the League of Women Voters US.
Greater Milwaukee League member, Barb Hussin is awarded a special honor by the State League
Civil Society and the Private Sector Working with the UN
Many Thanks to the companies and individuals who made this event possible:
Benefactors
- Kikkoman Foods, Inc
- League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Fund
- Louise and David Petering
Friends
- Anonymous (2)
- North Shore Milwaukee AAUW
- Mel and Ellis Bromberg
- Flora Cohen
- Helen Bader Institute of Nonprofit Management at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
- Karen Jansen
- Beverly Katter
- Mary Kae Nelson
- Joan Robertson
- Greater Milwaukee United Nations Association
- Wisconsin Governor's Commission on the UN
Public Access Media Support
- MATA Community Media
- West Allis Community Communications Corp
Dr. Louise Kantrow, Permanent Representative to the United Nations and member of the International Chamber of Commerce,, will speak on the "Role of Civil Society and the Private Sector Working with the United Nations"
at a special League event. Civil Society is a major interest of the League.
This October 22, 2009 event is an unprecedented opportunity to look at the global implications of empowerment. There will be a panel of experts responding to Dr. Kantrow's presentation.
The dinner will be held at the Italian Conference Center. .
Milwaukee: Global Compact City
The UN has recognized Milwaukee as a focus for population, business activity, economic wealth, government, academia, infrastructure and civil society. The UN particularly recognizes the waters of Lake Michigan in this
determination. The Cities Programme seeks to translate the 10 overarching Principles of the Global Compact into innovative, concrete, positive, and sustainable outcomes to intractableeconomic, social and environemntal issues.
For detail on this thoughtful, important program please click here.
Mission
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
League's State Study on Election Administration
Protecting the rights of voters to have their votes count the same as anyone else's votes is part of the League's on-going activity. The State League has been studying the complex issue of Election Administration. The Project of Election Law @ Mortiz at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law has completed an important study on election administration in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. From Registration to Recounts: The Elections Ecosystems of Five Midwestern States , (202 pages in a pdf file) can be read here online or downloaded for reading on your own computer. The study is important because it is using the most recent, available data. It is copyright 2007 and was released in December 2007.
These two very short articles are a good summary of the election administration in Wisconsin.
The League of Women Voters of MIlwaukee County is actively working with the State League to insure fair and open elections.
Water Quality Issues in SE Wisconsin & the League's Position
After 2 years of meetings, the SE Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission issued its
Water Quality Management Plan Update. With approval from the required governmental bodies this update will become part of the overall plan.
This is a critical piece of a future of cleaner water. The Milwaukee County League's Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Dr. Jennifer Runquist, developed a set of concerns based on adopted League positions. These follow a summary of the plan.
Revised League Position on Energy
After much discussion and work the State League adopted a Revised Policy on Energy The Milwaukee County League's Natural Resources Committee was responsible for organizing and refining the new position. This important issue has serious consequences for us, our children and grandchildren, or, as the Native People say: "unto the 7th generation". The policy is sensible and workable. You can use this policy when talking with State Legislators.
Connect the Dots to Campaign Finance Reform
There is a new web site that lets you see the sources of campaign contributions and cross match them with legislators' votes. The League has long advocated campaign finance reform. This new site MapLight gives us a new, powerful tool. Right now it is flooded with visitors. Wait for odd hours or for a few days and try it again if you find it too busy. This is an amazing use of the web. There is a 6 minute presentation on how it works and the different kinds of cross-referencing you can do.
State By State Analysis of the Economy for Women
The Institute for Women's Policy Research in Washington, DC, has released a paper on "Best and Worst State Economies for Women". Wisconsin rates a "C". You can
download the entire 28 page report here. Right-click on the title of the report (underlined) and choose "save".
Because women are the parents who usually are the caretakers for children, the economy has a more severe impact impact on women and their families.
Mission / Service / Impact
The League of Women Voters Milwaukee County makes democracy work. The League is an effective education and advocacy organization working on issues of importance to Milwaukee, the State of Wisconsin and the entire country.
The League of Women Voters is a national organization of women and men with chapters in all 50 states. For more than 80 years the League has provided thoroughly researched information to voters and has taken strong stands on the issues of the day. The League is a respected, nonpartisan organization focusing on issues, voter education and issue advocacy.
We invite you to take a look at our newsletters to see what we have been doing in the past couple years. You will see that the League has been active at the local, state and national levels of government. The League has taken stands on issues like campaign finance reform, civil liberties, nondiscrimination, affordable childcare and healthcare, the right to privacy in reproductive health, mental health parity, stewardship of natural resources, and land use reform. Above all the League strives to provide voters with the facts they need to make informed decisions. You can certainly help by volunteering a little time to the work of the League. |
|
|
Latest News
MPS: Governance, Structure, Programs and Finance
Sr. Joel Read who spoke on this topic, suggested a web site run by MPS for more information. WTAM = Working Together to focus the district's efforts on Achieving More. Click on "Focused Plans"
.
On Women's Equality Day - August 26 -- Women Still Lag in Earnings
The Institute for Women's Policy Research issues 2 brief reports on August 26. One shows the earnings gap in terms of dollars earned by women and by men. The other shows
the lag for women by occupation. The author of the work points out that women are more often in jobs with no benefits, no pension and no security.
- Wage Gap in dollars and cents
- Gender Gap by Occupation
League Supports Independent DNR Secretary
On Tuesday, July 28, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on AB 138, which would restore the authority of the Natural Resources Board,
a 7-member citizen board, to appoint the Secretary of Natural Resources. The board insulates policy development and implementation from the political swings of elected officials. It
promotes public understanding and participation in decision-making and offsets pressure from outside groups with special financial interests in access to Wisconsin's land, air and
water resources.
April 22 Equal Pay Day Shows Women Still Lagging
Women now earn 77 cents for every $1 men earn. The Equal Pay Act was passed by Congress 40 years ago. Here are 2 recent, short reports on pay equity from the Institute for Women's Policy Research:
1. The Gender Wage Ratio
2. Still A Man's Labor Market: The Long-Term Earnings Gap
National Study of Immigration Policy -- Resources
The National League has compiled study materials for use with the national immigration policy study. It is a complex issue with ramifications from the federal to the local community level.
Hot New Video on Resources
This 20 minute video called, "The Story of Stuff" is even being mentioned positively by ZDNet, a business-oriented email newsletter. Click here Find out the true cost of the stuff you buy in people and resources. The video is designed to be interactive so you can move from chapter to chapter in the order you want. If you have slow web connection leave a message for "info" (upper right corner of this page) for a CD. The video is freely distributable.
Nov. 5, League President Writes Wisconsin Chief Justice on Redistricting
The League has spent years studying the issues involved in legislative redistricting. The League has a long history of advocating for better procedures and has been involved in litigation on redistricting.
Click Here to read the entire letter.
|