New Format for the "Debate" at NGLVC Tonight

Due to the last minute cancellation by Jamie Francis (Republican Candidate for 74th Assembly District) and Dane Deutsch (Republican Candidate for 25th Senate District), the debate at the Great Lakes Northern Visitors Center has been changed to a discussion. 

Janet Bewley and Beth Meyers will each be allotted 30 minutes with a panel of reporters to discuss issues within each district. KUWS-Superior (91.3FM) and WUWS-Ashland (90.9FM) will air the discussions live.

WPR 25th Senate District & 74th Assembly District Discussions

6:00pm - Janet Bewley (Democratic Candidate 25th Senate District)
6:30pm - Beth Meyers (Democratic Candidate 74th Assembly District)

You can read the Meyers campaign response to the cancellation here: Meyers 10-28 Press Release

Information about the Transportation Referendum on the Ballot November 4th

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Creation of a Transportation Fund

Shall section 9 (2) of article IV and section 11 of article VIII of the constitution be created to require that revenues generated by use of the state transportation system be deposited into a transportation fund administered by a department of transportation for the exclusive purpose of funding Wisconsin’s transportation systems and to prohibit any transfers or lapses from this fund?

Yes  ____  No  _____

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What does this mean? In a nutshell, this amendment would establish the Department of Transportation in the state constitution and limit how monies in the Transportation Fund can be spent. Sounds pretty straight forward, right? Turns out there is more to it and in order to help you make an informed decision, we've found four articles with good information about this ballot item. 

According to Paul Fanlund's October 13th article in the Cap Times, "An analysis of the database of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a respected nonprofit, nonpartisan group that tracks campaign contributions, shows that from Jan. 1, 2011, to Dec. 31, 2013, the special interests that back the ballot question, led by groups with a financial stake in more highways, contributed $21.6 million to individuals and political action committees....Predictably, organizations supporting the amendment include producers of road-building material, various fossil fuel energy interests, tourism interests, chambers of commerce, and of course Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state’s retro business lobby." 

According to the LWV Dane County website, "A “no” vote would mean that the Department of Transportation continues to be a statutory agency. A “yes” vote would mean that. . .(f)unds in the transportation fund may not be. . .used for any program that is not directly administered by the department of transportation.” 

An editorial in the Cap Times states, "At a point when the Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects that Gov. Scott Walker’s austerity policies will lead to a $1.8 billion shortfall in the next budget cycle, the worst thing the state could do would be to limit the flexibility of legislators and the governor when it comes to budgeting."

Finally, Craig Thompson, Executive Director of Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, states in an editorial to the Cap Times, "We are naturally reluctant to solve problems by amending the constitution. That is a healthy reflex. This issue, however, truly belongs in the constitution. This is not a narrow bit of fiscal policy, but rather a common-sense safeguard that will keep transportation user fees dedicated for their intended purpose."

Please use these articles as resources for developing an informed decision at the polls on Tuesday November 4th.  

Wondering why our League didn't host a candidate's forum this year?

This letter to the editor was submitted to the Ashland Daily Press last week.

No LVW forums prior to elections

I am writing on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Ashland and Bayfield Counties to express our disappointment that we will not be able to hold voter forums this month leading up to the November 4 elections. The League’s forums are a chance for all area citizens to ask questions of the candidates and are operated in an unbiased, fair manner. Unfortunately, some of the candidates in this season’s elections did not respond to our forum invitations or indicated that they were “too busy” to participate in League forums. To their credit, Janet Bewley, Beth Meyers and Kelly Westlund all enthusiastically agreed to participate, and provided a number of dates they would be available. Their opponents did not.

The League of Women Voters will continue offering forums, if candidates will agree to participate. The service is for the voters, and candidates who are unresponsive or refuse to attend are denying citizens a chance to hear from them, learn of the candidates’ positions, and gain the knowledge necessary to make informed voting decisions on election day.

We encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote on Nov. 4, and are delighted that because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last week, photo IDs will not be required.

Madelaine Herder, President

League of Women Voters of Ashland and Bayfield Counties

Link to Letter

This may be one of the most important elections of our lifetime - Elizabeth MacNamara

The League Update

October 16, 2014

Dear League Members,

It is easy to tell that Election Day 2014 is getting closer. In my recent travels to Wisconsin and this week in Texas, you see the candidates’ yard signs everywhere and the television ads have picked up and seem to run at every opportunity on every channel. What I have also seen first-hand is all the work the Leagues are doing in these final weeks. Hundreds of candidate debates and forums are being held and tens of thousands, if not millions, of voters’ guides are getting into the hands of voters and available online through VOTE411.org. Leagues are doing what they do best: providing the information all voters need to get ready and vote on November 4th.

This may be one of the most important elections of our lifetime. There is a great deal on the line - control of the US Senate - and thus the direction of our country going into the next presidential race, literally hangs in the balance of how many people register and vote this year. Big issues are weighing on the minds of voters: continuing to get our economy back on track, our national security during these very scary and uncertain times, affording quality education, and health care.

Keep up the great work of preparing and informing voters. This work is one of the most valuable things we do for our communities. As you turn your attention to get-out-the-vote activities and helping Election Day go smoothly by working at or observing the polls, remember to send out a press release and letter to the editor, update your Facebook page and Twitter feed, call up your neighbors, and make sure your voters’ guide is available in local grocery stores, schools, lobbies and bus stops. This is what the League does best. But voters can only take advantage of the resources if we share them far and wide.

In League,

Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Wisconsin Voter ID Law

The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked Wisconsin's voter ID law on Thursday evening, meaning that Wisconsin voters will not be required to bring any forms of identification to the polls on Nov. 4.

The court granted the request by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Advancement Project and other groups in a 6-3 vote, restoring an injunction that had been placed on the law by a federal district court.

For more information see WPR and NY Times articles. And of course all the other articles in the news...

State Issues Meeting: We are all in the same canoe!

Elizabeth MacNamara, Andrea Kaminski and Mike Wiggins, Jr.

Thank you Mike Wiggins Jr. for speaking at the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin State Issues Meeting.

League of Women Voters of Ashland & Bayfield Counties sent three representatives to the meeting.

Mike is shown with League of Women Voters National President, Elizabeth MacNamara, and Andrea Kaminski, Executive Director of Wisconsin.

Yes, we are all in the same canoe on many issues facing our state.

Fall Membership Kick-off on September 29th at the NGLVC

Our fall membership kick-off is coming up quickly and we are excited to spend an evening re-connecting with current members and getting to know the folks who are new to the League or who are interested in joining. Caryl Terrell, Commissioner of the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission and League of Women Voters Member is our key-note speaker and will be discussing our newly adopted water position and the issues we face to preserve and protect our clean and abundant water. 

For over 40 years, Caryl has been one of the state's most prominent environmental leaders. She works tirelessly as an advocate—both with grassroots citizens' groups and with the Wisconsin Legislature. Among the many victories that Caryl helped bring about:

• Protecting the Wolf River from Exxon's proposed Crandon Mine 
• Passing comprehensive recycling laws 
• Passing isolated wetland protection legislation 
• Passing groundwater protection legislation. 

Shahla Werner, Sierra Club Executive Director, said,  "Caryl has unparalleled passion combined with the common sense needed to make a lasting difference for the people and places she loves. Scarcely a day goes by when I don't come across a policy she helped pass, an organization she helped found, or a life she helped touch. Caryl is a true inspiration for all who wonder just how much one person can do during their short time on our earth." We're thrilled she's agreed to travel north for this event and with her extensive background in water policy, is the perfect speaker to kick off what is likely to be a very busy year when it comes to our water.

The strength of our League is tied to our membership and we are hoping to increase our ranks this year. Please bring a friend on the 29th and introduce them to the LWV and our platforms of education and advocacy. 

Our membership event is on September 29th from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Northern Great Lake Visitors Center in Ashland, WI. Hope to see you there!

LWV/ABC's Letter to DNR re: Request for Input on Enbridge Sandpiper Pipeline Project

At an August meeting, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources requested public input to help determine the scope of an environmental impact statement for the Enbridge Sandpiper Pipeline construction and replacement project in northwestern Douglas County. 

The following letter was sent by our president, with the approval of our board, in response to that request.

Please add your input regarding this project to ours!

See our related Action Item for information about submitting input to the DNR.

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ASHLAND-BAYFIELD COUNTIES 
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

September 3, 2014

Jeff Schimpff
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921

DNROEEAAComments@wisconsin.gov

RE:  Enbridge Pipeline EIS

Dear Mr. Schimpff:

We are writing to urge DNR to conduct a broad and thorough assessment of the environmental impacts associated with Enbridge Energy’s Douglas County Sandpiper Pipeline proposal.  The potential impacts of this project would include oil leaks and spills into waters in the Lake Superior basin, and as precious as Lake Superior is, any proposals which put it at risk should be subjected to intense scrutiny.  Furthermore, this proposed pipeline would facilitate increased production and consumption of shale oil, particularly troublesome from a climate change perspective.  Those impacts should feature prominently in the environmental analysis of the Enbridge proposal.

As you have indicated, the proposal would involve extending the pipeline from the Bakken Shale region in North Dakota.  That crude is an especially hazardous material, in that its corrosivity will increase the likelihood of spills and leaks.  The Kalamazoo River disaster in Michigan in 2010, as well as incidents closer to home—the pipeline ruptures in Clark and Rusk County in 2007 and in Grand Marsh last summer, are examples of the dangers this pipeline expansion would pose.  Given Enbridge’s role in the largest inland oil spill in our nation’s history and over 800 oil spills in the past 15 years, the prospect of allowing it to increase its crude shipments in the Lake Superior basin is troubling, indeed.

As disturbing are the climate change impacts of the pipeline.  We understand that this line would be a “key enabler” for tar sands crude expansion projects, and tar sands oil is far “dirtier” than other oil with respect to carbon emissions.  In part because the extraction process is extremely carbon intensive and destroys vast areas of Canadian boreal forest, one of the globe’s largest carbon sequestration sites, greenhouse gas emissions associated with tar sands oil are approximately 17 % greater than other oil.  Any project which will facilitate increased production, transportation, and/or consumption of tar sands oil should be the subject of a detailed environmental impact statement which examines all of the potential adverse consequences, including the risk of catastrophic Lake Superior oil spills, the destruction of pristine boreal forests, and increased carbon emissions.  

We are inclined to agree with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial writer who observed that “Earth’s finest collection of fresh water—Lake Superior and the Upper Great Lakes—is not a reasonable location for a major transportation corridor designed to carry tar sands crude oil to the overseas market.”  We were encouraged to learn that it is the Department’s intent to look at not only “direct local effects,” but also at the “broader impacts at regional, statewide and larger scales.”  We urge you to conduct the fullest possible environmental assessment of this project.

Sincerely,

Madelaine Herder
President
League of Women Voters of Ashland and Bayfield Counties

Scott Walker and Mary Burke Debates October 10th and 17th

Scott Walker and Mary Burke will participate in two debates. The debates, sponsored by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, will be held Oct. 10 in the La Crosse- Eau Claire area and Oct. 17 in the Milwaukee area. Details about the host stations and debate particulars will be announced in the near future. 

Walker will not participate in other debates, said campaign spokeswoman Alleigh Marré.

Tribute to Eleanor Bussey

 

On July 9, 2014

League of  Women Voters of Ashland & Bayfield Counties

lost a beloved leader.

First elected LWV/ABC President in 1963, Eleanor Bussey continued her vibrant leadership until two years before her death at age 97.  For most of those 50 years she served on the League Board, volunteering to be an officer of the organization a number of times.  She was recruited to join the League by her mother-in-law who helped found the Minnesota LWV in 1920.  In 2012, in recognition of her 50 years of LWV leadership, Eleanor was honored with a citation from the Wisconsin State Senate.

Eleanor was a strong voice for a well organized League.  For many years she took responsibility for lining up the speakers and locations for the monthly Unit meetings.  Her special interests were soil, forest, and water issues and international affairs. She would also make sure that the LWV observed and publicized United Nations Day on October 24.

She was always an enthusiastic promoter of League studies and public education events, and was proud that the LWV/ABC took leadership on key community issues.  Devoted to the League process of studying issues in depth and then arriving at membership consensus on policy positions, she recalled in a 2012 interview that  “Our meetings are like a graduate class in political science and we have an awfully good time”.

Eleanor was also a proud defender of the League’s nonpartisan policy, but once local, state or national League positions were arrived at, she was a fearless advocate for those policies.  She fondly related the story of when, in her first year in Ashland, she encountered the Ashland County Board Chair at a community picnic.  He welcomed her to Ashland County, but advised against her participation in the LWV of Ashland & Bayfield Counties because “you know, they are all a bunch of communists”.  She sweetly responded to him that she was currently the president of the LWV/ABC.  She knew that in liberal times the LWV might seem too conservative, while in conservative times its positions might seem too liberal. 

Most of all, Eleanor loved the League because of the people she met.  Eleanor joined the League as a young mother of four in 1962, when she and her husband Jim first moved to Ashland.  She looked forward to League meetings she said, because the women were “intelligent and thoughtful” and they talked about community and national and world issues, as well as ideas about homemaking and child rearing.  “I made my best friends in the League” she said, and she ardently recruited new people to the League every year.

Eleanor will be greatly missed!