Our “Local Programs” are issues, chosen by a committee of League members, that impact our Lehigh County community. The committee members recommend which local issues to address and make recommendations for advocacy positions. The “programs” are voted on at our annual meeting, which is held each spring. The “programs” that were approved at our 2024 annual meeting are listed below.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT CONSENSUS(adopted December 1972; amended 1982, 1992, 2024, 2025) Support policy decisions and actions related to solid waste management which take into account protection of the environment, public health concerns, and equitable treatment of involved parties.
Recommendations:
• To achieve zero waste to landfill, support access to and continual improvement of local recycling programs;
• Support development and use of modern recycling technologies, including apps (e.g., RecycleCheck.org) to identify accepted recyclables in individual community programs;
• Support county and municipal recycling centers and programs for recyclables including paper, metal, plastics, and electronics;
• Support programs and partnerships that aim to reduce food waste;
• Support the (eventual) elimination of single-use plastics;
• Support the participation of community members in decisions related to solid waste management, including the location and expansion of landfills; and
• Support local advocacy groups dedicated to sustainability.
LOCAL WATER CONSENSUS (adopted May 1973; amended 1982, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2002, 1996, 2006, 2009, 2024, 2025) The 1973 study indicated the ready availability of water makes the area vulnerable to uncontrolled growth, endangering our natural resources and quality of life. All decisions regarding water use should take into account both immediate and long-range environmental impacts. The quantity and quality of water should be protected. Recommendations:
• All municipalities should adopt and enforce regulations to preserve and protect floodplains, watershed areas, wetlands and recharge areas;
• Utilize green infrastructure tools such as pocket meadows with native plants, bioswales, bioretention ponds, green roofs, compost filter socks;
• Adopt post-construction soil organic matter ordinances and rebates to improve storm water infiltration (e.g., SoilsforSalmon.org);
• Strict compliance with industrial waste discharge and pretreatment ordinances;
• Prompt action by local government and agencies in response to citizen complaints about pollution;
• Cooperation among municipalities in lead abatement, conservation of water resources and maximum protection of all creeks in Lehigh County and their tributaries;
• Mandatory accountability on sewer and water allocations;
• Practice of smart-growth concepts to revitalize inner cities and preserve open space; and
• Educational programs that support watershed and floodplain protection.
ENERGY CONSENSUS (adopted May 2025) Support policy decisions and actions to promote increased electrification and use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Lehigh County. This would include:
• Advocating for and supporting county and municipal programs that facilitate energy efficiency and/or renewable energy in homes and businesses, particularly in EPA-designated environmental justice areas
• Partnering with municipalities and other organizations to raise awareness of financial incentives available to homeowners and businesses in the county for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs
• Commenting on the renewable energy, energy efficiency and electrification components of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan
• Supporting participation of community members in decisions related to electrification, including installation of EV infrastructure
• Supporting local advocacy groups dedicated to advocacy on community solar in conjunction with support for proper disposal of decommissioned solar panels at solar farms
Transportation Needs in the Lehigh Valley Consensus
(adopted July 1982; amended 1986, 1988, 1993, 1996, 2006, 2024)
We support a commitment to safety and convenience in transportation at the local, state and regional levels. We support a viable urban and inter- urban mass transit system.
Impacts on energy and resources conservation, land use, and social and economic well-being should be considered in transportation decisions. We retain concerns about the negative economic and environmental effects that result from the construction of highway corridors.
We acknowledge that regional planning is currently being accomplished by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission through studies, citizen surveys, and meetings with stakeholders. LVPC produces a multiyear transportation plan covering all modes of transportation. Tax incentives and disincentives should be included in any state, local and regional transportation plans.
Since Routes 22 and 78 are essential east- west routes through the Lehigh Valley, we continue to urge the upgrading and maintaining of Routes 22 and 78, arterial and local road systems and infrastructure.
Recommendations are:
- Support a transportation plan that is inclusive of underserved communities and provides equitable access to all regardless of how they use the roads. This must include a flexible system for transportation for disabled individuals.
- Accommodate cyclists and pedestrians for transportation as well as for recreation.
- Encourage businesses to subsidize fares, carpooling rather than building larger parking lots.
- Support development of light rail line east and west through the Lehigh Valley or other such innovative plans
- Support development of local public transportation and education in the use of such.
- Promote the development of electric car infrastructure.
- Participate in public meetings on transportation plans/infrastructure/ passenger rail.
- Support the creation of equitable fees/ease of payment for parking in high trafficked areas in Lehigh County, and providing more parking areas for residents.
- Support community programs like the Allentown Safe Streets Initiative to achieve zero fatalities from traffic crashes.
Education
(adopted May 2024)
The Lehigh County LWV supports equal access and funding of quality education for all students throughout Lehigh County as well as across our state.
The League supports the results of the lawsuit decided on February 7, 2023 by Commonwealth Judge Renee Cohn Jubleirer who ruled that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed. The court found that every child can learn and that it is the obligation of the Legislature, Executive Branch and educators to make the necessary constitutional reforms in Pennsylvania.
- Locally we support the efforts to provide both adequate funding and a system that distributes these funds equitably to each school district in Pennsylvania.
- We advocate that authorization of charter schools should only be made after an informed, transparent and thorough analysis.
- We advocate for a review of the Charter School Law to guarantee that charter schools are providing a good product and are communicating in a transparent way the programs, curriculum and testing results.
- We support standardized testing if it is developed with a clearly designated purpose and not used as a basis for grade promotion, graduation requirements or as a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of teachers or administration. The tests should be used for measuring student performance throughout Pennsylvania.
- We acknowledge that the professional training of teachers, librarians and staff allows them to choose books wisely for use in the classrooms, libraries and other projects.
- We believe that schools should foster an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion which mirrors the communities and cultures that exist within the local school districts. Every child in a school should feel accepted and be assisted in developing self-worth.
- We believe that all schools should strive to have adequate mental health professionals and programs available to students who seek help or are in need of these services.
- We believe Pennsylvania schools should equally prepare students to continue with higher education and/or to receive professional training for a non-college technical career.
Prison Reform – Bail/Bonding
(adopted May 2024)
We support the League of PA belief of the following on Prison Reform – Bail/Bonding:
- Judges should use a research-based assessment protocol to determine whether an accused poses a danger to society or might fail to appear for trial.
- Uniform records should be kept and results reported on categories of type of bail, amount of monetary bail, cost to arrestee of bail, cost to county of those retained in jail, appearance rates (percent of offenders who show up at court) the re-arrest rates of offenders released to the community, and conviction rates.
- Ability to pay should be a required factor in setting bail.
- Alternatives to commercial for-profit bail companies should be explored. If commercial bail companies operate, they should be regulated and their role in the criminal justice system carefully overseen.
- Support alternatives to cash bail such as pre-trial release for lesser crimes, home confinement and “Promise to Appear” to keep people out of jail, able to work and take care of their families.
Environmental Policy
(adopted May 2024)
The League’s position on the environment is that we must protect our planet from the physical, economic and public health effects of climate change while also providing pathways to economic prosperity. The three pillars of focus are Stewardship, Climate Change and Environmental Justice.
Stewardship – We support conservation of natural resources, protection of biodiversity, pollution reduction and protection of the environment.
Climate Change – As citizens of the world, we advocate for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while taking actions to address the physical, economic, and public health effects of climate change and providing pathways to economic prosperity.
Environmental Justice – We advocate for the meaningful involvement of all citizens in policy decisions, the equitable treatment/consideration for frontline communities, and mindfulness of environmental decisions on public health. Environmental justice ensures that everyone has an equal seat at the table.