League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County

The League Takes Tough Stands on Tough Issues

These days the League insistence that citizens should particpate in government is met with skepticism by a cynical public. The League was established in 1920, born out of the Women's Suffrage Movement that secured the 19th amendment ensuring women the right to vote. The League has always emphasized citizen education and encouraged all eligible voters to vote. Voter education is undertaken by the League on critical issues.

Before arriving at a public position, LWV members educate themselves about the issues. Once the League takes a stand, members gain practical experience in influencing legislation at all levels of government. A key benefit of membership is the League's political clout: it magnifies the voice of the individual citizen in government and politics.

Here is a list of some of the issues that the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County is working on or on which the League has taken a stand. There are committees of League members who are researching issues in preparation for developing a position and educating voters. In addition to the monthly local meetings, the League often sponsors forums on issues and candidate forums.

• The League supports adequate nutrition for children. This means that the League supports universal free breakfasts in the schools. In February this year, the League joined with other organizations to lobby in Madson. The event was organized by the School Nutrition Association of Wisconsin and sponsored by the Wisconsin PTA, Milwaukee PTA, Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Council of Churches, and the Wisconsin Dietetic Association. Volunteers from all these organizations visited legislative offices. Ecellent, basic information about the School Breakfast Program can be found at the DPI web site. Materials prepared by advocates can be found here: Alternative Breakfast and Universal Free Meals . These are from the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee.

  
  

• The very active League Natural Resources Committee has embarked on a massive study of our energy options. The League supported SB459/AB841 which require that 10% of the state's energy be generated by a renewable source by 2015. Water quality and quantity as well as transportation issues are also being studied by the committee. The League works in concert with other local organizations on a variety of issues related to stewardship of natural resources. The Milwaukee League asked questions of the Chairman of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and got some interesting answers.
  
  

• The League has begun a local study on predatory lending, payday lending, car title lending, refund anticipation loans and it's variants examining the impact of these types of lending on families and communities. There are numerous resources including industry articles on this web site. Just click above. Presentations have been made in October, December and March. This is the first study in the country on this topic.
  
  

• The League supported reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act at the national level. State restrictions on voter registration and on unfair requirements before voting were successfully opposed by the League.
  
  

• In spring 2006, the League joined a community-wide coalition in urging the Mayor of the City of Milwaukee to provide funding for a Housing Trust Fund which would support affordable housing. The Housing Trust Fund was proposed by the mayor in his budget and adopted by the Common Council.
  
  

• The League is a staunch supporter of mental health equity bills. This kind of legislation would provide for treatment of mental health issues just as any physical heath problem is treated. Experience in other states shows an overall savings when there is adequate coverage for mental health treatment.
  
  

• The Concealed Weapons bill which was approved by the Legislature and opposed by the League, was vetoed by the Governor. Law enforcement agencies across the state also opposed this bill.
  
  

• At the County level, the League has long supported Mental Health Release Planning, AODA Release Planning, and the Failure to Appear projects. These projects would result in fewer people incarcerated and better planning to prevent repeat offenses.
  
  

• The League welcomes newly naturalized citizens with voter information and voter registration. The 2005-2006 membership year the League distributed 2500 brochures at 40 naturalization ceremonies. Of the new citizens, 339 live in the City of Milwaukee, 204 lived in other Milwaukee County cities and villages, 678 lived elsewhere in Wisconsin. There are another 10 naturalization ceremonies before the end of the membership year in June.
  
  

• The League's International Relations Committee schedules monthly discussions of important topics such as "UN peace building" and the ethics of international economic growth. The committee recommends actions on serious international issues. Look for the spinning globe on the League's calendar.
  
  

• The League has opposed the constitutional amendment called the Taxpayer Protection Amendment (formerly TABOR). Even business groups were opposed to the wording along with at least 81 other organizations from around the state. The legislation would impose strict limits on local government, taking local initiative out of the hands of local elected officials.
  
  

  
  
  New issues for study and action can be proposed by any member. Join us!