Carbon Tax
A new study was adopted at our 2017 Convention to evaluate the feasibility of a state tax on carbon emissions from all fossil fuels. The LWVUS recognizes a carbon tax as a useful tool in the fight against climate change, but for us, the question is whether it would be effective at the state level. The Vermont State Legislature has four bills considering carbon tax in the 2018 legislative session.
Contact the Carbon Tax Committee about joining their work.
Civic Education and Engagement
As noted in past newsletters, League members have learned how knowledge of civics and government is lacking among out youth and others. In keeping with the League’s basic mission, the 2017 Convention voted to take action to see what the League can do to enhance knowledge of how government works and increase civic engagement
Contact to join the work on Civic Education and Engagement.
Teacher Professional Development in Civics Education
Government is Us Poster Campaign
We need stories from around the state about actual VT citizens who have either gotten involved in the legislative process to achieve an end, or who were aided by elected officials to achieve an end that effected their lives in a positive way. Representation from different walks of life would resonate with more people. If you know of a farmer, student, veteran, elderly person, business person, or other with a story they’d be willing to tell us.
Ranked Choice Voting
Our 2017 Convention also adopted a related action item, to advocate for and educate about Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), also known as Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). The LWV-Vermont adopted a position in support of Ranked Choice Voting for all statewide elections in 1999. In our last presidential election both major party candidates were considered unfavorable by many voters, but casting one’s vote for a candidate who was not nominated by one of the two major parties was perceived as a “wasted vote” and low voter turnout resulted. Ranked Choice Voting is particularly useful when there are three major parties, as we have in Vermont.
Contact to join the effort to advocate for and educate about Ranked Choice Voting.
Our sister League in Maine was part of the effort which successfully passed a People's Referendum for Ranked Choice Voting for statewide offices in Maine in 2016. Learn more about Ranked Choice Voting on the LWV of Maine site.
If you are a teacher and would like to see the curriculum developed by high school teachers volunteering with the LWV of Maine, please contact our committee on Ranked Choice Voting.
How Does The League Select Issues for Emphasis?
In League, Program means the issues that we choose for concerted study, education and action at local, state and national levels. Program can include both education and action.
The Program Planning process is part of what makes the League a grassroots organization; each League member has the opportunity to influence the selection of issues where the local, state, and national League will focus time, talent and money.
Every two years, members of local Leagues engage in Program Planning. Based on the results of this, the Board of Directors makes recommendations to the biennial convention delegates about the program to be adopted for the coming two year period.