= HOME<= /u>

= DIST 1 COUNTY PLATFORMS

BLACK HAWK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

-2008 PLATFORM REPORT-

Adopted = by the Black Hawk County Democratic Convention

March 15= , 2008

&nb= sp;

INTRODUC= TION

“Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We = Will Maintain”

(Iowa St= ate Motto)

Participa= nts in the 2008 Iowa Caucuses are concerned with issues of local, state, national,= and international impact. We reco= gnize that we must help formulate policies that address a range of issues includi= ng the environment, our economy, education, health and human services, governm= ent, and international affairs. We= must promote and safe guard our country, our rights and our basic human dignity.= We are committed to platform planks that represent the concerns expressed by fellow citizens who attended Black Hawk County Democratic Caucuses. We believe that this platform reflects the heri= tage of our party and it demonstrates our commitment to combining the accomplishments of our past with the ideas of the present to realize our dr= eams for the future. We believe th= ese planks serve as a guide for our elected and appointed officials.

We believ= e the Democratic Party should promote a progressive government that serves all the people consistently and fairly, irrespective of age, race, gender, disabili= ty, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, income level, marital status= , or geographic residence. We supp= ort strengthening all families and communities by endorsing fair wage legislati= on, affordable health care, quality childcare and well-financed public education. We strive for safe, secure and livable communities without sacrificing our liberties. In additi= on, we demand accountability in government at every level.

I. AGRICULTURE, ENERGY, &= amp; THE ENVIRONMENT

A. &nbs= p; We support a moratorium on the construction = of all new coal-fired power plants.

B. &nbs= p; We support a carbon tax to fund research and development of renewable energy.

C. &nbs= p; We support enacting the terms of the Kyoto Protocol and subsequent international climate protection agreements.

D. &nbs= p; We support tax incentives for investment in renewable energy.

E. &nbs= p; We support standardized net metering policie= s by utilities for business and residential renewable energy.

F. &nbs= p; We support requiring all utilities to produc= e or purchase 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2015.

G. &nbs= p; We support requiring all utilities to offer incentives for energy efficiency and conservation to reduce consumption by = 2% annually.

H. &nbs= p; We support a moratorium on the construction = of new concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO’= ;s) until local control legislation is passed.

I. &nbs= p; We support enforcing maximum fines for Clean Water Act violations.

J. &nbs= p; We support a ban on disposal of coal ash and other industrial waste containing pollutants that could contaminate ground water in unlined and/or unmonitored fill sites and support monitoring of groundwater at all disposal sites.

K. &nbs= p; We support the Iowa Beverage Deposit Law and support expanding the refundable deposit on non-paper containers to includi= ng water, sport drink, fruit drink, and dairy drink containers now exempt.

L. &nbs= p; We support increasing distributor cost from = $.01 to $.02 going to redemption centers.

M. &nbs= p; We support eliminating subsidies and tax incentives for all fossil fuels.

N. &nbs= p; We support protecting wilderness areas from = oil and gas exploration and drilling.

O. &nbs= p; We support stopping commercial development a= nd urban sprawl on existing farmland except when existing city footprint is exhausted.

P. &nbs= p; We support incentives to promote “green” carbon-neutral buildings.

Q. &nbs= p; We support adequate funding for cleaning and restoring Iowa’s polluted rivers, streams, and lakes.

R. &nbs= p; We support vehicle registration fees that re= ward fuel efficiency.

S. &nbs= p; We support cultivation and processing of hemp for industrial use.

T. &nbs= p; We support a ban on growing, in open environments, genetically engineered corn and soybeans for pharmaceutical drugs, hormones and vaccines.

U. &nbs= p; We support identifying genetically engineered food through proper labeling.

V.&n= bsp; = ; We support strengthening food and bevera= ge inspection.

II. = ECONOMY, COMMERCE &= amp; LABOR

A. &nbs= p; We support tax policies and/or subsidies for small businesses that maintain the social contract with their employees including: livable wages, reasonable benefits and pensions, and safe work places.

B. = We oppose tax cuts that undermine the abilit= y of state and federal governments to provide essential services or which increa= se deficits or reduce progressiveness of the income tax system.

C. = We oppose United States companies establishi= ng factories in foreign countries to exploit cheap labor, escape U.S. income taxes, or to avoid environmental protection or fair labor standards.

D. = We support positive “fair trade”= policy and seek enforcement which protects workers rights and the environment world wide.

E. = We oppose privatization of public services.<= /p>

F. = We support pension portabilit= y and efforts to protect and preserve workers’ pensions and benefits.

G. &nbs= p; We support state legislation to fully fund I= owa Public Employment Retirement System (IPERS) to maintain the long-term finan= cial health.

H. &nbs= p; We support a “living wage” stand= ard for all employees.

I. = We oppose all efforts by the President or Congress to limit overtime pay.

J. = We oppose efforts to take awa= y the rights of injured workers in the name of “economic development”, “regulatory reform”, or “tort reform.”

K. = We support the objectives and rigorous enforcement of comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) standards to provide greater employee safety on the job.

L. = We support the Employee Free Choice Act.

M. = We support the enactment of a state Prevaili= ng Wage Law

N. = We support legislation that expands the scop= e of bargaining for public sector employees.

O. = We support state legislation to allow private and public sector workers in Iowa to negotiate “fair share” clauses.

P. = We support the repeal of state Right to Work laws.

Q. &nbs= p; We support a statewide health insurance prog= ram for public employees to reduce the cost.

R. = We oppose any efforts to increase taxes on credit unions.

S. = We support laws to prohibit predatory lending practices.

T. = We support the manufacture of U.S. military supplies in the United States.

U. = We support the creation of millions of jobs = by moving quickly to rebuild America’s infrastructure with a Works Progr= ess Administration (WPA) type program. <= /span>

V. = We resolve that tax cuts for the wealthy that contribute to massive deficits be rescinded.

W. = We support expansion of public transportatio= n.

X. = We support cutting the discretionary portion= of the Pentagon budget and reallocating the funds for the benefit of Veterans.= =

III. EDUCATION

A. &nbs= p; We support all efforts to fully fund Head St= art for all defined at-risk children in the United States who qualify for servi= ces.

B. &nbs= p; We support reducing tuition cost for students attending higher education institutions through increased government suppor= t.

C. = We support increased funding for public scho= ols, area education agencies, community colleges and public universities.

D. = We support increased funding for public pre-schools and early childhood programs.

E. = We support increased funding for special education and for school services to students with disabilities.

F. = We support repeal of the No Child Left Behind Act and support full funding until it is repeal= ed.

G. = We support the expansion of the Pell Grant Program and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program.

H. &nbs= p; We support increased funding for federal TRIO and Upward Bound programs.

I. = We oppose diverting public monies away from public schools to fund vouchers, tuition tax credits or private or for-prof= it educational businesses.

J. = We support raising Iowa teachers’ sala= ries to be nationally competitive.

K. = We support state funding for quality professional development and competent diversity training for all teachers K-12.

L. = We support a requirement for licensed school guidance counselors and media specialists in all public schools.

M. = We support making permanent the program to reduce class size for lower elementary grades.

N. = We support the early recognition of and intervention with youth at-risk of violent and aggressive behavior.

O. = We support Title IX and we call for its continued enforcement.

P. = We support age appropriate financial planning and career education for all students.

Q. = We support the teaching of sciences in the public school curriculum based on a foundation of accumulated and demonstra= ted scientific knowledge developed using accepted scientific practices.

R. = We support a full repeal of the Solomon amendment.

S. = We support fully funding adult education in prisons.

T. = We support increased funding for the arts in K-12 education.

U. = We oppose state and federal funding of abstinence-only sex education.

IV.&= nbsp; GOVERNMENT & LAW<= /b>

A.        &nbs= p;       We support public financing of elections and constitutional spending limitations for state and federal offices and time limits on campaigns.

B.        &nbs= p;        We demand free and fair elections in the U.S. wherein all eligible citizens have a reasonable opportunity to vote, and wh= ere a hard copy is maintained for verification of results.

C.        &nbs= p;        We support congressional and senatorial representation for citizens of the District of Columbia.<= /p>
D.        &nbs= p;       We support limiting Congressional Bills to one issue and prohibiting unrelated riders.

E.        &nbs= p;        We support creating strict new rules governing = the practices of lobbyists and their access and influence with government offic= ials and strict enforcement of lobbying laws.

F.        &nbs= p;         We oppose the government’s intentional or deliberate misleading of the public.

G.        &nbs= p;       We demand that Congress fulfill its Constitutio= nal responsibility to investigate, monitor, and if necessary prosecute the executive branch officials who violate US law, the Constitution, and international law or treaties.

H.        &nbs= p;       We support repeal of the “Patriot ActR= 21; and adherence to the Bill of Rights and the US and Iowa Constitutions.=

I.        &nbs= p;          We support measures to improve homeland security but without erosion of our civil rights.

J.        &nbs= p;          We support taking all legal and constitutional measures to protect our national borders from those who would harm our citi= zens and threaten our national security.

K.        &nbs= p;       We support increased funding for border patrol.=

L.        &nbs= p;        We support protecting the civil rights of legal immigrants and their families; and we oppose groups that seek to divide our communities.

M.        &nbs= p;      We support equal consideration by Immigration a= nd Customs Enforcement (ICE) for all people seeking political asylum.

N.        &nbs= p;       We support encouraging common ground between pro-choice and pro-life activists toward the goal of preventing problem pregnancies.

O.        &nbs= p;       We support the legal right of women to decide to continue or terminate a pregnancy and preservation of Roe v Wade.

P.        &nbs= p;         We support efforts to simplify the Tax Code to = make a more progressive tax system.

Q.        &nbs= p;       We support a requirement that any Federal, stat= e or county mandated program must be fully funded prior to implementation.<= /o:p>

R.        &nbs= p;        We support the rigorous prosecution of firearm crimes.

S.        &nbs= p;         We support efforts to increase funding to Legal= Aid programs, including the Public Defenders Office.

T.        &nbs= p;         We support a Legislative study committee to modernize the Iowa criminal code.<= o:p>

U.        &nbs= p;       We support the retention of life in prison with= out parole for murder in Iowa, oppose the imposition of the death penalty and support efforts to ban capital punishment in the United States.<= /span>

V.        &nbs= p;       We urge the Legislature and Department of Corrections to develop a comprehensive plan for housing prisoners at the ap= propriate security level with the appropriate services before committing the state of Iowa to build a new $80 million dollar prison.

W.        &nbs= p;      We support the diversion of mentally ill offend= ers from jail and prison into appropriate treatment programs and institutions t= hat will ensure the public safety.

X.        &nbs= p;       We support the promotion, funding and accountability of community-based treatment programs for users charged with substance abuse crimes, emphasizing treatment over incarceration.

Y.        &nbs= p;       We support funding for Iowa’s community c= orrections to aid offenders re-entering society.

Z.        &nbs= p;        We support restoring voting rights to felons upon completion of their sentence= and conclusion of parole or probation.

AA.        &nb= sp; We support the continued funding of employer tax credits and federal employment bonding programs that encourage employment of the hard to employ, including felons.

BB.        &nb= sp; We urge the Iowa Legislature to thoughtfully re-examine the criteria for placement of a perpetrator on the Sex Offender Registry.

CC.        &nb= sp; We support thoughtful re-examination of the 200= 0-foot law for sex offenders.

DD.        &nb= sp; We oppose efforts to restrict or eliminate the right to trial by jury.

EE.        &nb= sp;   We support maintaining a secular government that respects all faiths and protects diversity.

FF.        &nb= sp;    We support reinitiating the Equal Rights Amendm= ent.

GG.        &nb= sp; We support the equal rights of all persons, wit= hout regard to their sexual orientation or gender identification.

HH.        &nb= sp; We support the right to civil marriage for same= sex couples.

II.        &nb= sp;       We support efforts to strengthen and improve the rights of disabled persons, including the full enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the strengthening of the Iowa Civil Rights Act to provide services in the least restrictive environment appropriate to the individual.

JJ.        &nb= sp;       We support affirmative action.

KK.        &nb= sp; We support free and independent media and incre= ased funding for public radio and television, while opposing corporate consolida= tion of news organizations.

LL.        &nb= sp;   We support the use of open and competitive bidd= ing and full disclosure in government contracts and encourage using Iowa businesses.

MM.        We support withdrawing from or re-negotiating t= rade treaties that threaten our ability to enforce our laws and threaten our national security.

NN.        &nb= sp; We support limiting Eminent Domain actions to public projects that have been demonstrated to be for the public use and pu= blic good.

OO.        &nb= sp; We support requiring that forfeiture (confiscation) of private property include adequate due process, protection of innocent property owners and commensura= te with the crime.

PP.        &nb= sp;    We support regulating tobacco products by the F= ood and Drug Administration as a drug, banning tobacco product advertising targeting children, focusing of the Tobacco Settlement Fund on health and tobacco use prevention and elimination of tobacco subsidies.

QQ.        &nb= sp; We support the right of Iowa communities to ena= ct smoke-free ordinances for public buildings.

RR.        &nb= sp; We support forcing the Federal Communication Commission to make progressives changes to allow for the implementation of = true high speed Internet for all.

SS.        &nb= sp;    We oppose the marketing of student lists to cre= dit card companies by all institutions of higher learning.

TT.        &nb= sp;    We support legislation outlawing the use of handheld communication devices while operating vehicles on public roadways = and waterways except for public safety personnel.

UU.        &nb= sp; We support investing in and strengthening of existing intercity neighborhoods including tax breaks for businesses in at = risk areas.

VV.        &nb= sp; We encourage the Iowa Legislature to establish a certification process for landlords that would uphold the Equal Housing Act= and International Housing Code.

WW.       We demand updating the transportation systems (= bus, rail, roadways) to complement the alteration and progress of the community’s “footprint”.

XX.        &nb= sp; We support extending veteran’s benefits to anyone who has been called to active military duty.

YY.        &nb= sp; We urge state legislators to extend the statue = of limitations to enable the commencement of both criminal prosecution and civ= il legal actions for sexual abuse of children.

ZZ.        &nb= sp;   We support a strict definition of the term “enemy combatant” to apply only to individuals engaged in the a= ct of combat or use of sabotage or espionage.

AAA.    We support the elimination of extrajudicial transfer of persons to countries known to employ torture as an interrogation technique and the use of “secret prisons.”

BBB.      We support the elimination of executive “signing statements” when used to over-rule aspects of the legislation being signed.

= CCC.      We urge congressional action to provide for impartial congressional redistricting.

= DDD.    We support Iowa Code 657A allowing cities to seize abandoned propert= ies.

= EEE.      = We oppose the Voting Rights Act because African American citizens are guaranteed the right to vote by the United States Constitution.

= FFF.      =    We support legislation, programs and funding to address the disproportionate incarceration of minorities at all levels.

= GGG.    We support passage of the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) legislation as spelled out in HF 805 and SF 553.

= HHH.    We support methods to naturalize illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States.

= III.      =        We oppose immunity for telecommunicat= ions companies and other parties who may have violated the law.

= JJJ.      =        We encourage legislation to implement voice-activated communications devices in all public vehicles by the 2010.<= /span>

= KKK.    We support repeal of mandatory and mandatory minimum sentences.

V.   HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES<= /b>

A.        &nbs= p;       We support public policy that focuses our he= alth care system by promoting healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.

B.      =            We support efforts to promote wellness, nutrition, and physical activity to combat obesity.

C.        &nbs= p;        We support improving the quality of care for those with chronic diseases.

D.        &nbs= p;       We support the repeal of laws preventing the negotiation of lower prescription drug prices.

E.        &nbs= p;        We support single payer universal health care run by the government with coverage for all medically necessary services for all persons regardless of immigration status.

F.        &nbs= p;         We support funding that is fair, appropriate, affordable, and accessible for home health care workers and services.

G.        &nbs= p;       We support initiatives that reduce the paper= work burden on home care providers.

H.        &nbs= p;       We support making the denial of insurance coverage based on pre existing conditions illegal.

I.        &nbs= p;          We support increased funding of mental health care services and research.

J.        &nbs= p;          We support full coverage under Medicare of a= ll expenses related to physical and mental health and disabilities, including necessary equipment and aids, with no expenditure gaps.

K.      =           We support changes in Medicare D to make prescription drug coverage automatic with Medicare Part A and eliminate the donut hole gap.

L.        &nbs= p;        We support providing health care benefits to honorably discharged veterans and spouses including full access to veteran’s hospitals and prescription drugs.

M.        &nbs= p;      We support legislation that provides afforda= ble health coverage for every income-eligible college student in Iowa.

N.      =           We support funding for research and treatment for all terminal illnesses including Alzheimer’s.

O.      =           We support funding for a cure for HIV, prevention programs and teaching tolerance for victims of HIV.

P.        &nbs= p;         We support government funding for all types = of stem cell research.

Q.        &nbs= p;       We support increased funding to eliminate ab= use and neglect of children.

R.        &nbs= p;        We support retaining and strengthening Social Security by removing the salary cap and oppose any attempts to under fund, weaken, or privatize the system.

S.      =             We support increased funding for Iowa’s existing Emergency Assistance Program to provide increased financial assist= ance to low-income families.

T.      =             We support fair and equitable client representation on health and human services review boards.

U.      =           We support funding for programs to address t= he nursing shortage in Iowa, such as scholarships, grants and forgivable loans= to nursing students.

V.        &nbs= p;       We support state and federal funding for fam= ily planning services and reproductive health services including age appropriat= e, medically accurate sex education.

= W.      =          We support providing full prescription coverage= for pregnancy prevention by all health insurers and requiring pharmacists to fi= ll prescriptions for pregnancy prevention.=

= X.      =           We support raising Iowa nurses’ salaries = to a level, which is nationally competitive.=

= Y.      =           We support increased funding of Medicaid includ= ing waiver programs such as the Elderly and Brain Injury.

= Z.      =            We support a subsidized health insurance program for low-income individuals who are not covered through employment or as dependents of other insured.

VI.&= nbsp;            INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

A.        &nbs= p;       We support the Universal Declaration of Huma= n Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights; and the Geneva Conventions.

B.        &nbs= p;        We encourage the U.S. to effectively use its resources to reduce global poverty, fight hunger and disease and fund volun= tary international family planning.

C.        &nbs= p;        We support the Biden-Brownback amendment to create a federalist system in Iraq.

D.        &nbs= p;       We call for the expeditious conclusion of U.= S. military participation in Iraq and demand appropriate assistance for troops when they return home.

E.        &nbs= p;        We call for the normalization of relations w= ith Cuba.

F.        &nbs= p;         We encourage U.S. leadership to reduce nucle= ar stockpiles.

G.        &nbs= p;       We oppose U.S. military intervention in Iran= .

H.        &nbs= p;       We support the closure of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Securi= ty Cooperation (A/K/A: School of the Americas) and oppose the purpose f= or which it was created.

I.        &nbs= p;          We support U.S. leadership in a fair and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

J.        &nbs= p;          We support the U.S. continuing participation= in the United Nations and payment of assessments as appropriate.

K.        &nbs= p;       We support a U.S. /United Nations coalition = for ending genocide in Darfur.

L.        &nbs= p;        We support the achievement of United Nations Millennium Goals by 2015.

M.        &nbs= p;      We support the immediate closure of all U.S. prisons in foreign nations, including the one at Guant= anamo Bay Naval Base.

This Platform Proposed Report is respectfully submitte= d by the 2008 Black Hawk Democratic Platform Committee, Roger White, Chair.

Persons participating on the Platform Committee are: Steve Abbott, Heather Adams, Chris= Bakken, Brad Bauler, Benj= amin Bower, Rev Jay Burt, Michael Carroll, Andre DeJurdan, Bill Draper, Philip East, JoAnn Finkenbinder, Jonathan Gardner, Chris Gibson, BreAnn Klaas, Ed Knebel, Mimi Kuester, Rich Kurtenbach, Ryan Madison, Patrick Morri= ssey, John Mullen, Deb Nagle, Carol Norman, Luke Oglesbee, Joe Oppold, John Padget, Lloyd Patterson, Dan Power, Nick Powers, W. Ray Richardson, Renata Sack, Don Shatzer, Walt Stephenson, Austin Taft, Robert Tyson, David Walters, Roger White and Milissa Wright. Also, Marge Herrick a= nd Ruth Walker served as substitutes.