Issues and Programs 2010 - 2011
UULMF continues to adopt core issues that impact Florida and the nation. As UU congregations persist in their work for the homeless, UULMF has expanded its core issues for 2010 - 2011 to include:
Renewing American Democracy
The issue of Election Reform/Campaign Finance Reform/Media Reform crystallized after work done for the 2010 General Assembly in Minneapolis. At UUA General Assembly 2010, three of the five Congregational Study Action Issues (CSAIs) proposed for UU congregations nationwide were Revitalizing American Democracy; National Economic Reform; and Energy, Peace and Justice.
The UU Congregation of Venice, Florida proposed Revitalizing American Democracy along with congregations from Boston and New York City. Sponsors of the three CSAIs met at the annual luncheon meeting of the UUs for a Just Economic Community (www.uujec.org) the closing day of General Assembly. Common concerns centered around the issue of corporate control of America and how that impacts elected officials and public policy at both state and national levels.
Florida delegates brought back information about the nationwide movement Move to Amend (www.movetoamend.org) to address the fiction of corporate personhood and work toward a Constitutional Amendment that clearly states that corporations are not persons and money is not speech.
UULMF reviewed the materials and became an organizational endorser of Move to Amend, along with Social Justice Committees of several Florida UU congregations. Six congregations (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Melbourne, Ormond Beach, and Sarasota) participated in a statewide tour for Move to Amend by hosting former Presidential candidate David Cobb in September, 2010.
UULMF continues to work with Florida Move to Amend and partner organizations on other events to highlight the problems of corporate personhood, now enshrined in law by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC of January 21, 2010.
UULMF also supported the effort of Fair Districts Florida (www.fairdistrictsflorida.org) for legislative and congressional redistricting reform. Various UU congregations around Florida hosted forums on this issue in August 2010 and worked hard to pass Amendments 5 and 6 in the November 2010 election. (Thanks to all Florida UUs who helped with that successful campaign.)
The challenge now is to help Fair Districts follow through to make sure the reforms are supported by the governor and implemented by the state legislature.
Immigration as a Moral Issue
The winning Congregational Study Action Issue at GA 2010 was Immigration as a Moral Issue. This issue impacts Florida and other states. It has been magnified because of...
Climate Change
Climate Change continues as a core issue of UULMF, since laws to address this issue have been sidetracked and are still being opposed nationally and locally. Both state and federal legislators need to hear about the public's concerns. We encourage UUs to express their views. UULMF will offer resources along with opportunities for you to step up and make your views known. For resources on Climate Change, see our Climate Change Resources page.
Return to Issues and Programs Home
Renewing American Democracy
The issue of Election Reform/Campaign Finance Reform/Media Reform crystallized after work done for the 2010 General Assembly in Minneapolis. At UUA General Assembly 2010, three of the five Congregational Study Action Issues (CSAIs) proposed for UU congregations nationwide were Revitalizing American Democracy; National Economic Reform; and Energy, Peace and Justice.
The UU Congregation of Venice, Florida proposed Revitalizing American Democracy along with congregations from Boston and New York City. Sponsors of the three CSAIs met at the annual luncheon meeting of the UUs for a Just Economic Community (www.uujec.org) the closing day of General Assembly. Common concerns centered around the issue of corporate control of America and how that impacts elected officials and public policy at both state and national levels.
Florida delegates brought back information about the nationwide movement Move to Amend (www.movetoamend.org) to address the fiction of corporate personhood and work toward a Constitutional Amendment that clearly states that corporations are not persons and money is not speech.
UULMF reviewed the materials and became an organizational endorser of Move to Amend, along with Social Justice Committees of several Florida UU congregations. Six congregations (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Melbourne, Ormond Beach, and Sarasota) participated in a statewide tour for Move to Amend by hosting former Presidential candidate David Cobb in September, 2010.
UULMF continues to work with Florida Move to Amend and partner organizations on other events to highlight the problems of corporate personhood, now enshrined in law by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC of January 21, 2010.
UULMF also supported the effort of Fair Districts Florida (www.fairdistrictsflorida.org) for legislative and congressional redistricting reform. Various UU congregations around Florida hosted forums on this issue in August 2010 and worked hard to pass Amendments 5 and 6 in the November 2010 election. (Thanks to all Florida UUs who helped with that successful campaign.)
The challenge now is to help Fair Districts follow through to make sure the reforms are supported by the governor and implemented by the state legislature.
Immigration as a Moral Issue
The winning Congregational Study Action Issue at GA 2010 was Immigration as a Moral Issue. This issue impacts Florida and other states. It has been magnified because of...
- the Draconian law passed in Arizona allowing police to check the papers of anyone they think looks like an illegal alien
- growing oppression of immigrants
- the increase in restrictive laws nationwide
- the continuing inability of Congress to deal with the problem
Climate Change
Climate Change continues as a core issue of UULMF, since laws to address this issue have been sidetracked and are still being opposed nationally and locally. Both state and federal legislators need to hear about the public's concerns. We encourage UUs to express their views. UULMF will offer resources along with opportunities for you to step up and make your views known. For resources on Climate Change, see our Climate Change Resources page.
Return to Issues and Programs Home
