TCAPS is starting the school year as the first government group to face financial uncertainty due to Federal actions on the Dept of Education and an unresolved budget from the Michigan legislature. The TC County Commission is moving along on the LaFranier storage/emergency operations building, as the need for a new jail facility looms. Procedures for distributing opioid funds are being finalized (county has received $1.9 million so far and will receive $6.4 million through 2040), and the grant process for distributing marijuana funds is under way with nearly $500K available for grants (plus $500K retained for county use). Traverse City continues to tussle with TIF issues, with the Commission recently voting down the latest attempt at implementing a popular vote requirement.

As Federal funding and policies change, impacts will trickle down to local governments. It’s an important time to track how local units are coping with these changes. Currently, the LWVGTA Observers are watching GT and Benzie counties, the City, TCAPS, the library board, and maybe soon, Garfield Twp. If a government group—possibly East Bay or Peninsula townships, Antrim County, or the Courts—interest you and could follow meetings on a regular basis, the Corps welcomes your interest. Contact Reba Leiding leidingr@gmail.com for more information.

Voter Services Volunteer Information meetings coming soon!

• Learn about the League’s voter service activities and ways that you can help!
• We have two meetings coming up soon - meet in person at the Traverse Main Library on Saturday September 20, 10am-11am in the Thirlby Room on the 2^nd floor; or a zoom meeting on Friday October 9, 10am-10:30, followed by a Voter Services committee meeting on the same zoom link.
• We do voter education/registration tables, candidate forums, library and civic group presentations, gather information about local elections for Vote411.org, provide "They Represent You" brochures for each county, observe the Boards of Canvassers after each election, and more!
• We have volunteer opportunities for all - one time tasks, ongoing events, leadership of selected activities, whatever suits your time and talents.

Upcoming Voter Services activities, see www.lwvgta.org for more details

• September 16 – National Voter Registration Day
• September 20 - One hour intro meeting to Voter Services, in-person, 10am
• September 23 – Traverse City Mayor and City Commission candidate forum, 6pm
• October 9 – Half hour intro meeting to Voter Services, via zoom, 10am, followed by Voter Services Committee meeting at 10:30 on the same zoom link.

What did we do lately?

• The League was at Friday Night Live on Front Street in Traverse City on August 1^st and 8^th. Each night we spoke with about 50 people and shared coloring pages and sidewalk chalk with a dozen or more children. Many thanks to Dawn Ferran, Donna Moore, Laura & Bob Otwell, Charlene Krygier & Mason Grahl, Charlotte Nisbet, Misty Sheehan and Alice Schuman for coming out in the smoke and the heat. It was a great opportunity to reach out to our community.
• We observed the Boards of Canvassers in Antrim and Kalkaska Counties after the August 5^th votes in those counties for millages and a bond proposal. Thanks much to Mike Rodenberg and Carrie Olmsted.

What are we planning?

• We are working with the Benzie Shores library in Frankfort to present a program to demystify the election process and to encourage civic engagement. Interested in helping or sharing your thoughts on this?

For more information, please see our website www.lwvgta.org, email voterservices@lwvgta.org, or call/text Alice at 917-664-4658

The Take Care Clause
by Karen Baker

I attended the LWVUS training series from the national League of Women Voters on Understanding the Three Branches of Government. There were many interesting topics discussed, but one I would like to discuss relates to the Executive Branch, and Executive Orders.

What is the Take Care Clause? It originates in the US Constitution ArtII. S3. 3.1. and defines some powers/obligations of the President. Article II defines the President’s role, who qualifies to be president, how they are elected and their powers. Section 3 of Article II defines many different obligations of the President, such as informing Congress of "The State of the Union" and "recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient". It also specifies power to convene and adjourn "both Houses" of the Legislative Branch and receive Ambassadors and other important people. It also defines the obligation that the President “shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed . . ..”

These few words convey a mighty power and are open to different interpretations. How does this clause bring about ‘Executive Orders?’  Executive orders are written instruments through which a President can issue directives to shape policy and carries the force of law within the executive branch when properly issued based on legitimate constitutional authority or a delegation of power from Congress by passing a law. This is part of our government’s checks and balances system. George Washington was the first president and the first issuer of an Executive directive.