Presidents' Page

We are honored to accept the positions of Co-Presidents of the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles (LWVLA).

We are looking forward to an active year in the community. The decision from the Supreme Court ruling has made Voting Rights an urgent issue. The League has its work cut out for it. We'll take our lead from the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) to ensure that Congress drafts another formula based on current conditions that sets out which states must clear new voting laws with the Department of Justice. The League will also continue its fight against new voting laws that restrict access to voting or are discriminatory against particular groups of voters.

During Program Planning LWVLA adopted Gun Safety as an area for education and advocacy. LWVLA will support LWVUS and the League of Women Voters of California in advocating for gun safety legislation at the national and state levels, and look for opportunities for local action as well. A Gun Safety Committee is already active, and is partnering with Women Against Gun Violence. The League is already advocating for the LIFE Act, a package of bills that would give California some of the most comprehensive gun laws in the nation. The Committee will notify members and supporters of opportunities to contact elected officials to support this legislation. If you would like to become active with the Committee, email gunsafety@lwvlosangeles.org .

Other areas for education and advocacy this year are Climate Change (green@lwvlosangeles.org), City Retirement Benefits (retirementaction@lwvlosangeles.org) , K-12 Education (education@lwvlosangeles.org) and Instant Runoff Voting (irv@lwvlosangeles.org).

In September our local units will begin meeting again. The fall schedule includes presentations on city retirement benefits, the Affordable Health Care Act, and the Los Angeles Unified School District. We look forward to you joining us.

Both the League Board and the Education Fund Board will have retreats this summer to set the direction and goals of the respective organizations for the upcoming year. The Education Fund Board is fortunate to have received a grant from the Annenberg Foundation that will facilitate planning for Voter Service and Board Development. It's great to have time to plan and share and get to know the new board members and they to know us, so that our year will be meaningful and productive.

Thank you for your good wishes. We have had many offers of support and help from our members. Several people have stepped up to assist the new Membership chair, Amelia MacRae, in the coming year and former chairs will work closely with the new chairs in Program (Maria Montero) and Voters Service (Rosalind Tyson).

Sandra Trutt Elizabeth Ralston Co-Presidents