In this virtual topic meeting, Ruth Bourquin, Senior & Managing Attorney for the ACLU Massachusetts, reviews anti-LGBTQIA+ activities happening today both in Massachusetts and across the country, and offers talking points, action tips, and other ways to push back against this growing tide. She is introduced by Newton City Councilor Holly Ryan, who also moderates Q & A from the audience. Ms. Bourquin’s presentation is posted below the video.
Topic Meetings
Watch the video: A conversation with Newton’s state legislative delegation – March 6, 2023
On Monday, March 6, 2023, the League of Women Voters of Newton hosted the four members of Newton’s state legislative delegation – Sen. Cynthia Creem, Rep. Kay Khan, Rep. Ruth Balser, and Rep. John Lawn – to discuss their roles and responsibilities in the state legislature. Each official made an opening statement, sharing about legislation they are supporting, followed by a Q & A session with the audience.
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Watch the video: A conversation with Jake Auchincloss – February 15, 2023
On February 15, the League of Women Voters of Brookline, Newton, Needham, Sharon-Stoughton, and Wellesley hosted a Q & A conversation with Congressman Jake Auchincloss, of the Massachusetts 4th District. After brief introductory remarks, Congressman Auchincloss answered a question from each of the sponsoring Leagues, followed by questions from the audience.
LWVN Members Vote to Support Newton’s Override Proposal
Members who attended the February 7th member meeting on the 2023 override proposal voted unanimously in favor of supporting the 3 ballot question package.
Members heard from Christine Dutt, co-chair of Vote Yes for Newton, about the history of Prop 2 ½, how overrides are used in other municipalities and have been used in Newton in the past, and what the current proposal offers Newton residents. Leaders of No Override Newton were also invited to present, but the group did not participate. The address for the No Override Newton website, which had launched earlier in the day, was shared with the group, and some Newton Taxpayer Association videos expressing the “vote no” position had been shared prior to the meeting.
Following the Vote Yes for Newton presentation, LWVN president, Marcia Johnson, shared slides containing information compiled by LWVN member Jane Harper that outlined how each provision of the override package aligns with LWVN positions in the areas of Land Use, Human Services, Environmental Quality, and Transportation.
Debbie Winnick, of the LWV of Cape Cod, facilitated a question and answer period before the question of whether LWVN should “support the passage of Newton’s 2023 override proposal” was put to a vote. Attendance at the meeting exceeded the requirements for a quorum, and all 26 members attending voted in favor.
Defending our Democracy
On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, LWVN, and its co-sponsor the Charles River Regional Chamber (CRRC), gathered for a virtual presentation by the Leadership Now Project (LNP) on the state of our democracy nationally and in Massachusetts, followed by a robust conversation on the state of our democracy and the role business and associations can play in helping to uphold it.
We thank Sarah Rahman (LWVN, CRRC, and LNP member), and Zak Smith (Strategy and Program Manager for LNP) for a wonderful meeting.