League of Women Voters of Michigan

Positions of the Michigan League of Women Voters

Through a process of study and consensus, members of the League of Women Voters of Michigan take positions on public policy issues. While the League never supports or opposes candidates for office or political parties, we do lobby our elected officials to advance these positions. Below is only a summary of the League's state positions. For information about national positions, see the League of Women Voters of the United States.

GOVERNMENT

Redistricting For the State Legislature and US House of Representatives
LWVMI supports the formation of an independent redistricting commission in lieu of the legislature as the primary redistricting body. Such a commission should afford equal representation to the major parties and provide for independent and diverse representation. This commission should be established through legislation and/or a constitutional amendment. Read more...
Election Laws
LWVMI supports uniform ease and accessibility of voting with assurances of accuracy, security and voter privacy; fair and uniform party regulation; open primaries and a regional presidential primary; local officials having primary authority for elections, the principles of initiative, referendum and recall; nonpartisan merit appointment and the subsequent retention election of appellate judges; nonpartisan election of judges for local courts; public funding for judicial election campaigns. Read More...
Intergovernmental Relations Within Michigan
LWVMI supports measures to allow flexibility in solving regional problems and to encourage orderly growth and efficient government. Such measures should include cooperation, coordination and long-range planning. Read more...
Taxation and Budgeting
LWVMI supports a state-local tax structure that is adequate, equitable, flexible and moderately progressive. Read more...

NATURAL RESOURCES

Great Lakes Ecosystem
LWVMI supports preserving and enhancing the environmental integrity of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem. A priority is the attainment and maintenance of high water quality standards throughout the Basin with emphasis on conservation and pollution prevention. Decision-making should include public education and input, and inter-governmental participation and planning. Read More....
Land Use
LWVMI, recognizing that land is a finite resource, not just a commodity, believes that land ownership (whether public or private) implies responsibilities of stewardship.
Read more...
Pesticides
LWVMI supports reduction of exposure to pesticides, the use of non-toxic alternatives, regulation of the use of pesticides by all levels of government, and public notice of pesticide use. Read More...
Solid Waste Management
LWVMI supports measures to solve the problem of solid waste disposal including state cooperation with local and federal bodies, primary responsibility by local government, and mandatory reuse and recycling technology. Read More...
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
LWVMI supports adequate regulation and inspection of facilities and the public's right to know of environmental risks. Read More...

SOCIAL POLICY

Children and Youth
LWVMI supports a system of comprehensive and coordinated services for all children and families to provide basic resources for an adequate quality of life; policies and programs staffed with well-trained and sufficient personnel to provide preventive, protective and rehabilitative services for all children and families; individualized justice for children within the framework of due process of law with adequate and coordinated court services. Read More...
Education: Structure, Financing and Goals
LWVMI supports a publicly financed public education system in which there is equal opportunity for good education available to all children. State, federal, and local governments should share financial responsibility with the state having the greatest funding responsibility and with some local millage levies. Public funds should not be used for general nonpublic education purposes. Read more...
Education: Teacher Certification in Michigan
LWVMI supports teacher preparation and professional development with certification of educators. Read more...
Education: Public School Academies (PSA)
LWVMI supports the concept of educational choices for parents and students within the public school system. PSAs (also known as Charter Schools) should demonstrate strong oversight, account-ability, evaluation criteria, and compliance with state laws. The number of PSAs should be limited until student achievement can be assessed. Read More...
Health Care
Support: a basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost available to all U.S. residents; equitable distribution of services; efficient and economical delivery of care; a reasonable total national expenditure level for health care. Read More...
Social Services System
LWVMI supports a system of services which: 1) provide sufficient income assistance to assure decent, adequate standards for food, clothing and shelter for people unable to work, or for whom jobs are not available, or whose earnings are inadequate; 2) establish adequate financial incentives and opportunities for realistic job training and counseling. Read More...
Structure and Funding of Michigan's Public Libraries
LWVMI supports basic and stable funding for public libraries to insure basic services to all state residents. Sources include penal fines, state aid, and local taxes. Organization of public libraries should be uniform with self-governing library boards with financial autonomy, the establishment of minimum standards, and cooperation with other libraries. Read More...

Prisons in Michigan
LWVMI supports a cost-effective prison system that reduces recidivism, utilizes alternatives to incarceration, reduces emphasis on prison construction, and provides supportive/rehabilitative programs. Read More...