Program Perspectives a Guide to League Issues 2016-2018 League of Women Voters of Texas
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Program Perspectives A Guide to League Issues 2016-2018 League of Women Voters of Texas League of Women Voters of Texas 1212 Guadalupe #107 Austin, TX 78701 (512) 472-1100 [email protected] www.lwvtexas.org LEAGUE PRINCIPLES The Principles are concepts of government to which all Leagues subscribe. They are the beliefs shared by League members everywhere. Principles are the basis upon which national, state, and local program is adopted. The Principles themselves may be used to take action at any level of government. However, because they are broad statements, such action is usually taken in conjunction with current League positions. Additional information on their usage is found in Impact on Issues (LWVUS). The League of Women Voters believes: in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States. that all powers of the U.S. government should be exercised within the constitutional framework of a balance among the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation in government and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible. that every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic, or administrative discrimination. that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing, and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government. that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy, and adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems. that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems, and that the development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace. TABLE OF CONTENTS League Principles............................................................................................... inside front cover Foreword .......................................................................................................................................3 Taking Action: Guidelines for Local Leagues ..............................................................................4 We Support: 2016-2018 (Positions in Brief).................................................................................7 LWV-TX PROGRAM 2016-2018 (Complete Wording, Explanations, and History) I. GOVERNMENT A. Constitutional Revision ..................................................................................................14 B. Election Laws, Voting Rights ........................................................................................16 C. Executive, Legislative, and Judicial ...............................................................................25 D. Financing State Government ..........................................................................................31 E. Homeowners Association Reform .................................................................................37 F. Intestacy .........................................................................................................................38 G. Campaign Finance/Ethics ..............................................................................................39 H. Public School Finance ....................................................................................................46 I. Public School Testing and Accountability .....................................................................56 J. Redistricting ...................................................................................................................59 K. State-Local Relations .....................................................................................................65 II. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE A. Criminal Justice and Capital Punishment Reform..........................................................67 B. Drug Laws ...................................................................................................................... 75 C. Immigration ....................................................................................................................76 D. Juvenile Justice ..............................................................................................................78 E. Spousal Sexual Assault ..................................................................................................81 F. Human Trafficking .........................................................................................................82 G. Payday and Auto Title Loans in Texas .........................................................................83 III. SOCIAL POLICY/HUMAN RESOURCES A. Child Abuse and Neglect................................................................................................83 B. Child Care/Early Childhood ...........................................................................................86 C. Child Support Enforcement ............................................................................................92 D. Domestic Violence .........................................................................................................93 E. Equal Opportunity/Income Assistance ...........................................................................95 F. Health Care for Those of Lesser Means/Child Health Care ...........................................98 G. Health Care System for Older Texans ..........................................................................104 I. Post-Divorce Payments ................................................................................................ 107 J. Services for People with Behavioral Health Disorders ................................................108 IV. NATURAL RESOURCES A. Air and Climate Change ...............................................................................................111 B. Land Use ......................................................................................................................120 C. Transportation ..............................................................................................................123 D. Water ............................................................................................................................125 Updated April 2016 Page 1 NATIONAL PROGRAM 2016-2018 (Positions in Brief and LWV-TX Action under these Positions) I. Representative Government A. D.C. Self-Government ............................................................................................. 134 B. Campaign Finance/Ethics ........................................................................................ 134 C. Citizens Right to Know/Citizen Participation .......................................................... 135 D. Public Policy on Reproductive Choices ................................................................... 137 II. Natural Resources A. Environmental Protection & Pollution Control ............................................................148 B. Energy ................................................................................................................................ 149 C. Waste Management ......................................................................................................150 D. Public Participation ......................................................................................................156 III. Social Policy A. Child Care ...................................................................................................................159 B. Early Intervention for Children At Risk ......................................................................159 C. Equality of Opportunity ...............................................................................................160 D. Gun Control .................................................................................................................160 E. Health Care ...................................................................................................................161 F. Immigration ....................................................................................................................... 162 G. Meeting Basic Human Needs ......................................................................................162 H. Urban Policy ................................................................................................................163 Updated April 2016 Page 2 FOREWORD Program Perspectives is a complete statement of all LWV-Texas program positions, including an explanation of the original study adoption, a history/summary of all state advocacy subsequent to the adoption of the position, and current publications on each position, if any. It is an essential guide for local presidents, program vice-presidents