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Date: 8/30/2019
Subject: LWVSC September Newsletter
From: League of Women Voters of the Space Coast

President's Corner

Thank you to all who participated in our recent events.

Voters Rights Candle-Lit Vigil on August 6th
Eastern Florida SC-Cocoa Campus "Welcome Back" Tabling at Cocoa Campus of Eastern Florida State College
The Florida Legislative 101 event at The Solar Center.

In League,

Jacquie Chandler

LWVSC President

This Month's Hot Topic

Click here for Reservations

You can reserve also by phone - Doreen Archer at 321-610-1578 or e-mailing at doreenarcher1@gmail.com with menu choice of Herb Roasted Chicken Picatta, Salmon with Dill Sauce, or Portabella Mushroom Ravioli with Herbed Cream Sauce.

Volunteer Opportunities

Call for Help!

Lots of Volunteers are needed.

Members should login into the League website to see a complete listing of volunteer opportunities. Click here.

As we approach the end of the year we have several big projects in need of committee members. We need event planners for our 40th Anniversary Celebration.

The Local Government Committee needs volunteers to organize a Hot Topic luncheon on "Home Rule".

The Local Government Committee needs volunteers to organize an educational Town Hall on "The Sunshine Laws".

The next Local Government Committee meeting is September 9 at the Suntree /Viera Library 2 p.m. to 3:30 pm. in the small conference room.

Committee Spotlights

Justice Committee

Molly Domin - Chair

Once again, our will as voters is being threatened as Attorney General Ashley Moody trying to keep the proposed constitutional amendment banning assault weapons, put forward by the bipartisan organization BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS NOW!, or BAWN, off the 2020 ballot. As Moody tries to stall us, mass shootings are growing in regularity as we’ve seen recently in El Paso, Dayton, and Gilroy. This is why we can waste no time in gathering as many petitions as we can to protect Floridians. BAWN has issued revised petitions which are downloadable from their website,

Click here. Please use these new ones only going forward.

I urge members to check the our website's "volunteering opportunities" page to register to volunteer at upcoming events. With petitions to gather, new and returning citizens to register to vote, our involvement is as important as ever.

Education Committee

Fran Baer- Chair

When the League of Women Voters of the Space Coast decided to change the name of our “Timely Topics” monthly events to “Hot Topics” the Education Committee concluded teachers’ salaries was as hot as it gets! Last school year and into the summer the newspapers and all media were aflame with the subject of how poorly Brevard’s teachers are paid and how richly our students excel. Teachers and their supporters filled School Board meetings with overflow crowds and, at impasse, a mutually accepted third party ruled in favor of the teachers. Still the discrepancies exist as the Teachers Union and the Board return to the table to negotiate salaries and working conditions for this 2019-2020 School Year.

Saturday, September 21, 2019 the League will host a Hot Topic Luncheon (please see the included announcement for registration and details) dedicated exclusively to the subject of Teachers’ Salaries and how they impact our community. A diverse and knowledgeable panel will discuss the ramifications and opportunity for questions will be afforded.

This is an opportunity for our community to show their support for teachers which we all do. As importantly, attending will show support for this county we all call “home”. The Special Master, in his final report following the impasse hearing concluded, “…there are sufficient funds available (and) funding will have a positive impact on the interest and welfare of the children and the public served by the School District of Brevard County.”

We can do it, we must do it. See you on the 21st.

2020 Census

The Census is a once-a-decade population and housing count of all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the Island areas. The U.S. Census is required under the U.S. Constitution to occur every 10 years and is the process of counting every resident in the country. The U.S. Census data is used to make decisions around education, healthcare, infrastructure, and political representation. With increased growth in the country, getting an accurate and complete count of every person living within the country is crucial to ensure that each state receives funding to support the number of residents in each state.
For the first time ever, in 2020, the Census will be primarily digitally based. Census results are used to determine the apportionment of Congressional Districts and of state legislative districts. The federal government uses census data to distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds annually.
Responses to the 2020 Census are protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code.
Introduction
Federal law, under Title 13 of the United States Code (U.S.C.), requires the U.S. Census Bureau to maintain the confidentiality of the information it collects. The Census Bureau takes this responsibility very seriously. Respondents place their trust in the Census Bureau each time they complete a survey or an interview. This trust in confidentiality is critical to the success of the Census Bureau’s mission to collect and report the most accurate data possible. To uphold the law, the Census Bureau requires that any individuals with access to Title 13 materials adhere to the prescribed confidentiality and security guidelines.

Answers can only be used to produce statics. ANSWERS CANNOT BE USED AGAINST ANYONE IN ANY WAY. The Bureau cannot release information about individuals, households, or businesses even to law enforcement officials. Census Bureau Staff take a lifetime oath to protect the personal information of respondents.
Census Day is April 1, 2020. A first invitation to respond will be sent to households as soon as March 15, 2020. The Census Bureau will send multiple reminders to homes to complete the form.
The U.S. League of Women Voters is a valued partner of the U.S. Census Bureau and a trusted resource for the public. The League will work to share the importance of participating in the Census with people from all backgrounds and stations.

Submitted by Audrey Grayson

Ballot Petitions

LWV of the Space Coast is participating in several ballot petition campaigns with the goal of getting important issues on the 2020 ballot. Please review the ballot petition information outlined below:
1.   Medicaid Expansion Petition: Unfortunately, collection of signatures for the Medicaid Expansion petition was cancelled at the end of July. If you still have any signed petitions, please contact Jo Shim at shimjo2001@yahoo.com
2.   Open Primaries – There are two petitions for this issue, one is for state elections and the other is for federal elections. Please contact Jo Shim at shimjo2001@yahoo.com if you would like to help with collecting signatures for these petitions.
3.   Ban Assault Weapons Now (BAWN) – Please contact Molly Domin at mollyphotog@gmail.com if you would like to assist with the BAWN petition campaign.

Please check the League of Women Voters of the Space Coast website.

Click here

for voter registration and ballot petition volunteer opportunities.

News from International Relations Group

The International Relations Group will resume its presentations in October. We will be discussing the last three topics of 2019 Great Decisions.

We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Satellite Beach Library from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

We hope that you will join us. This is open to the public.