The League of Women Voters of Houston exists to serve as an advocate for the people—all people. We hold ourselves responsible for advocating for our community. Throughout the years, we’ve continued to stay active and informed by participating in conversations involving bilingual education, city government, domestic violence and more.

You can read a thorough review of the issues we study and positions we take in recent history here in order to serve all voters and be all hands in for democracy. To name just a few—we have been advocates for legislation and policy surrounding bilingual education, flood control, education, domestic violence and community health since 1969.

1993; city government—Supporting and ensuring that minority rights are not diluted

2000; bilingual education—History: LWV-HA conducted a two-year study of bilingual education in the Greater Houston Area to review and evaluate federal and state laws, funding mechanisms, and policies as well as how programs are being implemented and the criteria used for evaluating the success or effectiveness of the programs. A position was adopted on April 24, 2000.

1989; child abuse and neglect—At the LWV-Texas convention held in Houston in 1990, the study was adopted as a non recommended item and was studied locally by LWV-Houston members under the guidelines of the LWV-Texas. The child care issue was studied that same year as a recommended LWV-Texas item. Action: In recent years, the League has lobbied for child abuse prevention programs to be restored with health care provided for all our children in protective care; caseworker caseloads to reflect the national standard of 12 to 18 cases per worker; and for Children’s Protective Services (CPS) to be adequately funded with the latest technology

1983; domestic violence—LWV-HA was part of a coalition that successfully lobbied for setting up the Domestic Violence Unit in the District Attorney’s office and League members volunteered in the office in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. The League supported the anti-stalking law that was revised in the 1997 Texas Legislative session.

1989; financing city government—The study was undertaken to formulate a position on the policies and principles basic to financing City Government, beyond the budget process, and give the LWV-HA the means to address such concerns as the city’s over-dependence on property taxes for funding the operating budget, its need to maintain a healthy emergency fund balance, the level of city indebtedness beyond investment in capital improvements, and others.

While that’s just a brief glimpse of what our members stand up and take action on, you can view even more here. What issues are impacting your community right now? Become a member or join an event to connect and help move our city forward.