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2021-2022 LWV Newton Program

For more information or to learn how to get involved with any of the program items below, please email info@lwvnewton.org.

The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Newton recommends adoption of the following Program for 2021-2022:

  • All positions were approved by the membership at the June 2021 Annual Meeting.
  • LWVN members are encouraged, through its board, to make our collective  voices heard by advocating for our local legislative priorities and important issues of public policy as citizen lobbyists.

Actions & Priorities in support of our position statements

  1. Review CPA (Community Preservation Act) applications.  It is our intent to continue a focus on CPA proposals and establish a flexible and consistent methodology in how we accomplish this goal. In addition, the League will review how CPA funds are being utilized by the city in relation to the purpose and intent of the Community Preservation Act.
  2. Observer Corps: An essential function of the LWVN is to identify members who will monitor governmental bodies for information of importance to the League and the community/state and advise the board of opportunities for action based on League positions.
  3. Municipal Finance (chairperson needed)
    1. Through observation and review of documentation take steps to bring transparency to the municipal budget process to show how the City is obtaining, spending, and investing funds.
    2. Encourage citizen participation by educating the community about how the Executive and Legislative branches set priorities and how the decision-making model impacts budget decisions.
    3. Engage members and inform Board on issues related to LWVN municipal finance positions.
  1. Education
    1. Build on the successful efforts of our 2020 Civics Challenge by organizing and promoting community-wide civics challenges annually.  The goals of the civics challenges are to foster a greater understanding of government, increase voter participation and engagement and build community on a non-partisan basis.
    2. Explore the possibility of a civics challenge oriented around the secondary schools which would have the added benefit of educating our younger citizens about their civic responsibilities, preparing them for their roles as future voters, and encouraging greater civic engagement.
    3. Engage members and inform the Board on local, state and national education positions related to goals of the League.
  1. Environmental Issues and Transportation
    1. Support reducing vehicle miles traveled by advocacy for transit-oriented development, improvements in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and in public transit.
    2. Support reducing pollution from transportation.
    3. Support transition to sustainable energy, i.e. minimize reliance on the fossil fuels, ,demanding National Grid detect and repair gas leaks, insulate more buildings, and mandate electrification of new buildings.
    4. Educate and update our community on issues related to trash removal, recycling, composting and water conservation.
    5. Lobby for environmental legislation with other local Leagues and community organizations.
    6. Hold educational forums on environmental and transportation issues.
  1. Elections & Voters Service
    1. Work to ensure transparency regarding the work of the Election Commission through the implementation of our Observer Corps.
    2. Continue, as much as possible, efforts to register new voters, that are representative of the city’s diverse socio-economic and racial populations through attendance at various locations around Newton, including NHA and other housing developments, the Farmer’s Markets, Food Pantries, Village Days, high school and college events etc.
    3. Create opportunities to help Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and other underrepresented members of our community to engage in issues and advocacy at local, state, and national levels, e.g. mail-in voting, equal access to all voters, and ranked choice voting.
    4. Organize and manage forums for contested municipal offices in the 2021 election. We will partner with NewTV to continue updating our approach and incorporate technology into the format.
    5. Continue to recognize and celebrate the work of Newton’s poll workers after each election.
  1. Land Use and Housing
    1. Champion local zoning reform in harmony with established local, state, and national League Fair Housing positions and criteria.
    2. Work with city officials to ensure transparency and effectiveness relative to the establishment and implementation of Newton’s Inclusionary Zoning lotteries to ensure that the disadvantaged communities have equal access to affordable housing.
    3. Stay informed of local land use and housing proposals, be prepared to make comments, ask questions, support or oppose according to LWV positions.
    4. Examine and work with the state League to support state level housing and zoning legislation
    5. Assess effectiveness and relevance of LWVN housing and land use positions.
    6. Advocate for policies and programs that meet basic human needs by supporting programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families, including policies that will provide a decent affordable home for low-moderate income residents, especially very low and extremely low income living in Newton and those who wish to live here.
    7. Advocate for federal, state and local public funding to develop housing for very low and extremely low-income families. The housing should include services which will enable the families over a period of years to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Those services should be provided by persons training in mentoring and counseling and should include, but not be limited to, increased access to health care, and childcare; access to transportation; basic or remedial education and job training; and financial literacy training.
  1. We will develop an Action Plan to encourage better understanding of racial justice issues by the LWVN
    1. Encourage the continued education of our members on fundamental aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
    2. Utilize and implement tools provided by the LWVUS DEI training modules and other applicable resources to ensure members understand and are committed to achieving racial equity.
    3. Assess our programming, and adjust as needed, to encourage and welcome the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and other marginalized populations in Newton to participate in all of LWVN programs and activities.
    4. Work to create opportunities for meaningful partnerships with the Newton Coalition of Black Residents (NCBR), and any other organizations representing underrepresented members of our communities through inclusive engagement and community capacity-building.

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2021 LWVN Member Handbook

An electronic version LWVN Member Handbook is now available.  Expect an updated handbook for 2022-23 in the late Fall.

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Watch “The League Presents…”

The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • The League Presents: A conversation with Carol Moore, Newton’s City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council
  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign, part 1
  • The League Presents: Newton’s Citizens Commission on Energy
  • The League Presents: What it means to be a League of Women Voters member
  • The League Presents: A Conversation with Three New School Committee Members

All past programs

Take Action & Contact Your Legislators

  • Support An Act Promoting Community Immunity
  • Support Public Health Measures 
  • Support Racial and Gender Parity
  • Take Action on the Votes Act
  • Potential Cuts to MBTA Service

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  • City of Newton Info
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Facebook Posts

Ellen Auerbach Grody
Ellen Auerbach Grody

June 28th, 11:33 am

Thank you for the recent letter to the mayor:LWVN Board Concurs with Newton Citizens Commission on Energy’s Memo Rejecting Newton Cemetery’s Tree Removal RequestJune 24, 2022On June 24, 2022, LWVN sent an email to Mayor Fuller expressing our our agreement with the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE)’s memo of June 20th stating “We are writing to you regarding the Newton Cemetery’ request for exemption from the Tree Preservation Ordinance. We urge you to stand with the Director of Urban Forestry in denying that request and any waiver of its consequences. We also urge you to ask the City Council to revise the ordinance language to clarify their intent that the Tree Preservation Ordinance not exclude any property owners from its provisions.” ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 22nd, 6:26 pm

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law - https://mailchi.mp/56363aee24bf/votes_act_update-8901645 ... See MoreSee Less

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law

mailchi.mp

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 21st, 11:26 am

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety - https://mailchi.mp/ceafe522986a/newton-public-facilities-meeting-new-pipelines-and-gas-valve-safety ... See MoreSee Less

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 13th, 10:33 am

LWVN has launched an important new "Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative". Learn more here!: https://lwvnewton.org/2022/06/… ... See MoreSee Less

Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative: Mission Statement and Goals - League of Women Voters Newton

lwvnewton.org

Throughout its 102-year history, the League of Women Voters has been a vigorous advocate for transparent and accountable government. The League strongly believes that transparency and accountability i...
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 9th, 10:12 am

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee - https://mailchi.mp/6365b29fa297/votes_act_update ... See MoreSee Less

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee

mailchi.mp

Boston, MA — The Massachusetts VOTES Act Conference Committee today released its version of the comprehensive election reform bill, which will now head to the House and Senate for final procedural...
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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