2007 Legislative Priorities

At the November 2006 Board Meeting, LWVMD set its priorities for the 2007 Legislative Session. Using suggestions provided by LLs and input from the Board, we decided to work strenuously on priorities that are unique to our League: Election Reform We support legislation which: -Assures that elections are accessible, secure, accurate and recountable for all eligible voters. -Provides accessible early voting supervised by elections officials. -Guarantees that provisional ballots cast by eligible voters will be counted regardless of precinct where they are cast. -Makes unlawful the deliberate suppression, deception and intimidation of eligible voters. -Creates a redistricting process that promotes fair and effective representation in the United States House of Representatives and the Maryland General Assembly with maximum opportunity for public scrutiny. -Creates an independent redistricting commission. -Creates a voluntary system of public funding of campaigns for viable candidates for the Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates. Health Care We support legislation that will make a basic level of quality health care accessible to all residents that is available at an affordable cost. We oppose cuts to health care funding currently provided for vulnerable Maryland residents. We support funding of Mental health services at a level adequate to meet the needs. We support Reproductive Choice. Death Penalty We support the repeal of the Death Penalty in Maryland and legislation that would make the death penalty more fair, for so long as it exists in Maryland. Education We support full funding and implementation of the Bridge to Excellence in Public Education Act, including the geographic index. We oppose the use of public money for private K through 12 schools. We support State funding for school construction. Work Force and Affordable Housing We support measures to increase affordable and workforce housing. State Revenue We support a revenue structure for Maryland which is equitable, reliable, adequate, and progressive over all. We strongly oppose expanding gambling and relying on “slots” to meet our revenue needs. Land Use We support managed Land Use and Growth Management through the principals of smart growth, which promote public transportation, protect the natural environment and provide for better water and air quality. LWVMD will also support – Civil Liberties Basic Good Government, Ethics Open Meetings