Funding for Homelessness Initiatives

Tuesday, June 3, 5:00 pm

Zoom

Please join the Social Issues Action Team for a special presentation by Taylor Neighbors, CEO of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness. In February, we discussed the impact of new laws on the homeless in our community, this session will focus on funding for homelessness initiatives and how recent HUD cuts may impact our community. 

To join the Social Issues Action Team Meeting,

Click Here

LWVFL Convention Recap

Friday, June 16, 5:00 pm

Zoom

Join LWV Manatee Leadership as they relate what they learned at the June 6-7, 2025, 40th Biennial League of Women Voters Florida State Convention. Learn what we can use from the workshops, what the state priorities are for the next two years, and what dramatic events and decisions were made. Click here for information and to register.

Tuesday, June 3, 5:00 pm - Social Issues Action Team Meeting

Special Topic: Funding for Homeless Initiatives. See above event.

Click here to join the Social Issues Meeting

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

Monday, June 9, 4:30 pm - Combined Government and National Popular Vote Action Team

Click here to join the Combined Government and National Popular Vote Action team Meeting

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

Wednesday, June 11, 4:00 pm - LWVMC Board Meeting

All are welcome! Click here to join the Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 17, 4:00 pm - Education Issues Action Team Meeting

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

Wednesday, June 25, 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

NOTES:

The Natural Resources Action Team will not meet in June, July or August

For more information, email Natural Resources Chair Randy Miller

Reproductive Rights Action Team will not meet in June

For more information, email Nancy Hughes

Get on Board with the LWV Campaign to

Defend Democracy

Citizens all over the country have been expressing the fear that we were headed for a constitutional crisis. The League defines Constitutional crisis as:

"When the executive, the legislative, or judiciary branches cannot or will not adequately protect the US Constitution, when there are explicit attempts to dismantle a functional democracy within any of the three branches, or when any level of federal government takes action to destroy democratic institutions in a manner that intentionally or purposefully jeopardizes the US Constitution." 

When these events occur, the constitution is deemed at the highest serious risk and warrants full-scale action to preserve and protect democratic institutions and civil society. Increasingly, the administration’s flagrant disregard for congressional authority and failure to comply with Supreme Court orders leaves no doubt. Indeed, we are currently in a constitutional crisis.

Responding to this exigent threat, the national League of Women Voters has launched Unite and Rise 8.5, a campaign to defend democracy. In their words "Unite & Rise 8.5“ aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration.” Where did that number come from? Based on research from the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, 3.5% of eligible voters in the United States (8.5 million people) engaging in a nonviolent campaign will bring about meaningful change. 

As a local chapter we are challenged to do our part in engaging and mobilizing voters to protect and preserve our democracy. Read in the article below about the LWV Manatee’s first action to implement this initiative. We are encouraging Florida residents to stand tall for the principles that make our nation strong and display a Statue of Liberty yard sign. You can also follow these recommendations offered by the League of Women Voters US:

• Tell your Senators to oppose the anti-voter SAVE Act;
• Tell Congress not to gut crucial programs like Medicaid;
• Raise your voice about illegal deportations: join mobilizations around immigrant rights and due process with organizations like the Florida Immigrant Coalition,  Immigration Justice Coalition of Sarasota and the LWVMC Social Issues Action Team.
• “Turn Up the Heat” on elected officials: Connect directly with your representatives on the issues that matter via Town Halls and other opportunities

“We must fight back,” says LWV.  Keep abreast of LWV Manatee’s actions. Check out Unite and Rise 8.5, register for LWV of Manatee County emails, and join with us to protect our rights and preserve the values of democracy!  

Are you frustrated watching our democracy slip away but don’t know quite what to do?

LWV of Manatee County is launching our local participation in the national League's Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign. You can take part, and it’s easy. Display our Uphold our Constitution and the Rule of Law yard sign beginning on June 14. Our signs are intended for display until our democracy is restored.

If your HOA doesn’t permit yard signs, how about putting it in your car window where all can see (although not while you are driving!) or your house window facing the street? How about using the sign for protests?

Go to tinyurl.com/LWVunite to see pick up locations and times from June 8-12. If those times do not work, or it is past that week, signs can be ordered on that same site and instructions for picking up the sign(s) will be emailed.

The signs are free but we would appreciate a donation to defray printing costs. Donations can be made by going to the LWVMC website or when ordering a sign on the web.   

Speak up. Go on record that you want all government officials to uphold our Constitution and rule of law. Spread the word that the signs are available and encourage friends and neighbors to display signs, as well. Each of us can do our part to get voters to Unite and Rise up.

LWVMC Eduction Issues Action Team Researches, Advocates and Takes Action

Just before Black History Month, at the January 24 Board Workshop, School Board Member Richard Tatem suggested that the School Board abolish the practice of issuing proclamations because of a concern for “potential politicization.” 

The LWVMC Education Issues Action Team took action by researching the historical practice of the School Board issuing proclamations to celebrate and acknowledge significant events and groups although there was no policy nor Board Bylaw regarding proclamations.  

As an act of advocacy, the Action Team sent its findings to the School Board Members and, along with a spokesperson for NAACP, made public comments at the February 11 School Board Meeting and the February 14 Board Workshop.  A Board Bylaws addition to abolish proclamations was redrafted following the board discussion, that included many of the League’s points, and permitted proclamations with conditions .  

The final proposed addition to Board Bylaw 0149.1 addressed Mr. Tatem’s concerns and was approved on April 29, 2025.  The Board Bylaw 0149.1 allows for proclamations that are submitted 28 days in advance and align with academic standards and instruction topics.

LWVMC again made a difference through its nonpartisan, political action grounded in research and advocacy and its dedication to involving citizens in local government by observing and reporting School Board Meetings.

Why LWVMC Supports Proclamations

2025 Florida Legislative Update

Mis-Conceptions:

The Moment of Conception in Religion, Science and Law

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.