On September 18, National Voter Registration Day, LWVR members Ann Scholl and Linda Fleischman were joined by Rufus Sadler, member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the oldest of all the collegiate black Greek letter organizations.   We thank Mercy for the excellent location, in the lobby of Main Hall, which is a large building with many classrooms and a cafeteria. 

This was a wonderfully successful drive: 39 people registered to vote at our table. Another 56 people took a form with them to fill out later and mail in.

(If you need additional registration information click on the “Voter Info” link at the top of this website.)

At Mercy University - Women’s Empowerment Day on March 15, 2024.
Representing the Rivertowns LWV: Linda Fleischman, Ann Scholl , Joann Watterson and Jurate Mohen .
Several members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity joined our registration drive.
(This is the oldest collegiate black Greek letter organization.)

At the 2023 LWVNY Convention in June, speaker Carolyn Maloney urged League members to sign the petition for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Maloney, now with the ERA Coalition and the Fund for Women's Equality, is working to get signatures on a petition to support legislation removing the deadline standing in the way of the ERA. Passing the ERA as the 28th Constitutional amendment would enshrine in the United States Constitution the concept of women’s equality, and create a national legal standard banning all forms of sex discrimination into the supreme law of this nation. On April 27 the Resolution was brought to a vote in the Senate. With 98 of the 100 Senators present the majority –51—voted to place the ERA in the Consitution. Because of the arcane filibuster rule requiring 60 votes –9 more than a majority—the resolution fell 9 votes short.
Read more and sign the petition at https://www.sign4era.org - and please spread the word!!

TEST POST

The Save the Hudson Act (S.6893/A.7208) passed through both houses of the Legislature and just was signed by the Governor!
The LWVR joined many environmental groups with grassroots lobbying.

This LWVR Resolution sent to US Sen. Schumer in late Spring 2023:    

“The intent of Holtec International to discharge tritium into the Hudson River is of grave concern to the League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns, which has long advocated for the closure of the Indian Point Energy Center and has since been monitoring its decommissioning.     

“More than two million people reside in the Hudson Valley, and an estimated 100,000 get their drinking water from the Hudson River. Radioactive waste in the Hudson is a potential cancer risk, especially to children, who are naturally more radiosensitive.

“Because of that, we urge our elected leaders to enact emergency legislation to ban the discharge of tritium into the Hudson and to broaden the remedies in the proposed legislation to include injunctive relief.”

Civics education is integral to the future of our democracy and is a current priority for the LWVR because of the strong connection between civically educated voters and a representative, engaged democracy.  

At the present time in Yonkers, LWVR is working with teachers to encourage students to participate in a comprehensive optional civics education curriculum.  This will  bring a heightened knowledge of the formal system of government in NYS and the US.  In addition the course will give the students  a better understanding of the forces that can change the balance of power, and to develop an improved understanding of how to be an active citizen.  

While this is currently ongoing in Yonkers, in the future the curriculum will be available to all high schools in the Rivertowns.  

SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING BY THE LWVNY AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY GROUPS!

Pollinators are vital members of healthy ecosystems and our food supply chain. Protecting them by limiting toxins that pose adverse effects and health risks is an important step forward in our work to stop poisoning the environment and create a healthier New York.
This Act bans the neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, and lawn and garden uses (with an exception for invasive species treatments). Neonics are linked to massive bee and bird losses that impact food production, contaminate New York water and soil, and create human health concerns, especially with recent testing showing rising levels of neonics in 95+% of pregnant women from New York and four other states.  We thank all who lobbied for passage of this bill, and thank our NYS bi-partisan legislators who voted for its passage!

Former NYC Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney spoke to the LWV-NYS Convention attendees about her work on the national Equal Rights Amendment. She spoke of the history of its passage and ratification, and emphasized the need to still advocate for acceptance of the ratification and certification of the amendment. For more information on this nationwide effort, and to sign the petition, go to:  sign4era.org

The New York State Legislature has successfully passed the Clean Slate Act, which will enable the automatic sealing of misdemeanor convictions after three years and felony convictions after eight years for New Yorkers who have completed their probation/parole, have not had a subsequent conviction, and do not have pending charges.

Sex offenses and non-drug Class A felonies are not included.

Governor Hochul’s signature is the final step needed for New York to lead the nation with the strongest clean slate legislation yet to ensure individuals are not perpetually punished and can participate meaningfully in society.

At our recent annual LWVR meeting we heard summary reports of what we have accomplished this past year, and also some of the plans we have for next year. 
We were delighted to hear a wonderful speaker, historian and Emmy award-winning journalist A’lelia Bundles, the great-great granddaughter of Madam CJ Walker. She presented a fascinating history and slideshow of her famous ancestor, daughter of sharecroppers, who became the most renowned African-AmerIcan entrepreneur in the early 20th century. While living in her magnificent Irvington mansion, Madam Walker became well known as a philanthropist, as well as an influential civil rights and women’s rights activist.

Gigi B. (Dobbs Ferry High School), and Christian B., (Sleepy Hollow High School), were chosen by LWVR to attend this year’s “Students Inside Albany” program. In May they joined 60 students from across NYS to learn the ins-and-outs of state government, including the State budget process, roles of lobbyists, media in politics, as well as citizen rights to access government information.
During their time in Albany they “shadowed” Assembly representative and LWVR member Maryjane Shimsky.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH!

Cong. Jamaal Bowman (CD16) came to our monthly LWVR meeting for a detailed conversation about activities, legislation and plans relevant to our area and the country.

The Q&A covered a wide gamut of topics.  We left well-informed!