Coffee with the League East

Tuesday, 4/1

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Starbucks

10715 FL64

(Near Lakewood Ranch Blvd and FL64 intersection)

The coffee is casual. We learn more about each other. We could be discussing politics, arts, travel and any number of other topics.

Solar Energy on Florida's Gulf Coast

Thursday , 4/17, from 5 pm - 6 pm

Zoom

Julia Herbst, SUN Gulf Coast Program Associate, will provide information about Switch Together, a group purchasing program for Solar PV technology, battery storage and home EV charging. The Switch Together program provides a simple, stress-free solution to start using renewable energy for your home.



Click Here to Register

Mis-Conceptions:

The Moment of Conception

in Religion, Science and Law

Thursday, 4/24, from 5 pm - 6 pm

Zoom

Elizabeth Spahn, Professor of Law Emerita at New England Law in Boston, will give us a historical view on defining the “moment of conception” and the importance of understanding this term when discussing legislation.

Click here to register

Tuesday, April 1, 5:00 pm - Social Issues Action Team Meeting

Click here to join the Social Issues Meeting

For more information, email Social Issues Co-Chairs Tina Juillerat and Nina Tortelli

Wednesday, April 9, 1:00 pm - Membership Committee Meeting

Annual meeting and new member outreach planning. Join us! Click here to join the Membership Meeting For more information email Lyle Landon.

Wednesday, April 9, 4:00 pm - LWVMC Board Meeting

All are welcome! Click here to join the Board Meeting

Tuesday, April 15 4:00 pm - Education Issues Action Team Meeting

See above description of program "Florida Freedom to Read Project".

Click here to join the Education Meeting. For more information, email Education Chair Merrie Lynn Parker

Thursday, April 17, 5:00 pm - Natural Resources Action Team Meeting

See above description of program "Solar Energy on Florida's Gulf Coast". Click here to register for the Natural Resources Meeting

For more information, email Natural Resources Chair Randy Miller

Wednesday, April 23, 5:00 pm - Voter Services Action Team Meeting

Click here to register for the Voter Services Meeting

For more information, email Voter Services Chair Terri Kondos

Thursday, April 24, 5:00 pm - Reproductive Rights Action Team

See above description of program "Mis-Conceptions: The Moment of Conception

in Religion, Science and Law". Click here to register for the Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting For more information, email Nancy Hughes

Combined Government and National Popular Vote Action Team will not meet in April. Next meeting is May 12.

For more information, email Government Action Team Chair Holly Kennedy, for National Popular Vote, email Deb Mazzaferro

The State of Exceptional Education

by Pat Simmons

In 1973, the Education for all Handicapped Children’s Act passed into law and remained law until 1990, when it became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA ensures all eligible children receive Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). All students in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) must have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that outlines goals, objectives and criteria for meeting them. My college professor drilled this into our heads, “objectives must be: observable, measurable and if 10 people saw them, all agree as to what had occurred!”

ESE students must be taught alongside peers if at all possible, leaving the door open for mainstreaming students into regular classrooms. The IDEA includes children from birth to 21 years of age along with early intervention beginning at the age of 3.

I am a former ESE teacher with many years of experience teaching a range of ages from preschool students as young as 3 up through 6th graders. I saw the benefit firsthand of the US Department of Education tying the IDEA funding to the individual ESE student. Each student was able to use their funding for the specific services they needed for their specific situation. This approach is far more effective for improving the academic performance of ESE students than block grants to states.



The IDEA has been instrumental in promoting equity in education, and preserving its effectiveness is essential for the well-being and success of students with disabilities nationwide. DOGE’s threat to close the US Department of Education will most likely dissolve all IDEA federal dollars and send block grants down to the states with no federal accountability. The closure of the Education Department could threaten funding, compliance and the overall quality of services provided to students with disabilities, potentially leaving vulnerable populations at risk. 

How the Education Department Assures Uniform and Effective Implementation of the IDEA

• Allocates federal funds to states to support IDEA programs. These funds help provide essential services such as individualized education plans (IEPs), access to assistive technology, specialized teaching staff and more.
• Ensures compliance with IDEA regulations. The Education Department monitors state and local education agencies to ensure they are meeting their obligations under the law.
• Facilitates research, training and policy development to enhance the effectiveness of special education programs.

Advocacy Tools

Make a difference, be an influencer and let your elected officials hear from you. Below is information to make it easier advocate for those issues you care deeply about with your legislators.

WHO DO I CONTACT?

• Click here to find your local and congressional office holders
• Put in your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth and click that you understand and click you are not a robot
• Scroll down and click on “View Office Holders”
• Click here to find your Florida legislators by your address
• Click Here For the LWVMC Citizen’s Spreadsheet of Elected Officials (includes names, addresses, telephone numbers and emails)
• Commissioner contact information is in the county tab, highlighted in yellow
• School Board contact information is in the county tab, highlighted in blue 
• Click Here for LobbyTools
• A listing of every Florida legislator with links to more detailed information such as sponsored bills

STATE LEGISLATORS IN MANATEE COUNTY

Representatives in Manatee County

Will Robinson (R), Representative • District 71

Phone: 850-717-5071, 941-744-2097 Email: will.robinson@flhouse.gov

William "Bill" Conerly (R), Representative • District 72

Phone: 850-717-5072 Email: bill.conerly@flhouse.gov

Michael Owen (R), Representative • District 70 (west coast area, north of Bradenton)

Phone: 850-717-5070 Email: michael.owen@flhouse.gov

Senators in Manatee County

Jim Boyd (R), Senator • District 20 (Most of Manatee County)

Phone: 850-487-5020, 941-742-6445 Email: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov

Joe Gruters (R), Senator • District 22 (Part of south Manatee County)

Phone: 850-487-5022, 941-374-6309 Email: gruters.joe.web@flsenate.gov

EDUCATION, ADVICE AND TOOLS

Videos

1. Deb Daniels How the Florida Legislature Works
2. 5 Calls App Video An app for contacting, if you live in Manatee County, Congressman Buchanan and Senators Scott and Bondi.

Click here to see the 5 Calls App on the web. Most use the 5 Calls smart phone app.

Florida Gulf Coast Trail -

Coming to Manatee County!

Don't let the name fool you. EVERYONE is welcome.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.