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Show LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL SESSION COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN At the special session of the legislature, the Commission of the Status of Women finally received funding to carry on their work on behalf of Utah women. One goal of the Commission is to help put women in decision-making positions. Throughout every year appointments are being made to boards and task forces which advise various departments of government. Many times the League is asked to recommend members who will represent the League and the citizen point of view. Currently, we have representatives from the Salt Lake and Utah County Leagues serving as follows: Air Conservation Committee (air quality regulation): Emily Hall and Jan Miller Governor's Clean Air Commission: Liz Fisher, Nancy Rushforth and Dee Rowland Safe Drinking Water Committee (water quality): Dee Rowland Salt Lake City School District Seismic Committee {earthquake safety in schools): Gigi Brandt and Genevieve Atwood Solid & Hazardous Waste Committee {regulation of waste treatment): Kate Park Utah State Water Laboratory Citizen's Advisory Committee: Gigi Brandt We believe this is only a short, incomplete list, focusing on natural resources. Help is also needed in such areas as energy conservation, economic development, alcoholism and drugs, handicapped, agriculture, nursing, etc. Do you know other League members representing the League on such state or local bodies? TAKE NOTE: MONEY-RAISING MADE EASY Your application for and your use of a LWV VISA card benefits the LWV at all levels; your local League and the state League are paid for each application and a small percentage of each charge on your LWV card is paid to the LWV-US. The LWV VISA costs you no more {and possibly less) than your present credit cards. So CANCEL your present cards and use the LWV VISA card instead! Your local League has application forms, or write or call the League office for a form. RE: FREEDOM OF CHOICE In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision in the Webster case, League members need remember the League position: "The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices." A large majority of Utahns support our position. A recent Dan Jones poll found that 64% of Utahns "strongly" (44%) or "somewhat" {20%) agree with the following statement: "Abortion is a private issue between a woman, her family, and her doctor. The government should not be involved." Of those polled who consider themselves "very active LDS", a majority, though a smaller majority, agreed with the statement. We who consider ourselves pro-choice and pro-life - and that may be most of us - are dismayed that this very personal, private, heart-breaking decision, must now, as a result of the Court's decision, be a matter for public debate. Please let us know so that they can be recognized and bring us up to date on is 9ues. If you would like to be nominated for such a post yourself, please be sure to let us know what area you are interested in. We will in turn try to keep you informed of vacancies coming up that might appeal to you. The extent to which the LWV-Utah should participate in that debate will be considered at the next State Board Meeting. Sandy Peck, Executive Director 272-8683 Pat Braun, Co-President |
