Resolutions

Resolution Opposing Further Public Financing for  Seattle Sonics (re: HB 3233)

Resolution Supporting Public Campaign Finance

(submitted by Derek Stanford, April 2005)

WHEREAS candidates must spend a significant portion of their time fundraising, which detracts from constituent contact; and

WHEREAS the ability to fundraise is now viewed as one of the most important criteria for potential candidates; and

WHEREAS the influence of big money overwhelms individual voices and has a corrupting effect on our electoral system;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 43rd District Democrats endorse the efforts of Washington Public Campaigns to establish public campaign financing; and further

BE IT RESOLVED that the 43rd District Democrats support the enactment of legislation providing for public financing of campaigns for public office.

Resolution in opposition to the anti-equal rights initiative and referendum signature efforts

(For consideration on 2/21/06.)

Whereas the 43rd District Democrats have been steadfast for many years in our support of equal rights for sexual minorities; and

Whereas the Legislature has finally approved legislation confering equal rights regardless of sexual orientation; and

Whereas Tim Eyman and various reactionary groups are planning both an initiative and a referendum to repeal the new law;

Therefore be it resolved,

The 43rd District Democrats urge members and voters to refuse to sign the anti-equal rights initiative and referendum. Adoption of this resolution would also allow the campaign against these ballot measures to list the 43rd Democrats as opposing the signature gathering effort.

Resolution of Endorsement for the Energy Security Initiative signature effort

(For consideration on 2/21/06.)

Whereas making our homes and businesses more energy efficient and increasing our use of new renewable sources will bolster our regional and national energy security; and

Whereas the Northwest’s clean energy potential easily outstrips our future needs, as confirmed by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s Fifth Power Plan, which identifies more than 2,000 average megawatts of cost-competitive renewable resources and 2,500 average megawatts of very low-cost energy efficiency available to the region’s utilities; and

Whereas we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and overdependence on hydropower to protect consumers from price volatility and chronic supply crises; and

Whereas the prospect of increased energy needs due to state population growth and economic development has led many Washington utilities to pursue coal and other fossil fuels, including proposed coal plants in Washington and across the Northwest; and

Whereas burning fossil fuels to generate electricity produces 69% of all sulfur dioxide, 33% of mercury, 22% of nitrogen oxides, and 8% of particulate matter emissions, as well as 40% of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming; and

Whereas energy efficiency is less expensive for utilities and their customers than purchasing new energy resources while saving money for consumers and making businesses more competitive; and

Whereas, landowners can receive annual lease payments upwards of $5,000 for each wind turbine on their property, and continue to raise crops or graze livestock on the land, creating new economic development opportunities for rural communities and helping to save family farms, and

Whereas making the most of the Northwest’s plentiful resources will position Washington as a national clean-energy technology leader and provide thousands of skilled, high-quality, family-wage jobs, rural economic development and stable electricity prices for consumers; and

Whereas 20 other states and the District of Columbia have already enacted clean energy standards; and

Whereas the Washingtonians for Energy Security initiative to the people will ensure electric utilities purchase 15% of their power from clean, appropriately sited renewable resources by 2020 and realize all available cost-saving energy efficiency; Now, therefore

Be it resolved, that we encourage our members and friends to sign the Washingtonians for Energy Security (WES) initiative and authorize WES to use the name of the 43rd District Democrats as endorsers of the signature drive.
 

RESOLUTION ON THE RESTORATION OF ORDER IN RESTRICTING VOTER RIGHTS FOR INCARCERATED FELONS

(For consideration on 2/21/06.)

WHEREAS Washington State’s system for determining the eligibility of ex-felons is too complicated to ensure that the intent of the law is carried out, and

WHEREAS Washington State’s system for allowing ex-felons to reacquire their voting rights is the most restrictive in the nation, and

WHEREAS restoring the right to vote to ex-felons is one of the most important things we can do to encourage a return to society and its obligations, and

WHEREAS in the Washington State Senate SB6651 and its companion House Bill HB2873 have been introduced and when passed will simplify the record keeping in the State and County offices responsible for maintaining accurate voter files, and

WHEREAS these bills would make the restoration of voting rights automatic once a felon is released from imprisonment, now then

BE IT RESOLVED that the 43th District Democratic Organization supports the passage of SB6651 or HB2873, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 34th District Democratic Organization urges State Representatives Frank Chopp and Ed Murray and State Senator Pat Thibaudeau to join in the sponsorship and passage of this legislation.
 

Resolution in Support of a Light Rail Station at 12th Ave NE

Be it resolved that the 43rd District Democrats endorse the 12th Avenue NE light rail station, and request the Sound Transit Board adopt the 12th Avenue location at its earliest convenient opportunity.
Resolution in Opposition to Privatizing Social Security
(Submitted by Bill Sherman, PCO, 43-2254)
Whereas Social Security is a covenant among generations that we shall not break;
Whereas Social Security has been one of the most effective social programs in the history of representative government;
Whereas current projections demonstrate that Social Security will be solvent well into the next two generations;
Whereas President Bush and the Republican Party are determined to dismantle Social Security;
Whereas it will take a resolute and untied Democratic Party to stop the Republicans’ efforts;
Whereas there is indication that at least one recently re-elected Democratic Senator from the Northwest has not expressed a public position on the Republican plan;
Be it resolved:That we, the members of the 43rd Legislative District Democrats, do call upon our Representative and Senators in Congress to stand with us – early, proud, and resolute – in opposition to any effort to privatize Social Security in any form.
See Joshua Micah Marshall, Talking Points Memo, January 14, 2005, 03:29 PM (www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_01_09.php#004442).

Resolution to support participation in the "Quality Health Care - It's Everybody's Right" Health Care Conference

(submitted by Paul Pruitt April 2004)
Whereas we recognize that our health care system is in crisis with 43.7 million Americans, including more than 600,000 in Washington State uninsured. A Health Care Conference "Quality Health Care-It's Everybody's Right" is planned for Saturday, May 22, 2004. The conference is being planned and is co-sponsored by Health Care for All-Washington and the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans. At the Conference a petition will be circulated for signatures to the Seattle City Council to place a measure on the November 2,2004 city ballot for a vote of the people, stating: "Every Person in the United States should have the right to health care of equal high quality. The Congress should immediately enact legislation to implement this right." The conference will feature the Honorable Jessie Jackson, Jr. Representative from the state of Illinois as keynote, with the honorable Jim McDermott introducing his colleague. All gubernatorial candidates have been invited to announce their health care plans to the assembly. A rally is planned for the afternoon at Westlake Park.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the 43rd District Democrats supports participation in this conference.
Resolution to support keeping Washington State's network of Residential Habilitation Centers open and reversing the Dept of Social and Health Services' policy of denying admission to the Centers
(Submitted by Jackie McRae February 2004)
In support of keeping Washington State's network of Residential Habilitation Centers open and Reversing the Department of Social and Health Services' policy of denying admission to the Centers:
WHEREAS the Constitution of the State of Washington obligates the state to "foster and support" its Residential Habilitation Centers for people with developmental disabilities and RCW 71A.20.020 permanently establishes the state's five Residential Habilitation Centers, including Fircrest School, to provide services to people with developmental disabilities, and
WHEREAS Washington State's network of Residential Habilitation Centers are an essential component of a full continuum of care provided for its citizens with the most severe needs and the five Residential Habilitation Centers meet and exceed the very highest standards of patient care and have set the bar to which other care facilities aspire, and
WHEREAS the number of residents at Residential Habilitation Centers has declined because of the Department of Social and Health Services' de-facto moratorium on admissions and not because the need for their services has diminished, and because the Department of Social and Health Services, circumventing the Washington State Constitution and the State Legislature, has made it clear that it intends to close Fircrest School and ultimately all the Residential habilitation Centers in Washington State,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT UNDERSTOOD that numerous studies have shown that significant savings are clearly not possible by forcing individuals to move from Residential Habilitation Centers into community placements and other studies have shown that forcing Residential Habilitation Center residents to move would cause "transfer trauma" -- real harm to real people by increasing the incidence of mortality.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Fircrest School in Shoreline and all five of the Residential Habilitation Centers in Washington State must remain open as an option for the care of citizens with the most severe needs, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the members of the 43rd Legislative District go on record as opposing the closure of any of Washington State's Residential Habilitation Centers and that admissions to the centers be re-opened for those who seek and need their services.

Resolution to Endorse the Washington Tax Fairness Coalition

(Submitted by Linda Mitchell and Robert Mahon)
(3/3/2005)
WHEREAS the current Washington State tax structure is among the most regressive in the nation with low-and middle-income households paying a higher percentage of their incomes in taxes than upper-income households.
WHEREAS a fair system is one in which contribution to state revenue is at least proportional across the spectrum of incomes.
WHEREAS we need to promote an informed dialog among legislators, the press and voters on a range of alternatives for improving our system.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 43rd District Democrats endorse the Washington Tax Fairness Coalition, a diverse coalition of groups working together to educate about Washington’s unfair tax structure and its effects on the residents of Washington.
BE IT RESOLVED that the 43rd District Democrats support the principals of the Coalition, including:
# The tax system should be fair.
# The tax system should be a system in which people and businesses with higher income/profit pay at least as high a percentage of their income in taxes as people/businesses with moderate and lower incomes.
# The tax system should provide a more stable stream of revenue during times of economic growth and during times of economic recession.
# The tax system should provide sufficient revenue to promote a healthy economy and to meet the public needs of our state; including education, health and human services.
# The tax system and the uses of tax revenue should be clearly understandable to the people of this state.
# The tax system should be easy to comply with and easy to administer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 43rd District Democrats support the coalition goals of preserving the estate tax in Washington and reviewing existing tax exemptions.

Resolution to Send Letter to Frank Chopp in Support of Tax Reform

(Submitted by Bill Sherman)
(3/3/2005)
Resolved that the 43rd Legislative District Democrats shall send the following letter:
Frank Chopp
Speaker, Washington State House of Representatives
Dear Frank,
The time is right for the Democratic leaders of the legislature to seek broad, structural change in the Washington State tax system. The Washington State Tax Structure Commission has provided a roadmap; the fiscal crisis at all levels of local government has highlighted the need; and the human costs of our regressive tax system continue to demonstrate the unfairness of the status quo. We, the members of the 43rd Legislative District Democrats, urge you to take the lead in moving to implement fundamental tax reform, including a progressive income tax, as a top priority.
Sincerely,
The 43rd Legislative District Democrats

A Resolution Regarding Iraq

(Submitted by Jean Leed, and Richard Kelley)
(9/2/2005)
The membership amended and passed a submitted resolution on Iraq as follows:
WHEREAS the United States is a democracy with a carefully constructed balance of powers guaranteeing citizen involvement in governmental affairs; and
WHEREAS we exist in an interdependent world where unilateral action by any nation will upset the balance of power; and
WHEREAS international affairs directly impact our own domestic safety, security, and well being;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the 43rd District Democrats commend Congressman Jim McDermott for his leadership role in resisting the Bush Administration's rush to war with Iraq; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the 43rd District Democrats encourage Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to resist the rush to war with Iraq; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that we urge the Congress to honor the best tradition of our great and peaceful country by refusing to support a first-strike attack on Iraq; and further
BE IT RESOLVED, that the United States not take any unilateral action on Iraq, and that any such action by the United States be with the agreement of the United Nations.

A Resolution in Support of the 43rd Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as Originally Written in 1892

(Submitted by Leonard Bellew)
(7/2/2005)
WHEREAS, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on June 26, 2002, that the phrase “under God” within the Pledge of Allegiance is an “impermissible government endorsement of religion because it sends a message to unbelievers 'that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favored members of the political community,'" and is in violation of the establishment clause of the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
WHEREAS, we are an inclusive organization that does not wish to send an exclusionary message to atheists, agnostics, or polytheists in our community.
Be it resolved, that in the future, at the beginnings of meetings of the 43rd District Democrats, we recite the Pledge of Allegiance as it was originally written by Francis Bellamy in 1892. 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with equality, liberty and justice for all.'
Amended and Passed to read that the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited as is, without the phrase "under God".

A Resolution in Support of the Sensible Seattle Coalition Initiative 75 Signature Gathering Campaign

(Submitted by Matthew Fox)
(6/2/2005)
WHEREAS, forty-two percent of all state drug arrests are for marijuana offenses, and
WHEREAS, nine out of ten marijuana arrests are for possession only, not distribution or sale, and
WHEREAS, under Washington Law, citizens can be forced to serve up to 90 days in jail and pay a $1000 fine for possessing as little as one gram of marijuana, and
WHEREAS, while Seattle’s African-American Community comprises 8% of Seattle’s population, they made up 53% of all drug arrests by the Seattle Police Department, and
WHEREAS, the Higher Education Act was revised in 1998 to close college funding opportunities to students revealing drug convictions on their application forms, and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of marijuana users are responsible adults who pay taxes, have families, jobs, and are productive members of their community, and
WHEREAS, The City, County, and State are all facing a severe budget crisis that will result in substantial cuts to vital government services, and
WHEREAS, The 2000 statewide Democratic platform included the statement that “We support decriminalization of marijuana. We believe drug use to be a concern for the medical community, not a criminal issue,” and
WHEREAS, Initiative 75 “would require the Seattle Police and City Attorney to make cases involving marijuana offenses, where the marijuana was intended for adult personal use, the City’s lowest law enforcement priority”, freeing up valuable law-enforcement resources, NOW THEREFORE -
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE 43rd DISTRICT DEMOCRATS HEREBY SUPPORT THE SENSIBLE SEATTLE COALITION’S SIGNATURE GATHERING EFFORTS FOR CITY OF SEATTLE INITIATIVE 75, AND WILL CONVEY THIS SUPPORT AND THE CAMPAIGN CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE SENSIBLE SEATTLE COALITION TO THEIR MEMBERSHIP.

Resolution Opposing Use of US Military Tribunals

(submitted by Roger Leed)
January, 2002
WHEREAS, the United States has not presently declared war upon any state; and
WHEREAS, war under international law is a state of belligerency that exists between states, not between a state and individuals or a state and a non-governmental organization; and
WHEREAS, Military Order – Detention, Treatment and Trial of Certain Non-Citizens in the War Against Terrorism, issued by President George W. Bush on November 13, 2001, professes to be a war order issued by the President in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the military commissions to be established under such Order are not authorized by the Uniform Code of Military Justice or the United States Constitution’s judicial article; and
WHEREAS, the Order purports to authorize such commissions to hold trials and impose the death penalty without the full constitutional and statutory protections and rights afforded by the Constitution and the laws of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Order purports to oust the courts of the United States of all jurisdiction over persons so prosecuted, and provides that no appeal shall lie from the decision of the military commission to any constitutional court; and
WHEREAS, the Order may conflict with the rights guaranteed to prisoners of war by the Geneva Convention, and therefore may expose military commission members to being charged as war criminals under international law, as well as inviting states such as Iraq, Libya and Cuba to establish similar tribunals to punish American troops who fall into their hands during any future hostilities,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:
The November 13, 2001 Military Order is unwarranted, unnecessary, and purports to authorize actions which are contrary to the Constitution and laws of the United States of America and international law and treaties on the sole justification that the President has determined, without consultation with Congress, that such steps are necessary.
There is no legal precedent for this Military Order, because the legal decisions invoked as justification arose when the country was involved in declared wars against enemy states.
The arrogation of power represented by the Military Order is a unique and dangerous step which potentially jeopardizes the very existence of our constitutional government and the rights secured by it.
The Military Order should be immediately rescinded, and any prosecution of terrorists, citizen or non-citizen, should take place only before the constitutional courts of the United States, under the procedures prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

RESOLUTION ON TERRORIST ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: Expressing the sense of the 43rd regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001

(Submitted by Julian Saucedo Wheeler)
(10/1/2005)
Whereas on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked and destroyed four civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and a third into the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.;
Whereas thousands of innocent people were killed and injured as a result of these attacks, including the passengers and crew of the four aircraft, workers in the World Trade Center and in the Pentagon, rescue workers, and bystanders;
Whereas these attacks destroyed both towers of the World Trade Center, as well as adjacent buildings, and seriously damaged the Pentagon; and
Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States, and, by targeting symbols of American strength and success, clearly were intended to intimidate our Nation and weaken its resolve: Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the 43rd:
(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorists who planned and carried out the September 11, 2001, attacks against the United States, as well as their sponsors;
(2) extends its deepest condolences to the victims of these heinous and cowardly attacks, as well as to their families, friends, and loved ones;
(3) is certain that the people of the United States will stand united as our Nation begins the process of recovering and rebuilding in the aftermath of these tragic acts;
(4) commends the heroic actions of the rescue workers, volunteers, airline passengers and crew, State and local officials who responded to these tragic events with courage, determination, and skill;
(5) declares that these premeditated attacks struck not only at the people of the United States, but also at the symbols and structures of our economic and military strength, and that the United States is entitled to respond under international law;
(6) thanks those foreign leaders and individuals who have expressed solidarity with the United States in the aftermath of the attacks, and asks them to continue to stand with the United States against international terrorism;
(7) commits to support efforts to eradicate terrorism;
(8) supports the determination of the President, in close consultation with the Congress, to bring to justice the perpetrators of these attacks, as well as their sponsors;
(9) condemns discrimination, hate crimes, and other forms of backlash against Muslims, people of Middle Eastern descent, and others;
(10) supports relief to workers displaced by the terrorist attacks.

Resolution Opposing Denial of Benefits for State Employees In Same-Sex Relationships

(Submitted by Janice Van Cleve, PCO 43-1858)
(2/1/2005)
Whereas, the 43rd District Democrats have traditionally supported equal work for equal pay;
Whereas, the 43rd District Democrats have passed resolutions at both regular meetings and during the 1998 and 2000 caucus cycles that have supported health and other payroll benefits for same-sex couples that are equal to those granted to opposite sex couples;
Whereas, said motions and resolutions have been passed on to the King County Democrats and Washington State Democrats and have been incorporated into those platforms as passed by the delegates to those caucuses and conventions;
Therefore, be it resolved that the 43rd District Democrats go on record opposing any bill, regulation or ballot measure that would seek to deny health and payroll-related benefits to same-sex partners of state employees, or restrict private employers from granting like or similar benefits to their employees;
Be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution, upon passage, be sent to the 43rd District delegation elected to represent us in Olympia and to Governor Gary Locke.
Changes/Vote:
M/S/P (unanimous) amend resolution - under the therefore paragraph on line two, add the phrase "life insurance" after the word health. M/S/P (not unanimous) amend resolution - under the therefore paragraph on line two, change "same sex partners of state employees" to "the domestic partners of state employees". M/S/P (not unanimous) amend resolution title - to be "Resolution Supporting Domestic Partner Benefits for the partners of State Employees and Opposing Measures that would Deny Domestic Partner Benefits". M/S/P entire resolution as amended (not unanimous)

Resolution In Support of the Open Primary

(February 2001)
Whereas, the Supreme Court has invalidated the blanket primary system in the State of California and the current Washington State System is the same as the one formerly used in California;
Whereas, Washington State currently has a blanket primary which allows members of other parties to determine who the Democratic nominee will be;
Whereas the right to “free association” was granted by the Supreme Court, meaning the Party has the right to insist upon a primary in which only Democrats select our Party’s nominees for partisan office and that only Democrats appear on the Democratic Party ballot;
Whereas the Party has not called for a “closed primary” in Wash State, which would require party registration, but rather an “Open Primary”, where voters select a Party ballot when they go to the polls or vote by mail;
Whereas referring to the Supreme Court Decision, the Association of County Auditors, a bi-partisan group representing all County elections in the state, has stated, “...the blanket primary will need to be changed”;
Whereas the Washington State Democratic Platform has continually supported a primary system in which the Party chooses its nominees for office;
Therefore, be it resolved:
The 43rd District Democrats fully support the Washington State Democratic Party in its efforts to establish the Open Primary;
The 43rd District Democrats encourage the Washington State Democratic Party to continue its court efforts if the State Legislature acts in a way that is unfavorable to allowing political parties allowing them to choose their own nominees for office;
The 43rd District Democrats offer its name to the State Party as an advocate for the Open Primary;
And further be it resolved:
This resolution be sent to all Statewide Democratic Officials, our 43rd District Delegation, all local elected Democrats, and the State and King County party Chair. ficials, our 43rd District Delegation, all local elected Democrats, and the State and King County party Chair.