LWV Today ~ Newsletter of League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri ~ April 2012

Voice your opinion on privatization of government services at April unit meetings

It’s now time to take consensus on the national League study on the privatization of government services. The purpose of this study is to identify policies and parameters that should be considered when any governmental entity is planning to undertake some type of privatization process.

Choose a unit that best fits your schedule.

–Monday, April 16, 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Roswitha, 2640 S. Glenstone (north end of Brentwood Center).   Order dinner if you wish. RSVP to unit leader Lois Woods: llw1903@yahoo.com

–Tuesday, April 17, noon, Freeman Panhellenic Hall, Drury University. Panhellenic Hall is located just east of Findlay Student Center. Park just across Summit Street. Purchase lunch if you wish at Findlay Student Center cafeteria next door. RSVP to unit co-leader Ilga Vise: ivise@drury.edu

Before the meeting, review the consensus questions found here:

http://www.lwv.org/content/consensus-questions-introduction%C2%A0

Our most important meeting of the year

 Annual Meeting of the League of Southwest Missouri

Monday, May 14

5:30 pm social time

6 pm dinner

Trustees’ Science Center, Drury University

$15 per person

(Payable to your unit leader in April, or mail to

PO Box 3036, Springfield MO 65808-3036)

$20 per person after May 9

Make check to LWV

Here’s what’s on the agenda for Annual Meeting:

• Discussion of proposed new study: petition initiative process
• Election of officers
• Adoption of 2012-13 budget
• Report from LWV  State Council by LWVMO President Lois Detrick, and Cindy Stephens, LWVMO secretary, both members of LWV of Southwest Missouri
• Committee sign-up for new and established League projects
• Updates: Summer Sounding Board, Women Changing Government (and more)

Bring a potential League member, spouse or friend!

Menu:

• Artichoke grilled chicken
• Oven-roasted potatoes
• Fresh grilled vegetables
• Tossed green salad
• Dinner rolls
• Selection of pies

Proposed Slate of Officer and Directors

President         Allison Cash, term ends 5/13

VP                   Jean Bardy, term ends 5/13

Secretary         Mary Martin, term ends 5/13

Treasurer          Sharon Matti, term ends 5/14

Directors, terms ending 5/14

Maggie Castrey

Ilga Vise

Joye Norris

Directors elected in 2011, terms ending 5/13

Marcia Bonwell

Gail Melgren

Dot Powell

Nominating Committee for 2013-14

Lois Detrick, Chair, Diane Davidson, Ann Elwell, plus one member appointed by Board

A sincere Thank You to directors whose terms are expiring:  Diane Davidson,  Cassie Duckett, Fran Harris and Susan Rubino.

–Submitted by 2012 Nominating Committee: Diane Davidson, Lois Detrick, Gail Melgren and Cindy Stephens

Board recommends local study on initiative petition process

At Annual Meeting, League members will consider a study of the initiative petition process recommended by the Board of Directors. The suggestion for the study was submitted by members during program planning at February unit meetings.

Springfield City Council members and city leaders are examining stricter guidelines for the initiative petition on the heels of February’s e-verify vote and a second vote coming in June dealing with a repeal of Springfield’s smoking ban. The latter is to do away with a ban approved just a year ago by the petition process. In 2011, two petitions made it to Springfield ballots.

To be considered:

• How many signatures should be required to place a measure on the ballot?
• Should sponsors of an initiative petition drive be required to be citizens of the city, county or region affected by the petition?
• What about local petitions that conflict with state or federal law or contain provisions that are illegal?
• Should the individuals and groups funding the petition drive be required to be identified?
• How does the cost of the election impact the process?

As reporter Amos Bridges explained in the Springfield News-Leader (April 3, 2012), “Currently, a petition must be signed by a number of registered Springfield voters equal to 10 percent of the number that voted in the most recent municipal election. Low voter turnout in recent years has allowed petitions to succeed with as few as 1,181 signatures.” Some have suggested increasing the requirement to 10 percent of all registered voters, or about 11,000 people.

Non-recommended study topics

During February’s program planning, members also suggested these topics for local study: payday loans, discrimination in the hiring of felons, and county home rule. The board did not recommend these topics.

Treasurer presents budget for new League year                  

League treasurer Sharon Swanson has developed the budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year. It is a balanced budget fir $12,902 in anticipated income and the same amount in expenses. The budget will be voted on at Annual Meeting. Please see details, attached.League Budget 2012-13

State Council offers opportunities for League members

Broaden your League experience by attending State Council, to be held Saturday, May 5 at St. Charles Community College in St. Peters, Mo., near St. Louis.

A planning committee, headed by former National League board member Linda McDaniel, is preparing sessions on topics such as voter suppression, the League’s election information website Vote411.org and membership development. Council is also a place to purchase League wares, including a new Vote! lapel pin, and the League’s classic Suffragist pin. View these and other items at http://lwvmissouri.org/shop_online.html

Planners are now soliciting items for the silent auction; members may donate collectibles, political memorabilia or other items. All proceeds benefit the State League.

Want to go? Register using the form in the latest LWVMO newsletter, found at http://lwvmissouri.org/publications.html  For more information, contact local League member Cindy Stephens, stephenc@otc.edu  Cindy also serves on the state League board of directors.

 Women Changing Government: Programs planned for October, November

A “photovoice” project, a keynote speaker from The White House Project and a training workshop called “Go Run” are in the works as a League committee plans our third program to encourage women to become engaged in public service.

More information will be coming, but mark Oct. 4 on your calendars for a community wide reception for the unveiling of a photo contest themed, “Women in Public Life.” The evening’s program includes an address by Tiffany Dufu, president of The White House Project, a nonprofit based in Brooklyn, N.Y., that advances the leadership of women in business and politics.

Then on Nov. 10, The White House Project will send facilitators to conduct a training workshop for women interested in running for elective office at any level.

Both programs will be marketed to the region, including both Missouri, Northwest Arkansas , and Northeast Oklahoma.

Planning committee members are Teresa Bledsoe, Allison Cash, Leslie Carrier, Maggie Castrey, Susan Kirby, Lisa Langley, Kelly Wood and Ann Elwell, chair.

Stay tuned for more.

A busy March for the League

League president Allison Cash was one of five panelists for “Missing Representation,”a March 29 discussion of how and why women are underrepresented in public life and misrepresented in movies, advertisements and more. “You can’t be what you can’t see” was the theme of the program, attended by many students as well as community members and League members. It was held at Missouri State University.

Women leaders discuss 'Missing Representation'

The League was a major sponsor of a film screening of Miss Representation, a documentary that explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence. It was held March 13 at Missouri State. Drury University’s Gender Studies program also screened the documentary on March 29.

League board member Susan Rubino chaired a project to bring the responsibilities of citizenshipto Springfield high school students. Working with Central High School faculty who teach Liberty and Law classes, Susan and her committee enlisted Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff, Missouri State University sociology professor Michael Stout and League president Allison Cash who talked to the students about being active participants in our democracy.

Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff speaks to students at Central High School.

Susan was assisted by Mary Martin, Diane Davidson and Dot Powell. The Leaguers also registered 38 high school students to vote.

League team registered 38 Central High School students to vote.

The League sponsored an informational meeting March 27 on the 1/8 cent sales tax proposal  earmarked for Greene County’s public safety. League board member Gail Melgren put together a panel that included County Commissioner Roseann Bentley, Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson,  Sheriff Jim Arnott and Circuit Clerk Steve Helms. The issue passed April 3 by a 2-to1 margin.

League vice president and membership chair Jean Bardy spearheaded a display at Brentwood Library commemorating the League’s contributions to the fight for women’s suffrage, and to local issues as well. The display was part of Women’s History Month.

President Allison Cash spoke to a faculty/staff groupat Ozarks Technical Community College about how to conduct a letter writing campaign to elected officials.

League display at Brentwood Library during Women's History Month

State League president Lois Detrick attends international forum

Lois Detrick, state League president and member of the League of SWMO, was asked to attend Oxfam’s recent International Women’s Day Summit in Washington D.C.  It was the roll-out of a new campaign by Oxfam.  Read more in your state League newsletter. http://lwvmissouri.org/publications.html

An Informational Meeting on the
Greene County Public Safety Initiative 1/8 Cent Sales Tax Proposal on the
April 3, 2012 Ballot
Tuesday, March 27, 7 to 9 p.m.
Kentwood Hall, 700 E. St. Louis St., Springfield

7:00  INTRODUCTION
Allison Cash  President, League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri
7:10  SAFETY & JUSTICE CITIZEN ROUNDTABLE SUMMARY
Local business owner and developer
7:30  GREENE COUNTY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Roseann Bentley,  County Commissioner, District 2
7:45 FUNDING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Dan Patterson,  Prosecuting Attorney, Greene County
8:00  FUNDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM
Jim Arnott,  Sheriff, Greene County
8:15  OPPOSITION CONSIDERATIONS
Steve Helms,  Circuit Clerk, Greene County
8:30  QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
9:00  CONCLUSION AND ADJOURNMENT
For more information about this event call (417) 766-9499

A reminder of several League events coming up:

• March 13, 7 to 9 pm, Missouri State University’s Plaster Student Union Theater: Film screening of Miss Representation, a documentary that explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. The League of SWMO is co-sponsor of the program.   Directions: Visitor parking lot is at the corner of National Ave. and Monroe St. From the south side of this lot, Plaster Student Union is a short walk to the west. Inside the union, the theater is in Room 200.
• Unit meetings: Learn more about the national League study on the privatization of government services. Choose a unit that best fits your schedule.

–Monday, March 19, 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Roswitha, 2640 S. Glenstone (north end of Brentwood Center).   Order dinner if you wish. RSVP to unit leader Lois Woods: llw1903@yahoo.com

–Tuesday, March 20, noon, Hoblitt Room, Freeman Panhellenic Hall, Drury University. Panhellenic Hall is located just east of Findlay Student Center. Park just across Summit Street. Purchase lunch if you wish at Findlay Student Center cafeteria next door. RSVP to unit co-leader Ilga Vise: ivise@drury.edu

• Thursday, March 29, 7 to 8:30 pm, Missouri State University’s Carrington Theater, panel discussion “Missing Representations: Women discuss how they can’t be what they can’t see.”  League president Allison Cash is one of the panelists. Women from a variety of fields will have an in-depth discussion about how and why women are underrepresented in public life.  Directions: Visitor parking lot is at the corner of National Ave. and Monroe St. From the south side of this lot, walk west to Plaster Student Union then south. The theater is inside Carrington Hall, the main administration building.

Unit meetings to focus on ‘privatization’

Should core government services be run by the government or transferred to the private sector? Learn more about this timely topic at unit meetings this month. Consider the pros and cons, the economic theories behind privatization and how it actually works . Presenters will be study committee members Ilga Vise, chair, Peggy Hedrick, Gail Melgren, Cindi Runowski and Lois Woods.

Look over the consensus questions, below, before the meeting. Ilga suggests printing a copy of the questions and bringing it to the meeting. Brief yourself on the topic by checking out information on the website of the national League: http://www.lwv.org/member-resources/privatization

Choose a unit meeting that best matches your schedule:

Monday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Roswitha, 2640 S. Glenstone (north end of Brentwood Center). Order dinner if you wish. RSVP to unit leader Lois Woods: llw1903@yahoo.com

Tuesday, Feb. 21, noon, Panhellenic Hall, Drury University. Panhellenic Hall is located just east of Findlay Student Center. Park across Summit Street. Purchase lunch if you wish at Findlay Student Center cafeteria. RSVP to unit co-leader Ilga Vise: ivise@drury.edu

Also at unit meetings will be a discussion on local issues worthy of study by the League in 2012-13. Bring your ideas, all of which will be forwarded to the board. A decision on local study topic(s) will be made by members at Annual Meeting in May.

The consensus questions for the Privatization study can be found at the lwv.org link above, or scroll to the end of this newsletter.

 Why so few women in government?

The League is co-sponsoring with Missouri State University the documentary Miss Representation, at 7 p.m. March 13 at Plaster Student Union Theater.

The film explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. It premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and aired on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. It was produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom,

League members are encouraged to attend. The screening is part of Missouri State’s observance of Women’s History Month.

Photo Voter ID bill now goes to Senate

After many hours of contentious debate, the Missouri House of Representatives has passed HB1104, which would require citizens to show a state-issued photo ID to vote. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-Willard), passed the House by a vote 101 to 54. It now heads to the Senate. The vote split on party lines.

A companion bill in the Missouri Senate, SB442, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Marshall), passed out of a senate committee but has not had a floor vote.

Please tell your senator that the League of Women Voters opposes any proposal that might suppress voting, particularly a mandated state-issued photo ID requirement that would disenfranchise 250,000 Missouri voters who lack a current state ID. Access a photo ID fact sheet here

Look up your senator here: http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx

Additional Resources:

To stay informed on Missouri voter photo ID issues, send an email to MissouriVoterProtection-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Denise Leiberman, senior attorney with the national Advancement Project was excellent on St. Louis news radio KSDK.  Check out the video here.

Youth Voter Education Project launches March 9

The League will be working March 9 with students in Central High School’s Liberty and Law classes on a project to empower young people. The Youth Voter Education Project will bring Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff and Missouri State University sociology professor Mike Stout to seven sections of the citizenship class. League members will provide basic information about voting and the role citizens play in democracy. Class discussion will be driven by students. They have already asked for information on the recently-passed E-Verify ordinance. League members heading up this project are Susan Rubino, Diane Davidson and Dot Powell, assisted by Allison Cash and Mary Martin.

Community responds to League’s E-verify forum

Nearly 200 people attended a Jan. 31 forum sponsored by the League and the Springfield-Greene County Civility Project, held at Central High School’s auditorium. The topic was the e-Verify ordinance narrowly passed by Springfield voters a week later.

The forum had all the hallmarks of a true League program: two speakers supporting the measure, two against. City Clerk Brenda Cirtin explained the initiative petition process and an attorney pointed out legal ramifications. League President Allison Cash took the podium first, to spell out the mechanics. Member Elizabeth Fahey was the moderator. Ilga Vise served as timekeeper.

Third in series ‘Women Changing Government’ planned for fall

A League committee has started work on another program designed to encourage women to come involved in public service. The program, Women Changing Government, is planned for the fall. Participants in the League’s 2009 luncheon and 2010 workshop on women in public life will be special invitees. For more information, contact Ann Elwell, aelwell@classicnet.net

PRIVATIZATION CONSENSUS QUESTIONS

1. As a general matter, the extent to which government functions, services and assets have been privatized in the past decade is: 

__ Much too much  __  Too much  __ About right  __ Too little  __ Much too little  __ No consensus

2. Core government services and functions important to well-being of the people should remain with government and not be transferred to the private sector.

___Strongly agree ___ Agree ___ Disagree  ___Strongly disagree  ____No consensus

3. As a matter of good government policy, which of the following criteria should be applied when making decisions to transfer government services, assets and functions to the private sector? 

a. Transparency and Accountability: All government contracts with private companies for services must ensure public access to relevant records and information regarding contracted services, functions and assets and provide for adequate government oversight and control.
___High priority ___ Lower priority ___Not a priority __ No consensus  

b. Public Well-being: Provisions are in place to assure that, in the event any public services are to be privatized, there will be no increased risks to public well-being, especially to vulnerable populations.
___High priority ___ Lower priority ___Not a priority __ No consensus  

c. Cost and Quality: Privatized services should not appreciably increase the costs or decrease the quality of services to the public.
___High priority ___ Lower priority ___Not a priority __ No consensus  

d. Environmental and Natural Resources:  Defined parameters should be in place to assure that environmental and natural resources are not compromised. ___High priority ___ Lower priority ___Not a priority __ No consensus  

e. Contracts and Sales of Public Assets: All government contracts and privatized public assets should be subject to competitive bidding and comply with all laws regarding awarding contracts.
___High priority ___ Lower priority ___Not a priority __ No consensus  

f. Economic Impact: Privatization should not result in a negative economic impact on
the communities in which the services are provided.
___High priority ___ Lower priority ___Not a priority __ No consensus  

g . Government Recovery of Services and Assets: Provisions should be in place to recover key services, assets and functions should the private sector fail to safeguard them.
___High priority ___ Lower priority ___Not a priority __ No consensus  

4. Privatization is not appropriate:

a. When the government lacks the will, ability or resources to adequately oversee contracts with the private entity and any successor thereto.
__Agree  __Disagree  __ No Consensus 

b. When there is no private entity able or willing to provide the service for the short and long term.
__Agree   __Disagree  __ No Consensus 

c. When it poses a potential threat to national security.
__Agree   __Disagree  __ No Consensus 

d. When it poses a risk to personal or security data.
__Agree   __Disagree  __ No Consensus 

e. When there has been evidence of  potential corruption.
__Agree   __Disagree  __ No Consensus 

f. When the private entity’s goals and purposes are not compatible with public well-being.
__Agree   __Disagree  __ No Consensus 

g. When the private entity has not complied with existing government requirements for public records, open meetings or publication of reports and audits.
__Agree   __Disagree  __ No Consensus 

h. When a loss of revenue decreases government support  for mandated or critical services.
__Agree   __Disagree __ No Consensus 

5.    Some states have developed laws and regulations to control the process of privatization within their jurisdictions.
As a general matter, should privatization be regulated?

___                a. Yes, all privatization efforts should be regulated.
___                b. Yes, some types of privatization efforts should be regulated.
___                c. No, privatization efforts should never be regulated
___                d. No consensus

6.    Which of the following should be included in the regulatory process when privatizing public assets, services and functions?

a. Timely public announcements regarding intentions to privatize and the clear and measurable expected benefits to the public
__Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus

b. Public and stakeholder (investors, shareholders, experts) input into the decision and terms of the contract.
__Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus

c. Feasibility study regarding performance, costs and benefits.
__Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus

d. Adherence to all laws regarding public contracts..
__Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus

e  Transition plans for displaced employees.
__Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus

f. Accountability and transparency provisions in all contracts.
__Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus

g. Regular performance evaluations including meaningful opportunity for public comment.
__Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus

h. Provisions for transferring services and assets back to the government or another contractor in the event of inadequate performance.
__Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus

1. Adequate resources for enforcement.
   __Strongly agree  __Agree  __Disagree  __Strongly disagree  __No consensus 

League to present community forum on E-verify ballot issue

The League is joining with the Springfield-Greene County Civility Project to present a community forum on the pros and cons of the proposed E-verify ordinance that will appear on Springfield’s Feb. 7 ballot

“A Civil Discussion on E-Verify” will be held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, in the Central High School auditorium, 423 E. Central St.

League members who are serving on the planning committee are Gail Melgren, chair, Allison Cash, Dianne Davidson, Elizabeth Fahey, Joye Norris. [Read More...]