 | | | | The Florida Legislative Session
When I attended Navy bootcamp, we learned the saying "the days will drag but the weeks will fly by". This referenced how long and busy the days of training were but how quickly the weeks themselves seemed to pass. The same will be true with the 2025 Legislative Session which begins March 4th.
Our legislators have already attended four interim committee weeks in Tallahassee and a special session. If you're anything like me, you are a member of or follow a number of organizations that champion issues and topics that I value. I've already begun to receive "action alerts" asking me to call, email or visit my legislator about a possible or actual bill to either help it gain traction or prevent it from gaining support. As the session begins, these notifications will be more frequent and can seem overwhelming. You might consider a strategy that works for you based on your personal and professional bandwidth that allows you to set aside time to review the requests and determine the best method and timeframe to respond. I tend to review as many action alerts as possible in the morning and then respond on my lunch break.
With our Republican representatives having a supermajority in both chambers, it's important that we continue to build rapport with legislators so they understand what their community members and constituents value, what our needs are, and what expectations we have of them. |  | Don't assume that because a bill is introduced that it will pass all committees or that it won't be amended before the final vote. And don't assume that all bills that are sent to the governor's desk will be signed. I can still recall Net Metering Bill (HB 741) in 2022 that was sent to the governor's desk which would have ended solar power benefits for residential consumers. While the bill quickly passed through committees and was passed, Governor DeSantis vetoed it! Residents from across the state and political parties reached out to the governor asking him to veto the bill and he did just that.
I say all of this to say: do what you can, when and where you can, and don't give up. We are in this together.
Lanelle Phillmon
President, LWVJFC | | |
Chapter Bylaws
On June 5, 2025, we will convene our Annual Business Meeting where we will vote on a slate of officers, our budget and any proposed amendments to our current bylaws. Our Nominating Committee has been hard at work developing the proposed slate of officers and our Treasurer and Budget Committee preparing our proposed budget.
During last year's bylaws review, we worked diligently to ensure our bylaws closely mirror those of our state and national boards and made a number of changes. We are offering one last call for members to offer suggestions for amendment. Submissions for amendment will be reviewed and considered by the Bylaws Committee and then presented to the Board. Amendments to our bylaws must be approved by members during the annual business meeting. Submissions may only be made by members of League of Women Voters Jacksonville First Coast.
Please submit your suggestion by March 10, 2025 using the link below. You may submit more than one suggestion, but can submit only one at a time via the link. https://forms.gle/karJhuadZqL3hbsA6 | Federal Judiciary Study Consensus/Group Discussion
LWVUS is currently doing a study on the Federal Judiciary and we, at the local League level, have been asked to conduct a consensus/group discussion to provide input into the new LWVUS position on the Federal Judiciary. One issue we will discuss is whether structural reforms such as lifetime tenure should be adopted as the position of the League. Are you in favor of term limits as a means to enhance the Court's decision making through the more regular rotation of judges? Or do you think that term limits would weaken the stability of the judiciary? The Federal Judiciary Study has created a policy paper on structural reforms for the Supreme Court that can be found at https://www.lwv.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/.
Come and join our Consensus/Group Discussion for LWVJFC Members Only on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 2:00pm at the Beaches Library (600 3rd St, Neptune Beach, FL 32266). To register to attend, please go to https://lwvjaxfc.org/content.aspx?. Be sure to login as only members can participate in this Consensus/Group Discussion. If you have any questions about this Consensus/Group Discussion, please reach out to Rhona DiCamillo at vp.lwvjaxfc@gmail.com. | State League Convention
If you are new to the League, we encourage you to attend the 40th Biennial State Convention in Orlando June 6 and 7. While League business will be conducted (bylaws, elections, program, and budget), it's also a great opportunity to learn about the League. There will be presentations and speakers, an opportunity to join state committees, and an evening of fun.
If you are interested in being considered for a state board seat, you can self-nominate by March 15th by emailing Chair Joanne Aye at jayeaye@gmail.com.
If you have suggested changes to the LWVFL bylaws, or additions or recommended updates to the state program please submit those to our local President, Lanelle at lwvjaxfc@gmail.com by March 3rd so they can be discussed with the local board and forwarded along by March 6th. All materials that will be voted on during the state convention will be published in advance for all members to review.
If you are considering attending, please let Lanelle or Rhona know as both will be attending on behalf of the chapter. |  | JOIN US for Orientation
Sunday, March 30, 2025
2:00-3:00pm
Highly recommended for New Members, and for all members who have not previously attended.
- Learn about the history of the League, how we operate, and the process of Study and Action.
- Meet local League Leadership, committee chairs, and other new members.
- New Members are encouraged to attend.
- Current members as well as non-members are also invited.
The Zoom link will be emailed to you following Registration.
Questions? Contact:
Karen Parish
Membership Director, LWVJFC
lwvjfc.membership@gmail.com
904-477-9538 | One Person, One Vote Committee Update
Save-the-DateOur League will be hosting an event about the Abolition of the Electoral College and the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact on April 26th at 1:00 pm at the Regency Branch Library. This will be open to the public so please mark your calendar and invite a friend to attend. If you are interested in helping to promote this event or in joining the OPOV Committee, please reach out to our One Person, One Vote Committee Chair, Rhona DiCamillo, at vp.lwvjaxfc@gmail.com. | Education Committee
- Join our Duval google group so you’ll receive summaries of the Duval County Public School board meetings. Once you’ve joined, you can select all emails, daily summary, or access to website but no emails.
- Volunteer to lead an education subcommittee for Nassau, Clay, or St. Johns.
- Volunteer for the LWV-Florida Education Action Team subcommittee focused on higher education.
- Attend LWV-Florida Education Action Team meetings during this legislative session where education bills are discussed.
| Making Money Work for Democracy
The League of Women Voters of Athens County, Ohio conducted a study highlighting how money creation by private banks through lending contributes to wealth concentration and economic instability, and how public money creation could better serve the public good and League values. The Athens County League is now looking for other League's who might be interested in this topic to advocate that LWVUS do a nationwide study. The Athens County Leagues believes that as an organization dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy, the League is uniquely positioned to examine how our current monetary system impacts key issues we care about such as preserving democracy, money in politics, promoting a stable economy, addressing climate change, meeting basic human needs, and so much more. If anyone from our League is interested in this topic, please reach out to Rhona DiCamillo at vp.lwvjaxfc@gmail.com for more details. | New Members - Welcome aboard!
Dylan and Victoria Wregglesworth
Lynda Sheehan
Arden Spies
Leslie Sullivan
| Donations are always appreciated!
We wish to acknowledge and thank those who made donations this month:
Karen Parish
Lynda Sheehan
Chase Jones
Christine Allmand
Lanelle Phillmon (in honor of Commitment to Democracy)
Our website lwvjaxfc.org offers an easy way to make donations to LWVJFC, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the red "Donate" button at the top of the Homepage. | | | | Local
Stay up-to-date on all local upcoming events on the LWV of Jacksonville / First Coast:
• Website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
Regional
The Regional Facebook Group, LWV Florida North Region Leagues, includes Alachua, Bay, Jacksonville/First Coast, Okaloosa & Walton, Pensacola Bay Area, and Tallahassee.
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Contact Us!
Phone: 904-355-8683
Email: LWVJAXFC@gmail.com
Postal Address:
League of Women Voters of Jacksonville First Coast
PO Box 330353
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 | | | | The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. | | |
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