At this year's state convention, the resolutions committee approved what was probably a record-breaking number of resolutions (approximately 100). Although most of these didn't come up for a vote on the convention floor, the remainder have been sent for consideration by the State Democratic Executive Committee.
The temporary resolutions committee met two weeks before the convention and considered the approximately 2,000 resolutions approved by county or senatorial district conventions. This task would have been nearly impossible without the monumental work by Carl Betancourt. He prepared for the meeting by organizing all the resolutions by topic, and determined how many senatorial districts had passed each resolution.
At the temporary resolutions committee meeting, which was chaired by SDEC committeeman Dr. Dennis Teal, members divided up the topic folders of resolutions, selecting what they felt were the best resolutions for the committee to vote upon. About 180 were recommended to the permanent resolutions committee. Resolutions on matters pertaining to the party rules were forwarded to the rules committee. Resolutions concerning the primacaucus or superdelegates will be forwarded to an ad hoc committee chaired by State Senator Royce West, whose committee will recommend rules changes for the 2010 convention. The 180 resolutions recommended to the permanent resolutions committee were photocopied, with one copy going to each member of the permanent committee. Those that were not recommended, including those that were not selected for a vote, were kept in the folders so that the permanent resolutions committee members could still act on them, if they chose to do so. An index was compiled of those resolutions recommended to the permanent committee.
The permanent resolutions committee, consisting of one member elected from each of the 31 senatorial districts, and three members appointed by State Party Chair Boyd Richie (one of these appointees being Vince Leibowitz) met on Saturday, June 7 from 8:00 am to nearly 6:00 pm, with a 30-minute recess during the state party chair vote, and two 5-minute breaks. Dr. Teal chaired the permanent committee also, and the committee was greatly assisted by SDEC committeeman Bill Perkison, who had compiled a database to track all of the resolutions.
The operating procedure for the permanent resolutions committee was for each member in turn to offer a single resolution for discussion and a vote. When necessary, a subcommittee was created to rewrite the resolution and bring it back for a vote. We managed to get through only three and a half rounds, so that each committee member had a chance to offer at most four resolutions for a vote. About a hundred resolutions were approved by the committee, a result that could not have been achieved without the extensive work of Mr. Betancourt and Mr. Perkison, the skilled leadership of Dr. Teal, and the dedication of committee members to do their business expediently.
Most of the conventions have already taken place across Texas, so while we're nursing our collective headaches and various body aches, I figured we might want a thread to discuss the resolutions that our respective Senatorial Conventions have passed on to the State Convention this coming June.
I wanted to remind everyone attending the Texas conventions, tomorrow, that there actually are other things to think about other than just that presidential vote! Who'd of thunk?
One, or actually quite a few, of those things are the many worthwhile resolutions to vote for to effect change in the Texas Democratic Party Platform. Which resolutions are up for a vote depends upon two things: 1) which resolutions got introduced and passed at the precinct conventions, and 2) which resolutions the Local Platform and Resolutions Committees decide to pass on for a vote by the delegates.
I'm pushing two resolutions:
Non-Discrimination Resolution: would call on the Democratic party to support legislation to end discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,
Safe Schools Resolution: calls on the Democratic Party to pass legislation requiring school districts to adopt model policies on bullying and harassment-to prevent some of the terrible tragedies we've been hearing about these days.
(Mark's got some great work done here to make the process as transparent as possible. We encourage others to read through the resolutions here, share thoughts and concerns, and help everyone think through the best resolutions possible. Additionally, we encourage those from other Senate Districts to post similar posts for their Senate District. We're working on a "County Convention" box where we will help track everything. - promoted by Phillip Martin)
This post constitutes the report of the SD 26 Resolutions Committee. With the permission of the BOR staff, and as chair of the committee, I am posting the SD 26 resolutions here so that:
Everyone will have the opportunity to read and discuss the resolutions before the convention takes place.
Democrats outside of SD 26 are welcome to express their views on these issues of statewide significance. (Our party can withstand healthy discussions on important issues, even when there isn't a consensus of opinion!)
Democrats across Texas will recognize the potential of the resolutions process in amplifying the voice of the grassroots of the party, as we have this opportunity to express our views collectively only once every two years. Because delegates assembled in convention represent the highest level of authority within the Texas Democratic Party, we can expect our elected Democratic representatives in state and federal government to pay attention.
There should be transparency in the actions of our committee. Our intent is to allow good ideas to defy gravity and float to the top, even if they began with only a single precinct.
This, I believe, is an optimal, viable and timely plan for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. It will be presented at precinct conventions throughout Travis County on March 4. I think it's an excellent plan for us to coalesce support around.
-- Thorne Dreyer
Proposed Resolution on Iraq
For March 4 Democratic Precinct Conventions
The following is a "Plan for the withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Iraq" posted by Paul Spencer on The Rag Blog and adapted by David Hamilton of MDS/Austin. It will be submitted to every precinct in Travis County for consideration at the Democratic Party precinct caucuses on March 4th.
MDS/Austin strongly urges participation in these caucuses and the advocacy of this plan. In order to do so, you must vote in the Democratic Party
primary, either on March 4 or before at an early voting site. Any
registered voter can vote in the Democratic Party primary and participate
in these caucuses and doing so does not commit you to vote for the
Democratic Party nominee in November.
Texas has the most complex delegate selection process in the nation,
both a primary and caucuses. Essentially, you can vote twice. Texas has
228 delegates, but 35 are super-delegates (Democratic Party officials) and
those are not in play. Of the remaining 183, 122 will be determined by
votes in the March 4th primary election. Another 61 will be determined by
the caucus process that begins that same night at the precinct level.
Caucuses are at the same location as the voting and are supposed to begin
at 7:15 pm after the polls close. Be on time. You merely have to show up
at that time and register as a supporter of a particular candidate. Then
you can leave. The numbers of those who register at the precinct caucus
will determine the apportionment of delegates to the county convention on
March 29th. Resolutions will be considered by those who stay.
Please send on this information to all those you know who might be interested
and supportive.
Plan for Withdrawal of all U.S. Military Forces from Iraq.
Please complete the following at the Democratic Precinct Convention on
Tuesday, March 4, 2008: (circle one)
Adopted / Not adopted by Precinct _____, Senate District _____.
Plan for the withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Iraq.
Whereas, the Second Iraq War has caused enormous damage to the security,
economic well-being and moral standing of the United States,
And whereas, this war was entered into on what were known by the Bush
administration at the time to be questionable if not false pretexts,
Therefore, let it be resolved that:
1a. All U.S. troops will redeploy to the five main U.S. bases in Iraq, as
quickly as possible, but no later than in 60 days after the institution of
this plan on January 20, 2009 with the inauguration of the new U.S. president.
b. Iraqis who have cooperated with U.S. forces and request asylum in the US
will be moved to temporary camps within these bases within the 60-day limit.
c. All U.S. troops not necessary to support these bases will depart Iraq
within the 60-day limit.
2a. All U.S. "contractors" will redeploy to Kuwait within the 60-day limit
in order to organize their expeditious departure from the region.
b. All non-U.S. citizen "contractors" will be dismissed and given
commercial airplane tickets to their home country from Kuwait.
3a. All non-essential material will be left in place and turned over to
local Iraqi authorities.
b. All weaponry and ammunition will be collected and secured within 60 days
for transport to the U.S. in conjunction with the U.S. troop withdrawal.
c. All mine-detection devices, tools, construction equipment and material,
and medical supplies will be turned over to local Iraqi authorities.
4a. A UN sponsored conference will be organized including Syria, Iran,
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraqi Sunni, and Iraqi Shia to negotiate
political arrangements for Iraq's southern provinces.
b. A UN sponsored conference will be organized including Turkey, Iran,
Syria, Turkomen, Iraqi Sunnis and Iraqi Kurds to negotiate political
arrangements for Iraq's northern provinces.
c. A subsequent UN sponsored conference will be organized including all
regional and Iraqi parties to negotiate future relations between all
segments of Iraqi society.
d. The UN will hold an advisory conference on Iraq to obtain viewpoints of
all interested parties with no direct political role in the region.
5a. When the treaties, constitutions or arrangements acceptable to all
sectors of Iraqi society are formalized and approved in UN monitored
elections, the full withdrawal of all US military personnel from Iraq will
be completed at the agreed date-certain, but not later than December 31, 2009.
b. Eligible Iraqis who request asylum to the US will be processed for
immigration on an expedited basis.
c. The U.S. bases will be turned over to the local Iraqi authorities in
which they are located.
d. The U.S. will budget reparations to compensate for damage done to Iraq
during the invasion and occupation, to be paid to the Iraqi entity or
entities that emerge from the above agreements.
Submitted by David and Sally Hamilton. Precinct 338. Senate district 14.
The primary election in Texas is only weeks away, and on the same night of March 4 the convention process begins with precinct conventions held at every polling place at 7:15 p.m. (7:30 p.m. for Republicans). A lot of attention will be placed on these precinct conventions as a way for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to pick up additional delegates. (For Phillip Martin's explanation of the process, click here: Part 1 and Part 2.)
But there's more to the precinct convention than just choosing a presidential candidate. Those who attend the precinct convention also have a chance to influence the party platform and to advocate specific legislative agenda through the resolutions process. (For my guide to resolutions in the Texas Democratic Party convention process, click here. The Republican Party of Texas follows a similar process.) Once every two years, the grassroots of the party have the opportunity to express their views collectively rather than individually, and this collective voice should be taken seriously by Democratic lawmakers.
If you want to introduce a resolution on an issue that is important to you, you don't necessarily need to write the resolution from scratch. You might find something on the internet. For example, if you want a resolution on global warming, try a Google search for "global warming" and "whereas," because resolutions invariably include the word "whereas." You can edit the resolution as you see fit, and close it with "Submitted to and Adopted by Precinct ____ in ____________ County, Texas, Senatorial District _____ on March 4, 2008" and add a signature line for the precinct convention secretary. If your resolution will call for specific legislation to be enacted, include a "resolved" clause with wording similar to this: "BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party urges the Congressional delegation from Texas to draft and support legislation" establishing whatever provisions you seek.
As I explained in my earlier posting, resolutions have a much better chance of rising to the level of the state convention if they are introduced in multiple counties and senatorial districts, and for that reason it is a good idea to circulate your proposed resolutions prior to March 4 through the website of a sponsoring organization.
I believe that the Burnt Orange Report is an appropriate place to post resolutions for use at Democratic precinct conventions in Texas, and my intention is to use this thread to share resolutions I have received that in my judgement are worth disseminating statewide. Most of these resolutions could also be used in the Republican convention process (far be it from me to try to stop Republicans from stealing our legislative goals!) if the language is modified appropriately (for example, substituting "Republican Party of Texas" in place of "Texas Democratic Party"). Remember that you can modify the language of the resolution any way you see fit, and if at any level of the convention process the same resolution arrives in multiple versions, the Resolutions Committee will decide which version will move forward, or the Resolutions Committee may combine different versions into a new one.
Purposes of a resolution 1. To memorialize someone recently deceased.
2. To congratulate a person or group.
3. To amend the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP).
4. To amend the TDP Platform.
5. To urge Democratic elected officials, especially in the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress, to advocate certain positions on policy issues. As the delegates assembled at the state convention are the highest authority within the TDP, such resolutions should carry weight with elected officials as the consensus of the grassroots of the party.
Structure of a resolution 1. Give the resolution a title that indicates not merely the topic, but also the position to be advocated (i.e., instead of "Resolution on Vouchers for Texas Schools," it would be better to put "Resolution Opposing Vouchers for Texas Schools").
2. List the reasons for the resolution at the beginning, each reason being in a separate paragraph beginning with the word "whereas" (capitalized, italicized or in boldface).
3. List each action to be taken in separate paragraphs introduced by the words "be it resolved" (capitalized, italicized or in boldface).
4. Use semicolons to separate each paragraph, and avoid periods. A well-written resolution should consist grammatically of a single sentence.
5. Keep the resolution brief. It should fit easily on a single page.
6. At the end of the resolution, write: "Submitted to and Adopted by Precinct ___ in ____ County, Texas, Senatorial District ___, on March 2, 2010" and leave a signature line for the precinct convention secretary, who will sign it if the precinct convention adopts the resolution.
Example of a well-written resolution:
WHEREAS we believe every Texan has the right to participate fully and equally in society and enjoy its benefits and freedoms; and
WHEREAS lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Texans suffer pervasive discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education because of homophobia and a lack of legal protection; and
WHEREAS non-discrimination laws help to ensure that LGBT people have equal access to the same opportunities and protections granted to others, such as the ability to work in an environment where people are judged by their job performance, not their sexual orientation or gender identity; and
WHEREAS the State of Texas does not have a statewide non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation and gender identity,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party supports the passage of comprehensive non-discrimination legislation that would make discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity illegal in employment, housing, education and public accommodations.
Submitted to and Adopted by Precinct 2084 in Bexar County, Texas, Senatorial District 26, on March 7, 2006.
Process by which resolutions move forward 1. Someone has an idea for a resolution and writes it up.
2. Priority is given when the same resolution comes from multiple counties or senatorial districts. It would be a good idea to share your resolution with others who live in different precincts and in other parts of the state. Sponsoring organizations might post a resolution on their website.
3. The resolution is introduced at the precinct convention on the evening of March 2, 2010.
4. If the resolution passes, it will be included in the convention packet that must be delivered to the county chair within three days after the convention.
5. The next level is the county convention (or in the case of counties having multiple senatorial districts such as Bexar County and Travis County, the next level is the senatorial district convention).
6. The Resolutions Committee will meet prior to that convention. They can amend a resolution, combine it with other similar resolutions, or vote it down.
7. The county convention or senatorial district convention will consider all the resolutions recommended by the Resolutions Committee. Those that pass will proceed to the state convention.
8. A Temporary Resolutions Committee will consist of members of the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC). They will organize the resolutions submitted for the state convention. They can pull out any resolution they don't like unless it has come from multiple counties or senatorial districts.
9. Resolutions that are not statewide in significance (except for memorial or congratulatory resolutions) will not be considered at the state convention.
10. Resolutions concerning TDP Rules or the TDP Platform will be referred to the Rules Committee or the Platform Committee.
11. At the state convention, each senatorial district elects one member for each of various committees, such as the Permanent Resolutions Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Platform Committee, and others.
12. If the Permanent Resolutions Committee works expediently, they will consider all of the submitted resolutions, combine them with others as possible, and then refer them for a vote on the convention floor. If they waste time, worthy resolutions will fall by the wayside.
13. At the state convention, other resolutions may be introduced that haven't come through a county or senatorial district convention by petition of 20% of the delegates (using the proper form).
14. Resolutions passed by the state convention will be sent by the SDEC to the Democrats elected to the Texas Legislature and U.S. Congress, as appropriate. Hopefully our representatives, whom we work so hard to get elected, will pay attention to us!
It’s amazing how the House has begun passing all these Resolutions on suspensions. Not only is nobody reading them, they're not even reading the captions on the floor anymore.
Can't wait for the embarassment next campaign cycle when somebody realizes they've done something amazingly stupid in these resolutions.
