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LWV-Needham Action and Advocacy
LWV-Needham’s action and advocacy are guided by the positions established through the years after studies were completed at the local, state and national levels. These positions are summarized is documents for each of the three levels, Needham, Massachusetts and United States.
LWV-Needham Action Priorities
Action Priorities Approved by Members at Annual Meeting June, 2021
- Promoting access to voting in Needham.
- Providing balanced information for all candidates for local and state elections.
- Suggesting changes to the town website to assist town residents interested in volunteering for a role in town government and running for an elected position.
- Promoting appointment rather than election of certain boards and officers; promoting a review of elected town positions and elected and appointed town boards.
- Promoting civic education and civic engagement, especially for Needham youth.
- Protecting natural resources and addressing global climate change.
- Promoting programs to encourage a plant-based diet.
- Preserving and expanding affordable health care.
- Promoting and protecting reproductive health care.
- Promoting and protecting gender equity
- Fostering awareness and promoting sound government policies on
- Immigration
- Transportation
- Gun Safety
- Affordable housing
- Lessening the influence of money in politics
LWV-Needham Action Teams
Environment and Sustainability
- Advanced the concept of a Climate Action Plan for Needham
- Leading the collaboration for Meatless Monday Needham to encourage eating less meat
- Working with town of Needham Dept of Public Health on Pesticide Reduction Campaign
- Participation in LWVMA’s Environmental Action and Advocacy Committee
- Advocate for state legislation through lobby days and meetings with state legislators
- Partner organization for Solarize Needham Plus (2019)
- Co-sponsored Urgency and Opportunity: What the Latest Climate Science Tells Us (2019)
- Developed and adopted LWV-Needham Policy for Sustainable Practices
- Participated in the planning and execution of the Needham Go Green Expo (2018)
- Integral members of Green Needham Plastic Bag Elimination Team
- July 4 Grand Coalition Parade (2017)
- Forum: Protecting Needham’s Natural Treasures (2017)
- Forum: Environmentally Friendly Lawn Alternatives (2017)
Gender Equity
- Selected priority state bills to advocate for this session
- Met with Needham State Senator Becca Rausch to discuss bills and advocacy
- Encourage members to attend webinars and information sessions about pending legislation
Money in Politics
- Signature Collection for a 2018 ballot question to form a commission to study an amendment to the US Constitution to reduce the influence of money on our elections.
- Support for federal We the People Democracy Reform Act. This legislation will elevate the voices of the American people so we can be heard over the special interests and partisan bickering. This bill will strengthen our elections with automatic and online registration, enabling more voters to participate in our democracy.
Health Care
- Co-sponsored forum: Health Care Coverage in Massachusetts: What’s Broken and Can Medicate 4 All Fix it? (2019)
- Forum “Affordable Health Care for Our Communities: Still at Risk?”
- Regular sharing of information on health care topics
Immigration
- Co-sponsored Human Rights Series, including “Immigration Detainers and Why We Need the Safe Communities Act”
- Coalition partner with Needham Area Immigration Justice Task Force
- Attended Immigrants Day at the State House
- Co-sponsored “Suitcase Stories” featuring storytelling about immigrants and refugees
- Co-sponsored Needham Library Diversity Initiative
- Information sharing on immigration topics
- Support Safe Communities Act, Education Equity Act, and restoring DACA
State and National Advocacy
League of Women Voters of Massachusetts
Advocacy areas are listed in the current Advocacy and Legislative Agenda.
Specific legislation supported or opposed by LWVMA, including summary, LWV testimony, links to the bills is available on the LWVMA website.
Information about the LWVMA lobbying day, Day on the Hill, may be found at the LWVMA website.
LWVMA Legislation is followed by the Legislative Action Committee, a group of League members who identify appropriate legislation in an issue area and recommend LWVMA advocate for or against the bills. To reach any of the legislative specialists, email specialists@lwvma.org.
League of Women Voters of the United States
Recent national League statements on current issues are listed on the national League’s website.
Keep Needham Safe, Go Organic
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