Proposal for the National League (LWVUS) to Take an Official Position on Broadband

by Donna Oba, LWVHI President

The prohibitive cost of and lack of alternatives for broadband affect many rural communities, especially those families with limited income. Many teachers reported students who had limited or no internet access.

Is there any member who might be interested in following the proposal to add a broadband position or working with the rural caucus via concurrence at the 2022 LWVUS Convention? (I have asked Debby Gould to send the Connecticut position.)

Debby Gould, President of the League of Women Voters of Tennessee (pictured above), sent this message to all LWV state presidents: “A group of League members across the country has been working together on issues that adversely affect rural areas, most particularly broadband. They are an unofficial rural caucus. The group has decided to seek concurrence at the 2022 national convention with one or more existing state or local positions on broadband. Notably, Connecticut has already established a position that both New Mexico and Tennessee have joined in concurrence… [S]hould any members in your state be interested in working with the rural caucus to achieve a LWV.org position on broadband, the rural caucus would welcome them.”

Concurrence is agreement by League members with a position on an issue reached by a small group of members or by another League.

That means that if another League or "small group of members" has studied and agreed to a position (i.e., support or oppose) on an issue, another League, after a vote by its members, may adopt that position. It saves leagues from repeating a study.

If you are interested in working on this issue, please contact Donna Oba at lwvhawaiicty@gmail.com

Mahalo!