LWV-Needham Action and Advocacy

LWV-Needham Action Priorities

Action Priorities Approved by Members at Annual Meeting June 10, 2019

• Recognizing the contributions of women to our nation, past, present and future.
• Protecting natural resources and addressing global climate change.
• Preserving affordable health care.
• Encouraging diversity in housing stock in Needham.
• Promoting access to voting in Needham.
• Promoting policies to lessen the influence of money in politics.
• Promoting civic education and civic engagement, especially for Needham youth.
• Supporting immigrants and fair immigration policies.
• Fostering awareness and promoting sound government policies on
  • Food and agriculture
  • Transportation
  • Gun Safety

LWV-Needham Action Teams

Environment and Sustainability

• Integral members of Green Needham Plastic Bag Elimination Team
• July 4 Grand Coalition Parade
• Forum: “Protecting Needham’s Natural Treasures”
• Participation in LWVMA’s Environmental Action and Advocacy Steering Committee
• Participation in Lobby Days for Environmental Legislation at State House

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

• 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.