Revising the Taxation and Finance Study Consensus Timeframe: A Message from the President

Thank you to the many local League representatives who have taken the time to share feedback with the LWVO Board regarding the Taxation and Finance Study Committee Report. The board and I acknowledge your concerns and appreciate your suggestions. Like you, we want to insure the League is positioned to make well-informed decisions on this complex matter. Accordingly, at our board meeting this past weekend, the LWVO Board of Directors voted to table the Tax Study Consensus Process for the time being until we can provide you with materials that address your concerns and comments.

If you or your League members have already taken time to educate yourselves on state taxes and finances, I assure you your efforts are not in vain. We are simply taking time to regroup, to provide you with materials that address your concerns and comments, and to revise the consensus schedule in a way that works for all of us. We all want to assure a clear and efficient process and more importantly, a strong position. We will share with you more information on next steps in the process as soon as we make those arrangements.

We know this change is inconvenient for local Leagues. If you do not have alternative topics and materials you can substitute for an already-scheduled consensus meeting, we offer two suggestions for replacement content:

• Local Leagues can address the National Popular Vote issue if it is not already on your meeting schedule. All materials related to this issue are available on the LWVUS website including background materials, pros and cons and consensus questions. National Popular Vote Information We will also feature this issue in an upcoming Spotlight Electronic Newsletter.

• Alternatively, local Leagues can discuss the taxation and finance materials already sent and provide LWVO with additional feedback on areas needing more background or additional/less technical discussion.

Again, thank you for your feedback. Thank you also to the Study Committee members for their hard work. It is through our continued two-way communication that we are all better equipped to make the best decisions on behalf of the League of Women Voters.

Linda D. Lalley
President, LWV-Ohio