Amanda SubbaRao

  • published League In Action in About Us 2023-09-25 18:55:48 -0400

    League In Action

    LWVAAC is now part of the League In Action app!

    League In Action, a LWV-branded app powered by OutreachCircle, is a convenient way to access important League announcements without opening a single email. After you install the app, you can enable push notifications in your settings to receive League event reminders and alerts right on your mobile device.

    League in Action sample image and QR Code on the right. Text: Scan to Download League in Action

    Steps:

    1) Download the app.

    • Reading this on your computer? Scan the QR Code above on your mobile device to get started.
    • On your mobile device? Click here to download the app
    • Alternately, search the App Store or Google Play for "League in Action" and download the app.

    2) Install the app.

    • If you are already on the LWV of Anne Arundel circle, click the "Join" button, and create an account.
    • If you do not see the LWV Anne Arundel logo, enter "Anne Arundel" in the search bar to find our circle. From there, click the Join button.

    3) Customize your settings. 

    • Enable push notifications in Settings to receive real-time alerts from LWVAAC.

    4) Explore LIA to follow other Leagues, including LWVUS.

     

     

     


  • published League Issues Survey in Take Action 2023-09-25 13:56:01 -0400

    League Issues Survey

    The LWVAAC Board is weighing a proposal to create League Issue-Focused Teams (LIFTs) and we need your input.

    As proposed, each LIFT will function independently. The LIFT may choose to research, observe, report, educate and advocate on their chosen topic, consistent with League principles, policies and positions. Team members may take a specific role, e.g. observer, or may share or rotate responsibilities. LIFTs may also propose that LWVAAC adopt a study related to their issue, or an update to an existing position.

    Teams will meet regularly; in-person gatherings will be encouraged when feasible. Each team will have a leader, who will be responsible for organizing and moderating the meetings, and a liaison from the LWVAAC Board, who may or may not also be the leader.

    Please email questions, comments or concerns to Amanda SubbaRao, [email protected]. Thank you for your time and consideration.

    Which, if any, of the following League priorities is of particular interest?

    Become a volunteer

  • published LWVAAC Reusable Tote Bags in The Voter Blog 2023-09-20 12:38:27 -0400

    LWVAAC Reusable Tote Bags

    LWVAAC and VOTE411 branded grocery tote

    Just in time for the 2024 elections and Anne Arundel County plastic bag restrictions.

    Port Authority® Ideal Twill Over-the-Shoulder Tote

    • Durable 10-ounce, 100% cotton twill
    • Cotton web handles with reinforced stitching
    • Printed on two sides with LWVAAC and VOTE411 logos
    • Dimensions:15"h x 13.5"w x 7.25"d; Approx. 1,800 cubic inches

     

    LWV branding by Kwikgrafx Screenprinting, an Anne Arundel County minority-owned business.


  • published Retreat Lunch Selection in Annual Retreat 2023-05-25 15:34:36 -0400

    Retreat Lunch Selection

    If you wish to reserve a Panera Box lunch, please respond to this survey by June 10th, or email [email protected] with your selection.

    We suggest a $10 voluntary contribution at the retreat for box lunches. For drinks, BYOB (non-alcoholic only, per park regulations).

    Panera Box Lunch Options:

    Style Option Includes
    Sandwich Box Mediterranean Veggie Full sandwich, chips, pickle spear, cookie
    Sandwich Box BBQ Chicken Full sandwich, chips, pickle spear, cookie
    Sandwich Box Turkey Full sandwich, chips, pickle spear, cookie
    Salad Box   Caesar  (specify with or without chicken) Full salad, piece of baguette, cookie
    Salad Box Greek Full salad, piece of baguette, cookie
    Salad Box Seasonal Greens Full salad, piece of baguette, cookie

    Questions? Email [email protected].

    Take the survey

  • published Community Connections in Community Connections 2023-02-16 21:43:46 -0500

    Community Connections

    LWVAAC is proud to partner with community organizations that support the League's nonpartisan, educational mission.

    In pursuing public policy goals based on League positions, LWVAAC gains information and compounds its impact by participating in coalitions. To address our public policy position on Planning and Zoning, LWVAAC is a member of the Growth Action Network with LWVAAC Director Susan Cochran as liaison. Based on our position on Affordable Housing, the League is a member of the Anne Arundel Affordable Housing Coalition with LWVAAC Director Abby Root as liaison.

    GAN mission

    Anne Arundel Affordable Housing Coalition logo


  • published Community Connections in Take Action 2023-02-16 21:40:59 -0500

  • published Manage Email Subscriptions in About Us 2023-02-10 19:46:13 -0500

  • published Combat Voting Disinformation in Voter Toolkit 2022-10-21 22:05:15 -0400

    Combat Disinformation to Restore Faith in Elections

    Recent changes in the way Marylanders vote have caused confusion and uncertainty. Many people look for answers on social media such as Facebook, X, and Instagram. Unfortunately, not all of the election information shared on social media or the internet is accurate or true. Here are some tips to help you recognize misinformation and combat disinformation.

    Misinformation vs. Disinformation

    The difference between misinformation and disinformation is a matter of intent. Misinformation is inaccurate information that is shared due to an error or misunderstanding. Disinformation, on the other hand, is deliberately intended to deceive, manipulate, or mislead people.

    Disinformation about our elections is developed and spread by entities seeking to undermine faith in our democracy. The following video from the Maryland Board of Elections describes how foreign bad actors interfered in the 2016 U.S. election:

    By understanding how disinformation is created and spread, you can learn how to distinguish fact from fiction. 

    Finding Trusted Sources and Reliable Information

    Many people now get their information primarily from social media. It is very easy for people and bot accounts to look like reliable sources. Do some research about the source to determine if it is reliable.

    For information specific to voting, including dates, locations and requirements, the most reliable sources are election officials and official government websites, such as local (Anne Arundel County) and state (Maryland) Board of Elections websites.

    When reading about candidates and election issues, ask yourself these questions and use your answers to determine how reliable the source is:

    • Who is the author or source?
    • What expertise in the topic do they have?
    • What is the date of the information: is it current or old?
    • What other information is the source posting?
    • Does the source cite other sources that are reliable?
    • Are other sources sharing the same information? Which sources have conflicting information? How reliable are those sources?
    • What do official sources, such as government websites, say about the topic?

    Disinformation is often designed to manipulate feelings. "News" that causes a strong emotional reaction is more likely to be shared on social media.  

    Ask yourself these questions about the specific information presented, and if you answer "yes" to any, do more research on the issue using reliable sources before you share the information:

    • Is the information worded to provoke a strong emotional reaction?
    • Does the content of the article match the headline? 
    • Does the information present statements of opinion that are not backed by facts or data?
    • If data or facts are given, are they documented? Can they be confirmed? Are they accurate?
    • If the information is presented in a soundbite, is it presented in context?

    Preventing the Spread of Inaccurate Information

    When you encounter bad information, what can you do to stop its spread? 

    • DO NOT repeat the bad information or quote it. Even if you then say the information is bad, or give good information after the bad information, repeating the bad information helps fix it in people's minds. If you want to refer to bad information, do so in a general way, such as "Some people are making false claims about the election."
    • DO provide accurate information and include links to trusted sources for the accurate information.
    • DO NOT click on or share links or memes that contain bad information, even if your plan is to refute it. 
    • DO report and block bad actors that share disinformation on social media platforms.
    • DO NOT publicly respond to someone who is posting bad information on social media platforms. If someone you know is spreading bad information, contact them privately about removing the post. Public responses lead to a higher visibility of the original post.
    • DO post your own post sharing the correct information when someone in your social media list posts disinformation or misinformation. This will prevent further spread of the bad information while reaching mutual friends on your lists that may have seen the bad information.

    Arm yourself with the tools to stop the spread of disinformation. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has a website that focuses on stopping the spread of misinformation and disinformation, as well as malinformation, which is information that is mostly true but used in a misleading way. This website also provides a PDF of tips for stopping the spread of election and voting misinformation and disinformation.


    Interested in learning more about the security of elections in Maryland? Click here.


  • published Gun Safety: LWV and the Law in Take Action 2022-09-17 19:25:01 -0400

    Gun Safety: LWV and the Law

    By Susan Cochran, Director and Action Co-Chair

    Activist David Basil supports stronger gun control laws at the recent March for our Lives rally in Annapolis. (Photo by K. Larrabee)As the nation is reeling from a recent string of mass shootings stretching from New York to Texas to Oklahoma, and gun violence continues, many of us are asking what can be done about gun violence. The League of Women Voters has been working for sensible gun safety laws for over 30 years. LWVUS CEO, Virginia Case Solomon, decried the Uvalde tragedy and declared, “We will not be silent.” The League’s position on gun ownership is clear:

    The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens.

    Read more

  • published Voter Info in Voter Toolkit 2022-07-23 13:05:21 -0400

  • published Voter Registration Opportunities in Voter Toolkit 2022-06-10 20:31:07 -0400

  • published LWVUS in About Us 2022-06-06 11:14:23 -0400

  • published LWV of Maryland in About Us 2022-06-06 11:11:46 -0400

  • published About the Action Committee in Take Action 2022-05-06 11:35:06 -0400

    Action Committee


    LWVAAC's Action Committee organizes events that promote the League’s position on an issue to government officials and the public. Such actions may include media campaigns, lobbying or advocating for a cause, and educating the public for support.

    Email [email protected] for more information.

    Program Committee


    LWVAAC's Program Committee addresses local issues of compelling interest, often building relationships in the community and alliances with other organizations. At the local League level, the word “program” is used to describe a variety of events, including, but not limited to, speakers, panel discussions, candidate debates, and other educational activities for members and the public.

    Email [email protected] for more information

     


  • published Affordable Housing in LWVAAC Positions 2022-05-06 11:18:30 -0400

    Affordable Housing

    Action to secure affordable housing for low and very low income residents and special populations in Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis. ⓘ 

    Support for:

    1. rehabilitation of the existing housing supply to maintain the stock of affordable housing;
    2. meeting the housing and human service needs of special populations including, but not limited to the homeless;
    3. increasing opportunities for people of low or moderate income;
    4. ensuring an adequate stock of subsidized housing, and rental assistance and services to low and very low income persons.

    2021 Report of the LWVAAC Study Group on Affordable Housing 

    A:

    Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County

    The Commission is dedicated to strengthening communities and improving the lives of Anne Arundel County citizens focusing on the ownership, management, sustainability and preservation of affordable housing. 

    AAC Subdivision Activity and Commercial Site Plan Viewer


  • published Board of Education in LWVAAC Positions 2022-05-06 11:17:31 -0400

    Board of Education

    Support for election of Board of Education members in nonpartisan elections held at the same time as partisan elections. 

    A:

    Anne Arundel Board of Education

    The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County consists of seven adult members and one student member. The adult members are elected in presidential election years and represent districts whose boundaries mirror those of County Council districts. The student member is elected by county students, appointed by the Governor, and serves a one-year term. The student member is the only student on a local school board in the nation who has full voting rights.

     


  • published County Charter in LWVAAC Positions 2022-05-06 11:16:23 -0400

    County Charter

    Support for a charter that is clear, concise and confined to fundamentals. 

    A:

    Anne Arundel Charter

    We, the People of Anne Arundel County, State of Maryland, in order to form a more orderly County government, establish separate legislative and executive branches, insure responsibility of and accountability for public funds, promote the general welfare and secure the benefits of home rule, do, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the State of Maryland, adopt, ordain and establish as our Charter and form of government this CHARTER OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND.

    Charter Revision Commission

    The Charter Revision Commission, created by Sec. 1203 in the County Charter, is responsible for conducting a comprehensive study of the County government and recommending revisions to the Charter as necessary, including the matter of the revision of the Councilmanic districts of the County.

    Commission-Following release of U.S. Census data, the County Council appointed a Charter Revision Commission which has been working since October and should release a report at the end of March.


  • published Waste Management in LWVAAC Positions 2022-05-06 11:15:14 -0400

    Waste Management

    Hazardous  Support the efforts of County government to control problems of hazardous waste. Support establishment of central collections points for disposal of hazardous wastes from households and other small generators. Urge the County to provide adequate information on how to report suspected hazardous wastes and on ways to reduce the use of hazardous products in the household.


    Solid ⓘ Support a program of solid waste management that protects public health and the environment through promotions of source reduction, recycling, and adoption of a conservation ethic among individuals, businesses, and government. We believe every individual must take responsibility for his or her waste and must change disposal habits. A solid waste plan should emphasize source reduction, waste materials recovery, recycling, and composting. Incineration (waste to energy) and other alternatives should be considered only after health, environmental, and economic effects have been studied. Includes City of Annapolis.

    A:
    • The Recycle Coach App for mobile devices helps you keep track of what goes where and alerts you to ACC waste management events like Hazardous Waste Collection days. Download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)

    Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works

    The Department of Public Works provides services to ensure safe drinking water; to enhance wastewater treatment; to efficiently recycle, collect trash, and dispose of waste; to maintain, manage, and operate the County's road and bridge network; to design and construct County infrastructure; and to provide innovative environmental restoration projects that maintain a high quality of life for residents and visitors of Anne Arundel County.

    AAC Bureau of Waste Management Services

    The Bureau is responsible for collecting recycling, yard waste and trash from over 168,000 curbside customers. The Bureau also is responsible for the operation of the Millersville Landfill and the County's Recycling centers.

     


  • published Planning and Zoning in LWVAAC Positions 2022-05-06 11:14:32 -0400

    Planning and Zoning

    Endorsement of the concept of controlled growth and encouragement of strong enforcement of existing land use controls (zoning, and storm water and sediment controls) and adoption of new regulations to support the concept. 

    The League supports the following goals in accordance with this position.

    1. Promote and pursue balanced development in appropriate target areas that will have minimum impact on the environment and maximum long-term benefit to employment and the tax base including provision of opportunity for affordable housing and a variety of commercial activities in established commercial areas and discouragement of strip development.
    2. Enforce the County implementation of the critical area laws and ensure their adequacy.
    3. Enforce more strongly the adequate public facilities ordinances, including those regarding water and sewer systems, waste water treatment plants, roads, and public transportation.
    4. Reduce air, water, and noise pollution.
    5. Expand and strengthen watershed management with storm water and sediment controls, using stronger enforcement of regulations and citizen participation, e.g. as monitors.
    6. Maintain the integrity of rural residential and established farming areas by expanding the agricultural preservation program.
    7. Expand programs that support carpools, vanpools, and all forms of public transportation.
    A:

    September 2023 LWVAAC Voter article on Plan2040

    Office of Planning and Zoning

    Our mission is to plan the overall physical development and growth of the County, update and enforce the zoning code, and administer the subdivision and development regulations.

    AAC Land Use Information

    Explore County data related to land use.

    Zoning and Land Use Viewer

    Explore County data related to planning and zoning.

     


  • published Transportation in LWVAAC Positions 2022-05-06 11:14:02 -0400

    Transportation

    ⓘ Support development and improvement of public transportation in Anne Arundel County, and encourage the county government to have thorough, professional studies made of the transportation needs of various sectors of the population, to develop proposals for meeting the needs, and to find ways to implement appropriate proposals. The LWVAA should evaluate proposals using relevant criteria regarding:

    Users’ concerns–needs of various population groups and geographical areas, affordability of fares, travel time reliability and comfort, and safety;

    Economics–capital costs (rights of way, construction and equipment), capital funding, operating costs, potential ridership and fare, operating revenues;

    Physical matters–availability of rights of way, relation to other systems existing and planned, adaptability to future growth, and fuel type and consumption;

    Environmental impact–pollution, and degradation of natural resources.

    A:

    Learn more about transportation in AAC

    Anne Arundel Department of Transportation

    Vision Zero

    A strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.

    Stresses “four Es”: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Medical Services.

    Walk and Roll Anne Arundel

    A vision for walking, bicycling, and rolling (using a wheelchair, roller skates, a scooter, or any other active transportation device) in the County.

    Anne Arundel Open Data: Transportation Data 

    Includes data maps for Rail Lines, Rail Stations, and Transportation Stops