The following 10 resolutions passed in balloting following resolution debate at the 3rd CD Convention on April 18th in Potosi. They will be submitted in their approved form to the state Platform and Resolutions Committee and will be considered on the floor of the state convention.
Thank you to those of you that submitted such great resolutions this year and thanks to our Resolutions Committee for putting them together.
Katy Phillips
Chair, EC Dems
SUB1: UNIVERSAL NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
WHEREAS, nearly 50 million Americans lack health insurance and millions of others have inadequate coverage;
WHEREAS, approximately half of all U. S. bankruptcies are caused by exorbitant medical costs; WHEREAS, the U. S. is the only developed nation in the world without government-sponsored universal health insurance;
WHEREAS, the private insurance model is designed to generate profits by insuring the relatively healthy, forcing the unhealthy into the ranks of the uninsured or government-funded programs;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports adopting a national universal health insurance system that includes medical care, preventive care, dental care, and prescription drugs at significant savings.
SUB2: PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADVERTISING REFORM
WHEREAS, drug advertising laws have been altered to permit the marketing of prescription drugs to the public;
WHEREAS, the cost of advertising exceeds the cost of corporate research for new drugs, and is one third of the drug’s cost;
WHEREAS, drugs that require a physician’s prescriptions are being advertised in public forums, undermining the physician’s professional judgment;
WHEREAS brand name medications place unnecessary pressure on health care providers in order to avoid potential lawsuits;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports prohibiting such advertising to consumers AND revising tax law to remove deductibility of prescription drug advertising.
SUB3: GLOBAL WARMING
WHEREAS, global warming is a scientifically proven threat to the planet, endangering the public’s health and welfare with negative impacts on the nation’s economy and the environment;
WHEREAS, energy efficiency, conservation and development of alternative energy can provide economic and health benefits for local communities while generating jobs in development, manufacturing, and installation of new technologies;
BE IT RESOLVED that the DPW supports climate change mitigation strategies including capping carbon emissions, promoting sustainable growth and energy conservation, enacting a corporate carbon tax, further supporting the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Efficiency, and adopting the Kyoto Protocol.
SUB4: SAVING AND SUPPORTING THE VIABILITY OF FAMILY FARMS
WHEREAS, agriculture continues to be a strong factor in Wisconsin’s economy;
WHEREAS, family farms are having difficulty earning a living wage, discouraging youth from entering farming and continuing farms in the family;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the DPW encourage legislation and programs that enhance markets, support “parity” commodity pricing, and enhance the sustainability of family farms.
05-JHC-09: CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
WHEREAS, campaign spending has reached absurd levels;
WHEREAS, special interest groups, PACs and the very wealthy have disproportionate advantages in electing and influencing public officials;
WHEREAS, campaign costs keep worthy candidates from running for office; and
WHEREAS, the perpetual need to raise campaign funds consumes valuable time of elected officials;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW encourages comprehensive finance reform laws which include public funding of campaigns, free and fair media coverage, sane caps on all categories of contributions and on campaign spending, and honest and accessible campaign funding reporting.
09-JHC-09: IN SUPPORT OF SENTENCING REFORM
WHEREAS the number of Wisconsin citizens incarcerated in Wisconsin prisons is higher on a per capita basis than most states and;
WHEREAS Wisconsin has almost 1/3 more prison inmates than Minnesota and;
WHEREAS there is not necessarily a correlation between incarceration rates and crime rates;
Be it RESOLVED that the DPW calls for an immediate re-examination of Wisconsin’s sentencing guidelines and supports Governor Doyle’s plan for early release of prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes.
11-JHC-09: RESTORE 9-1-1 GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS the wireless 9-1-1 grant program provided money to local communities to upgrade emergency dispatch services through a small surcharge on cell phone bills and;
WHEREAS the wireless 9-1-1 grant program was allowed to expire;
Be it RESOLVED that the DPW will call on the Wisconsin legislature to renew the wireless 9-1-1 grant program to provide funding for needed upgrades for 911 centers and public safety radio communications.
12-JHC-09: HEALTH CARE FOR UNINSURED AND UNDER-INSURED
WHEREAS eighteen billion dollars from the stimulus plan has been targeted toward COBRA coverage and;
WHEREAS COBRA is a subsidy for health insurance companies;
Be it RESOLVED that the DPW urges Congress and President Obama to allow states to use the funds targeted toward COBRA to provide health benefits instead through HURTS and Badger Plus as well as other more effective programs that help the uninsured and under-insured.
02-ELE-09: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE IN WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN
WHEREAS, West Central Wisconsin is recognized as the fastest growing population area in the state resulting in calls for increased transportation infrastructure.
WHEREAS, Passenger rail service is more cost efficient and environmentally sound than expanded highway systems,
WHEREAS, other regions of Wisconsin are currently under consideration for new rail service or have Amtrak service;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that DPW supports expanded passenger rail service in West Central Wisconsin.
01-AGE-09: FOREST LAND TAXATION POLICIES
WHEREAS the state in 2005 determined that forestland next to agriculture land with the same owner be assessed at half value.
WHEREAS the managed forest program assures the health and economic viability of forests, further reducing tax revenues.
WHEREAS in heavily forested counties both programs have accelerated purchase of forestlands by non-resident landowners markedly reducing tax revenues for public schools and county operations.
THEREFORE be it resolved that The DPW urge the legislature to change the eligibility for these programs and limit tax benefits to residents of the township and county restoring needed revenues to school systems and county governments.