Action and Advocacy Priorities
Every year in the late summer, members of the Action and Advocacy Committee meet to review our matrix of potential action items. The process involves identifying issues that are active or emergent in the community, related League positions that may allow us to advocate or take other action, and LWVSFC resources who are knowledgeable about the issues and positions. We also prioritize these issues and send the revised matrix to the board for final approval. The board and committee maintain the agility necessary to respond to unforeseen issues, as well, but the LWVSFC is committed to strategic planning and we find this process integral to that effort.
Here is an overview of the issues we expect to be dealing with between now and the end of summer 2012:
High priority
Santa Fe Public Schools, especially construction/consolidation projects and campaign financing. The SFPS board is considering a bond issue election for 2012 to fund capital outlay projects. Although the next board election will not take place until 2013, we may try to get the board to consider making campaign donations and expenditures public as a matter of policy. Our transparency position and land use positions are relevant, and a local study may be indicated.
Santa Fe County Sustainable Growth Management Code. The new code is in progress with multiple opportunities for public input. LWVSFC members are attending public hearings and offering comments based on our related positions, including land use, regional planning, air and water quality, open space, and transparency.
Ethics in local governments. The city and county have both recently revised their ethics ordinances, an LWVSFC member serves on the new Santa Fe County Board of Ethics, and LWVSFC members are observing the public activities of the city’s board. The League can rely on national, state, and local positions for possible action.
Transparency in local governments. LWVSFC members are observing and monitoring transparency in the governing bodies of Santa Fe County, the City of Santa Fe, the SFPS and Santa Fe Community College. We advocate frequently based on our local transparency position.
Redistricting in local governments. Redistricting ordinances have already been passed for the city and county and are upcoming for the two school boards. National and state League redistricting positions, as well as the LWVSFC transparency position, can be used for advocacy if necessary.
Medium priority
Action committee members are also keeping tabs on youth issues, especially treatment foster care; the county’s Health Care Assistance Program; affordable housing; water, especially the Buckman Direct Diversion Project, water quality, acquisition of water rights, and sources and uses of water; the city’s Home Rule Charter; local courts (a local study is in progress); and deliberative polling. Although important, these issues are prioritized lower than the first group because of one or more factors such as likelihood of the need for concerted LWVSFC action, availability of resources, and lack of directly relevant League positions.
For a copy of the current matrix, please send an email to action@lwvsfc.org. The matrix is available to all members.
The Action and Advocacy Committee meets monthly, usually on the first Tuesday. Please see the calendar for specifics, and come! Meetings are open to all members.
Here is an overview of the issues we expect to be dealing with between now and the end of summer 2012:
High priority
Santa Fe Public Schools, especially construction/consolidation projects and campaign financing. The SFPS board is considering a bond issue election for 2012 to fund capital outlay projects. Although the next board election will not take place until 2013, we may try to get the board to consider making campaign donations and expenditures public as a matter of policy. Our transparency position and land use positions are relevant, and a local study may be indicated.
Santa Fe County Sustainable Growth Management Code. The new code is in progress with multiple opportunities for public input. LWVSFC members are attending public hearings and offering comments based on our related positions, including land use, regional planning, air and water quality, open space, and transparency.
Ethics in local governments. The city and county have both recently revised their ethics ordinances, an LWVSFC member serves on the new Santa Fe County Board of Ethics, and LWVSFC members are observing the public activities of the city’s board. The League can rely on national, state, and local positions for possible action.
Transparency in local governments. LWVSFC members are observing and monitoring transparency in the governing bodies of Santa Fe County, the City of Santa Fe, the SFPS and Santa Fe Community College. We advocate frequently based on our local transparency position.
Redistricting in local governments. Redistricting ordinances have already been passed for the city and county and are upcoming for the two school boards. National and state League redistricting positions, as well as the LWVSFC transparency position, can be used for advocacy if necessary.
Medium priority
Action committee members are also keeping tabs on youth issues, especially treatment foster care; the county’s Health Care Assistance Program; affordable housing; water, especially the Buckman Direct Diversion Project, water quality, acquisition of water rights, and sources and uses of water; the city’s Home Rule Charter; local courts (a local study is in progress); and deliberative polling. Although important, these issues are prioritized lower than the first group because of one or more factors such as likelihood of the need for concerted LWVSFC action, availability of resources, and lack of directly relevant League positions.
For a copy of the current matrix, please send an email to action@lwvsfc.org. The matrix is available to all members.
The Action and Advocacy Committee meets monthly, usually on the first Tuesday. Please see the calendar for specifics, and come! Meetings are open to all members.
