It is hard to believe the holiday season is already upon us. Somehow it still feels like April to me, but here we are! The end of the year offers us time for reflection an opportunity to review all that we have accomplished and set intentions for the new year. This applies to the LWVGT as well.

Here is a brief recap of some of our 2025 activities and events.

Voter Services has been busy (even in an “off” election year): They sponsored twenty-nine voter registration events resulting in 217 newly registered voters, three city council candidate forums with 183 attending in person, nine public education forums, a thank you event for our volunteers, and our Founders Day Luncheon featuring Professor Emeritus Susan Aiken.

Membership held three in-person member events and a LWVGT 101 online event. LWVGT membership is a robust 328.

In partnership with Tucson Police Department, Emerge, and other local community groups, the LWVGT Board supported the efforts of our Community Violence Prevention Committee in advocating for domestic violence prevention tools .

The Observer Corps currently covers six local government meetings, including the Marana City Council, which is addressing a controversial effort to establish a local detention center. We will continue to monitor this. These reports are available for review HERE.

The Advocacy Committee held the annual Legislative Breakfast on November 21st. We had a record turnout of local elected leaders from all levels of government. It was a great opportunity to hear how their priorities align with the positions of the LWVGT in an intimate setting  that allowed for conversations and Q & A. Notes from those conversations will be made available to all soon. 

A reminder that our Events and Fundraising Committee is getting ready for the Winter Potluck Brunch on Saturday December 13th. We encourage everyone to attend this in-person event to socialize, ask questions of current members, and learn more about ways to engage in the League. Please register HERE. 

Be sure to mark Friday, March 6th from 8:00am to 10:30am on your calendar for our annual Issues & Eggs Breakfast Forum fundraiser. This year’s topic is Truth and Trust in Media: Navigating Today's News and Information. This is sure to be another informative and impactful event. 

Our intentions for 2026 are all about the November midterm elections. Addressing voter registration, election security, voter education, counteracting voter suppression, and addressing mis-and dis-information will be even more important than ever in 2026.

I encourage you to begin planning now how you will engage to support the LWVGT’s work in these areas. Our mission has never been more vital. 

All the best to you this holiday season,

Betsy

Did you know? 

LWVGT has eight policy positions, which were adopted by membership after careful study. To read the complete text for each one open the Google document HERE.  

1. Affordable Housing and Transportation 

2. Community Planning – Affordable Housing 

3. Charter Schools 

4. Comprehensive Planning and Zoning 

5. Consolidated Government 

6. Education Finance 

7. Water Resources 

8. Air Quality and Climate Change

Why are these policy positions important to you? 

Positions are central to our mission of informing the public and improving government on the national, state, and local level. Positions serve as a vehicle for the League to provide its viewpoint on key issues to elected officials, the media, and the public.

Perhaps most importantly, LWVGT Advocacy Committee acts on issues according to our policy positions.

Please review the current positions and come to the meeting to share your thoughts.

If you are unable to attend the meeting and wish to make suggestions contact the Advocacy Committee at advocacy@lwvtucson.com.