Nevada Women's Lobby Readies for 2011 Session
The Nevada Women's Lobby is already tracking more than 100 BDRs (bill draft requests) and nearly two dozen pre-filed bills. So what are our lawmakers contemplating? So far there is a bill that provides for the issuance of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. Another will provide for uniform sex education curriculum and another for public access equity. Other bills run the gamut from education, health care, fair housing, domestic violence and crimes against children and the elderly. Over the years, the Nevada Women's Lobby has worked tirelessly and effectively to shape progressive and meaningful public policy in each of these areas. We fear that with the current budget crisis we could lose ground on many of our accomplishments that have improved the lives of so many. Consequently, all roads lead directly to the budget. For that reason, the Nevada Women's Lobby has joined the Nevada Values Coalition to actively monitor and participate in major budget discussions that could adversely impact our constituencies. The Nevada Values Coalition is comprised of multiple entities that provide programs, services, or advocacy for those who are at risk if the projected budget cuts prevail. Find out more information about the coalition at www.nevadavalues.org. We will need your support this legislative session more than ever. Please contact us at info@nevadawomenslobby.org and let us know if you can help read bills, testify before committees or provide research. And, of course, please be ready to contact your respective legislators. With your help, we feel confident that we can protect and sustain our Nevada Values. |
NWL Needs You as the 2011 Session Begins
Our dues year starts just as we head into the legislative session! Your dues are essential as they are our main source of funds for our lobbying efforts--to pay our lobbyist and fund advocacy strategies. NWL's work this session will be critical to protect the programs and issues we have fought for during our 20+ years of lobbying for women and families. Please renew your membership or join us and consider making a donation to our lobbyist fund. Go to nevadawomenslobby.org to join or donate today, or fill out the application form at the bottom of this newsletter and mail your dues to P.O. Box 5565, Reno, NV 89513.
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Core, Current and Coalition Issues
The 2011 Nevada legislative session is coming up quickly. The Nevada Women's Lobby wants you to know that we will be there every step of the way to fight for our Core, Current and Coalition Issues. These are issues that the Nevada Women's Lobby knows are important to Nevada's women, children and families and could have a tremendous impact on the way Nevadans live our lives.
CORE ISSUES
-Economic justice
-Equal rights for women
-Equality
-LGBTQ issues
-Health care access
-Reproductive justice
-Safety from violence
-Welfare of children
CURRENT ISSUES
-Child care subsidies
-Comprehensive sex education
-Domestic violence fatality review
-Gender equity in public accommodations
-Mental health services
-Redistricting
-Revenue/budget
COALITION ISSUES
-Disabled
-Education
-Homeless
-Immigration
-Seniors
-Veterans
-Yucca Mountain
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Ten Things You Need to Know About Sex Education!
*Medically accurate, age-appropriate sex ed gives young people the tools to make responsible decisions to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy; and lead healthy, productive lives.
*Sex ed must be fully funded federally so that all teens and families have access to medically accurate, age-appropriate sex ed that helps reduce teen pregnancy and prevent sexually transmitted infections.
*According to a recent University of Washington study, students who receive comprehensive sex ed were less likely to become teen parents than those who receive abstinence-only information.
*An estimated 729,000 American teens will become pregnant this year and nearly four million will contract a sexually transmitted infection.
*Nevada has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the nation.
*To reduce these alarmingly high numbers, teens in Nevada should have access to comprehensive, age-appropriate information and education giving them resources to make responsible decisions about their health and their lives.
*In the last decade, more than $1.5 billion federal and state dollars were squandered on what was proven to be ineffective and dangerous abstinence-only programs that denied teens lifesaving information.
*A study by the Guttmacher Institute found that most federally funded abstinence-only programs do not help delay teens' sexual activity.
*The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy of the most developed countries in the world, and at least one in four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted infection.
*REAL sex ed saves lives. It is science-based and includes pregnancy prevention, disease prevention, and abstinence information.
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A non-partisan statewide coalition presenting a strong voice on issues affecting Nevada's women and families.
Contacts:
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Grassroots Lobby Days
The election is over, BDR lists are increasing
daily, legislators are gearing up for the session...and plans for Grassroots Lobby Days
(GLD) are well underway!
Mark your calendars for March 13th, 14th and 15th to join us in Carson City to discuss critical issues to be addressed this session, learn about or become re-acquainted with the lobbying process, and network with people committed to women and children from across the state. Your voice will be absolutely critical this year as the budget crisis looms over the session.
The venue this year is the Carson City Plaza Hotel, just a short distance from the Capitol. This property affords us adequate space for interactive sessions and comfortable break-out rooms. You will be able to register online using your credit card, PayPal or U.S. mail to pay your registration fees. We'll send out a quick email as soon as registration opens.
We are grateful for our co-sponsors to date: AAUW NV; Committee to Aid Abused Women; National Association of Social Workers, Nevada Chapter; Nevada Advocates for Planned Parenthood Affiliates; Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence; Planned Parenthood Mar Monte; and Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada.
More co-sponsors are needed! Please show your support for Nevada's women and children and the work of NWL by joining our Grassroots Lobby Days co-sponsors. If you'd prefer to help someone attend GLD who might otherwise not be able to participate, we (and they) would very much appreciate your help! Please use your credit card or PayPal on our website at www.nevadawomenslobby.org or mail your check to NWL, P.O. Box 5565, Reno, NV, 89513
Have questions? Please contact Pam Russell at peffnjam@ptd.net or call 775-657-6395 (not before 11:00 a.m. please!)
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Nevada Women Lose Again
By Emmily Bristol, The Sin City Siren
Here's some news we should be getting used to (unfortunately) as Nevadans: We suck. Yet again we find ourselves at or near the bottom of an important life-index list. This time it comes from the Health Care Report Card by the National Women's Law Center, which analyzed the health care conditions for women by state. Nevada ranks 37th in the country. Well, at least we're not dead last (like we are in high school dropout rate). That's something, right? No. This is terrible news for Nevada's women. No, actually, it's terrible news for Nevada's families, employers and community as a whole. As the state hardest hit by the bad economy, this is just more bad news for many who are already up to their eyeballs in bad news. And it's not about to get any better any time soon. With the worst state deficit in the nation (per capita), early word is to expect more than 10 percent cuts to services and cuts to education when the legislature convenes in a couple of months. Meanwhile, national organizations like Planned Parenthood--which provide quality, low- or no-cost medical care (many turn to PP for more than just reproductive care)--are under fire as the new Congress sets to convene in the new year. Indiana Rep. Mike Pence has said he is trying to get all federal funding of the organization cut. No wonder Nevada has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country! The National Women's Law Center report found that Nevada's percent of uninsured women went up to 22.7 percent, an increase of more the 2 percent from 2007 levels. It also found that 12 percent of Nevada's women live in counties not served by an abortion provider, up from 10 percent in 2007. As we prepare for the state legislature to begin in the new year, we must get ready to do all we can to fight for Nevada's women and families. Head to Carson City and lobby your representatives. Volunteer time with organizations that do this work. Donate money, if you can't spare time. Or do both! And if you're looking for a great organization that has been doing this in Nevada for a long time, look no further than the Nevada Women's Lobby. (Full disclosure: I'm on the NWL advisory committee.) We can't afford to lose anymore! For more from Emmily Bristol, follow her blog at sincitysiren.wordpress.com.
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What You Need to Know About the Legislature
Follow NWL's blog for updates: nevadawomenslobby.blogspot.com/
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Lobbying 101
Lobbying is the simple act of making your voice heard, of sharing your thoughts and opinions with your representatives. The importance of this type of involvement cannot be overstated--after all, how can your representatives represent you if they don't know what you think? There are various ways to get in contact with your state legislators. All of them are quite simple, and all of them carry a big impact.
First, you can call your representatives. Visit the Nevada Legislature website listed below to find contact information for individual senators and assembly people. Be aware that you will almost certainly be speaking with a staffer in your representative's office, but know that each caller's concerns and opinions are noted. Your call makes an impact!
Your second option is to email your representative or send a fax. You can find this contact information on the Nevada Legislature website also. This is a quick and easy way to let your representative know how you feel about a particular issue or piece of legislation. Be sure to keep your note focused and concise, include the specific piece of legislation you are referencing--such as by the bill number--and include your contact information.
Third, you may opt to send your representative a letter. Office addresses are also provided on the Nevada Legislature website. Writing a letter allows you to give a more detailed account of your opinion on a specific issue, and also affords you the opportunity to include information which supports your view. Furthermore, taking the time to draft a thoughtful letter shows how strongly you feel.
Finally, take the opportunity to meet with your representatives at public events. This gives you the chance to ask them questions, learn about their views, and share yours. Remember to be specific and concise, as you may not have a great deal of time for discussion.
When lobbying, it is important to make your voice heard, and to demonstrate your passion for the issues. However, remember to always remain respectful. Your aim is not to argue or make personal attacks, but to share your opinions and have constructive discussions about the issues.
Remember, Lobbying 201, sponsored by the Nevada Women's Lobby, will be held on January 22nd in Las Vegas. Come learn and hone your lobbying skills! Then put those skills to use on March 13th, 14th and 15th at the Nevada Women's Lobby Grassroots Lobby Days in Carson City. Click on this link to register for Lobbying 201: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=9ezov8cab&oeidk=a07e38j60yte54e2208
Nevada Legislature website: leg.state.nv.us/
Contact Info Guide: leg.state.nv.us/general/feedback.cfm
Find your district: mapserve.leg.state.nv.us/website/lcb/viewer.htm
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NWL Principles of Unity
Nevada Women's Lobby is a voice for women and children. We are dedicated to equity, non-violence and reproductive choice.
The lives of all people are inherently valuable and worthy of respect and dignity; therefore, we actively work to remove barriers of race, class, age, gender, religion, physical ability and sexual orientation.
Beginning with our own actions and language, we promote non-violence in all aspects of personal, economic and organizational relationships.
We support every woman's right to reproductive choice and self-determination.
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Nevada Women's Lobby 2011 Membership
Nevada Women's Lobby
P.O. Box 5565
Reno, NV 89513
Thank you for your support.
YES, I want to strengthen the voice of the Nevada Women's Lobby!
Name of Individual or Organization____________________
_________________________________________________
Contact Person if Organizational Membership____________
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Mailing Address____________________________________
City__________________________Zip_________________
Physical Address___________________________________
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Newsletters are sent by email unless you check here that you want a mailed copy______
Dues:____$40 Regular Member _____$100 Sustaining
____$15 Living Lightly _____$250 Circle of
Empowerment
____Other--NWL strives to represent all women and
families. Any contribution you are able to make
entitles you to membership.
____$75 Organization
Because NWL is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, dues and donations are not tax deductible.
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