MS Action and Advocacy

League of Women Voters^®
of Mississippi, Inc.

We are truly a grassroots organization...

2012 State Priorities. Mississippi Legislature.

Click to read the letter from President Fran Leber to the Mississippi Legislature's Redistricting Committee.

Our 2012 State Priorities

Each year, the League of Women Voters of Mississippi selects public policy priorities and advocates for these positions through an informed membership and a volunteer lobby corps. Action is also taken on long-held League positions or non-priority items when necessary or as time allows.

ELECTION LAWS

VOTER ID We support the right of every citizen to vote. We believe that voting is a fundamental citizens' right that must be guaranteed. We oppose any action that may limit voter participation.

EARLY VOTING We support early voting to help increase voter participation and convenience allowing those otherwise unable to make it to the polls on Election Day an opportunity to cast their ballot.

We also oppose shortening the time for voting absentee, limiting the number of people one can take to register early, decreasing the number of precincts, and creating hurdles for groups to register voters.

We are committed to safeguarding elections for all citizens, especially those who have difficulty voting, including the elderly, disabled, homeless, high school and college students, veterans and people actively serving in the military abroad, and people experiencing financial difficulty affecting their housing and access to transportation.

GOOD GOVERNMENT

OPEN MEETINGS & PUBLIC RECORDS We believe that government bodies must protect the citizen's right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.

LIMITING COSTS OF RECORD REQUESTS We support the citizen's right to know about government action and support government bodies ensuring that public records are accessible. We oppose the use of prohibitive fees to limit access to public records

CAMPAIGN FINANCE We support public disclosure of campaign contribution of money, goods and services, as well as the disclosure of financial interest of public officials, both elected and appointed.

EDUCATION

APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENTS We support uniformity in the methods of selecting school board members and superintendents. We believe the election of superintendents significantly limits the pool of willing candidates and prevents school boards from being able to hold superintendent accountable.

MAEP FUNDING FOR K-12 We oppose any reduction of K-12 funding. We support full funding of MAEP.

COMPREHENSIVE SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION We support comprehensive sex education programs in our schools which include community awareness as well as specific preventative and follow-up services for pregnant teenagers.

HEALTH CARE

MS HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE We believe the federal government has a role in funding and providing for old-age, survivors, disability, and health insurance. For such insurance programs, participation should be mandatory and coverage should be universal. Federal deficit reduction should not be achieved by reducing Social Security benefits.

During the legislative session, LWVMS may choose to work on additional issues that arise.

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Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 22, 2012 21:26 PST.