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News

Contact Your State Representatives Regarding HD4220, An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws

July 20, 2023

Please contact your State Representative in support of An Act to Modernize Firearm Laws, HD4220.

We are not immune to gun violence in Massachusetts.  While the Commonwealth has the lowest rate of gun deaths nationwide, according to the Gun Violence Archive, 387 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in Massachusetts in 2023.  In the first 18 days of July alone, eight people have been killed and 18 injured by firearms across the Commonwealth, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

The opposition to this bill is organized, loud and fierce. It is critical that legislators, even though they are pro-gun control, can count the number of constituents on the other side.  Each of us needs to contact our state representative and state senator in support of this bill.

On Monday, July 17, Representative Michael Day of Stoneham, Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, briefed LWVMA members on this new omnibus bill. View the recording here.

Read the LWVMA summary and press release here.

If you have access to the Boston Globe, check out their July 10 editorial on this bill: Why Massachusetts can’t wait for Congress to enact stronger gun safety laws (bostonglobe.com)

Read more →

Categories: ACT - Action & Advocacy, LWV MA, News, no-front-page

Monday, July 17 at 7pm: Zoom Informational Meeting on Proposed Gun Control Laws

July 14, 2023

Aren’t we safe from gun violence in Massachusetts? While the Commonwealth has the lowest rate of gun deaths nationwide, we are not immune. According to the Gun Violence Archive, 387 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in Massachusetts in 2023. It will take all of us to stem the rising tide of gun violence that claims the lives 130 Americans every day.

Representative Michael Day of Stoneham, Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, will brief us on his brand new omnibus bill, An Act to Modernize Firearm Laws, HD4220, on Monday, July 17 at 7:00 PM via Zoom.  Chair Day filed the 141 page bill–the most sweeping legislation since the gun reform bill of 2014. Conducting an 11 stop firearms listening tour throughout the Commonwealth, Rep. Day was charged with writing the bill following the US Supreme Court’s decision in the Bruen concealed carry case.

Register here.

Read the LWVMA summary and press release here.

If you have access to the Boston Globe, check out their July 10 editorial on this bill: Why Massachusetts can’t wait for Congress to enact stronger gun safety laws (bostonglobe.com)

Categories: LWV MA, News, no-front-page, Public Forums

Annual Meeting Update

July 14, 2023

On June 15, 2023, members gathered at the beautiful historic Allen House for our first in person Annual Meeting in three years.  We welcomed old and new members, as well as the students and families of our scholarship award winners.

Everyone was so excited to be together again that the socializing portion of the meeting took much longer than expected.  Nevertheless, we managed to accomplish a great deal during the business portion of the meeting.  Some highlights include:

  • Jen Abbott was awarded this year’s Jane Leighton Award
  • Over 20 new members were welcomed
  • The 2023-2024 Program was approved, including the adoption of an initiative to review the taxation of Newton golf courses and country clubs
  • Changes to our bylaws were adopted which clarified membership status and who is eligible to be a “voting member” of LWVN
  • A budget for the new Fiscal Year was approved (see the 2023 Annual Meeting Workbook)
  • We gave tribute to these members leaving the Board (for now – we hope some of them choose to come back some time): Andrea Kozinetz, Lisa Mirabile, Linda Morrison, Judy Jaffe
  • A new slate of officers and directors was approved:

We welcomed the following new Board members:

Margie Ross Decter
Margie Ross Decter
Jane Harper
Jane Harper
Cyrus Vaghar
Cyrus Vaghar

Finally, we gave tribute to Bonnie Carter, who has been a member of LWVN for over 50 years and has served in various capacities on the Board of Directors for almost as long.  Bonnie and her husband Walter have moved to Concord, MA and, as such, she will not be as active in the LWVN as we are accustomed to. Therefore, we decided to give her a warm and special LWVN acknowledgment.

Thank you Bonnie!!

Categories: News

LWVN Supports Village Center Overlay District

June 26, 2023

On June 26, 2023, LWVN sent a letter to the City Council in support of the Village Center Overlay District (VCOD) in furtherance of the positions of LWVN and implementation of the Massachusetts Housing Choice Bill (MBTA Communities).

The VCOD is structured to promote safe and secure housing at a range of price points, while incentivizing increasing supply of smaller units.  It concentrates the opportunity for compact development near transit and where key infrastructure exists, providing support to our local economy with minimal increase in car trips, while supporting walkable centers. It is in furtherance of the regional plan (MBTA Communities) enacted to address the critical housing shortage by increasing the housing supply statewide, particularly in connection with transportation hubs.

You can read the entirety of LWVN’s letter below:

Categories: ACT - Action & Advocacy, Housing, Local Action Log, News, no-front-page, Transportation

The League Presents: Pride Month Edition – A Conversation with Newton Youth

June 23, 2023

Pride Month began after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests in 1969. Modern-day Pride Month honors the movement for LGBT rights and celebrates LGBT culture. In honor of Pride Month, Marcia Johnson, League president, had a conversation with:

– Amiya Smith – An officer of the Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Newton North
– Ben Miner – President of the Gender & Sexuality Awareness (GSA) Club, Newton South

The focus of the conversation was the role of the GSA, the importance of using the pronouns that align with an individual’s gender identity, and what could be done for Newton and its schools to be more accepting and respectful of LGBTQ+ students and residents.

Categories: News, The League Presents...

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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: Zoning Redesign Part III; Village Center Overlay District Ordinance
  • The League Presents: Pride Month Edition – A Conversation with Newton Youth
  • The League Presents: Mental Health – A Community Conversation, Part 1

All past programs

Election Info

Newton Municipal Election - Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Stay tuned for information on candidate forums, mail in voting and early voting.

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

The League registers voters and educates them about the important issues and challenges facing Newto

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 days ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
National Voter Registration Day is Sept 19!Make sure you're #VoteReady in 2023 by checking your voter registration status on MA's online voter registration site, especially if you haven't voted in awhile or your life has included any of the following:🚚 a move💍 name change🇺🇸 new US citizenship🎂 an 18th birthdayAnd, this is a good day to remind your family, friends, and neighbors to register & vote in the upcoming local elections! ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

1 week ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
In this month's episode of The League Presents, learn about the Village Center Overlay District Ordinance from Jennifer Caira – Deputy Director, Planning & Development Department and Councilor Deb Crossley – Chair Zoning & Planning Committee. ... See MoreSee Less

The League Presents - Zoning Redesign 111

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Marcia Johnson, Jennifer Cairo and Deb Crossley discuss the Newton Zoning Redesign.

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 weeks ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
The preliminary election for Ward 2 and 6 is September 12. Mark your calendar and make your voting plan. Learn about the candidates and get voting information here: lwvnewton.org/2023/08/newton-preliminary-election-tuesday-september-12-2023/ ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
In the last few days of Pride Month, check out these two informative programs by the League of Women Voters of Newton, MA1) The League Presents... Pride Month Edition - A Conversation with Newton Youth: lwvnewton.org/2023/06/the-league-presents-pride-month-edition-a-conversation-with-newton-youth/ 2) LGBTQ+ Backlash: What you can do to push back. View the recoding here: lwvnewton.org/2023/06/video-presentation-anti-lgbtqia-backlash-what-can-you-do-to-push-back/ ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

4 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Anti-LGBTQIA+ initiatives are taking root throughout the country and Newton is not immune. Hear from the ACLU’s Ruth Bourquin about the context, consequences, and responses to the anti-LBGTQIA+ backlash at this month’s virtual topic meeting. This meeting is free and open to the community. Register in advance: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfuyhrzwtGNTYlmG-GpCBxTa1Z5MS81Ga#/registration ... See MoreSee Less

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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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