LWV LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
February 3, 2003
At its meeting January 25 and 26, the LWVUS Board considered and acted on a wide-range of topics of importance to our organization. There were two items of special importance that I want to tell you about right away.
First, the Board set the League's legislative priorities for the new 108th Congress. And second, we discussed League action on the international situation relating to Iraq.
The Board adopted the following legislative priorities for 2003:
- Top Priority and Core Issues:
- Election Reform
- Campaign Finance Reform
- Action as Needed:
- Reproductive Choice
- Clean Air
- Oil Drilling in the Arctic Wildlands
- Title IX
In addition, the League will, when possible, take advantage of lobbying opportunities to achieve longer-term success on CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), DC Voting Rights, and Financial Issues, Health Care, and Global Warming.
The Board agreed that the top two priority issues reflect the core mission of the League and provide an overarching theme for League action in the upcoming two years before the presidential election. The Board recognized that these issues meld with the presidential selection system update and Education Fund activities.
The second tier issues, "action as needed," are those on which we anticipate threats to long-held League positions and believe that it is particularly important to respond.
The third group of issues are those where a building effort is expected. They represent particular legislative initiatives, but the political groundwork needs to be build for longer-term success.
Every member of the Board is proud to be working together to represent the League and League members at the national level. The opportunity you have given us, especially in these difficult times, is sincerely appreciated!
Sincerely,
Kay J. Maxwell, President
