Emailing, newsletters - League of Women Voters of Dallas

Date: 10/13/2023
Subject: Friday Update, October 13, 2023
From: League of Women Voters of Dallas

October 13, 2023

LWVD Unit Meetings - Next Week

October's Topic - School Vouchers

Our unit meetings are designed for smaller groups of members and non-members to get together to discuss a certain topic, and we often have a speaker. Please come and meet with men and women to talk about important issues of the day.

The Tuesday and Thursday Meetings are scheduled for 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Tuesday, October 17: Hudson House Restaurant, 4040 Abrams Rd., Dallas

Thursday, October 19: La Hacienda Ranch, 17390 Preston Rd., Dallas, 75252.

The Wednesday Meeting is scheduled for 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM - The speakers are Dr. Harryette Ehrhardt and Rena Honea.

Wednesday, October 18: at the home of Dr. Harryette Ehrhardt,

3525 Turtle Creek Blvd., Apartment 8A, Dallas, TX.

General Meeting - October 28

Make your plans now!

Plan to attend the General Meeting on Affordable Housing: Issues and Solutions at Mountain View College Members and non-members are invited. Registration is required and there is no charge for the event. The last day to register is October 23. Click here to register.

Program is from 11:00 to noon. Our speaker is Joli Robinson, CEO of Housing Forward and our Moderator is Libbie Lee, Co-President of LWVD.

Noon to 1:00 pm: Stay for lunch and learn more about what the League is doing and how to get involved. Meet League members that are leading various activities: Voter Services, Advocacy, Unit Meetings and the 2024 Annual Luncheon.

The event is at Dallas College Mountain View Campus, Room B149, 4849 W. Illinois Av., Dallas 75211, Parking Lot P2

There is no charge for the event, but registration is required. Last date to register is October 23. Donations will be gladly accepted.

Critical Dates for the November 7 Election

Too late to register to vote in November 7 election

October 23 - First day to vote early in person

October 27 - Last day to apply for vote by mail ballot

November 3 - Last day of early voting in person

November 7 - Election Day and vote by mail ballot receipt deadline

Go to LWV Dallas Website Home Page Click Here to view copies of the Voter Guides for local municipality elections in Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Lancaster, Mesquite and Rowlett and well as the Voters Guide for the constitution propositions in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and simple Chinese.

Printed copies of the Voters Guide in English and Spanish are in our local libraries now.

For information about the Texas Amendments on the ballot for November 7 election, go to the home page of League of Women Voters of Texas and scroll down to the videos that have the pro and con information about the propositions. Click Here

According to U.S. Census data from 2020, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote. Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, didn’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. Click here to check status, register to vote or need more information. It's your voice; don't give it away.

Information from the Texas League

The third special session of the 88th Legislature started on Monday. The legislature will be considering educational savings accounts which did not pass during the regular session, the creation of a new criminal offense aimed at undocumented migrants crossing the border, and prohibiting private employers from requiring COVID vaccinations for their employees. LWV Texas will be following public education and immigration during this special session.

As long as the session lasts, we will work to send a Capitol Action Report on Thursday or Friday of each week.

Educational Savings Accounts

The Governor’s bill is SB 1 which would create a fund out of general revenue to provide parents of children eligible to attend public school in Texas with up to $8,000 per child for private school tuition or private tutoring. Unlike SB 8, the bill that failed to pass in the regular session, this bill allows parents of children who already attend private school to participate. Provisions in the bill favoring low income and disabled students seem to apply only if the number of applicants exceeds the funds available and then, only up to certain percentages in three different categories. Any funds not used by students in those categories remain available to any applicant. In other words, the bill, as structured, is likely to follow the familiar pattern of subsidizing tuition of students already attending private school.

As a sweetener, the Senate Finance Committee passed SB 2 which increases public school funding and provides raises for teachers. Whether this bill is within the scope of the Governor’s call for the special session remains to be seen. If SB 2 passes both houses, the Governor may be able to hold this bill hostage pending the outcome of SB 1.

Please respond to the Action Alert below or click here to take action now and tell your legislator to oppose vouchers.

Immigration

The Governor’s call for a special session was specific as to border security: the creation of an offense for improper entry, increased penalties to smuggling persons and stash houses, more funding border barriers, and public safety, environmental quality, and property ownership in areas like Colony Ridge. SB 4 increases penalties as directed. SB 11 creates a new offense of Improper Entry from a Foreign Nation. The first offense is a Class A misdemeanor, the second is state jail felony, and the punishment increases with the number of convictions.

The League of Women Voters of Texas has issued a statement regarding Operation Lone Star and the border barriers. We encourage Governor Abbott to immediately end Operation Lone Star and work to support US immigration policies, procedures, and laws. All citizens, residents, migrants, and asylum seekers must be treated equally in the eyes of the law and be treated with dignity and respect.

In League,

Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you to all of the voter service volunteers who have served our community by registering and educating voters! More volunteer opportunities are being added to our website almost daily. Click here to go to Volunteering to see the various needs and opportunities available.

To view our Event Calendar Click Here

Are you are a member and interested in the Observer Corps? Updated Observer Corps volunteer opportunities are on the website here lwvdallas.org/observer. Please note that you won’t be able to see these opportunities until you log in. If you haven't served as an Observer before, we have information on our website. Email Ashley Washington at advocacy@lwvdallas.org and she will try to attend with you to assist.

Thank you for serving the voters of Dallas County.

LWVD Office

6060 N Central Expwy, Suite 500

Dallas, TX 75206

Phone: (214) 688-4125

Email: info@lwvdallas.org

www.lwvdallas.org

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