PROPOSED LWVAL PROGRAM 2015-2017
- Re-adoption of League Principles and LWVAL Program as adopted for 2013-2015.
- Elimination of Health Care Study.
Comment: Health Care Study has been completed, consensus taken, and position adopted.
- Continuation of the development of a Facts and Issues on Energy Use in Alabama. Determine whether a study on one or more specific aspects of energy use in Alabama should be initiated as a formal study.
Comment: Progress on this Facts and Issues began during 2013, but was put aside while the League members focused on transparency and accountability issues in rate determination by the Alabama Public Service Commission.
- Deletion of “Examination of whether a Facts and Issues publication is warranted.”
Comment: This phrase is an apparent carryover of Item #4 from 2011-2013 Proposed LWVAL Program.
- Initiate an update study of criminal justice.
Comment: Alabama’s prison system is bursting at the seams and face possible federal takeover; overcrowding of prisons is exacerbated by mandatory prison sentencing of nonviolent offenders for whom alternative sentencing might be more appropriate; the juvenile justice system often fails to meet the objective of rehabilitation. The LWVAL positions for Criminal Justice were adopted in 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1979, with updates in 1995 and 2003.
- Updating the Charter School Study with a focus on the empirical research on success/failure of charter schools that has developed since the original study. Such research together with information on which charter school formats have worked best could lead to new consensus process.
Comment: Recommended by LWV Montgomery and adopted by LWVAL Board as a recommended 2015-2017 program item. The Montgomery discussion noted that there is renewed interest in charter schools nationally (also vouchers) and now there are both liberals and conservatives discussing them in a positive light. Biracial groups have formed nationally to push school reforms, including charter schools. Also, legislative proposals could surface again in Alabama, and we have no position, just some guidelines. Interest among members and the public is still present.
- A study leading to consensus on alternative energy and alternative energy policy – wind, solar, biofuels, etc.
Comment: Recommended by LWV Montgomery and adopted by LWVAL Board as a recommended 2015-2017 program item. The concern here is that there are legislators and regulators in this state who would like to block development of such energy sources, and we need to be informed about these sources, their potential, how well existing policies have worked, etc. Interest in unbiased information is needed. Too often both supporters and opponents present much biased information that reflects their desires, not factual evidence in a pro/con format.