The League of Women Voters has been an active champion of openness in government throughout its history. The organization’s principles include the requisite that “government bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.” Over the years, the League has supported various federal, state, and local initiatives to expand open government requirements and has fought against proposals aimed at limiting access to public information.
Observer programs (or Observer Corps) are a structured way for individuals to exercise their right to know. Organized under the auspices of a grassroots organization, such as the League of Women Voters, they provide a valuable service to the community. They help ensure that citizens are aware of the decisions that impact their lives and promote government transparency and accountability.
Dutchess County Board Meetings
LWVMHR Member Jane Simkin Smith attended (virtually) the Dutchess County Legislature Board Meetings that took place beginning in December 2023.
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meeting – October 15, 2024
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meeting October 15, 2024 The meeting began and ended with condolences. First to a Clinton Hollow Road family who lost the
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meeting – September 9, 2024
The session began with a remembrance of 9/11, the pledge of allegiance, a prayer, and two proclamations: the recognition of Sept. 16-20 as National Adult
Observer Corps: Dutchess County Legislative Session Aug. 12. 2024
Once again, the dominant issue addressed at this session – by the public and the legislators — was Resolution 132, authorizing acceptance of a state
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meeting – July 15, 2024
The meeting on July 15, 2024 was a long session, the vast majority of which was devoted to Resolution 132, the contentious issue of a
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meeting – June 10, 2024
The meeting began with commendations, moved to committee reports and agenda items, and concluded with public comments and condolences. The public comments, summarized below, were
Dutchess Co Legislature Meeting May 13, 2024
The meeting consisted of presentations, proclamations, reports, announcements, a variety of resolutions, a public hearing, and public comments. The presentations and proclamations recognized a number
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meeting – April 8, 2024
Two issues commanded the most attention at this session: (1) Resolution 75 (authorizing the set aside of $100,000 to fund a potential lawsuit by the
Dutchess County Legislature Meeting – March 11, 2024
The meeting centered on reports from several legislative committees. Indeed, at the end of the meeting, Chairman Pruitt saw the number of reports as “a testament to how hard everyone’s been working and getting involved in their committee.”
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meetings February 13, 2024
After a unanimous vote to approve the minutes from the last meeting, Chairman Truitt turned to the consent agenda, which included Resolutions 21-41. The
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meetings – January 16, 2024
Legislator Houston of the Veterans Affairs Committee reported that the “challenge coin,” approved in an amendment to the budget, is underway and under development; a
Dutchess Observer Corps December 2023
Dutchess County Legislature Board Meetings December 7 and December 18, 2023 Summary by Jane Smith The central concern at these meetings was adoption of Dutchess County’s
Dutchess County Committee Meetings
LWVMHR Member Cecily Frazer attended the Dutchess County Committee Meetings that took place beginning in October 2024.
Budget, Finance and Personnel Meeting – November 7, 2024
There were 9 legislators present at the hearing and 3 absent. Ms. White, the Budget Director of The Office of the Budget, summarized the