The Civics Education Committee is a local committee that partners with the State League, and other Washington leagues, to advocate for civics education funding in the state. In addition, we are exploring ways to encourage the learning of the importance of voting, the Constitution, local and Washington state government and other civics related topics. The committee plans to publish a brochure for teachers about civics education resources provided by the League including topics available through the Speakers Bureau.

The Transportation Committee is a statewide committee, with focus on Puget Sound regional transportation issues and on statewide issues. Recent meeting topics have included Freight Mobility, Alaskan Way Viaduct, SR 520, Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation plan, Aviation, Regional Transportation Commission, and Climate Advisory Team/Transportation Technical Working Group. Soon to be heard include Joni Earl, head of Sound Transit and Peg Staeheli on pedestrian and bicycle issues.

The International Relations (I-R) Committee is a hybrid local and state committee; moreover it has three distinct parts. One is a daytime group which meets in Seattle on a monthly basis, and which draws its participants from Seattle and the region (Whidbey Island, Bellingham, South King County, etc.) The most recent addition is an evening group which also meets in Seattle on a monthly basis. And, last but not least, there is an online network of I-R point persons representing Leagues across the state.

Land Use Committee members look at the policies and politics that govern how land is used in our neighborhoods, in downtown Seattle, and throughout the city generally. Our agenda includes everything from advocating for the preservation of historic structures, to testifying on the community costs/benefits of newly-proposed building projects, to monitoring whether our parks, shorelines and other open spaces are adequately protected.

In September, 2008, the Immigration Study Committee brought to a close a two-year study, which first focused on national immigration policy in connection with the immigration study of the League of Women Voters of the US. The committee held two forums on related issues in immigration and led the Seattle League through consensus on national issues. The outcome of the national consensus was broad and included:

• Due process for all people
• A path to legal status including citizenship for unauthorized immigrants
• A stop to deportation of unauthorized immigrants with no criminal record
• Expeditious reunification of immediate family members of immigrants

For a full reading of the League position, go to the national League of Women Voters website.

Following the study of national immigration policy, the Immigration Study Committee turned its efforts to the interplay between national policy and local policy in regard to Seattle/King County’s large immigrant population. The study focused on four areas: health services, education, jobs, and law enforcement. The written report of this study was published in the September, 2008, issue of the Seattle Voter, which can be viewed here. The committee’s third forum in September 2008 spoke to local issues. Local consensus was reached including:

• Support of the provision of public health services to all residents without regard to their citizenship status.
• Support of an emphasis in law enforcement on building trust in immigrant communities, to include the policy of asking about an individual’s immigration status only if he/she has been charged with a felony or misdemeanor.

The committee continues to meet regularly to discuss issues of relevance to national or local immigration policy. For more information, contact co-chairs Barbara Reid at barbereid@yahoo.com or Barbara Yasui.

The Social Justice Committee is an advocacy committee that works to fulfill League's positions on equal rights, social policy, housing and justice at the local government level - in Seattle, Bellevue, the suburban cities and King County. We also follow issues at the state and national level by working with LWV of Washington and LWV of US.

The Education Committee follows issues related to public education from pre-K to 12th grade. The State League is drafting an update of our early learning study, and the Seattle League will participate in the study.

The Membership & Outreach Committee’s purpose is to create momentum within the board, units and other league leadership to move forward the membership and outreach strategic goals. All are welcome.

Please contact Maria Brusher at outreach.seattlew@gmail.com and Kelly Powers at membership.seattlelwv@gmail.com, co-chairs, if you'd like to join us.