January 2013 League of Women Voters of Idaho VOTER

League of Women Voters of Idaho VOTER January 2013 http://lwvid.org “Serving the people of Idaho” “The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation in government, and influences the public policy through education and advocacy.” P.1 ID News/First Call to LWVID Convention | P.2 Local Leagues | P.3 Member Spotlight/Obituaries | P.4 Positions/Poverty Study | P.5 Flyer

SPOKESPERSON’S MESSAGE - Muriel Roberts where there is not a Local League. First of all, is there interest to do Happy New Year! this, how do we set this up, how to identify people with technical It is going to be a great year for LWVID, I am sure, as we have an skills to make it work, what will be the "focus", what League work excellent, dedicated Leadership Team. Though we hold most of our will the individuals do? monthly meetings via conference calls, we are going to meet in Many questions at this juncture, but some things come to mind for a person in Boise over the President’s Day weekend in February, and "focus", i.e., creating a "virtual" Observer Corps at the statehouse, as plan to get together with members in the Treasure Valley, and also floor debate in both Houses and legislative committees proceedings visit our legislators. Anyone who can be in Boise is cordially invited are streamed live. Voter service in local communities is another to attend the meeting and dinner, at which Mike Ferguson will speak possibility, as well as doing some research for a state LWVID study. on Idaho’s tax policy. So where do you, our faithful reader, come in? Does the idea have Kudos to our Local Leagues and our Members at Large who did so merit? Could you help? And I DO solicit your comments and many Voter Service activities in preparation for the 2012 election. expertise. I wait to hear from you. League was out there, front and center, with voter registration, Jo Ann Trail, Co-Editor of the VOTER, [email protected] candidate forums and information. 208-882-6077 With the elections over, Local Leagues are busy with Program Planning and working on their local studies and positions. And we *FEB 16 - LWVID DINNER AND PROGRAM are gearing up to be present at the Legislature to support our Idaho’s Tax Structure – Mike Ferguson, Director, Idaho positions on such topics as education, energy, health care, and Center for Public Policy elections. When: Sat., Feb 16, No Host Social 5pm, Dinner 6pm Just as Local Leagues adopt and change their local program at Where: Louie’s Restaurant, 2500 E Fairview, Meridian Annual Meetings, the State League does this at biennial Estimated Cost $25 paid in advance; $30 at door. Conventions. So, it is time to look at our current state positions and *Flyer is attached (P.5). The public is invited. decide what to keep, change, or drop. Local Board can make proposals, and the Leadership Team will be proposing a study to FIRST CALL TO LWVID CONVENTION update our Tax Structure position. When: April 19-21, 2013 All this will be decided at our State Convention in April in Pocatello. Where: Pocatello, Idaho Members should plan now to spend an enjoyable weekend with Number of voting delegates a League is allowed and PMP is Leaguers from all over the state to decide on new leadership, a determined by the number of Active Members in a Local League as budget, bylaws, and program for the next two years. The Pocatello of the LWVUS Roster on 1/31/13. Treasurers please update rosters League promises a fun and interesting time, along with the before then and inactivate members who have not paid since necessary business. 2/1/12. See you in April! Business to be conducted will include Bylaws updates, election of Muriel Roberts, Spokesperson Board and Nominating Committee Chair, proposed new study of Idaho’s Tax Structure. Stay tuned…more info to follow. EDITOR’S CORNER A major focus of the state leadership team (SLT) is building membership. Currently, we have 21 new members. New informational materials are being developed as we contemplate ways of engaging Members at Large (MALs) to feel a part of LWVID. We are exploring the possibility of developing an "eLeague", a "virtual" state unit, on line, to engage MALs in rural areas of Idaho January 2013 League of Women Voters of Idaho VOTER

election monitors for Lewis Clark State College Student Body Elections. Liz Chavez helped to develop strategies to continually Websites for Each Local League/Members Only Page involve more students. Leif Hoffman, German citizen/new Political To be effective in our communities, LWVID needs to Science professor contacted LL to get students registered to vote. LL be visible. Our website is our public face on the now invited into his classes to register voters. Internet. Today it is essential that we have an online . Finally I wish you all the energizing enthusiasm that we have had in presence that is current and informative. Please our League. Best Wishes for all. bookmark our LWVID Members Only page as your Maxine Miller, LCValley Spokesperson. portal to LWVID- http://lwvid.org/members_only.html [email protected] or 208.664-5659. LWV MOSCOW:  Late summer: Voters Guide committee contacted candidates MEMBERS AT LARGE- BOISE/TREASURE and gathered information. Early October, 9000 copies of the Voters Guide delivered with local newspaper/ distributed VALLEY: Treasure Valley Members at Large had an event filled to libraries, senior centers and the courthouse. October. We worked with the BSU Political Science students'  Outreach: UI of Idaho Women’s Center Equality Day Fair; 6 association to sponsor a candidate forum for the Ada County months weekly market providing opportunity to register to Commissioner candidates. The next week we worked with the vote, learn about LWV AAUW and Transform Idaho on a well attended forum on the pros  Sponsored a forum about the three education referendum and cons of the Students Come First laws. This forum was covered items. Dr. Darrel Diede spoke in support, Shirley Ringo, by the Statesman and local TV stations. The end of the month we legislator and former teacher, spoke for the opposition. A lively worked with Idaho Public Television and the Idaho Press Club on the discussion/Q&A ensued from 80 people in attendance. Idaho Debates for the Congressional candidates.  Mock Election held October 24th with help of over 100 In December we will be attending the Idahoans for Open community volunteers. Students from Moscow High School Government (IDOG) workshops on the Open Meetings and Open were presented with a realistic voting environment, i.e. county Records laws in Boise and Payette. voting booths, ballot boxes, registration requirements. Other Elinor Chehey, LWVID Voter Services Chair Latah County high school students also voted. Over 900 ballots were counted and tallied. LWV KOOTENAI COUNTY: The League of Women Voters  Candidates’ Forum held October 25th. with candidates for Latah of Kootenai County (LWVKC) has had a busy fall. We started off with County offices and for District 5 legislative positions, followed a Constitution Day forum at North Idaho College (NIC) that included by a Q&A. former State Representative George Sayler's discussion of the 26th  Over two meetings, completed and reached consensus on the Amendment to the Constitution. League members registered voters Poverty Study which was started in the fall of 2011. A factual, following the meeting. On National Voter Registration Day, well written document is now available to the public. members registered students/citizens at NIC, high schools in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls, and at the Kroc Center. The October meeting Popular weekly noon Speakers Series with a variety of topics featured a debate about a county-wide ballot initiative to pertinent to the League and community that is open to the public. streamline Kootenai County government. Denis Yost, consultant to Elaine C. Broyles, President the North Idaho Health Network, discussed the Affordable Care Act and the impact of the recent election on the features of the Act. LWVKC plans to invite state legislators to the December meeting to LWV POCATELLO: LWV of Pocatello hosted a three-part discuss upcoming legislative issues. forum series on the Future of Public Education in Idaho and Judy Francis, President maintained a blogspot on the forums. We registered voters at the ISU Student Union Diversity Center. We also hosted Candidate’s Forums for Idaho State Senate and Representatives for Districts 28 LWV LEWIS AND CLARK VALLEY: The LC Valley and 29. Dr. Bill Woodhouse gave an enlightening talk on the League has just completed a review of our "no empty chair Affordable Health Care Act at the Back to League Night. policy" as a way to re-educate ourselves as to why we do what we Cathy Frischmann do. It's the League way! We asked for input from members and our LWVUS, liaison, Norman Turrill, regarding the issues when conducting debates/forums and have concluded that we will continue to follow a no empty chair policy in specific circumstances.

. Preparing to adopt bylaws for streamlining our LL so that ALL members are considered a committee of the whole, and can vote at meetings. . Published 2012 Directory of Elected Officials for Asotin County, WA, with thanks to Adele Plouffe's leadership, in 2013, will do a directory for both communities. . Biggest fundraiser for the past five years has been to be paid

2 League of Women Voters is the organization where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. January 2013 League of Women Voters of Idaho VOTER

(Oct. 18, 1949). She was local League president in 1953, served on “The power of the League is the Local the state board and was LWVID president, later chairing the local Leagues and their programs to help League MAL unit from 1992 to 2004. After retiring in 1989 after 31 safeguard Democracy for future years at the Times-News, she published a book, “Zest for Living,” a generations.”– Bonnie Douglas compilation of some 40 of the many interviews she had done for (My Grandson in Wilton NH voting booth) “The Elders” feature. An earlier biographical novel, “Daisies Don’t Tell,” was based on her mother’ life on a Minnesota farm where Smith grew up. In 1993, she was named Idaho Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc. and then served as state president of the Idaho AMI from 1994 to 1996 and later on the national board. In GETTING TO KNOW NEW MEMBERS: 2006, she began volunteering at the Twin Falls County Museum. In Bios of new members, in their own words. 2008, she received the Community Service Award from the local CAROLYN ABBOTT: "I was born in the mid-west and grew up in chapter of the DAR and also won the “State Competition.” Nebraska and California. I have two daughters, two grandsons and A memorial donation to LWVID was made by Twin Falls members. two great grandchildren and am the family matriarch for multiple nieces and nephews. I was a late-bloomer: received a bachelor’s and KAREN FALKE joined the Moscow League in 1973 and served as advanced (Ph.D.) degrees in my 40’s. Later worked as a consultant president. She had battled colon cancer for a number of years, (Toxicologist/Senior Scientist) to the DOE National Laboratory in undergoing repeated treatments, but finally could not fight it any Idaho for more than 20 years. After retirement in 2011, I have a longer. She died at much too young an age, 64, just as she was certified family home for my developmentally disabled daughter. enjoying retirement from the University of Idaho. She left a generous bequest to the Moscow League. In her honor, friends GETTING TO KNOW NEW MEMBERS (cont’d): attending her service wore purple, Karen's favorite color. I am the Idaho Falls District women’s division leader for the Soka

Gakkai International (SGI) - USA, an international Buddhist organization. Pastimes include: reading, gardening, researching DR. KATRINA BERMAN was a UI professor in economics who had issues, and writing and fly-fishing. My daughter and I go to great interest in the League and what it does. She served as past co- Yellowstone or other National Parks each summer." president of the League, and was active in League issues such as Paradise Creek, solid waste and recycling. Her family donated land BETSY McBRIDE: ” I joined the League of Women Voters of Boise in to the city, creating the Berman Creekside Park, dedicated in 1970 to work on the Clean Air Study. Sue Reents (later a state October of 2004, encompassing 4.17 acres of wetlands, native senator) took me to my first League meeting after we met in Vote plantings and specialty gardens, a play area, picnic shelter, and the Rockers, a group formed in Boise to encourage women to get adjoining Latah Trail. A very thoughtful academic and keenly actively involved in politics. Starting in 1972, our family moved intelligent woman, that was Katrina, who died September 12th, at dozens of times to follow the corporate dream. Local League was age 92. always the way I found interesting women and League had a great impact on my personal and professional life. Prior to returning to JANET FISKE died just 10 days shy of her 100th birthday. For years, Boise in 2011, I was state president of the Colorado LWV, state she organized and ran the main fund raiser, selling peas and lentils program vice-president of the Pennsylvania LWV, state energy chair gift boxes from the Palouse, complete with her handmade Palouse of the Illinois League, wrote a publication on transportation of wildflower bookmarks. Her work was recognized by the P@L nuclear spent fuel for LWV-US, served on the advisory committee for Commission, for promoting Idaho's agricultural products. To remedy national's Nuclear Waste Primer, was LWV-US's representative to a her one regret, that she had never served as the Moscow League national advisory committee for the U.S. Department of Energy, and President, so she could tell people she was "past president", Joan gave media training at one national convention. Along the way, I Klingler made an "Honorary Past President" certificate which was was on local League boards in Illinois (4), Iowa (1), Virginia (1), presented to Janet just shortly before her death. She was delighted Minnesota (1), Michigan (1), Colorado (1), and Idaho (2). and recalled so fondly the satisfactions and friendships associated Professionally, I worked in corporate government relations, media with her work in and for the League. One of a kind, Janet! relations and non-profit management. I still work from a distance for an organization that I started in Virginia, the Hampton Roads MARGARET ELY was an avid naturalist, gardener, hiker and Center for Civic Engagement (www.hrcce.org) My passion is photographer as well as an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, sustainable democracy and I still believe that the fastest way to find particularly the Kenworthy Theater in downtown Moscow. Each most interesting women is by joining the League of Women Voters.” year she would invite her yoga class (and their dogs) to her house for yoga, good food and drink and a walk afterwards with the dogs. Her MEMBER OBITUARIES- Gone but not forgotten: home at Idler's Rest, a nature preserve, had many windows and skylights, providing a sense of actually living outside. She was a LORAYNE ORTON SMITH, 87, joined the League of Women Voters radio host and enjoyed interviewing political figures on her show. when it began in Twin Falls in 1947, helping in the League effort to obtain the city manager form of government in 1949, taking her two "The message is clear: plan with attitude, prepare with aptitude, oldest sons, then in strollers, out to obtain petitions for the election participate with servitude, receive with gratitude, and this should be enough to separate you from the multitudes." Krish Dhanam

consensus by other Leagues. The DC League presented to the MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: JOAN KLINGLER has been a main National Board a proposal to add their position to those of the stay, the keeper of the institutional memory, the person who has LWVUS. served on every committee at one time or another and enables a Delegates agreed with the Board’s proposal to adopt the language, vital continuity in the organization as the membership has changed and now LWVUS has new position language related to sentencing over the years. Most importantly, she has been Moscow’s policy: "The LWVUS believes alternatives to imprisonment should be Membership Chair for over 20 years. It is in this capacity, that she is explored and utilized, taking into consideration the circumstances truly outstanding. When she meets someone who she thinks would and nature of the crime. The LWVUS opposes mandatory minimum be interested in the League, she invites them to a League event. sentences for drug offenses." Often those people will join, if not then, at a later time. She arranges For more information on the concurrence, see the DC League’s a car pool if they have difficulty in getting to an event, she’ll arrange message to local Leagues, asking their support at Convention: for a mentor if she feels the new member is shy about getting http://lwvdc.org/files/SentencingReform1a.pdf involved in the work of the League. A bio of the new member is Our LWVID position on Rehabilitative Programs in the Idaho Justice shared via the Moscow MEMO newsletter. Joan creates a System was based on a great deal of work in the early 2000’s by community within the organization which makes it far more many members, particularly the Moscow League. This new LWVUS functional, enjoyable, and effective than it would otherwise be. position fits in well. Contact Bonnie Douglas When Joan first started as membership chair, there were 16 [email protected] if you’d like to help her review this position. members. Now there are almost 100 members. A well deserved award certificate from LWVUS was presented to Joan at Moscow’s LWV MOSCOW STUDY: Back to League Night. Poverty in Latah County The League of Women Voters of Moscow, recognizing the needs of

those in poverty in Latah County, advocates for and supports “ An individual has not started living until he can rise above the programs or approaches which can improve or increase accessibility narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader and availability of goods and services, either through the concerns of all humanity.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. coordination of existing programs or by the alteration, enhancement or creation of new services in the areas of housing, food insecurity, child care, transportation, and health care. LWVUS POSITION ON AGRICULTURE: – Muriel Roberts At the 2012 LWVUS National Convention, delegates voted to review and update the LWVUS Agriculture position, which was adopted The general conclusion of the LWV-Moscow’s study of Poverty in after study and consensus in 1988. The position states that the Latah County is that the extent of poverty in Latah County has not policies most essential for the future of agriculture are: “providing been fully recognized and those in need are underserved. Both research, information and technical assistance to agricultural private and governmental programs at all levels should be fully producers; and increasing reliance on the free market to determine utilized to identify those in need, to provide information on what prices.” It also has strong support for sustainable agriculture. This services are available, and to assist the needy in acquiring those and all LWVUS Positions are available on line at: services. http://www.lwv.org/content/public-policy-positions The delegates agreed that the review would “investigate genetic The League of Women Voters of Moscow advocates for the modification, consolidation in the food industry, money in the establishment of a single point of access to information regarding regulatory process, and the consumer's right to accurate and poverty programs and the funding to support it; advocates for full comprehensive food labeling utilization and marketing of all government programs, including National Board will form a committee to conduct this study and will federal and State of Idaho programs that are available to low- provide information to local Leagues so that they can involve their income, underprivileged people; and advocates for the coordination members and their communities in this review and update. Keep of eligibility rules and phase- outs so those receiving multiple tuned. benefits do not lose them simultaneously. Specifically, LWV-Moscow will: LWVUS POSITION SENTENCING POLICY:  endorse programs that enhance the availability of appropriate – Muriel Roberts and safe housing for the homeless, especially homeless families LWVUS National Convention delegates used the method of in Latah County. Concurrence to adopt a new position on sentencing. The DC League  advocate for more housing for low-income residents. had adopted positions opposing mandatory minimum sentences for  support the expansion of all programs that support providing drug offences, and alternatives to imprisonment, in 1982 and meals to food insufficient children and adults. reaffirmed them in 2009. Because the LWVUS had no positions on  encourage legislation that would address the regressive sales these issues, local and state Leagues could not act on them without tax on food. conducting their own studies. Through the Concurrence method,  support the development of a local food facility for collection Leagues at any level can adopt positions reached after study and and distribution of foods.

 advocate for measures to identify individuals and families who are eligible for assistance programs thataffect children.  advocate for increasing the eligibility of individuals and families for programs that affect children by expanding the definitions of eligibility to include other parameters.  lobby Latah County to develop a child care ordinance that can be incrementally achieved starting with standards and regulations relating to health and safety.  advocate for an increased number of fixed routes in bus service in Moscow and a mechanism to fund them.  support the establishment of public transportation to outlying towns in Latah County and to Washington State University.  support transportation fuel assistance programs for low-income individuals.  encourage the development of a Federally Qualified Health Center and other health facilities for our community, especially for low-income and medically underserved people.  advocate for transportation services to enable access to health facilities in our community, especially for low-income and medically underserved people.  support programs that would increase the number of professionally licensed and/or certified health care providers in the State of Idaho. Background information and more detailed discussion can be found in the League of Women Voters Study of Poverty in Latah County, Idaho 2012. Position adopted: December 10, 2012.

Editor’s note: Moscow’s local study on poverty in Latah County was researched by Nancy Lyle, Nancy Chaney, Jennifer O’Laughlin, Sally Fredericks, Louise Davison, Maree McHugh, Liz Sullivan, Keisha Bayly, Della Bayly, Karen Lewis. Elaine Broyles, and Ellen Thiem, assisted by Amy Ford and Joan Klingler.

THE BIG PICTURE – IDAHO’S TAX POLICIES

The public is invited to join the League of Women Voters and Mike Ferguson, Economist

How do the legislative budget decisions affect taxes and revenue for Schools? Communities? For all Idahoans? Mike Ferguson is the featured speaker and will share his analysis of state government spending, budgeting and fiscal policy. Mike Ferguson launched the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, a non-partisan, non-profit organization after 25 years as Idaho’s Chief Economist. Mike brings a unique perspective from serving in the Governor’s Budget Office under six different administrations.

Saturday, February 16, 2013 Louie’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant 2500 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian

No host networking social hour begins at 5:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:00; Program to follow

$25 per person by reservation. Checks payable to LWVID.

Space is limited; RSVP Early

Mail checks/money orders to Kip Winter, 2408 Carnegie St., Caldwell, Id 83607. Questions? Call Chris at 283-2580 or email [email protected]. Paid reservations received by 2/9/13 receive a free ticket for a drawing.

6 League of Women Voters is the organization where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement.