Welcome

Hello, Members and Friends, 

Helen Landers spoke to us in March about women’s history in Broward, as part of our celebration of Women’s History Month.  She is a lively and engaging speaker; and we enjoyed hearing about ground-breaking women such as Easter Lily Gates, whom some of us knew.  We thank Helen for taking us on the walk through Broward’s women’s history. 

April’s meeting will focus on two serious topics:  Separation of Church and State and the Marriage Amendment.  The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission voted to put on November’s ballot a question to change the Florida constitution to allow our tax money to be given to religious institutions.  The Marriage Amendment will also be voted on in November asking Floridians to approve a constitutional amendment that will ban recognition and benefits for unmarried couples, straight and gay.  Come hear our discussion leader, Ron Mills, Democratic activist, lay out the issues. 

Anti-choice legislation to watch:  HB 257and S 2400 to require an ultrasound on any woman obtaining an abortion, placing undue burdens on the woman and her doctor.  The House version also includes a requirement that young women seeking a judicial bypass must be assigned a guardian ad litem.  This provision places an additional burden on the judicial system, as well as the woman.  HB 257 passed the House; S 2400 passed in the Senate. 

Additional anti-choice legislation: HB 513 and S 2480 create penalties if a fetus is killed in the course of a homicide; it effectively elevates the legal status of a fetus to that of an adult human being.  HB 513 passed the House; S 2480 is now in committee.

There were several pro-choice bills filed by our Democratic friends in Tallahassee.  The legislation is languishing in committees.  The Prevention First Act (HB 385 and S 780) expands access to birth control, guarantees the right to access contraception and ensures that women get their Rx and OTC contraception at pharmacies.  The Florida Healthy Teens Act (HB 449 and S 848) requires public schools that receive public funding must provide comprehensive, medically accurate, factual information about family planning and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS.  

Our troops killed in Iraq is now 4,025.  The violence has begun to escalate again: thirteen soldiers were killed in April. General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker insist that things are getting better.  After the troops from the surge are brought home, they will slow down the number of soldiers being brought home this summer.  One hopeful sign is that the tour of duty is going from 18 months to one year.  Other tolls of this illegal occupation are the huge number of wounded and the horrific nature of the wounds; it’s taking a terrible toll on families. 

Please remember our soldiers in Iraq and call your Congress member to end the war.  Bring our soldiers home to their families. 

Connecting the dots:  The drain on the US resources of $341.4 million per day for Iraq has put our economy in a recession. 

Have you marked your calendar for the State DWC convention?  It’s going to be at Lido Beach Resort, Sarasota, September 4- September 7.  During this election year, it’s going to be an especially important and exciting convention. 

Many of our members have yet to pay their dues.  Please remember to send them in as soon as possible or bring them to the next meeting.  The number of paid members will determine how many delegates we can have at the convention.

Maggie

Next meeting
April 16, 2008 - 6:30 p.m.
Emma Lou Olson Civic Center
1801 NE 6 Street
Pompano Beach

Speaker: Ron Mills
Topic: Ballot amendments: (1) Separation of Church and State,
and (2) Marriage Amendme

For information, contact:
Maggie Davidson
954-942-8711 

Board meeting
April 16, 2008
Immediately following the program meeting.