For League Members - Grassroots Advocacy/Activism Report 2012 LWVNV has earned our political reputation based upon grassroots community activism. Our philosophy is study, "show up," listen, and give voice to our positions. LWVNV is respected for our nonpartisan advocacy and voter services work. As a volunteer organization, we work with like-minded organizations and elected officials. Over the first six months of 2012, League activism reflected the fact that this is an election year. The political climate locally, state-wide and nationally is polarized and at times discouraging, nevertheless the high stakes outcomes are worth our efforts to find consensus. Nevada is a swing state in national politics. 2012 provides an opportunity for Nevadans to make a positive proactive difference. Locally, politics have the same high stakes in forming the direction Nevada will take as to the role of government, public services provided, and our quality of life. The economy holds center stage in election 2012. How Nevada addresses business, both in the private and public sectors, will be the linchpin to our future. Hopefully those who win the 2012 elections will find balance between fiscal conservative agendas and progressive social policy. Moderates will struggle to find traction. League supports weighing all sides of an issue, finding consensus or not. League also supports balance between majority rule and minority rights. League believes in the democratic process, representative government and the rule of law. Grassroots participation is a fundamental principle of democracy. League supports policy grounded in civic virtue and fundamental rights. League is monitoring voter registration regulations, campaign finance, and transparent open government. At this point, legislation is being formulated and political agendas are taking shape. Whether League supports or opposes policy will depend on our LWVNV positions and how proposed policy impacts elections, education, our economy, our environment, social programs including health care, and effective governmental operations. Nevada state governance operates as defined in the Nevada Constitution through three branches of government; a biennial legislature, checked by a full-time executive branch and a two tiered judicial branch and voter political will. Nevada has a unitary system of government whereby local governments exist under state oversight- not through home rule. Home rule may again be a consideration in 2013. Nevada lawmakers are not in session annually, however legislative operations through interim committees meet in even years and legislative sessions convene in odd years. The fact that legislators meet and make fiscal decisions annually is somewhat of a constitutional irregularity. Annual sessions have been discussed for decades. There is little to support a full time legislature due to cost and the tradition of a citizen legislature, nevertheless annual sessions are a common sense reform. League has testified in favor of annual sessions. The 2011 session approved a study of annual sessions to consider cost, effectiveness, other state organizations, overall accountability and responsiveness to governance. League testified in support of reforming the process of calling special sessions with the legislative branch having more control over the agenda, rather than the Governor having all the control. Special sessions have been the norm during the last ten years. The addition of appellate courts is something League and the voters support. Actions passed in the 2011 session expanded the role the Governor has overseeing K-12 public education reform, including the fact that the State Superintendent is chosen by the Governor, and the role of the State Board of Education.The State Superintendent will now serve as a member of the Governor's Cabinet. Given that public education is a fundamental right and a considerable state expense, how education reform is shaped is critical to the future of Nevada. League supports public education accountability and is monitoring the reform process. All government operations are influenced by revenue and expenses. Nevada revenue has limited both government operations and government services. The uncharted economic recession is forcing a review of revenue sources, transparent government expenses and tax policy. League is monitoring all of this. The current political climate has been contentious regarding public sector jobs, benefits, contracts and collective bargaining. Legislation to address the process was on the table in 2011. League is monitoring the issue. League has long supported reform to the Nevada Tax structure based upon a League study which found the present tax structure unstable and insufficient regarding government services including education and social services. Neither of which are supported at adequate and equitable levels. The economy, unemployment and diversifying industry within our state must be addressed. League actively supports conservation of our environment and is on the record in support of protecting Gold Butte. Gold Butte, our corner of the Grand Canyon, is a source of natural beauty and an untapped economic source as a means to expand international tourism in Nevada. League supports policy which taps non fossil energy, preserves and provides equitable allocation of water and ensures clean air policies. Yucca Mountain and the Nuclear Power Community continue to be at odds. League does not support nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain. League is on the record ensuring that voters are informed and have the ability to vote.The League, in partnership with the Brennan Center for Justice, used the legal system to improve Nevada's compliance with the Voter's Registration Act of 1994. League, working with the Secretary of State's office and the Department of Motor Vehicles, pushed to modernize voter registration by requring the state to install programs so that electronic updates to voter registration are available. The issue has stalled, however we continue to advocate for compliance. Money in campaigns is a long standing issue with regards to transparency in government. Last session there were several bills supported by League to improve campaign finance reporting and to provide information on contributions so voters were able to research the candidates and their supporters in real time. Assemblyman Hickey has come out early with a proposal to address open and timely campaign disclosure and lobbying regulations in the 2013 session. Public Education reform is on the front burner as Nevada struggles to improve the system and manage the cost while moving forward to meet the needs of the 21st century and our global world. The right to have an equitable and adequate education is a civil right. Last session the Governor and legislature worked on education reform. During the interim there have been discussions and studies on the existing public education funding formula and ways to balance the system and enhance funding without negatively impacting other services. The Nevada Plan meets standards, however it does not address equity in the true sense of the word. Add to this the fact that education revenue is often redirected to fund other services and that education funding with respect to reform is not meeting the needs of the students in the classroom, settling the funding issue is critical. There are those who support school choice. Charter Schools, distance learning, home schooling options and alternative programs are part of education reform. Those who look for more choice and support vouchers are looking at a change to the Constitution. The League does not support vouchers. Higher Education funding reform is on the table. Nevada has north / south/ rural/ urban issues. League supports an educational system which provides life-long learning necessary to improve our quality of life and the economy. The housing crisis has been critical to the continuing recession in Nevada. Home owners are looking to their Congressional representatives and state legislators for help. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto won a legal battle to get assistance for Nevadans. League has been monitoring regulations which impact home mortgages and foreclosures. League supported the Domestic Partnership Legislation passed in 2011. Civil rights are still in dispute which led to a lawsuit to settle the issue. League is monitoring the process. Women's rights are fundamental to civil rights for all. League supports equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Clark County School District is looking to bridge their capital funds. Maintenance requirements have replaced projects funded by the 1998 bond to address growth. The district may have a ballot question requesting a tax increase to fund Capital Projects adding to property taxes. Capital project funding was part of the 2011 budget debate which included a Nevada Supreme Court decision. League is monitoring all tax initiatives. The next six months leading up to the 2013 legislative session will require active grassroots activism. Respectfully, Sam King, LWVNV Director Grassroots Advocate.