Forward to March 2003 DC Voter — Back to League of Women Voters home page Back to January 2003 DC Voter
Making Our Voices Heard Making Our Votes Count
733 15th Street, N.W., Suite 432, Washington, DC 20005
202/347-3020, fax: 202/347-2522
Website: http://www.dcwatch.com/lwvdc, E-mail: LWVDC@aol.com
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGETHE PARADE IS ABOUT TO START . . . WHAT WILL BE D.C.'S ROLE? The District of Columbia is gearing up for a head-on assault on disenfranchisement in the next several years. Many D.C. based coalitions and organizations are developing plans, holding discussions, researching and mobilizing support for an on-going attack on disenfranchisement. Some former LWVDC Presidents met recently to strategize on how the D.C. League could contribute to this effort. One result of their thinking was that the D.C. League should engage the assistance of our state leagues by sending letters to them to solicit their support for proposed legislation related to D.C. issues. The issue of Voting Rights for D.C. citizens was argued before the Organization of American States and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe. Some members were astonished to learn of the D.C. residents' plight. Our Shadow Representative Ray Browne has visited many cities throughout the country, lobbying and soliciting endorsements from elected officials, with the backing of the D.C . Council and the D.C. League. What role does the D.C. League want to take in this renewed movement? At the Feb. 8th biennial local program planning meeting members will recommend the basis of future study for the next two years. This is the first call for the upcoming April 24th Annual Meeting. Warm thanks to our Chevy-Chase-Ingleside Unit for arranging the event of January 18 at the Ingleside apartments, to provide food for thought while benefiting the D.C. League. Dr. David Hilfiker shared his views of our city from the perspective of a doctor working as a volunteer with residents of Christ House and Joseph's House. Dr. Hilfiker's recent book "Urban Injustice" inspired members to organize the "High Tea and Straight Talk" event, which was attended by more than 70 people, and resulted in an addition of $1,000 to the D.C. League's income. Thank you to all volunteers: Gladys Weaver for observing the DCPS Board Hearings; Suzanne Campagna for observing the NCA Board Meetings; Reggie Yancey for the profitable SALE of VOTE pins; and, Kathy Schmidt for keeping us up-to-date on Congressional events. And, all financial contributors - YOU are appreciated. As of December 31, contributions totaled some $3,500, which will help us continue our work. Our history of the D.C. League covers the period from 1920 to 1960. A historian or researcher is needed to update our legacy. — E. Patricia Hallman, President DON'T MISS THESE!!!Sat. Feb. 8 from l0 am-noon; All Membership Meeting on Program Planning (See below). Mon. Feb. 24 from 11:30 am -1:30pm MEMBER NEWSWELCOME NEW MEMBERS: We welcome new members Betty M. James and Gloria K. Liebenson as well as the following new members who have joined the League nationally and have been assigned this month to the DC League: Richard Barnes, Shirley A. Briggs, Jeanne D. Carpenter, Katharine Elsasser, Mary Jane Fisher, Colette Grindle, Ellen S. Haring, Kim Jennings, Jane S. Jones, Melissa Kay Kendrick, Stephen Low, Elmide Meleance, Barbara Seidman, Marianne Scott. CONTRIBUTIONS: We gratefully thank and acknowledge contributions from our members: Dorothy Armstrong, Susan Carpenter, Susan L. Catler in memory of Louise Perry, Joan & Art Domike, Sarah Lewis in memory of Libby Hertzmark, Grace Malakoff, Elizabeth Sherrill Merritt, Susan Rao, Carl Seastrum, Harriet J. Smith, Patricia A. Wheeler. OTHER NEWS: It is with regret that we say goodbye to Gilda Varrati, who has moved to a retirement community near her family in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. An active member of the Southwest Unit and of the International Relations Committee, Gilda served over three years as an economist with the US Delegation to the United Nations in the Carter administration. She will be missed. Jane K. Schwartz DC League President (1965-67) was remembered in our Voter of June 2002. Here we have a recent note from her daughter Eleanor L. Schwartz: "It is with deepest regret that I must inform you that my mother passed away this past April 19. She was 89. Mom was active in the DC League of Women Voters throughout the 1950s and 1960s . ...In 1970, after she had moved to Rockville, she coordinated the Washington metropolitan area activities for the 50th anniversary celebration of the League. I remember growing up with Mom attending a constant stream of unit meetings and resource groups. Every so often, she'd say that she had been on Capitol Hill that day, giving testimony. I wasn't sure what testimony was, but I started calling her "testimommy." One of her major focuses was home rule for DC, and I remember us all cheering when the 23nd amendment passed in 1961." MARCH LEAGUE FUNDRAISER EVENTA fundraising event is being planned for March. If you are interested in working on the fundraiser, please call Linda E. Softli at 667-8210. NEWS FROM THE UNITSThe morning session of our January 25 forum was designed to educate and inform League members of the many issues involved in providing health services to the working poor and those otherwise unable to access healthcare through the private sector. Knowledgeable panelists spoke from diverse points of view. Come to your February Unit Meeting prepared to continue consideration and discussion of the questions and comments evoked by the Forum presentations and/or to raise important issues on health care not addressed at the Forum. Plan to attend one of the Unit Meetings listed below whether or not you are able to attend the Forum. There is no subject more vital to our well being, individually or as a political jurisdiction. HEALTH CARE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAUNIT MEETING TIMES/LOCATIONSTUESDAY, FEBRUARY 189:45 am, Southeast Unit, Anna Marsh (554-7719) 1253 Delaware Ave., SW Wednesday, February 19 9:45 am, Upper 16th St. Unit, Kathy Schmidt (237-5550), 3601 Connecticut Ave., NW #418 Thursday, February 20 9:45 am, Chevy Chase/Ingleside Unit, The Lounge @ Ingleside, 3050
Military Rd., NW, Co-chairs: Ruth Allen (362-8953), Leslie Dunbar
(364-6457), Joan Wilson (237-6264) VOTER SERVICESElection Reform: DC Leaguers Naomi Glass, Judith Smith, Sheila Willet and Sheila Keeny attended a Voter Service Roundtable on Election Reform sponsored by the NCA LWV on Jan. 17. LWVUS Executive Director Nancy Tate and staff explained the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (also known as HAVA), and encouraged all State Leagues (including DC) to work proactively with coalition partners to develop an implementation plan. See article on HAVA in the February issue of the National Voter. Meanwhile, Elinor Hart attended the Washington Council of Governments Voter Service Technical Committee Meeting where Bill O'Field, DC Board of Elections and Ethics, discussed HAVA. Future articles in the DC Voter will inform DC Leaguers of our participation in this new legislation. Registering new citizens: The next opportunity to register new citizens to vote is Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 10 am after the swearing-in ceremony at the DC Courthouse. Call Judy Smith if you would like to help.— Sheila Keeny (966-1692), 3rd Vice Pres. (Natl. Programs), and Judy Smith (882-3021), Voter Services Co-chair. LWVUS LOBBY CORPSOn January 16 the National Lobby Corps of the League of Women Voters met for the first time during the new 108th Congress. Seventeen members, many of whom are new to the Lobby Corps, were present. Election reform, which was passed and signed by the president during the last congress, now faces funding difficulties. Persuading the House and Senate to provide the means for implementation will be the Lobby Corps' first undertaking. Other future lobbying issues may include new aspects of campaign finance reform, global warming, health care reform, and DC Vote. The LWVUS Board meeting in late January will clarify lobbying priorities. LWV members from DC are urged to join the Lobby Corps. Call AI Schmidt, 237-5550, if you are interested. — AI Schmidt (237-5550), Lobby Corps Member CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIONOn Tues., Jan. 14, DC Vote held its second Champions of Democracy awards reception at the Hyatt-Regency on Capitol Hill. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Frank H. Rich, Sr. are the 2002 honorees. Through the efforts of Sen. Lieberman in Oct. 2002, the Senate Government Affairs Committee held hearings on the lack of voting rights in the District. Del. Norton had proposed the "No Taxation Without Representation Bill of 2002" in May 2002. It was brought before the House committee for the first voting representation legislation hearing in 25 years. Mr. Frank Rich was honored for his faithful volunteer work with DC Vote since its inception and for his lifelong commitment to the city and its people. A large gathering left the reception inspired to continue working for equal rights for all District of Columbia citizens. —Kathy Schmidt (237-5550), DC Vote Liaison INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSTuesday, February 25 at 6:30 pm is the next scheduled meeting of the IR Committee at Sumner School, 1201 17th Street, NW (corner of 17th and M Streets). Call Anne Porowski (3640557) for information about the guest speaker as it was not available when this Voter went to press.Great Decisions: The IR Committee will sponsor two Great Decisions groups this year, both meeting during the day - one meeting at LWVUS (1730 M St.,NW), the other still under formation at Ingleside (3050 Military Road, NW.) We will be discussing eight compelling foreign policy issues chosen by the Foreign Policy Association, which is responsible for the briefing book used by participants ($15). The Downtown group expects to hold its first meeting on Unilateralism vs Multilateralism in the Rosalie Goodman Room of the LWVUS, on Wednesday, February 12 from noon - 2:30 (including video). The second meeting, February 26, same time same place, will consider the situation in Afghanistan, with Susan Rao leading the discussion. The Ingleside group is still planning its schedule. Watch the DCVoter for dates of subsequent meetings of both groups Any interested League member or friend is welcome to join either group. Call Sheila Keeny at 966-1692 for information about the group meeting at LWVUS; call Joan Wilson at 2376264 if interested in the Ingleside group. —Sheila Keeny BROWN BAG DIALOGUEMONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 11:30 AM -1:30 PM, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 1000.Do you want to discuss the 2004 D.C. Budget? Join us Monday, February 24, 2003 in the LWVUS Boardroom as we dialogue with Mr. Edward Lazere, Director of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. — Anna Marsh (554-7719), Dialogue Coordinator CHILDREN AT RISK COMMITTEEThe committee is concluding its basic survey of children's needs with visits to various government and faith organization sites for firsthand exposure to critical programs. Now its focus will shift to study of 1) the federal reauthorization of the welfare reform act expected in March, which will impact strongly on District procedures and budget and 2) on the 2004 District budget itself. The months of March through May are critical for the League to be ready to testify in defense of social service programs serving lowincome families. The Children at Risk Committee, working through the Fair Budget Coalition and DC Action for Kids, will concentrate on speaking out for the League. — Joan Wilson (237-6264), Co-chair EDUCATION COMMITTEEIn the Education Committee's continued study of charter schools, we are reviewing a study produced by The Center for Education Reform. This study ranked the states on their charter schools and graded the schools. The District of Columbia was given a rank of 4 & a grade of A. According to the study, "only 20 states have laws that can be considered strong". These states foster the development of numerous and genuinely independent charter schools. The State of Delaware was highlighted. It has eleven charters operating with the rank of 2. Delaware's Charter School Board includes parents and teachers. An elected member of the local school board is not allowed to be a member of the charter school board. We are studying Delaware's charter school system in detail, to learn about their successes. The current school board charter for D.C. specifies that the Board must have an odd number of members, not to exceed 7, and must include at least two parents of enrolled students. The majority of Board members must be D.C. residents. To learn more about our findings and to participate in the study, come to the next Education Committee meeting on Wednesday, February 12, at 10 a.m. in the LWVDC office. —Gladys Weaver (554-3055) & Constance Tate (882-0387), Co-chairs. LWV NCA NEWSHighlights of the League of Women Voters of the National Capital Area Board meeting on Friday, January 10, 2003 at 10 a.m. in the LWVUS Board Room follow:
HEALTHCARE COMMITTEEA strong component in providing healthcare services in the District is the DC Office on Aging. It is the state and area Agency on Aging designated by the Mayor to plan, develop, and implement programs and services for residents 60 years and older. It is serviced by a network of providers consisting of 30 community-based non-profit organizations that operate 42 programs for senior citizens. These programs and services include: Adult Day Care, InHome Support, Legal Service, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Alzheimer's Services, Minor Home Repair, Respite Services, Meal Program, Transportation, Emergency Shelter, Multipurpose Senior Centers, Health Insurance Counseling, and Homebound Meal Program. Six Service Areas or lead agencies provide a wide range of social and health services throughout the city. They include: Barney Neighborhood House, Iona Senior Services, United Planning Organization, Greater Washington Urban League, Senior Counseling & Delivery Service, and UPO Project KEEN. Although most programs are provided through the Senior Service Network, the Office on Aging operates a job training and employment program and an information and assistance unit for District residents. Through the Information and Assistance Program, weekdays during the hours of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, seniors, family members, care givers, and the general public can call one central location and find out how to access services that are available to seniors throughout the District of Columbia. The D.C. Office on Aging is under the direction of E. Veronica Pace. It is located at 441 4th St., NW, Ste 900 South, D.C. 20001. The telephone number is 202-724-5626 and the web site is www.dcoa.dc.gov. The next meeting of the Healthcare Committee is Tuesday, February 25 at 1:00 pm. — Natalie Howard (882-8762), Chair HIGHLIGHTS OF JANUARY 8 MEETING of LWVDC Board and Ed Fund Trustees[Chairman Hallman began the meeting of the LWVDC Education Fund Trustees at 10 am]
Kathy Schmidt called attention to a letter to The Washington Post from Joe Grano of the Rhodes Tavern-DC Heritage group, in which he suggested that LWVDC serve as recipient of funds contributed to the cause of Voting Rights for DC. A motion that we write a letter notifying Grano that LWVDC is not able or willing to assume such a role was approved.
LOCAL PAC LAUNCHES DRIVE TO MAKE DC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY "FIRST IN THE NATION" IN 2004DC Democracy Fund, a political action committee (PAC) that financially supports Federal candidates who back the District of Columbia's right to full representation in Congress, announced (in a January 17th press release) its drive to have the District of Columbia's Republican and Democratic presidential primaries held one week prior to those held in New Hampshire which is tentatively scheduled for January 27, 2004."The 2004 presidential primary will demonstrate to America the injustice faced by the nearly 600,000 residents of the nation's capital," said DC Democracy Fund Executive Director Sean Tenner. "Presidential candidates will have to address DC's lack of voting rights and autonomy if they want ourvotes and our delegates as the nominating process kicks-off." The call to make the DC primary, "first in the nation" was raised at a historic January 13th meeting of all the District's voting rights groups. Your DC League hosted this meeting. The press release indicated that preliminary commitments have been made by two prominent DC Councilmembers to introduce Council legislation fostering the primary date change. We will keep its members informed as this issue goes to the DC Council. LOCAL & REGIONAL PROGRAM PLANNING SLATED FEB. 8, 2003League members routinely and proudly assert that the League is a "grass roots" organization; we regard that as one of our basic strengths. And the grass roots process begins in our program planning meetings. Planning for local and regional issues will take place this year on Saturday, February 8, 2003 at the Logan School. When & Where What new issues do you want the League to study? Which of our current positions are still valid? Which need updating? Which should be dropped because they no longer reflect our membership's views or perhaps they no longer are relevant? Tell us what YOU think. In this issue of the DC Voter is a copy of "Positions in Brief," a summary of the local LWVDC positions stated in our publication "Where We Stand." Also included is a copy of the National Capital Area (NCA) positions. Please bring these to the meeting. We will first review our current DC and NCA positions, then focus on new issues raised by our membership. If you cannot attend, make your views known to Naomi Glass by written note or email. The exchange of ideas during discussion is always enlightening, so come if you can. Remember that League action is based on its positions, which result from study and consensus. It is useful to keep some definitions in mind as we review our current positions:
As we consider new program items, we should keep in mind the criteria listed below (You may have additional criteria; share them with us):
An important byproduct of the planning meeting is clarification of the areas on which our members want to see the League place emphasis for action. This is your opportunity to tell the rest of us what YOU think and want accomplished. Join us. — Naomi Glass (686-0124), 2nd Vice President (Local Programs) naomisol@aol.com, 5533 33rd St., NW Washington, DC 20015-16681 CALENDAR: FEBRUARY 2003
POSITIONS IN BRIEFThe following is a summary of current LWVDC and LWVNCA (LWV of the National Capital Area) positions. The full statements of position are contained' in the LWVDC publication, Where We Stand, which was last issued in larch 1996. Any proposed LWVDC action must be based upon the full statement of position.GOVERNMENTLocal Self-Government and Full Voting Representation: The League of Women Voters believes that citizens of the District of Columbia should be afforded the same rights of self-government and full voting representation in Congress as are all other citizens of the United States. (Full statement of LWVUS position, adopted March 1982; this is to replace existing LWVDC position)General Policy Statement: District government officials and employees, .as public servants, should demonstrate a commitment to serve the people of Washington, to consider their wishes and to meet their needs. District government programs should implement the economic, social and physical plans for the District. (1971) Advisory Neighborhood Commissions: Legislation should provide for flexibility in the organization and operation of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions; boundaries should be drawn to protect the neighborhood concept while, if possible, making ANCs consistent with either political divisions. ANCs should communicate effectively with their constituencies; sufficient funding should be established; ANCs should be accountable for maintenance of proper records and use of funds. (readopted April 1989) Comprehensive Planning:
Council Oversight: LWVDC encourages active oversight by the legislature of the executive branch to assure that the government programs it has approved and funded are carried out efficiently, effectively, honestly, and for the purposes intended. Such oversight is a year-round responsibility requiring a well-informed legislature with access to independent and objective sources of information. (August 1989)
Election Laws: (see also LWVUS positions on the Election Process)
Finances:
Gun Control: (see also LWVUS position adopted June 1990). LWVDC supports strict and effective enforcement of gun control laws and regulations governing the possession of firearms in the District. Basic penalties for illegal possession or use of a gun in the commission of a crime should be increased, although LWVDC does not support mandatory sentencing. Regional and national regulation is necessary to supplement D.C. legislation. (1975) HUMAN RESOURCESAging: The D.C. Government should support development of services to enable the elderly to remain in their homes as long as possible and to avoid premature/inappropriate institutionalization. (July 1979) Housing Options for Older Persons: LWVDC supports housing options for older persons including congregate housing, group homes, shared housing and accessory apartments in owner occupied house. (November 1985) Antidiscrimination: LWVDC actively supports policies to eliminate segregation and discrimination based on race, sex and age in the District. (Adopted 1964, 1968, 1970; age added November 1990) Children at Risk: The D.C. League will take action under LWVUS positions that support children at risk, and where the LWVDC believes that specific problems in the District of Columbia should be addressed. Services to children and families should be integrated to provide all family preservation and support services under one organizational unit. Consumer Protection: The office of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs should have stronger referral and enforcement powers and should more actively enforce existing consumer protection laws. (March 1972) Criminal Justice: (see also gun control, NCA drug positions) Education: Drug Abuse: LWVDC supports drug testing when part of the hiring process for jobs affecting public safety and national security. Measures for solving the drug problem should include interdiction, enforcement, education/prevention and treatment, with special emphasis on education and treatment for all drug users. Treatment should be part of the sentence of any drug user convicted of a crime. Financial responsibility should be shared; each jurisdiction should set up its own treatment program. (NCA August 1989) Health: Planning: LWVDC supports effective health planning on the local and metropolitan level. (April 1983) LWVNCA supports governmental regulation of health planning, regional coordination among Health Systems Agencies and regional implementation of public health education and information services. (NCA 197677) The local health planning agency should care for D. C. citizens, while preventive health measures should be a high priority. Coordination with DHS to ensure implementation is essential. (April 1983) Services: Concept of twenty-four hour clinics should be developed and use of paraprofessionals expanded; there should be better care for the elderly with emphasis on non-institutional services. (NCA 1977, 1989) Employment: The D.C. government should take measures to train, re-train, and rehabilitate those who are unemployed or marginally employed so that their earnings will provide a living wage. (1971) Housing: (see also aging) LWVDC supports a strong commitment by D.C., to provide and finance, affordable housing. 'Economically, culturally and racially diverse residential communities should be encouraged in all areas of the city, and specific requirements or goals for affordable housing should be included in the Comprehensive Plan. Tax policies should further the District's housing goals and homeownership should be encouraged. Well managed and maintained public housing should be provided. In expanding assisted housing, the District should first pursue subsidized rental assistance in housing developed by nonprofit or private organizations. (May 1978, September 1989)
Recreation: LWVDC supports adequately funded and staffed quality recreation facilities for the District. (1976-68) NATURAL RESOURCESEnergy Conservation: The D C. government should develop and implement a comprehensive program for conservation of energy by the government and its citizens, businesses, and institutions. The program should include standards for energy efficiency and a system of charging that encourages conservation. (April 1975) Environmental Quality:
Transportation: Recognizing the need for some form of transportation for all, LWVNCA/DC supports a coordinated system that includes bus and rapid rail transit, and encourages the use of mass transit to reduce air pollution. Priorities include services that are frequent, regular, speedy and economical to the user and for the benefit of the larger community. It calls for full cost-benefit information, and supports public investment to encourage greater use of mass transit. It supports a dedicated tax to spread the costs among the total population and encourage mass transit as an alternative to the automobile. LWV supports public participation in transportation decision-making. (NCA 1963-1989) Transportation Decision-making in D.C.: There should be a single focal point for the development and advocacy of a D.C. transportation position; this would include D.C. citizens as well as representatives of governmental authorities concerned. (March 1981) PART 3, POSITIONSAirports1. Balanced use among the three major metropolitan Washington airports may be achieved through a variety of incentives to the use of Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) and Dulles Airports as well as disincentives to the use of the Ronald Reagan National Airport:
2. The means to limit the noise problem at National Airport include:
3. To avoid occurrence of noise problems, limit and control development around BWI and Dulles Aor[prts. and maintain present buffer zones, we support:
Beltway Safety1. In order to control speeding and unsafe driving on the Capital Beltway and its feeder roads, we support:2. We support measures to increase truck safety on the Capital Beltway and its connector roads that include:
3. Weight and length limitations for commercial vehicles using the Capital Beltway and its feeder roads should not be increased. 4. Efforts between federal, state and local governments to improve coordination of inspection and enforcement activities on the Beltway should be a continuing process (1991). Comprehensive Health Planning1. LWVNCA supports: 2. In order to increase the availability of medical services, LWV supports the concept of 24-hour clinics and the use of para-professionals (1977, 1989). 3. There should be improved care for the elderly and an emphasis on community support as an alternative to long-term institutional nursing care (197?, 1989). Controlled Substances1. We support legislation to permit the use of marijuana and heroin for medicinal purposes (1989).2. We believe that testing for illegal drug use is a justifiable invasion of privacy when required as part of the hiring process for jobs affecting public safety and national security (1989). 3. Employees who test positive should be:
4. Measures for solving the drug problem should include interdiction, enforcement, education/prevention, and treatment. Education and treatment should receive special emphasis and should be stressed over criminal justice sanctions (1989, 1991). 5. Drug treatment programs that should be given public funding priority include detoxification and self-help programs, outpatient care, and the use of therapeutic communities, with aftercare as part of all programs (1991). 6. Treatment programs for drug users under 18 and for pregnant women should receive priority for public funding (1991). 7. Drug treatment should be incorporated into the sentence for any juvenile or adult convicted of a crime who tested positive at the time of arrest (1989). 8. Pregnant drug users should not be subjected to criminal prosecution just because they are pregnant. Pregnant drug users who are before the court for crimes other than the use of drugs should be placed in mandatory treatment through a justice system diversion program. We support the use of outreach nurses and counselors for pregnant drug users without the threat of legal penalties (1991). 9. Financial responsibility for drug treatment should fall; to some extent, on all of the following: insurance, patients, patients' families, governments (federal, state, and local), employers, and labor unions (1989). 10. Each jurisdiction in the metropolitan Washington area should set up its own treatment programs for drug users (1989). 11. The area jurisdictions should establish a public/private partnership through the Council of Governments (COG) to develop a long-range plan to meet treatment needs and to identify financial and in-kind resources. This partnership should include the private sector and citizen groups (1989). D.C. FinancesBudget Autonomy. The District of Columbia should have autonomy in budgeting locally raised revenue. The League of Women Voters of the National Capital Area (NCA) supports legislation eliminating the annual Congressional D.C. appropriations budget-approval process.Federal Payment. To address the District of Columbia's need for a stronger revenue base, the League of Women Voters of the National Capital Area (NCA) supports Congressional legislation setting forth the factors for determining an annual, predictable federal payment. The most important factors to be considered are: Other factors might include the cost of state services provided by the District and the percentages of revenue that other U.S. cities receive from external sources. Land Use/Housing1. Regional land use planning for the Washington Metropolitan area should include a coordinated and comprehensive approach to meet housing needs. The goal of the housing component of a regional land use plan should be to:a) provide adequate housing for all income levels b) promote a balanced distribution. of housing and employment for all income levels c) improve the quality of housing and neighborhood environments (1975, reaffirmed 1989)Regional Governance1. We accept the Council of Governments (COG) as the basic instrument for cooperative regional planning and the solution of governmental problems that cannot be solved by local governments or other planning boards and agencies (1966, 1982).2. We support granting COG sufficient authority so that it can resolve governmental problems that cannot be solved by local governments (1973, 1982, 1987, 1989). 3. Any Washington Metropolitan governance should have some funding powers. Specifically, we support assessments of member jurisdictions, user fees, and state and federal grants. 4. We support citizen participation at the regional level for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and other inter-jurisdictional agencies (1973, 1983). Transportation1. In support of the concept that there be some form of public transportation available for all, we endorse public policy in services and planning that:2. Priorities in transportation services and planning should include: 3. We support public participation and supervision in determining information needed and in evaluating transportation proposals, transportation planning, and operations. Public involvement and decision-making should include:
4. We support financial measures that include: a) informing the public of the total costs of auto use and full public disclosure of the costs of transportation service, of who pays for service and who receives it, and of full cost/benefit informationNote: The above position applies only to the Washington metropolitan area and may be acted upon within the context of interstate regional cooperation, despite its partial conflict with the LWVMD, LWVVA, and LWVDC positions. 5. We support the integration of transportation and land use planning on local and regional levels (1997). Water Resources1. In order to ensure a safe and adequate water supply for metropolitan Washington and to restore the quality of our streams and rivers, we support::2. We support regional planning to improve waste water treatment management. Final selection for new or expanded waste water treatment facilities should be based on meeting national clean water objectives, protecting public health, and minimizing environmental, energy, and cost impacts (1979, 1989). |