LWVBA Advocacy

We study issues, adopt positions, and take action.

  Positions.  Action.  Letters.

The League of Women Voters of the Bay Area believes that government at the regional level should be structured so that it can effectively and responsibly solve those problems that transcend political boundaries. The LWVBA, by including all nine Bay Area Counties, makes possible League Study and Action on region-wide problems and issues.

LWVBA takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause. LWVBA positions result from a process of thorough study focused on a regional issue. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.

Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.

It is the consensus statement -- the statement resulting from the consensus questions -- that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken.

Positions

Our positions address Regional Government, Regional Planning, Environment, Natural Resources, Hazardous Materials Management, Social Policy, Surface Transportation, and Airport Transportation and are available in these documents:

Regional Government & Planning Position (pdf)
Environmental & Natural Resources Position (pdf)
Hazardous Materials Position (pdf)
Social Policy & Housing Position (pdf)
Air & Surface Transportation Position (pdf)

Action

The purpose of action is to develop support for the League's positions and to influence government decisions and their implementation. Action is both public service and public relations.

Our action and education priorities are highlighted in this document:

LWVBA Action (pdf)

The State of California is considering a major infrastructure bond to present to the voters on either the June or November ballot of 2006. The legislature and the governor must agree on a single measure to put on the ballot. The two documents below reflect the California League's position and the 10 Points that a large number of organizations have agreed to support in a bond measure, with the Bay Area League participating.

LWVC 2006 Infrastructure Bond Position (pdf)

10 Points: What Our State Needs In An Infrastructure Bond (pdf)

Letters

Follow these links to view published correspondence:

MTC Recertification 2007, August 17, 2007 (pdf)

MTC Funding Proposal for Measure 1B Transit Funding, May 9, 2007 (pdf)

Support for AB 239 Housing Trust Fund, April 25, 2007 (pdf)

Dumbarton Rail Scoping Letter, November 29, 2006 (pdf)

JPC Amendments to Smart Growth, Sept.22, 2006 (pdf)

AB2444 Letter to Schwarzenegger Sept. 2, 2006 (pdf)

MTC - Regional Rail Plan Alternatives: July 26, 2006 (pdf)

Statement to the Joint Policy Committee - Bay Area Regional Position on CEQA Reform: July 21, 2006 (pdf)

Support for Bay Area Water Forum Memorandum of Understanding: May 2006(pdf)

Memorandum of Understanding: Bay Area Water Forum: May 2006(pdf)

MTC Proposed Transit Connectivity Plan: February 2006 (pdf)

BA Regional Water System Improvement Program (RWSIP): December 2005 (pdf)

SF Public Utilites Commission: November 2005 (pdf)

Transit Oriented Development Comments: July 2005 (pdf)

MTC Transit Oriented Development - Transit Extensions: July 2005 (pdf)

Joint Policy Committee Statement: February 2005 (pdf)

Joint Policy Committee: MTC 2030 Plan: February 2005 (pdf)

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: May 19, 2008 14:32 PDT.

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