DRAFT

STATEMENT OF ISSUES

Agriculture, Energy, and Environment

WE SUPPORT:

AE-1 harnessing American ingenuity, to emerge from gl= obal warming crisis with an Energy Economy that embraces innovation, brings fami= ly farming back to life, and creates new jobs.

AE-2 clean air, water, and soil as a basic right. Resources must be protected.

AE-3 cap-and-trade on emissions of greenhouse gases a= nd reductions of 20% by 2012 and 80% by 2020.

AE-4 an Alternative Energy Fund, financed through emi= ssion permit sales.

AE-5 ending oil company taxpayer subsidies.

AE-6 Iowa leadership in a global climate change treat= y, and sharing clean energy technology with the world.

AE-7 climate change commitments in trade deals.<= /o:p>

AE-8 increasing funding for energy research into conservation efficiency and renewable energy.

AE-9 acceleration of new energy technologies and help= ing start alternative energy businesses.

AE-10 community wind energy projects, including for <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">School Districts.

AE-11 requiring safe, renewable energy sources genera= te 25 percent of electricity by 2025.

AE-12 making permanent and expanding expiring renewab= le energy tax credits.

AE-13 fuel economy standard of 50 mpg by 2016.

AE-14 distributed generation of energy to produce rel= iable, clean, cost-effective energy on site.

AE-15 de-coupling utilities’ profits from sales= to incentivize efficiency.

AE-16 DELETED = PLANK

AE-17 phasing out consumption of fossil fuels as alte= rnative energy production and conservation becomes increasingly feasible.

AE-18 CAFO moratorium.

AE-19 country-of-origin labeling and inspection of food products including pharmaceuticals.

AE-20 fully funding Federal Land and Water Conservati= on Act, National Wildlife Refuge System, American Everglades ecosystem, Conservation Security Program, and REAP.

AE-21 environmental sustainability and public health = based energy decisions

AE-22 green building standards.=

AE-23 “smart-growth” urban development and reducing sprawl.

AE-24 walk-able neighborhoods.<= /p>

AE-25 infrastructure expansion supporting renewable e= nergy.

AE-26 regulating Genetically Modified Organisms.=

AE-27 limiting CAFO health impacts.=

AE-28 air quality monitoring.

AE-29 requiring methane re-capture.=

AE-30 banning leaf burning.

AE-31 mercury emission elimination, monitoring, and education.

AE-32 vehicle fuel efficiency incentives.<= /span>

AE-33 fuel efficient government vehicles.<= /span>

AE-34 water sampling protocols.=

AE-35 strengthened clean water regulations.

AE-36 expanded recycling and recycled products.<= /o:p>

AE-37 moratorium on out-of-state garbage.<= /span>

AE-38 carbon neutral governmental buildings

AE-39 strengthened air emissions permitting.

AE-40 agriculture sustainability, R&D, and soil conservation

AE-41 classifying manure a hazardous substance.<= /o:p>

AE-42 affordable farm credit.

AE-43 electric net metering.

AE-44 energy conservation education.

AE-45 Environmental Impact Statements for publicly fu= nded projects.

AE-46 Midwest gove= rnors' global warming alliance.

AE-47 biodiversity preservation.

AE-48 toxin free living and work environments.

AE-49 punishing environmental violations and compensa= ting victims

AE-50 immediate brownfields remediation by violators.=

AE-51 groundwater monitoring coal ash disposal sites.=

AE-52 integrated water resource management.

AE-53 permanent protection of ANWR and Teshekpuk Lake.

AE-54 river/stream bank buffer zones.

AE-55 unique land-forms preservation.

WE OPPOSE:

AE-56 reclassifying water systems to allow waste dump= ing.

AE-57 "liquid coal".<= /p>

AE-58 subsidies for new nuclear power plants.

AE-59 construction of any additional coal fired or nu= clear fission power facilities in I= owa.

Minority plank AE-60 using food as fuel

Economy, Commerce, and Labor

WE SUPPORT:

EC-1 workers’ right to six months notice of int= ention to relocate.

EC-2 guaranteeing right to organize and join unions.<= o:p>

EC-3 <= span style=3D'font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-bidi-font-weight:nor= mal'>eliminating “right-to-work”.

EC-4 living w= age for all Americans.

EC-5 raising FLSA exempt workers minimum salary to $345 weekly.

EC-6 legislation limiting mandatory ove= rtime.

EC-7 strength= ening pension protection and severe penalties for violations of benefit guarantee= s.

EC-8 requiring= prompt crediting contributions to employee saving plans.

EC-9 federal legislation to:

protect = worker pension, retirement and 401-k funds in corporate mergers and takeovers= .

prohibit corporate misuse of monies reserved for pension or retirement funds including use as loan collateral. These monies are employee property, = not the company’s.

establish 401-K default enrollment with minimum participation and employee opt-o= ut.

EC-10 strength= ening OHSA coverage, inspection and enforcement.

EC-11 improved= workplace ergonomic requirements to reduce repetitive motion injuries.

EC-12 requiring= US manufacture of Military Critical Parts and Hardware.<= /p>

EC-13 direct federal funding of government Arsenals’ “underutilized plant capacity”.

EC-14 ensuring viability of defense installations critical to Iowa and National Security.

EC-15 enactment of Paycheck Fairness Ac= t to provide more effective remedies to women not getting equal pay for equal wo= rk.

<= span style=3D'color:black'>EC-16 increased public works infrastructure funding.<= o:p>

<= span style=3D'color:black'>EC-17 equitable subsidy distribution among transporta= tion modes including public transportation, metropolitan mass transit, bicycling, and high-speed passenger rail service through the Quad Cities.

EC-18 a comprehensive alternative energy research and development plan that:

A.&n= bsp;   Achieves environmentally responsible energy independe= nce;

B.&n= bsp;    Provides clean, inexpensive energy;=

C.&n= bsp;   Employs and revitalizes America’s working middle class;

D.&n= bsp;   Recognizes, supports and expands historical role of f= arming as an industry that transforms natural elements into energy;

E.&n= bsp;    Creates trade advantages by developing and exporting “green” technologies needed to responsibly support emerging glo= bal industrial revolution in developing nations;

F.&n= bsp;    Enhances national security by reducing the economic a= nd military tensions inherent in maintenance and proliferation of carbon based energy sources and infrastructure.

EC-19 increased predatory lending protections.

EC-20 nonprofit, cooperative credit uni= ons as an essential financial services alternative and oppose efforts to increase their taxes.

EC-21 increased worker retraining progr= ams funding.

EC-22 employee choice of medical provid= er and treatment for occupational illnesses or injuries.

EC-23 enactment = Iowa “Fair Share” to assure exclusive bargaining agents recoup representation costs from entire bargain= ing unit.

EC-24 Iowa honor binding arbitration commitments.

EC-25 strengthening Iowa Public Employees’ Bargainin= g Law.

EC-26 passage of Publ= ic Project Quality Protection Act (Prevailing Wage).

EC-27 harsher penalties for employers violating work-force development plans, and recouping economic assistance monies and tax relief.

EC-28 ending large chain business subsi= dies; and aggressively encouraging development of local small businesses.

EC-29 preference for Iowa businesses and labor on contracts using Iowa Economic Development funds.

EC-30 Rock Island= Arsenal as critical to Iowa and advocate in BRAC.

EC-31 barring insurance company using p= ersonal credit information in offering insurance and setting premiums.

EC-32 adding following to Iowa State Bu= siness Corporation Act.

Section 1= . Duty to Safeguard the Public Interest.

It shall be the responsibility of the directors to ma= nage the corporation in a manner that does not cause damage to the environment, viol= ate human rights, adversely affect the public health or safety, damage the welf= are of the communities in which the corporation operates, or violate the dignit= y of the corporation’s employees.

EC-33 use of Project Labor Agreements on public works construction projects.

EC-34 addition “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to workplace discrimination standards.

EC-35 signifi= cant re-budgeting from military into: education, health, human services, infrastructure and military benefits.

EC-36 fair tr= ade putting workers, family farmers, consumers and environment equal with corpo= rate profits; trade negotiation transparency; and Congressional authority in tra= de deals.

<= span style=3D'color:black'>EC-37 state licensing skilled construction trades.

<= span style=3D'color:black'>EC-38 national high-speed broadband policy by 2010; s= trong protections for workers and consumers;&nbs= p; assuring affordable, high-speed Internet for all.<= /b>

EC-39 revising Mining Act of 1870 to provide fair compensation for = public lands mineral rights use including restoration costs.

<= span style=3D'color:black'>WE OPPOSE:

EC-40 repeal of Davis-Bacon.

EC-41 expanding FLSA exemptions.

EC-42 use of re= tirement funds and contributions for other than retirement benefits.

EC-43 privatizing public services unles= s: service quality for public is enhanced and egalitarian; taxpayer costs decreased; and protection for displaced employees.

EC-44 diverting = Iowa road use revenue into general fund allowing infrastructure deterioration.

EC-45 economic development assistance f= or companies employing not paying living wage with affordable health insurance= for employees and dependents.

Health and Human Services=

WE SUPPORT:

HH-1 adequately funding health care, child care, voca= tional/educational training, housing, and transportation programs to assist families transitio= ning to economic independence.

HH-2 cost-of-living indexing federal food stamp progr= am, ensuring basic nutritional standards.

HH-3 children’s right to a safe, stable environ= ment; adequately staffed/funded family preservation programs; appropriate interventions and out-of-home placement of children in danger; family reunification whenever indicated; and timely permanency planning.

HH-4 increased funding for quality pre-kindergarten a= nd after-school programs. <= /o:p>

HH-5 public/private partnership for construction, renovation, and adequate supply of affordable low- and moderate-income fami= lies housing.

HH-6 accessible public transportation meeting communi= ty needs, funded through public/private partnership.

HH-7 prison reform strengthening families and conside= ring best interests of children of incarcerated parents. <= /p>

HH-8 de= veloping alternative correctional options for mental ill or addicted individuals committing crimes.

HH-9 lifting ban on Temporary Assistance to Needy Fam= ily assistance for children of legal immigrants.

HH-10 adequately funded community based programs prev= enting child abuse and neglect and providing domestic violence and elder abuse vic= tims protective services.

HH-11 increased Older Americans Act program funding to enable senior independent living.

HH-12 expanded stem cell research.<= /b>

HH-13 family health care insurance coverage for non-traditional families.

HH-14 “Safe Family Act” modification to prohibit forced adoptive placement of minors developmentally competent to decide for themselves.   =

HH-15 domestic violence programs including counseling and shelter c= are for victims, and remediation and treatment for offenders.

HH-16 health = care as a basic right.

HH-17 nationa= l health care system providing without discrimination: provider choice; comprehensiv= e, high-quality, affordable, and sustainable health care; prevention; early diagnosis; chronic disease management; improved methods, and increased cost efficiency.

HH-18 universal health care by 2010.

HH-19 single-payer health care system.

HH-20 fertili= ty treatment coverage without discrimination

HH-21 Medicare negotiating lower drug prices.

HH-22 expandi= ng Medicare formulary.

HH-23 evidenc= e-based medicine to control unwarranted technology, medical devices, procedures, and drugs.

HH-24 a natio= nal patient health information database with privacy safeguards.=

HH-25 statewi= de public smoking ban.

HH-26 smoking prevention and cessation programs, and strict tobacco regulations.

HH-27 wellness programs to reduce obesity and encourage healthy lifestyles.=

HH-28 dental, vision, hearing, mental he= alth, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and birth control coverage in health plans.

HH-29 teaching responsible behavior rega= rding sexuality, family planning, and sexually transmitted infections.=

HH-30 Patient= ’s Bill of Rights providing right to litigate.

HH-31 coopera= tive efforts to contain malpractice costs.

HH-32 rights = to access contraceptives and have legal prescriptions filled.

HH-33 lowerin= g drug prices, and limiting advertisement.

HH-34 Medicar= e and Medicaid expansion and increased funding.

HH-35 consume= r and worker representation on health/human-services review boards.

HH-36 disaster/pandemic readiness

HH-37 first-r= esponder catastrophe response training and compensation.

HH-38 “= common grounds” approach to reproductive issues.

HH-39 laws ag= ainst human trafficking providing victim assistance.

HH-40 priorit= y focus on crimes against children.

HH-41 nationa= l child protective database.

HH-42 guarant= eed health coverage for all Iowa<= /st1:State> children.

HH-43 reautho= rization S-CHIP to cover all eligible children.

HH-44 US universal HIV plan by 2010.

HH-45 hepatit= is funding including: prevention, control, care, and treatment.

Education

WE SUPPORT

ED-1 new, sustainable funding for increased public sc= hool early childhood education programs

ED-2 continuing funding plan giving schools funding = level guarantee one year in advance.

ED-3 increased funding State universities and other Regents’ institutions.

ED-4 full federal special education funding.<= br>
ED-5 increasing federal college education grants, scholarships, and subsidized loans, raising Pell Grant to 100% of need.

ED-6 enforcing public school counselor, nurse, and m= edia specialist professional training requirements.

ED-7 school-to-work programs preparing students for careers.

ED-8 6% minimum growth for school budgets; bringing s= alary ranks to national median within 10 years; continuing academic and community program development.

ED-9 revising NCLB, including full funding, and suspe= nding sanctions until NCLB fully funded.

ED-10 local control of sch= ool improvement measures, equitable budget allocations, and programming = in public schools.

ED-11 well-rounded approach to public school education, inc= luding programs in arts, physical education, and foreign languages.

ED-12 funding classroom academic technology integration.=

ED-13 educator input to IPERS decisions.

ED-14 raising para-professional and teacher aide compensation.=

WE OPPOSE:

ED-15 using gambling revenue in general educational formula, rather than using local gambling authority grant process.

Government and Law

WE SUPPORT:

GL-1 housing = for all homeless veterans.

GL-2 full medi= cal care for all veterans.

GL-3 disabili= ty determination made by Department for Veterans Affairs, not by Department of Defense.

GL-4 eliminat= ing security clearance back-log and barring use of non bona-fide factors in clearance adjudication.

GL-5 adequate = IANG and Reservist family assistance during extended active duty tours.

GL-6 protecti= ng Veterans’ Assistance Funds from diversion.

GL-7 National= Guard and Reserve training, body armor, and equipment on par with active force. =

GL-8 keeping preponderance of National Guard in state= .

GL-9 assured = Veteran health care funding levels.

GL-10 Patriot A= ct repeal and legislation protecting Americans while guaranteeing civil libert= ies.

GL-11 equality = of all citizens; and expanding cultural diversity and civil rights of Iowans.=

GL-12 repealing Defense of Marriage Act; and support marriage equality for all.<= /span>

GL-13 legislation protecting same sex couples rights = in adopting children.

GL-14 addition of “Sexual Orientation”, “Gender Identity”, and “Disability” to Anti-Discrimination laws, Hate Crime laws, Human Rights policies and civil statutes.

GL-15 Anti-Bullying Bill, and including “Sexual Orientation” protection.

GL-16 a day honoring Ms. Rosa Parks.

GL-17 immediate repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and replacement with nondiscrimination.<= /span>

GL-18 full restoration of Habeas Corpus.

GL-19 repealing “REAL ID” and oppose all National Identity Cards.

GL-20 women’s fundamental right to personal reproductive decisions; and providers of abortion alternatives meeting mothers’ needs and offering adoptive services. =

GL-21 Roe v. = Wade.

GL-22 individual’s right to privacy in thoughts= and beliefs, and Constitutional protection from intrusion in all sensitive pers= onal matters.

GL-23 government and privately funded reproductive he= alth services; medically accurate, age appropriate sex education; and oppose abstinence-only programs.

GL-24 requiring individual written permission before companies share personal non-public information; compensating individuals w= hen institution sells their personal data.

GL-25 immigration reform eliminating geographic or ra= cial bias; reflecting broad US skills needs; emphasizing family reunification; respecting National Security needs; and providing pathway to citizenship.

GL-26 promoting a Welcoming Io= wa and protecting civil and human rights of Iowa immigrant families.

GL-27 INS Policy upholding fundamental Human Rights o= f ALL detainees:

·         Prohibiting detainee shackling<= /p>
·         Providing right to attorney

·         Providing expedient adjudication process.<= /span>

·         Providing for necessary medical needs

·         Barring indefinite detention pending deportation.

GL-28 individual right to bear arms with fair, reason= able and responsible restrictions.

GL-29 fair and simplified tax system, taxing all inco= me equitably; and relying on simplified, graduated income tax.

GL-30 tax penalties on corporations sending jobs out = of country.

GL-31 raising Social Security payroll tax cap to 100%= of taxable earnings

GL-32 restoring funding of social relief programs aid= ing vulnerable citizens.

GL-33 eliminating cap on Iowa pension income tax exemption.

GL-34 voting reforms assuring every citizen of legal = age the right to vote, including same day voter registration.

GL-35 publicly financed elections at all government l= evels.

GL-36 restoring voting right to all ex-felons.

GL-37 improved caucus accessibility including: handic= apped accessibility, sign language interpreter availability; mandatory leave for caucus attendance if needed, and adequate parking.

GL-38 the First Amendment. Religion is matter of personal cho= ice government must neither hinder, nor assist.

GL-39 restoring pre-1954 version of Pledge of Allegia= nce.

GL-40 dissolution of “Office of Faith Based and Community Services”: reallocating funding and duties to appropriate departments; providing government funds solely thru non-sectarian entities.=

GL-41 ending costly “War on Drugs”, refoc= using efforts to “Harm Reduction” and realistic prevention efforts.

GL-42 alternatives to incarceration for drug offender= s; alternative sentencing involving treatment and rehabilitation for youthful = and first offenders; continuing education assistance during rehab.

GL-43 re-evaluating sentencing for drug-related offen= ses assuring equitable sentencing.

GL-44 “medical marijuana” and industrial = hemp, with appropriate controls to prevent abuse.

GL-45 decriminalizing marijuana use.

GL-46 “Eminent Domain” when due process is followed, solely for common good and not private interests.

GL-47 “Private Property Rights” guarantee= d by Constitution. Criminal convic= tion as pre-requisite for property forfeiture; forfeiture a rare exception; individual right to jury trial in forfeiture cases; and eliminating forfeiture’s corrupting influence on law enforcement.

GL-48 elected representatives live by laws they pass without exempting themselves; receiving health care, pensions, and benefits with no more choice or security than voted for constituents.

GL-49 IPERS funding increases of 1% per year for four years; maintaining current 60/40 employer/employee funding split.

GL-50 $9.50/hour federal minimum wage; linking to Com= merce PCE price index.

GL-51 repeal 2000-foot Sex Offender Law.

GL-52 limiting Sex Offender Law to serious and active predators; distinguishing between violent sex offenders, sex offenders, and pedophiles.

GL-53 federal ban on capital punishment.

GL-54 reversal of corporate personhood.

GL-55 adequate funding for Corporation for Public Bro= adcasting and continued independence in its operation.

GL-56 restoring authority of FTC to regulate and rest= rict harmful or deceptive advertising and children’s marketing.=

GL-57 reinstatement of Fairness Doctrin= e.

GL-58 granting “civil union” all legal ri= ghts and privileges of “marriage”.

GL-59 repeal Iowa Drug Tax Stamp.=

GL-60 “net neutrality” prot= ects open and free internet.

GL-61 opening “unlicensed spectrum” for community networks.&nb= sp;

GL-62 animals rights; eliminating cruelty; severe pen= alties for cruelty.

GL-63 sentenc= ing fairness without discrimination.

WE OPPOSE:

GL-64 government-sanctioned surveillance without prob= able cause and ‘due process’.

GL-65 replacement of patrol officers by electronic surveillance technologies.

GL-66 provisions in NCLB supplying military recruiters student names or permitting recruitment in K-12.

GL-67 unfunded state or federal mandates.<= /span>

GL-68 electronic voting systems without:

·      =    permanent record trail

·      =    anonymity of voter election choices=

GL-69 media consolidation.

International Affairs

WE SUPPORT:

1A-1 co= ntinuing active and cooperative participation in UN to reconcile international issues and deal with global concerns; recognizing US sovereignty; governing our people under US Constitution and laws.

IA-2 sa= fe and rapid withdrawal of US troops and bases from Iraq.

IA-3 en= ding funding Iraq war; safe= ly redeploying troops out of Iraq; fully funding their health and human service needs.

IA-4 UN brokered efforts to stabilize Iraq, making clear to Iraq we are redeploying; using diplomacy with Iraq and neighbors during redeployment..

IA-5 repealing Kyl-Lieberman amendment that uses Iraq War to justify threatening Iran, and makes war inevitable.

IA-6 ex= ploring non-military options in confronting threats from Iran. <= /p>

IA-7 US ensuring Israeli/Palestinian peace process moves forward with results providing Palestinians an independent state, and Israelis peace and secure borders.=

IA-8 US leadership in discovering and implementing water pollution solutions, balan= cing national interests with river preservation.

IA-9 US joining 175 nations ratifying Kyoto Protocol reg= ulating greenhouse gases and environmentally damaging emissions. =

IA-10 US leadership reducing non-renewable power source dependency, and pursuing renewable power sources including, solar, tidal and wind energy.

IA-11 US priority to stopping atrocities in Darfur, and contributing to high-level international diplomatic team for fair and lasting peace.

IA-12 f= ighting global hunger and extreme poverty through international assistance: empower= ing individuals, focusing on education, clean water, fighting HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and microeconomic aid.

IA-13 closing Guantanamo Naval Base detention camp.

IA-14 a UN nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament = world summit.

IA-15 US push adding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to UN Human Rights agreements.

IA-16 UN Panel on Climate Change.

WE OPPOSE:

IA-17 continued US participation in free-trade organizations (WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA) unless they include fair trade provisions= to ensure:

Protecting labor's right to orga= nize and negotiate a living wage;

Protecting labor, human rights, environment, and economic/domestic interests of all countries;

Ending subsidies and tax breaks = for companies relocating jobs out of country to increase profits, or allow weakening of public health and safety protection, or undermine US economic development.

IA-18 concept of pre-emptive wars.<= /b>

IA-19 tying international family planning funding to abstinence-only and anti-abortion programs.

ACRONYMS USED

AIDS   = ;           Acquir= ed Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome

ANWR   = ;        Artic National Wildlife Reserve