Washington State V O T E R
Spring 2000 Vol. 40 No 4	The League of Women Voters of Washington, 1411 Fourth Avenue - Suite 803, Seattle, WA 98101-2216 Tel: 206-622-8961 Ÿ (outside toll area 1-800-419-2596) Ÿ FAX: 206-622-4908 Ÿ email: lwvwa@lwvwa.org			Elizabeth Pierini, President Judy Golberg, Editor Steve Johnson, WEB Formatter

PURPOSE: "The Council shall give guidance to the State board on program and methods of work.." Article IX, Section 2a, LWVWA bylaws.

Council in Ellensburg will provide Local Leagues an update on issues, studies, and business that took place the preceding week at LWVUS Convention. (See article on page 4.)

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League of Women Voters of Washington Board of Directors Officers Elizabeth Pierini, President, Seattle Karen Durham, 1st Vice President, Bellingham/Whatcom County Jean Wells, 2nd Vice President, Spokane Area Betsy Greene, Secretary, Lake Washington East Myra Howrey, Treasurer, Kitsap County Directors Catherine Ahl, Kitsap County Margaret Bernard, Snohomish County Trudy Brown, Seattle Kathy Brown Pearson, Lake Washington East Lucy Copass, Seattle Elizabeth Davis, Lake Washington East Joyce Dennison, Yakima County Judy Golberg, Benton/Franklin Counties Judy Hedden, Snohomish County Tanis Marsh, Snohomish County Pat Matteson, Seattle Nominating Committee Miriam Helgeland, Chair, King County South Mary Coltrane, Seattle Alice Stolz, Spokane Area	Calendar of Events June 17 - 20, 2000 LWVUS Convention, Washington , DC    June 23 - 25, 2000 LWVWA Council, Ellensburg    June 25 - 27, 2001  LWVWA Convention, Richland        The State We’re In is available for purchase. Have you approached your local school district Curriculum Director regarding the use and purchase of this book? Call the State office to order.
Staff Claudia Downing, Administrative Director Sherry Appleton, Lobbyist Sylviann Frankus, Online Voter Service Project Manager .	Board Splinters for March 2000 Elected Trudy Brown and Elizabeth Davis to the Board. Elected three delegates to LWVUS Convention. Approved consensus questions for State Elections Methods Study. Discussed K-12 2000 "Student Achievement Act" initiative. Heard options regarding a possible move of the LWVWA office due to rent increase.    Summer Voter Deadline - July 14
?The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Any person of voting age, male or female, may become a League member. ?The Washington State VOTER is published quarterly by the League of Women Voters of Washington, 1411 Fourth Avenue, Suite 803, Seattle, WA 98101. Yearly subscription $10.00. Members of the League of Women Voters of Washington subscribe through their annual dues. Any citizen, 18 or older, may join the League of Women Voters. Call 206-622-8961 for a local League in your area. Send address changes to the League of Women Voters of Washington, 1411 Fourth Avenue, Suite 803, Seattle, WA 98101.

President’s Column

Start of Page 3 Orchids, Good News and Announcements Many thank you’s to Health Director, Tanis Marsh, for her continuing work with the Washington State Medical Association’s Education Fund health study committee. The committee members have been developing a study on health services in the State of Washington that is to be released in May. Tanis is also a frequent panel member representing the health services consumer at conferences and workshops as well as representing LWVWA health positions to the legislature. Lucy Steers was presented with a Citizen Leadership Award from 1000 Friends of Washington at the Livable Future Awards events on March 24. Congratulations! Thanks to Sue Lean for her success after years of effort to secure a place in the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York for Emma Smith DeVoe, a suffrage activist in Washington State. Emma led the successful 1910 State campaign for the vote for women, 10 years ahead of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Sue Lean has devoted much of her life to studying and achieving recognition for the pioneer women of Washington State. Many accolades to you, Sue! John Roberts was honored as the LWVWA Outstanding Advocate for Children at the Children’s Alliance "Voices for Children 2000" celebration on April 6. John, an environmental scientist, has pioneered the assessment and control of children’s exposure to pollutants in the home, and is to be credited with helping to raise the awareness of the public to indoor dangers to children. Marilyn Johnston, LWV/Mason County President, has been named to the Mason County Planning Commission. League members in Mason County are prominent in land use and growth management organizations. Congratulations on your good efforts!

Two outstanding workshops were held recently: the first, a Membership/Diversity workshop, was chaired by Nancy Quitslund and Joyce Dennison and held in Everett; the second, Voter Service, was chaired by Judy Hedden in Ellensburg. Both were well presented and attended. Thank you for two successful days! Welcome to two new State Board members: Elizabeth Davis and Trudy Brown. A thank you to Shirley Sonnichsen for the Program in Action update. We were sorry that Shirley had to resign from the State Board. Kathy Brown Pearson has had to resign as Co-Action Chair but is still able to retain her State Board position. A recent steep increase in the State office monthly rent has caused us to begin looking for another office space. We have signed a one-year lease with a 90-day notice clause. More news to follow. Looking to the Future LWVWA is looking forward to the LWVUS Convention June 16-20 in Washington, D.C. We hope you can send as many delegates as want to attend. We hope to achieve enough support to win the vote for the UN and trade study update. Concerning the issues swirling around world trade, the WTO and globalization, Carol Goldenberg, State International Relations Resource Chair, commented at a recent committee meeting: "Today the U.S. is the most powerful nation in the world. If we don’t use that power to advance international laws enhancing the human condition, we will have squandered our historic opportunity. Laws which protect the weak as well as the strong can serve our nation as we ultimately pass from our peak of power, as all nations do." Thank you, Carol, for these words.   Happy Spring, everybody! Liz Pierini, President Ph: 206-622-8961, Fax: 206-622-4908 Email: lwvwa@lwvwa.org

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Council ’00 Council is composed of the president of each local League and chair of each MAL unit or an alternate in the event that the president or chair is unable to attend, one additional delegate chosen by each local League, one delegate for each recognized ILO; and the members of the state board. The council gives guidance to the state board on program and methods of work and transact such other business as presented by the state board. The council is authorized to change the program only in the event of an emergency, provided notice of proposed changes has been sent to local Leagues, ILOs and MAL units at least two months prior to a council meeting and the change is adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting. Ten delegates, other than members of the state board, shall constitute a quorum, provided that not less than a majority of the local Leagues is represented. Conference Rate: Option I: Complete Conference Package @ $140 per person based on double occupancy. Check in after 3:00 p.m. on June 23 - check out at noon on June 25. Package includes four meals, lodging for two nights. Option II: Commuter Package @ $91 per person. Check in after 3:00 p.m. on June 23. Package includes four meals. Tentative plans are to begin with a Local League President’s Retreat on Friday evening while others on site will have an opportunity to meet informally to network. Saturday, June 24 Council will formally get underway at 11:30 a.m. and adjourn Sunday by 11 a.m. The official Call to Council will be mailed in May. It is early enough to send requests for specific discussions to take place at Council. Any requests should be directed through LWVWA office. Mark June 23-25, 2000 on your calendar! Any League member may attend.	League of Women Voters of the San Juans Celebrate the LWV-US 80th Birthday   The League of Women Voters of the San Juans celebrated the 80th birthday of the League of Women Voters on February 14, 2000 aboard the inter-island ferry in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. Pictured are (l. to r.) Mary Ann Bender, Vice-President from Lopez Island, Goodie Goodrich, Vice-President from Orcas Island, Doris Blinks, Vice-President from San Juan Island, Sally Bryan from San Juan Island, Joyce Lewin from San Juan Island, Betty Richey from Lopez Island, and Joyce Sobel from San Juan Island. Picture taken by Marj Stanley, San Juan Island.     ED Note: Many of our Local Leagues celebrated League’s 80th birthday in traditional or unique ways. What fun to celebrate while riding on a ferry!

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League Supports I-695 Ruling 3/14/2000   Along with the seven plaintiffs arguments against I-695 — which moved to the State Supreme Court today — went an amicus brief from the League of Women Voters of Washington. In making the announcement, state League president Elizabeth Pierini said, "League gives strong support to the initiative process. The legislative session just ended saw the League testifying repeatedly in hearings to keep the process open. However, League also gives strict adherence to initiatives obeying the law and the constitution." The League supports the decision announced today by Judge Robert H. Alsdorf. The Initiative as a whole violates the Constitution because it covers more than one subject. Sections 2 and 3 of the Initiative violate the Constitution because not all subjects in their text are identified in the Ballot Title. Section 2 of the Initiative is unconstitutional because it mandates universal referenda. Section 2 of the Initiative is unconstitutional because it mandates universal referenda on laws and acts necessary for the support of the state government and its existing institutions. An appeal is expected and the next step is the State Supreme Court. Pat Matteson, LWV Transportation Chair, said she was thanked by Amalgamated Transit today for League's filing of an Amicus Curiae Brief. LWVWA would like to especially thank Pat for all her hard work on this issue. The full written text of the I-695 rulings may be accessed at: www.courts.wa.gov. For more information contact: Liz Pierini, President 206-622-8961, 1-800-4192596 lwvwa@lwvwa.org Pat Matteson, Board Member, Transportation Chair 206-232-8028

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ABOUT LWVWA TOPICS Wanted: More people to send thought provoking messages to lwvwatopics. There are now more than 115 League members participating in our on-line discussion group (with varying degrees of participation). To join lwvwatopics, just send a message to: majordomo@lists.speakeasy.org Do not use a subject. In the body, type: Subscribe lwvwatopics your email address. You will soon receive a confirmation message containing valuable information. To send a message to the other 115 people on the list, address it to: lwvwatopics@lists.speakeasy.org write your message, and send. When replying to a message, it is a good idea to reply to the list rather than the individual, so that all others can read your reply-hence, we have a discussion underway!			ABOUT the LWVWA WEB PAGES Wanted: A few volunteers to browse our WEB sites at: http://www.lwvwa.org (about League studies, publications, advocacy, voter service, local league contacts and more) http://www.washingtonvoter.org (about voting, candidates and ballot issues-local, state, and national) http://www.dnet.org/wa (Compare candidates stands on issues in the Democracy Network 'Issues Grid')   We would like for you to occasionally check the links, look for errors, tell us what is missing, offer advice and, in general, let us know how we are doing. (Kind of like responding to the sign "How's Our Driving" posted on the rear of a truck.) To comment, contact Steve Johnson, sj@ponderroses.com
		Kudos
2/16/00 Dear Liz, Your "Action and Reflection" article made me stand up and cheer. The three books you reviewed are the ones I have read recently. My favorite is Garry Wills’ "Necessary Evil…" I am sure you have already read his "Inventing American." He is such a clear, analytical thinker and splendid writer. I’m also sending this message to everyone who contributed to the Winter 2000 issue of the Washington State VOTER. The comprehensive contents, variety, clarity, and admirable stand on issues all reveal the dedication of League members. Special congratulations to you, the officers, directors, committees and staff on the impressive work you are doing. Sincerely, Trudy Sundberg, Whidbey Island LWV					February 2, 2000 Dear Liz, Thank you for being there in the pouring rain and driving wind yesterday. We did make headway on getting statehood for DC. After the rally the people who visited Patty Murray’s office found her aide, Ardis Dumett, to be very responsive to the issue. If we receive a letter from Patty Murray, I’ll send it on to you. Best wishes, ?Anna Johnson, Publisher ?Open Hand Publishing, Inc.

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While pain has educational value, we should do as much as possible to prevent it. One way to reduce suffering on this planet would be to reduce the exposure of sensitive children and adults to dust mites. A fast and low cost screening tool is needed to find those who may be allergic to mites. We need to validate a dust mite-screening test. Would you be willing to help? Dust mites are the main source of allergy and asthma. Most of the 10 to 12 % of the population in the US who are allergic to dust mites either do not know it or fail to use the essential control measures to reduce exposure. A reduction in symptoms, medicine use, doctor visits, and asthma attacks may occur for those allergic to mites when exposure is reduced. There may also be a large improvement in the quality of life with fewer days missed from school, work, and fun. A gift of vinyl allergy control covers costing $17 could be the greatest gift to a young child who is allergic to dust mites.

Ask your family and friends to take this test.

DUST MITE SCREENING TEST

1. DO YOU FEEL ALL STUFFED-UP WHEN YOU GET UP IN THE MORNING?
2. DOES MAKING OR CHANGING THE BED CAUSE sneezing, wheezing, coughing, congestion, difficulty in breathing, eye irritation, stuffy or runny nose, or rashes?
3. DOES VACUUMING OR LYING ON THE SOFA CAUSE the same symptoms?
4. DO YOU HAVE A CHRONIC RUNNY NOSE OR WATERY EYES?
5. DO YOU HAVE YEAR-ROUND ASTHMA?

If you answer yes to any of these questions,

1. let us know with a postcard or letter giving the question number where you answered yes, your name, phone, and address,
2. 2) visit an allergist or physician to get a standard skin scratch test for two types of dust mites, cat dander, and three common molds for your area of the Northwest and other that your doctor may recommend, and
3. 3) send the results of the skin tests. You may wish to ask for a diagnosis and treatment from the doctor. Many health plans will cover such skin tests if you want to know if you are allergic and you have positive signs. The test may save you and your health plan money if you visit the doctor less and use less medicine. Send the information to me at:?818 207^th Ave. NE

Redmond, WA 98053 Or

FAX to 425-868-8470 or email to

engrplus@worldnet.att.net

If you are allergic to dust mites the National Institute of Health guidelines for dust mite control recommend:

1. encase your mattress and pillow in allergy control covers,
2. 2) wash bedding in hot water (130 degrees F) weekly,
3. 3) avoid sleeping or lying on upholstered furniture, and
4. 4) remove carpets laid on concrete if possible. Since the allergy control covers cost so little, some people may want install them immediately.

Dust mites thrive in the mild damp climate found in the Northwest (and any tight house) and accumulate deep in pillows and mattresses. They can multiply by a factor of 25 every two months with temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees and a relative humidity above 60% with a supply of skin scales to eat. Most of us sleep with millions of the little bugs every night. They are prodigious poopers and produce 20 pellets a day. The pellets are the main source of allergen and become airborne by rolling over in bed, walking across the carpet, or sitting on a plush sofa. The highest exposure occurs in the bed. Allergy control covers help protect those who have asthma and allergies but also may prevent allergies and asthma. Up to 80% of the population can be sensitized to dust mites with high exposure year after year. The covers are low-cost insurance to reduce your risks from dust mite exposure.

Vinyl covers that provide an airtight seal are effective for protecting children under ten and cost around $17 at Sears, Wal-Mart, or Target. If the vinyl covers that are used to control bed-wetting cover all sides of the mattress they should be left on to control mites. The zippers and any tears should be sealed with duct tape. Pillows should also be encased in vinyl. Off gassing from new vinyl covers can be reduced by hanging them in a well-ventilated place for 24 hours before installation. Older children and adults may find vinyl covers hot, noisy, and lack flexibility. Some adults are satisfied with vinyl covered with a cotton pad that can be washed. It is a good idea for everyone to cover the box springs with vinyl to prevent mites from colonizing this area. Six-mil vinyl is best.

Group Health Cooperative Take Care stores in the Puget Sound area carry comfortable and cool stretch bedding covers that cost around $52 for a twin mattress and $10 for the pillow. Both the vinyl and stretch covers can be cleaned in place with a damp cloth. The phone numbers are Seattle Capitol Hill 206-326-3496, Northgate 206-527-7878, Redmond 425-883-5052, and Olympia 360-923-7678. Allergy Control Products 1-800-422-3878 will send a catalog and/or covers to anyone who calls with a credit card.

The American Lung Association of Washing ton at 206-441-5100 or the Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America at 1-800-778-2232 can answer questions and provide educational material about allergies and asthma. References available.

John Roberts, Off-Board Chair for the Home Environment

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The Average American consumes 30 to 50 times more resources than a person in the developing word. And, through TV and movies, we are astonishingly effective at exporting our lifestyle. Every added American does matter. According to a recent ABC News poll, Americans think one of the most important problems facing the world in the 21^st Century is how we handle population growth and the environment.

While the U.S. has 5% of the world’s population, it uses what percent of the world’s resources?

a) 10%?b) 15%??c) 25%

How much land in U.S. cities is devoted to cars, i.e. streets and parking lots?

a) 1/16^th?b) 1/8^th ?c) 1/3^rd

What is the annual electric bill to operate all the exit signs in the U.S.?

a) $100,000?b) $1 million?c) $1 billion

What is the amount of U.S. land developed each year to build residential and commerical centers?

a) 100,000 acres? b) 250,000 acres c) 400,000 acres

The average American consumes over 700 lbs of paper a year. How much of that is "junk mail"?

a) 10 lbs.? b) 24 lbs.?c) 34 lbs. 

What is the annual tonnage of post-consumer waste in the U.S.?

a) 60 million tons b) 100 million tons c) 200 million tons

According the the American Moving and Storage Association, the average American has how many pounds of stuff?

a) 550 b) 1,050 c) 1,950

What is the percent of Americans who have stated that nearly half the items they purchase they really don’t want or need?

a) 13% b) 23% c) 33%

If all Bostonians (for example) ate one less hamburger per year it would save..?

a) 2,000 cattle b) 3,000 farm acres c) 552 million gallons of water

What is the amount Americans spend on cosmetics per year? (Hint: It is more than the cost of providing family planning to everyone in the developing world.)

a) $4 billion b) $6 billion?c) $8 billion

Answers: C for all questions.

Sources: 6 Billion & Beyond. "All consuming Passion" by the New Road Map Foundation. US Census Bureau, UNICEF

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Court Reform Committee Jeannie Hale was recently designated to represent the state league on a court reform committee. Ultimately the committee should end up with a proposal to ease court congestion, improve court efficiency and ensure access to justice and citizen information about the process. The committee is also considering what to do about the 800,000 outstanding warrants across the state. Jeannie didn't join the committee until its second meeting, but did suggest that the committee might want to recommend a constitutional amendment requiring that Superior Court Judges' names appear on the ballot if they are in non-contested races. This is something that Betty Sullivan of the Seattle League has always suggested as people don't know who their elected officials are, especially if they don't appear on the ballot! Also suggested was to add more diversity on the committee as minority communities were not represented and those communities often have access to justice issues. Stay tuned for further updates on this committee’s activities as Jeannie reports to LWVWA.		How Great You Are! Dear Judy, (Editor, Judy Golberg) Today at our board meeting, someone mentioned that the various stands of the League for the legislature are included in the recent state VOTER. I said, "I am glad you mentioned that because I want to say that I think the recent state VOTER was the most interesting, exciting one we have ever received. I read it from cover to cover and wished there were more." Everyone agreed with me, and several were vociferous in their agreement. It occurred to me that I should pass that on to you. I feel guilty that I didn't sit down the minute I had finished reading the VOTER and send you an email of congratulations on such a splendid newsmagazine and tell you how much I enjoyed it. Perhaps it's better this way. Now you know, I was not the only one. At least fifteen others felt the same way. Thank you SO MUCH! Hugs, Trixie (Koch) LWV of Yakima ED Note: The accolades go to all contributors, most especially to Liz who encourages people to send the articles.

Nancy Bagley Margaret Bernard Elisabeth Bondy Helen Brewer Suzanne Carlson Geoff Cole John Coleman Margaret Condit Lucy Copass Judy A. Craig Karen Durham Ruth Eller James R. Ellis Barbara Fithian

June H. Foote Carole Fuller Patrick D. Goldsworthy Roberta Goodnow Rosan Granstrand Betsy Greene Miriam Helgeland Dr. & Mrs. Hellyer Marjorie R. Henry Mary Louise Jones Laurie Keith Rebecca Kenison Ruth M. Kirk James K. Knox

Mary Kohli Maxine Krull Jocelyn Marchisio Patricia Melgard Jo Munnich Howard & Carol Pellett Marilyn Perkins Alexandra Pye Nancy Quitslund Peggy Saari Dorothy Y. Sale Wilbur Squire Joan Thomas Grace M. Towers

Barbara & Kingsley Vannier Dottie Villesvik Doris Wages Frieda Walworth Rev. Wm. D. Waring Washington Education Association Mary E. Weed Luella A. Wells Barbara Whittemore David Zieve

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Global Warming has been a topic of interest in the Thurston County League since January of 1997, when a study group was started in the home of Mary Lux, a dedicated League member with longtime concerns about the environment and global warming in particular. The initial group was quite small and in March of 1997 the decision was made to expand into the community and involve other willing groups to explore the subject of Global Warming and climate change. A mailing list was developed which included local environmental groups, city, county and locally elected state officials and private citizens as well as government agencies dealing with the environment.

In June, 1997 a local bookseller sponsored an event featuring Ross Gelbspan, author of The Heat is On, who has spoken across the country about Global Warming. Many of the initial members of the League study group attended this program, which served as a good introduction to Global Warming. Subsequent League program topics included the science of weather, sources of greenhouse emissions, current scientific information on climate change resulting from Global Warming, population issues, impact of warming on biodiversity and disease, climate change in polar areas, impacts on agriculture, and alternative energy sources. Speakers were primarily from the academic community, including the University of Washington and The Evergreen State College, but also included elected officials and members of state agencies and entrepreneurs in the alternative energy fields. Coincidentally, the series of meetings closed with Ross Gelbspan who offered an updated program on Global Warming.

Attendance at the meetings averaged about 30-35 individuals, many of whom attended all of the programs. Several meetings which were expected to attract a larger audience were held an auditorium. Attendance at those meetings was 80-100 persons. Notification of the meetings was accomplished through flyers, public service announcements in local publications, public access TV notices and extensive E-mail and postal mailing lists. The series of programs was also broadcast on the local public access station.

At the conclusion of the program surveys were distributed to attendees to evaluate the program as well as identify any changes in behavior which might have occurred as a result of the meetings. Several attendees indicated they had contacted legislators, shared information with friends, family and coworkers, felt better informed and had changed some of their personal energy use habits as a result of the meetings.

In 1998 the Thurston County membership selected Global Warming and climate change as a topic for one of the general membership meeting programs for 1999-2000. This program was held in February, 2000 and featured Dr. Richard Gammon, Climatologist and Oceanographer from the University of Washington, who addressed the impacts of climate change on the Pacific Northwest. He is an impassioned and dedicated individual who has studied climate change for over thirty years and presented an excellent preview of what we can expect if climate change continues at the current rate.

Sponsorship of all of these programs was a joint effort of the Thurston County League of Women Voters, Climate Solutions and the City of Olympia. At this time the Thurston County League is supporting the efforts of one of the coordinators of these programs, Donna Ewing, to hold a caucus on Global Warming at National League Convention in Washington, D. C. in June, 2000. Future plans involve the development of educational materials about global warming and climate change.

GLOBAL WARMING RESOURCES

There are numerous resources available to anyone who wishes to learn more about Global Warming and climate change. The National League web site has two locations which refer to either Natural Resources or Global Warming. The most informative on this specific subject is under Take Action, which lists Global Warming as a level two priority for the League for the 106th Congress. The web site is at

www.lwv.org/take action/, or through www.lwv.org and click on the Take Action link.

Other informative web sites: The Pew Trust, which has extensive involvement in the subject, is at www.pewclimate.org

Global climate change http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/

EPA www.epa.gov/global warming/greenhouse

International Panel on Climate Change www.ipcc.ch/

US Global Change Research Information Office www.usgcrp.gov

Heat is On www.heatisonline.org

For readers, there are several books available on climate change and global warming. Greenhouse, The Two Hundred Year Story of Global Warming, Gale E. Christianson, is a very readable history of the process of global warming and how it has developed as a parallel to industrialization and the increasing consumption of fossil fuels for transportation, energy and development. The Heat is On, Ross Gelbspan, is really an expose’ of how political and industrial interests have molded much of the debate about global warming. It is very readable and also provides a good overview of the subject as well as reasonable solutions.

For the reader who is interested in the science of climate and weather, The Change in the Weather, William K. Stevens, is a scientific, but accessible, look at the science of weather and climate and offers the reader a good understanding of the underlying forces involved in climate, weather and the changes which are occurring.

There are numerous publications including "Atlantic Monthly", "Nature", "Scientific American", and the National League’s "National Voter" which have featured articles on global warming and climate change. We would be happy to provide those resources to anyone who is interested.

Finally, we offer the following Top 10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Global Warming. If anyone would like more resources or is interested in joining us in our efforts to fight Global Warming, please contact us at suedonoly@aol.com. 

10. Plant a couple of additional trees around your home.	CO2 reduction = 20 lbs./ year
9. Use a push mower to cut your lawn instead of a power mower	CO2 reduction = 80 lbs./year
8 Replace your home’s refrigerator with a high efficiency model	CO2 reduction = 220 lbs./year
7. Buy foods and other products with reusable or recyclable packaging instead of those in non-recyclable packaging	CO2 reduction = 230 lbs./year
6. Replace your current washing machine with a low-energy, low-water use machine	CO2 reduction = 440 lbs./year
5 Install a thermal system to help provide your hot water	CO2 reduction = 720 lbs./year
4. Recycle all of your home’s waste newsprint cardboard, glass and metal	CO2 reduction = 850 lbs./year
3. Leave your car at home two days a week (walk, bike or take public transportation to work instead)	CO2 reduction = 1,590 lbs./year
2. Insulate your home, tune up your furnace and install energy efficient shower heads	CO2 reduction = 2,480 lbs./year
And the number one thing you can do to prevent global warming is....
1. Purchase a fuel-efficient car (rated up to 32 mpg or more) to replace your most frequently used automobile	CO2 reduction = 5,600 lbs./year
If your family did all of the things above, you could cut CO2 emissions by more than 11,000 lbs./year!

Jean Hueston and Margie Reeves, members of LWV/WA Portfolio in Children's Issues.

Jean is on the Board in South King County Community Network and Margie on the Board in Thurston County Network

The Community Networks have been charged not only to develop and encourage grassroots efforts but also to suggest systems reform.

Generally we look at systems reform as occurring in certain areas such as Human Services in general or DSHS allocations. Though many of us know this I'm not sure we put it together FOR the Legislators. ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS to raising healthy children is the totally conflicting mandate re care of young children under "Welfare Reform".

Recent exchanges among our Community Networks indicates that early Home Visits (nurses and/or Social Workers over the first two years are VERY successful. Not only budget restrictions but attitudes towards how to reduce the production of more welfare babies are working in opposing directions. This article will help make the connections for some vital public perception/ changes that are needed to really do what society needs. We in LWV have the right positions but do we need to connect them up more obviously?

Here is some of the info from the Networks exchanges. "A group of researchers at the U. of North Carolina assessed 708 mothers who had recently given birth to infants already believed by hospital staff to be at risk of medical and develop problems. These families were followed for 4 years to determine the percentage of children referred to CPS, and the characteristics of the mothers and their living situations.

Findings: 172 of 708 children were reported to CPS during the first 4 years. About half of the reports occurred during the children's first year. 40% of the CPS reports were substantiated, the majority of reports were for neglect and/or for abuse and neglect.

The factors which were the MOST predictive of CPS reports were:

• low maternal education,

• depressions,

• psychosomatic symptoms (mother),

• receipt of public assistance,

• other children in the home (i.e. more than 1 child),

• the mother's contact (or lack of same) with her own mother at age 14,

• weak social support, and alcohol use.

Social Support was the MOST powerful protective factor but was much more impactful for mothers already at low risk of maltreatment. "

Jean Hueston, 206-878-8706, jeanth@aol.com

Kagi Bill Passes Unanimously Representative Ruth Kagi, Lake Forest Park, won unanimous votes from both the House and Senate with her bill to give voters a better idea of what they are voting for when trying to understand ballot issues. The bill calls for three distinct portions of a ballot title: a 10-word subject statement, a concise description of the measure (not more than 30 words), and a question if it should be approved or rejected. Kagi, herself a longtime League of Women Voters member said, "People, including members of the League of Women Voters, have complained for years about how confusing our ballot titles are." Cherie Davidson, LWVWA Government Portfolio Chair, testified for the bill before both the House and Senate Government Committees. The bill currently waits for the Governor's signature.

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Congratulations to Rita Durand for her 50^th Anniversary membership with the League of Women Voters.

Currently Rita serves on the Board of the Snohomish County Chapter, LWV as Chair of the Central Unit and Mentors Coordinator on the Membership Committee arranging mentors for the new members. What an asset to our local League!

RH:?When you originally joined, what drew you to the League? Which was the first League and where were the subsequent Leagues you participated in?

RD:?In 1946, my husband and I came to Seattle from Washington, D.C. so that he could study engineering at the University of Washington. Our first child was born in 1947 and I joined the View Ridge Unit of the Seattle League the following year. As the mother of a small child away from all family, I needed some outside interest. I loved the League. For me it was adult companionship, intellectual stimulation and respite from the responsibilities of child care. It was like taking a college course. At that time, after the war, our focus was on international relations: the United Nations and the building of the organization, Arms Control and Trade. Our studies served us well and are the basis of what we are still doing today. I can remember innumerable tax studies and studies of government. There is a marvelous consistency about the League and I found wherever we lived, I could count on the League as a place to continue study and involvement with others who shared my concerns. I have belonged to the Boston League and the Cincinnati League before returning to this area. I have been a member of the Snohomish County League since 1990, serving as Treasurer and as President.

RH:?What were your most memorable moments with League? How were you involved over the years?

RD:?My husband says his most memorable experience was when I tramped all over the Seattle World’s Fair looking for the League display. I think my most memorable experience was being a part of hosting the National Convention in Cincinnati. It was my first League Convention, which was exciting enough, but to be part of it was a thrilling experience. I have always been active except for the 14 years I was employed, when I was a supporting member. I enjoyed the study committees and acted as a resource person attending several units in a month sometimes. I was chair of my unit and Board Chair of all the 16 units. I served on the Board in different capacities and was Treasurer of the League and Ed Fund.

RH:?How has League changed over the years?

RD:?From my point of view, the League has changed very little over the years. The strength of the League is that it is a grassroots organization operating on the principle of consensus and does not support candidates. Some of the names have been changed but our mission is the same.

RH:?What advice do you offer to new League members?

RD:?My advice to new members is "Don’t be afraid to jump in and accept responsibility. You will find that you are more capable than you thought and you will learn and grow while having fun."

Thank you, Rita, for your wisdom, participation and cheerful contribution to the League. We are honored by your presence.

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The state League has received notice that Washington’s own Emma Smith DeVoe will be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame later this year. DeVoe was chief organizer of the successful 1910 state campaign for the vote for women, ten years prior to the ratification of the 19^th Amendment. Induction ceremonies will be held in October in Seneca Falls, New York, historic as the birthplace of women’s rights in 1848.

Inductees to the Women’s Hall of Fame are judged and selected by a panel of distinguished leaders for "significant contributions to the arts, athletics, business, education, government, humanities, philanthropy, and science; and for the enduring value of the nominee’s contribution to society, or to the progress and freedom of women."

This year nineteen women will be honored with induction. Their names and photos, as well as more information about the National Women’s Hall of Fame, can be viewed on the Web at www.greatwomen.org. Emma Smith DeVoe’s successful nomination was submitted by Sue Lean, LWV Thurston County. Sue has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the historical contributions of Washington women in the suffrage movement. She is excited about the new honor for Emma and will be planning ways to publicize the fall induction event.

Sue’s nomination form explained how Washington women had won, then lost the vote before the turn of the century. Fourteen years passed without a single state being added to the "Equal Suffrage States of America." The national suffrage campaign was "stuck." Emma DeVoe developed new political organizing skills that involved reaching individual voters with information to help them make educated use of the franchise. Her innovative and successful campaign of persuasion was successful -- not only in Washington but after she then took the techniques elsewhere, working with the National Women’s Suffrage Association. Six more states adopted equal suffrage within four years, reinvigorating the national effort.

DeVoe was the first President and founder of the first national organization of voting women–forerunner to the League of Women Voters.

Our thanks and pride to Sue for bringing this honor to Emma’s memory, to the League of Women Voters, and to the state of Washington!