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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

7. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.