OUR ISSUES
Information about important issues and our local, state and national Leagues’ positions.
Understanding the Issues
Amendment 4 – Voting Rights Restoration for Returning Citizens
The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition is our partner in voting rights to overcome returning citizens’ disenfranchisement from the democratic process. The Brennan Center for Justice, the American Civil Liberties Union, Stetson Law School, FRRC, and the Poor Peoples’ Campaign are all partners with the League of Women Voters of Florida in a broad coalition to restore voting rights. Visit the FRRC for assistance on repaying fines and fees associated with your incarceration.
The League of Women Voters of FL, LWVNPC, Stetson University College of Law, The Florida Bar Association, the Pinellas ExOffender Re-Entry Coalition, the Community Law Program, and several others collaborated on a day of attorney training to help qualified returning citizens register to vote. Here is a video of a returning citizen in FL explaining why his right to vote is so important to him.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Ecominic Equity, Social Justice
While this committee is currently inactive, our League continues to be active in advocating for actions in favor and support of social justice for our citizens.
The St. Petersburg Area League (LWVSPA) has studied the stadium/historic gas plant deal for the past 18 months. We have authored articles, read documents, met with community leaders, interviewed experts, conducted a survey of voters, testified at hearings, and posted important documents on our webpage.
The St. Petersburg City Council voted 5-3 to approve the current deal. The agreements must now be approved by the County Commissioners because the County must vote to commit $100 million in property taxes in addition to almost $600 million in “bed taxes” over the next 30 years.
Why should you as a League member oppose the current deal? We love the Rays and want them to stay. But the current deal violates our social justice and environmental standards. Let us be clear, voting no on the current deal does not reject the Rays, it sends the deal back to the City administration to do a better job for voters, and importantly, avoids an embarrassing and costly Federal violation of a potential Civil Rights Act lawsuit.
The only attorney on the City Council, Lisset Hanewicz, has written a concise op-ed on the many legal flaws in the agreement. You can read her article on the website, lwvspa.org/social-justice.
We are asking our members to read the updated position paper on the LWVSPA’s website (under social justice) and then write or call their County Commissioner.
In writing: Complete the BCC Agenda Comment Form by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting (July 29, 2024). Please check all the Commissioners’ names.
By voicemail: Leave a voicemail message before 5 p.m. the day before the meeting (July 29, 2024) by calling 727-464-4400. Recorded instructions are provided. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may provide public input on any agenda item through use of the State of Florida’s relay service at 7-1-1.
In person: Preregister at https://comment.pinellas.gov or come to the meeting (July 30, 2024 at 2:00 pm) and fill out a comment card before the meeting and you will be called to speak to the Board when it is your turn. Speakers will have three minutes or less to present, based upon the number of people signed up who wish to speak. The Chair may designate a set length of time for the public comment period for any particular item of discussion or the citizen comment period.
Also please read the Southern Poverty Law Center’s masterful description of the potential violation of Federal Civil Rights Law (lwvspa.org/social-justice). We have worked too hard to create a community of inclusivity and equity to have our reputation sullied now.
Last fall and again this winter and spring, our League asked the City to provide a spokesperson to answer questions about the deal in a free and public forum. The City refused. We believe that the City has an obligation to answer questions from voters. This is a concerning violation of good government.
We conducted a survey of 32,000 registered voters in St. Petersburg and had almost 800 responses. More recently, the Mason-Dixon company conducted a poll with the same results: Voters want to vote on the project; Voters want the Rays to share revenues with the City like they do now; Voters want public funds to be used for public needs including stormwater, water, parks, schools and safety and Voters want the Rays/Hines to pay market rate for the land when it is acquired not spread out over 30 years with no interest.
The pledge of 20% of the bed tax funds every year for the next 30 years is not responsible. Bed tax funds should be prioritized for beach replenishment and maintenance. Other popular destinations including Clearwater Aquarium, Dali Museum, Mahaffey Theater, and other popular attractions do not receive this level of funding, yet they are more popular destinations. The County’s data shows that while beaches are the most popular activity, only 3% of visitors attend games at Tropicana Field.
The Rays are not leaving St. Petersburg, there is no other City willing to invest the amount of money they want. This is a negotiation, pure and simple. By insisting that they get the 60 acres of prime real estate as part of the deal, they have run head onto social justice and environmental issues. But we will work those out. We need to send a message that voters want a better deal and elected officials who respect them.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Education Committee – Support for Public Education
The Education Committee is comprised of members who are interested in informing the community of key issues impacting education, expanding access to first-time voter registration, and advocating for equitable use of resources that will ensure educational excellence and opportunities for ALL children in the Pinellas County public school district. Committee members monitor school board meetings, hold virtual and in-person forums to inform the community of decisions that impact students and educational staff, and host voter registration events for young adults. Committee members planned and delivered two virtual events in 2021-2022. These virtual events were made available to the public and were titled, “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Voters,” and “Why Public School is the BEST Choice.” The Education Committee also co-sponsored a school board candidate forum prior to the 2022 school board election.
Please contact us if you would like to become a member of the Education Committee and wish to help with our many projects!
The LWVNPC and the LWVSPA work together to cover education for Pinellas County. Members of the Education Committee regularly attend these meetings and report back to the board after the meetings. All members of our League are urged to attend these school board meetings to ensure continuing oversight of this importing area of our remit.
Pinellas County School Board regular meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Exceptions usually occur in the months of March, July, August, November, and December when the meeting schedule is modified to accommodate holidays and school breaks.
Generally, the FIRST regular meeting of each month will begin at 10:30 am; and the SECOND regular meeting of the month will begin at 5 pm. View a schedule of the regular meetings and workshops via this link. All regular meetings are held in the conference hall of the Administration Building at 301 4th Street SW in Largo, FL.
The public is encouraged to attend; and should they wish to address the School Board members regarding a matter at a regular meeting, the individual is required to complete a Public Comment Card prior to speaking.
Separately, the School Board also conducts workshops to discuss various business items; no action occurs at workshops. The board workshops are currently conducted in the Cabinet Conference Room of the Administration Building. Audio for Workshops will be posted no later than 24 hours after the end of the Workshop in the ‘Call to Order’ agenda item 1.1 . To listen, click on the link in the agenda. The agenda can be accessed by clicking on the “Agenda: Current & Archives” tab on the left side of this page.
Minutes for board meetings and workshops are published on BoardDocs after formal board approval via this link https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/pcsfl/Board.nsf/Public
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Our Environment and Natural Resources Committee actively monitors legislation and state and local support for alternative energy, environmental sustainability, the expansion of solar power in Florida. We continue to advocate for a healthier environment for Pinellas County residents, and fair policies for clean water and air. Join our Committee!
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
LWV Websites
Our members also work closely with members of:
League of Women Voters
North Pinellas County
PO Box 8602
Clearwater, FL 33758
PO Box 8602
Clearwater, FL 33758