Recent & Current Issues Studied by the League of Women Voters

Before taking a position on an issue the League conducts studies first. Local Leagues are encouraged to participate in these studies.

Local Government Consolidtion & Shared Services.  National Popular Vote Compact Study.

LWVNY STUDY ON GOVERNMENT CONSOLIDATION/SHARED SERVICES

At the 2009 Biennial Convention of the League of Women Voters of New York State delegates approved a new study on Government Consolidation and Shared Services. Over the course of this year leagues across the state will participate in the study. The issue of increasing local government efficiency through consolidation is complex. Consolidation is not limited to a simple merger of two local governmental units or the merger of school districts but also contemplates the consolidation of special districts such as fire, water, sewer etc., the consolidation of local public authorities, the consolidation of a muncipal service without the loss of the underlying governmental units, for example civil service hiring, assessing, purchasing etc. all with the intent of reducing costs.

The State League (LWVNY) study committee has prepared a Study Guide and Consensus Questions that can be found at http://www.lwvny.org.

The Syracuse Metro LWV Study is well underway. A schedule of meetings have been set up and can be found on this website calendar.

If you are interested in participating in the study please contact us at 315-448-7199 or by email at league@lwvsyr.org.

RESULTS OF THE NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE COMPACT STUDY

On May 1, 2009, the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of the United States released the following statement regarding their findings on the National Popular Vote Compact Study. The results showed that no consensus had been reached.

" The LWVUS affirms its support of the direct election of the president and abolition of the Electoral College, but the LWVUS has no position on the National Popular Vote Compact as studied in 2008-2009."

Over 51% of Local Leagues participated in the study and consensus process, but the NPV Compact did not win the support of the two thirds required to achieve consensus. More details and the committee's report are available on the LWVUS website.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: June 14, 2010 08:53 PDT.

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