Minutes of the 43rd District Democrats Precinct Caucus – March 1st, 2006 Meeting at John Marshall High School, 720 Ravenna Blvd. NE Meeting called to order by Chair Richard Kelley at 7:10 p.m. We will meet Saturday, March 4th, we will be meeting at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center, to elect delegates to the County and Legislative District Caucus. Elected or appointed PCOs, resident in the Precinct, are automatically elected as Delegates. On April 22nd we will present the District Platform, much of which has now been written at these three District Platform Caucus meetings. Chair appointed Will Affleck-Asch as Secretary Chair appointed Mike Ruby as Chair for this Platform Caucus CHAIR'S REMARKS – Mike Ruby RULES were read. BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1. Environment and Energy – Mike Ruby, room 106 2. Growth Management and Transportation – Tara Gallagher 3. Agriculture and Economic Development – Linda Clifton, room 106 4. Corporate and Media Power – Cindy Simmons BREAKOUT PLATFORM DRAFTING SESSIONS BEGIN BREAKOUT PLATFORM DRAFTING SESSIONS CONCLUDE REPORTS FROM BREAKOUT SESSIONS OF PLATFORM CHANGES: GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION – Tara Gallagher Growth Management – all passed unanimously Add as follow: 1. We support the Growth Management Act as currently written. 2. In informing and educating the public on Growth Management issues. 3. In compensating property owners for permanent voluntary conservation easements. 4. In limiting the use of eminent domain by government solely for substantial public purposes and not for private profit. 5. That preserving the character of the neighborhood can be consistent with allowing for increased population and preservation of low income housing. Transportation – all passed unanimously Add as follows: 1. The state should help local government to purchase existing railroad right of way that is neglected, abandoned, or underutilized, particularly the BNSF Short Line Corridor (Dinner Train from Renton to Woodinville). 2. Any additional SR-520 floating bridge lanes or SR-99 Alaskan Way Viaduct lanes should be dedicated to high occupancy vehicles and public transit. 3. In changing the 18th Amendment to the State Constitution to dedicate fuel tax revenue to all transportation purposes instead of only highway purposes as now exists. 4. In encouraging the use of alternative-fuel vehicles and electric vehicles through targeted tax incentives, increased access to alternative fuel and recharging stations. 5. In coordinated regional public transportation planning. 6. That our state needs to repair and maintain all existing major bridges, viaducts, and state highways in populated areas. 7. That our passenger ferry system is an essential part of our state transportation and should be fully funded by state gas taxes. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY – Mike Ruby Amend 1 to read: 1. In the sovereign right of the people to make laws to protect their health, safety, and welfare. The federal government shall not enter into any treaty or agreement limiting the application or effect of national, state, and local laws and regulations protecting clean air, clean water, food safety, and worker safety. Delete 2. Delete 3. Retain 4 (or move to Growth Management) Delete 5. Retain 6 (or move to Growth Management) Delete 7. Add the following: 1. In mandatory targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy by public and private utilities. 2. Washington State and local government should facilitate and promote development of renewable energy technology. 3. That government and industry must develop and implement aggressive strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the rapidly increasing effects of global climate change. Passed on, but not yet approved: 4. That Empirical Science should be the basis for relevant policy decisions. AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Linda Clifton Add as follows (all passed unanimously): 1. In maintaining ample funding for training and research in organic farming methods within the state college and university system, including county extension programs. 2. In continued support for King County extension's programs to teach parents and children in the public schools about the nutritional benefits of organic foods. 3. That support for preservation, and rejuvination of Independent American Family Farms is key to our economic and environmental sustainability. 4. In strict standards for organic farming and organic products supported by accurate and accessible labeling which identify Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's), country of origin, and content of fertilizers and mulches. 5. In strong support for biofuel research and development which offers great promise for agricultural economic development and domestic energy sustainability. 6. In strict standards for Fair Trade certification. 7. In the urgency of supporting and developing sustainable local sources for long term food security by local initiatives, such as farmers markets, community gardens, community supported agriculture and land use, and taxation policies to protect farmers and their agricultural land. CORPORATE AND MEDIA POWER – Derek Stanford Add as follows (all passed unanimously): 1. Radio and television broadcast frequencies belong to public. 2. Competition and freedom of expression demand that no entity may control broadcast and print media in the same market. 3. Regulating broadcast media to strongly encourage local station ownership and operation. 4. We reject “supply-side” Economics as inhumane, ineffective at providing for the common good, and an obstacle to a functional democracy. 5. In a humane economy that promotes the general welfare, and support proposals to build our democracy on this basis. 6. We support public access to the Internet. 7. As citizens in a democracy, we require public access to a diverse range of media voices and messages in order to participate fully in our community's shared social, cultural, and political life. 8. There is an important place in our society for news sources which are not beholden to private interests, and we support increased public funding for public broadcasting. 9. Corporations are not people; We reject the concept of corporate personhood. CHAIR BEGS US FOR MONEY Big drama as we are asked to contribute to costs. We are meeting Saturday at the Washington Trade and Convention Center, at 2 pm, to elect precinct delegates and alternates to the district and county conventions, review the amendments drafted by the three platform caucuses and circulate copies for discussion prior to action at the April 22nd 43rd District Convention, and debate and vote on resolutions brought in by caucus attendees.