The Health Committee receives input and observations from members who attend health coalition meetings around the state so to keep current with the thinking and initiatives developing from local areas.

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 www.lwv.org

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 quarterly to discuss issues of relevance to national or local immigration policy. For more information, contact co-chairs Annette Holcomb or Barbara Reid.

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 Natural Resources Committee covers a broad list of topics including all aspects of the environment from climate change to energy, waste control, water, litter control and the indoor environment at both the local and State level.

The Natural Resource Committee (NRC) operates in cyberspace with emails and phone calls and welcomes new members who like to study, seek consensus, and take action on positions of the League. This method saves time and gasoline but above all allows more people to participate. We are considering a conference call that would allow all members to participate in an ear to ear meeting. We are interested in recruiting new members and will hold a face-to-face meeting at least once a year to introduce them.

We want to use the internet to educate families and help them make informed decisions about the home and outdoor environment. We need people who have an interest and time to work in areas mentioned above. We hope we can help you follow your bliss in the Natural Resources Committee to make this world a sustainable place to live.

To get involved, contact the League Office at info@seattlelwv.org or by phone at (206) 329-4848.