1

2 09-JHD-01: Transparency Between Physicians and Manufacturers of Drugs, Devices or Supplies (99 words)..............3

3 09-JHD-02: Eliminate BPA, A Dangerous Toxin, From Food Containers (100 words).................................................3

4 09-JHD-03: Support Passage Of H.R. 676 And S.B. 703 United States National Health Care Act (89 words) ..............3

5 09-JHD-04: Health Care (89 words).....................................................................................................................3

6 09-JHD-05: Supporting Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin’s Executive Accountability Act (87 words)..........................4

7 09-JHD-06: Supporting Campaign Finance Reform Laws (83 words).......................................................................4

8 09-JHD-07: End Deployment of the Wisconsin National Guard to Iraq (98 words)....................................................4

9 09-JHD-08: Supporting A Wisconsin Single-Payer Health Care Reform Bill (87 words) ..............................................4

10 09-JHD-09: Support Removing The Marriage Ban From Wisconsin's Constitution (80 words) ....................................4

11 09-JHD-10: Prescription Drug Advertising Reform (97 words) ................................................................................5

12 09-JHD-11: In Support of Sentencing Reform (72 words) ......................................................................................5

13 09-JHD-12: Restore 9-1-1 Grant Program (67 words)............................................................................................5

14 09-JHD-13: Health Care for Uninsured and Under-Insured (67 words)....................................................................5

15 09-JHD-14: Support Gun Violence Prevention Efforts (97 words)............................................................................5

16 09-JHD-15: Enact Legislation To Control Product Quality As It Relates To Imported Products (100 words).................6

17 09-JHD-16: Cluster Bombs (93 words).................................................................................................................6

18 09-JHD-17: UN Conference for Women and Children (79 words)...........................................................................6

19 09-JHD-18: Close WHINSEC (formerly SOA – School of the Americas) (86 words) ...................................................6

20 09-JHD-19: Bills in Congress (65 words) ..............................................................................................................6

21 09-JHD-20: Securing US Postal Service (93 words) ...............................................................................................7

22 09-JHD-21: Dump Diebold Touch Screen (TSX) Voting Machines (84 words)...........................................................7

23 09-JHD-22: Medicare Part D (91 words)...............................................................................................................7

24 09-JHD-23: Resolution for Public Funding of Judiciary Elections (53 words) ............................................................7

25 09-JHD-24: Resolution for a Ban of Chapter 527 Advertising in Judiciary Elections (75 words) ..................................7

26 09-JHD-25: Restore Verifiable Elections (100 words).............................................................................................8

27 09-JHD-26: Ban on Assault Weapons (66 words) ..................................................................................................8

28 09-JHD-27: Population and Global Warming (74 words) ........................................................................................8

29 09-JHD-28: Indoor Workplace Smoking Ban (93 words) ........................................................................................8

30 09-JHD-29: Campaign Finance Reform (98 words)................................................................................................9

31 09-JHD-30: Corrections Reform (82 words)..........................................................................................................9

32 09-JHD-31: Priority Status For Veterans (72 words) ..............................................................................................9

33 09-JHD-32: Domestic Partnership Benefits And Obligations (77 words)...................................................................9

34 09-JHD-33: Demanding that the United States Congress Restore the Rule of Law (100 words) ............................... 10

35 09-JHD-34: Resolution on Non-Incarcerated Felons Voting (90 words) ................................................................. 10

36 09-JHD-35: Resolution in support of the Lee-Wexler-Conyers Bill H.R. 383 Establishing a Committee to Investigate

37 Bush Administration Conduct (100 Words) .......................................................................................................... 10

38 09-JHD-36: Supporting Wisconsin Assembly Bill 203 to Require the Governor to Examine Orders that Place Wisconsin’s

39 National Guard on Federal Active Duty to Determine If They are Lawful and Valid (96 words) ................................. 10

40 09-JHD-37: Grant the Grace of the Legislature, Property Tax Exemption, to Non-Profit Low-Income Housing Providers

41 (94 words) ....................................................................................................................................................... 11

42 09-JHD-38: Resolution Concerning Al Franken (69 words) ................................................................................... 11

43 RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING EDUCATION, LABOR, AND ECONOMICS.............................11

44 09-ELE-01: Part Time Benefits Proportional to Part Time Work (86 words)............................................................ 11

45 09-ELE-02: Corporation Taxes (76 words).......................................................................................................... 11

46 09-ELE-03: Employee Free Choice Act (99 words)................................................................................................ 12

47 09-ELE-04: Greater Labor Representation In The Department Of Labor (82 words) ................................................ 12

48 09-ELE-05: Save Our Schools (99 words) ........................................................................................................... 12

49 09-ELE-06: Resolution in Support of Passenger Rail Service in West Central Wisconsin (68 words).......................... 12

50 09-ELE-07: Support a Transitional Jobs Program (91 words)................................................................................ 12

51 09-ELE-08: Danger Of Budget Deficits (93 words) .............................................................................................. 13

52 09-ELE-09: The Futures Market (54 words) ........................................................................................................ 13

53 09-ELE-10: Banking System (85 words) ............................................................................................................. 13

54 09-ELE-11: Cap Interest Rates on Predatory Loans (100 words) .......................................................................... 13

55 09-ELE-12: Strong, and Fair Trade Policies (89 words) ........................................................................................ 13

56 RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ...............14

57 09-AGE-01: Keep Coal Out of the Farm Bill (67 words)........................................................................................ 14

58 09-AGE-02: Strong Clean Energy Economy Bill (99 words)................................................................................... 14

59 09-AGE-03: Give Agriculture Support Only to Small Family Farms (73 words)........................................................ 14

2

2 09-AGE-05: Saving and Supporting the Viability of Family Farms (56 words) .......................................................... 14

3 09-AGE-06: Forest Land Taxation Policies (99 words)........................................................................................... 15

4 09-AGE-07: Organic Farming (85 words)............................................................................................................ 15

5 09-AGE-08: Addressing Climate Change (95 words) ............................................................................................. 15

6 09-AGE-09: Energy Independence (97 words).................................................................................................... 15

7 09-AGE-10: Long Range Plans for Mass Transportation (100 words)...................................................................... 16

8 09-AGE-11: Renewable Energy: 25% by 2025 (92 words) ................................................................................... 16

9 RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING FOREIGN AFFAIRS.............................................................16

10 09-FA-01: Ratify Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (87 words) .................................................................. 16

11 09-FA-02: Oppose the Deployment of the National Guard Unless There is a Declaration of War (55 words) ............. 16

12 09-FA-03: Establish a Department of Peace (87 words)....................................................................................... 17

13 09-FA-04: Normalize Relations With Cuba (64 words) ......................................................................................... 17

14 09-FA-05: Afghanistan (78 words)..................................................................................................................... 17

3

1 RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING JUSTICE, HUMANS CONCERNS, AND DEMOCRACY

2

3 09-JHD-01: TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN PHYSICIANS AND MANUFACTURERS OF DRUGS, DEVICES OR SUPPLIES (99 WORDS)

4 WHEREAS, transparency on payments by pharmaceutical companies to doctors does not currently exist;

5 WHEREAS, it is believed that such payments are intended to influence medical decision-making regarding patient

6 treatment compromising health care and physician credibility;

7 WHEREAS, the Physicians Payment Sunshine Act (S2029) would amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide

8 transparency in the relationship between physicians and manufacturers of drugs and medical supplies and require

9 manufacturers to electronically report gifts of more than $25;

10 THEREFORE RESOLVED, the DPW supports Senator Kohl’s bill of full disclosure by the medical industry of payments and

11 gifts made to doctors.

12

13 09-JHD-02: ELIMINATE BPA, A DANGEROUS TOXIN, FROM FOOD CONTAINERS (100 WORDS)

14 WHEREAS, Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to make plastic which is reported to cause reproductive defects,

15 diabetes, cancer, ADD, asthma, autism and other problems;

16 WHEREAS, Researchers from the University of Rochester say the chemical may get into the body from sources such as

17 plastic water pipes, or dust from carbonless paper and not only from food containers that leach the chemical when

18 heated;

19 WHEREAS, BPA was found in 93% of Americans tested;

20 THEREFORE RESOLVED, the DPW requests state and FDA legislation to declare BPA a toxin and ban its use in food

21 containers and piping, as Canada has.

22

23 09-JHD-03: SUPPORT PASSAGE OF H.R. 676 AND S.B. 703 UNITED STATES NATIONAL HEALTH CARE ACT (89 WORDS)

24 WHEREAS, the United States faces a major public health crisis due to the skyrocketing costs and diminishing benefits of

25 the current health care system, one subject to the profiteering of stockholders and CEO’s, resulting in millions of

26 uninsured and countless underinsured citizens;

27 THEREFORE RESOLVED, the DPW strongly supports passage of H.R. 676 and S.B. 703, legislation that creates and enacts

28 a national health care program which provides comprehensive, guaranteed health care – publicly financed, but privately

29 driven by the needs of patients and the judgment of doctors – accessible to all U.S. citizens.

30

31 09-JHD-04: HEALTH CARE (89 WORDS)

32 WHEREAS, our health care system is collapsing; some people cannot afford to acknowledge illness; insurance businesses

33 make health decisions; and,

34 WHEREAS, Medicare is an American system that works without paying private companies to handle the money or the

35 decisions;

36 THEREFORE RESOLVED, the DPW supports “Medicare for All,” using a single payer plan; automatic coverage for life for

37 everyone; comprehensive services for all; assured choice of primary care provider and hospital; revive our economy;

38 control costs; and put you and your primary health care provider in control of your health.

4

2 WHEREAS, the DPW respects the rule of law, the principle of checks and balances, and the fundamental freedoms

3 enshrined in the Bill of Rights;

4 WHEREAS, the Bush/Cheney Administration has abused executive branch power and shown contempt for Congress and

5 the American public by impeding congressional oversight;

6 WHEREAS, no administration should be allowed to commit the abuses of the Bush/Cheney Administration; and,

7 WHEREAS, Baldwin’s proposed Executive Accountability Act would reverse these abusive actions and restore executive

8 branch accountability;

9 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports Congresswoman Baldwin’s Executive Accountability Act.

10

11 09-JHD-06: SUPPORTING CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM LAWS (83 WORDS)

12 WHEREAS, campaign spending has reached absurd levels;

13 WHEREAS, special interest groups, PAC’s and the wealthy have disproportionate advantages in electing public officials;

14 WHEREAS, campaign costs keep worthy candidates from running for office; and,

15 WHEREAS, the perpetual need to raise funds consumes valuable time of elected officials;

16 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports comprehensive campaign finance reform laws that include public funding of

17 elections, free and fair media coverage, caps on all categories of campaign contributions and spending, and requires

18 honest, accessible campaign funding reporting.

19

20 09-JHD-07: END DEPLOYMENT OF THE WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD TO IRAQ (98 WORDS)

21 WHEREAS, in 2002, Congress approved the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) with a limited mission of

22 defending the security of the US against Iraq;

23 WHEREAS, US forces, including members of the Wisconsin National Guard, have long ago fulfilled the AUMF, so there

24 exists no lawful basis for continued deployment of Wisconsin National Guard units in Iraq; and,

25 WHEREAS, maintaining Wisconsin National Guard members in Iraq is causing significant harm to them, their families,

26 their communities, and Wisconsin's economy;

27 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW demands the Wisconsin National Guard be withdrawn from Iraq and redeployed to

28 Wisconsin.

29

30 09-JHD-08: SUPPORTING A WISCONSIN SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL (87 WORDS)

31 WHEREAS, our current healthcare system, based on disease management instead of prevention, is broken;

32 WHEREAS, skyrocketing premiums make healthcare unaffordable to millions of people; and,

33 WHEREAS, healthcare institutions waste billions of dollars on administrative costs, devastating families and our economy;

34 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW demands a Wisconsin Universal Health Care Bill that guarantees comprehensive

35 healthcare coverage (medical, psychological, dental, vision, hospitalization, therapeutic, and prescription); preserves

36 patients' rights to choose their own doctors and hospitals; and saves consumers, employers, taxpayers, and state and

37 local governments millions of dollars.

38

39 09-JHD-09: SUPPORT REMOVING THE MARRIAGE BAN FROM WISCONSIN'S CONSTITUTION (80 WORDS)

40 WHEREAS, Section 13 of Article XIII of the Wisconsin Constitution denies equal treatment under the law to gay and

41 lesbian couples and harms the children of gay and lesbian couples by denying them the legal protection afforded to

42 children of married parents;

43 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports repealing Section 13 of Article XIII of the Wisconsin Constitution, and,

44 pending repeal, enacting legislation protecting gay, lesbian and other unmarried couples and their children to the extent

45 permitted by the Wisconsin Constitution.

5

2 WHEREAS, drug advertising laws have been altered to permit the marketing of prescription drugs to the public;

3 WHEREAS, the cost of advertising exceeds the cost of corporate research for new drugs, and is one third of the drug’s

4 cost;

5 WHEREAS, drugs that require a physician’s prescriptions are being advertised in public forums, undermining the

6 physician’s professional judgment; and,

7 WHEREAS brand name medications place unnecessary pressure on health care providers in order to avoid potential

8 lawsuits;

9 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports prohibiting such advertising to consumers AND revising tax law to

10 remove deductibility of prescription drug advertising.

11

12 09-JHD-11: IN SUPPORT OF SENTENCING REFORM (72 WORDS)

13 WHEREAS, the number of Wisconsin citizens incarcerated in Wisconsin prisons is higher on a per capita basis than most

14 states;

15 WHEREAS, Wisconsin has almost 1/3 more prison inmates than Minnesota; and,

16 WHEREAS, there is not necessarily a correlation between incarceration rates and crime rates;

17 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW calls for an immediate re-examination of Wisconsin’s sentencing guidelines and

18 supports Governor Doyle’s plan for early release of prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes.

19

20 09-JHD-12: RESTORE 9-1-1 GRANT PROGRAM (67 WORDS)

21 WHEREAS, the wireless 9-1-1 grant program provided money to local communities to upgrade emergency dispatch

22 services through a small surcharge on cell phone bills; and,

23 WHEREAS, the wireless 9-1-1 grant program was allowed to expire;

24 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW will call on the Wisconsin legislature to renew the wireless 9-1-1 grant program to

25 provide funding for needed upgrades for 911 centers and public safety radio communications.

26

27 09-JHD-13: HEALTH CARE FOR UNINSURED AND UNDER-INSURED (67 WORDS)

28 WHEREAS, eighteen billion dollars from the stimulus plan has been targeted toward COBRA coverage; and,

29 WHEREAS, COBRA is a subsidy for health insurance companies;

30 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW urges Congress and President Obama to allow states to use the funds targeted

31 toward COBRA to provide health benefits instead through HURTS and Badger Plus as well as other more effective

32 programs that help the uninsured and under-insured.

33

34 09-JHD-14: SUPPORT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORTS (97 WORDS)

35 WHEREAS, approximately 450 Wisconsin citizens are killed with guns every year;

36 WHEREAS, the vast majority of crime guns are sold in the unregulated portion of the gun market, where no background

37 check is performed;

38 WHEREAS, nearly half of gun sales occur in the unregulated gun market;

39 WHEREAS, 84% of Wisconsinites agree that anyone buying a gun should be required to have a background check; and,

40 WHEREAS, requiring a criminal background check on all gun sales is a proven strategy to reduce firearm violence;

41 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW petition Wisconsin legislators to close the “unregulated gun sales” loophole.

6

2 WHEREAS, the quality of material services and products are regulated and under scrutiny in our United States;

3 WHEREAS, we have seen the deregulation of quality and safety to items made of metal, plastic, and fabric in items such

4 as cotton swabs, safety pins and necessities like building products and tools like wall board and hammers and screw

5 drivers;

6 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that our congressional delegation author, coauthor and/or join in the legislation items to protect

7 our citizens from inferior quality goods and adopt minimum standards to apply to imported goods to protect the safety

8 and integrity of our citizens’ purchasing dollar.

9

10 09-JHD-16: CLUSTER BOMBS (94 WORDS)

11 WHEREAS, 95 nations have signed international agreements to ban cluster bombs;

12 WHEREAS, one cluster bomb can release up to 2,000 sub munitions;

13 WHEREAS, many cluster bombs fail to detonate and are indiscriminate; and,

14 WHEREAS, cluster bombs are fitted with incendiary, anti-personnel, anti-tank, anti-runway, mine-laying, chemical

15 weapons, anti-electrical and leaflet dispensing;

16 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW urges the United States of America sign and ratify the ban of the use of cluster

17 bombs, then destroy any bombs in stock and discontinue the further manufacture, sale, trade or any other means of

18 distributions of these weapons.

19

20 09-JHD-17: UN CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN (79 WORDS)

21 WHEREAS, the conference’s goals are for the prevention of rape and war;

22 WHEREAS, war ravages children and women;

23 WHEREAS, the previous annual meeting was held in 2005 in Beijing, China; and,

24 WHEREAS, there is a need to resume the annual meetings per a promise;

25 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW requests the support of Governor Doyle and our state and national legislators to

26 urge the United Nations to organize and re-establish the promised annual meetings as promised by United Nations.

27

28 09-JHD-18: CLOSE WHINSEC (FORMERLY SOA – SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS) (86 WORDS)

29 WHEREAS, the above military training facility graduated over 60,000 men in the use of terrorist tactics;

30 WHEREAS, thousands of innocent Central and South Americans have been killed by these militarists many of whom

31 overthrew democratically elected governments and are now involved in violent drug cartels;

32 WHEREAS, such actions are costly and contrary to current Administration values; and,

33 WHEREAS, such funding can be used to meet human needs here and abroad;

34 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW urges the United States Congress to immediately de-fund and close WHINSEC.

35

36 09-JHD-19: BILLS IN CONGRESS (65 WORDS)

37 WHEREAS, every bill that gets introduced in Congress should be voted up or down on its own merits; and

38 WHEREAS, every bill that has an expenses attached with it should have the funding to carry out its intent;

39 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that each bill introduced in Congress have a realistic cost estimates to complete the project and

40 be voted up or down on its own merits.

7

2 WHEREAS, the US Postal Service has fallen on hard times because of the United States economy;

3 WHEREAS, over the past 200 years, the postal service was the glue that held our nation together;

4 WHEREAS, the Postal Service is still a valuable SECURE SERVICE in every community; and,

5 WHEREAS, in the past, the Postal Service was subsidized to ensure services in rural and remote areas;

6 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the U. S. Postal Service be given “Stimulus Money” or otherwise be subsidized until such

7 time that the economy recovers and they can again be self-sufficient.

8

9 09-JHD-21: DUMP DIEBOLD TOUCH SCREEN (TSX) VOTING MACHINES (84 WORDS)

10 WHEREAS, the Bush Administration subsidized the Diebold TSX Voting Machines;

11 WHEREAS, these machines have proven to be very unreliable;

12 WHEREAS, these machines are very “Unfriendly” to the voting public – much less to the handicapped individuals who try

13 to use them; and,

14 WHEREAS, there is no paper trail to prove or disprove voter intent;

15 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the State of Wisconsin remove all the Diebold TSX voting machines and set a statewide

16 standard of paper ballots and optical scanners equal to the accurate voting systems.

17

18 09-JHD-22: MEDICARE PART D (91 WORDS)

19 WHEREAS, the Medicare Part D prescription drug act provides elective prescription drug coverage to Medicare recipients

20 only through private insurers;

21 WHEREAS, in 2008 Wisconsin had 57 different plans ranging in monthly premiums of $14 to $100;

22 WHEREAS, patients mistakenly have lost benefits due to the diversity and complexity of plans; and,

23 WHEREAS, the program was written by insurance or drug companies to guarantee high profit margins, thus the ‘donut

24 hole’ in coverage;

25 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports repeal of Medicare Part D and replace with uniform drug coverage managed

26 by Medicare.

27

28 09-JHD-23: RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC FUNDING OF JUDICIARY ELECTIONS (53 WORDS)

29 WHEREAS, a fair and impartial Judicial Branch of government is an essential component of a democracy; and,

30 WHEREAS, large campaign contributions may compromise the ability of a judiciary to render decisions in a fair and

31 impartial manner;

32 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports the public funding of Supreme Court and other judiciary elections.

33

34 09-JHD-24: RESOLUTION FOR A BAN OF CHAPTER 527 ADVERTISING IN JUDICIARY ELECTIONS (75 WORDS)

35 WHEREAS, a fair and impartial Judicial Branch of government is an essential component of a democracy;

36 WHEREAS, Chapter 527 funded advertising has been known to distort the duties and responsibilities of the Supreme

37 Court impeding a fair and impartial election process; and,

38 WHEREAS, Chapter 527 groups are not required to identify individual contributors, impeding a fair and impartial election

39 process;

40 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports the ban of chapter 527 advertisements in all judiciary elections.

8

2 WHEREAS, democracy depends on the verifiable tabulation and audit of votes;

3 WHEREAS, nonpartisan studies have reported more than 120 potential threats to the three most commonly used

4 electronic voting systems;

5 WHEREAS, electronic voting machines do not allow the voters to see how their votes are recorded and do not allow for an

6 independent recount; and,

7 WHEREAS, voter-marked paper ballots, counted by optical scanners or by hand, provide the most reliable record of voter

8 intent;

9 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that DPW supports state and national legislation and funds mandating the use of optical

10 scanners and paper ballots; and secure retention of all documents.

11

12 09-JHD-26: BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS (66 WORDS)

13 WHEREAS, assault weapons have no necessary and safe civilian use, other than for law enforcement, and are too

14 frequently used by criminals and obtained by drug cartels;

15 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the U.S. ban on assault weapons, which expired in 2004, be reinstated, as backed by

16 President Obama during his election campaign, and as recently endorsed by Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary

17 of State Hillary Clinton.

18

19 09-JHD-27: POPULATION AND GLOBAL WARMING (74 WORDS)

20 WHEREAS, the prevailing consensus is that global warming is produced by green house gases released by human activity;

21 and,

22 WHEREAS, increasing human populations result in increased environmental degradation, unsustainable demands for food

23 and decreased quality of life;

24 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports national and international family planning and sex educations to humanely

25 control population growth.

26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the DPW supports the rights of women nationally and internationally to control their own

27 reproduction.

28

29 09-JHD-28: INDOOR WORKPLACE SMOKING BAN (90 WORDS)

30 WHEREAS, the dangers of second-hand smoke are well documented by the 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s report, this

31 smoke containing hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic, including formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl

32 chloride, arsenic, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide;

33 WHEREAS, not one credible peer-reviewed study has ever shown a negative economic impact after an area has gone

34 smoke free; and,

35 WHEREAS, 25 states have now passed smoke-free legislation, including many of Wisconsin’s neighboring states;

36 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports a strong, comprehensive state-wide smoke-free measure, as outlined in the

37 governor’s budget.

9

2 WHEREAS, several Wisconsin legislative scandals have highlighted the corruption that has infiltrated our state capitol;

3 WHEREAS, recent judicial campaigns have become politicized by special interest groups;

4 WHEREAS, hundreds of lobbyists are paid tens of millions of dollars a year to influence our legislature, Governor, and

5 courts through campaign contributions of millions of dollars of special interest money; and,

6 WHEREAS, campaigns have become obscenely expensive;

7 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW calls upon our State Legislature and Governor to restore Wisconsin to its tradition of

8 clean progressive government by passing legislation which provides public funding to State, Legislative, Judicial, and

9 Executive campaigns.

10

11 09-JHD-30: CORRECTIONS REFORM (82 WORDS)

12 WHEREAS, the USA incarcerates more of its population than any other developed country;

13 WHEREAS, many are imprisoned for non-violent crimes such as possession of marijuana for personal use;

14 WHEREAS, mandatory sentencing laws result in excessively long and expensive incarcerations that overcrowd prisons;

15 and,

16 WHEREAS, prison inmates receive neither treatment nor education to promote changed behavior;

17 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW opposes mandatory sentencing and supports alternatives to current sentencing

18 and prison policies to address non-violent crime, including education, treatment and victim compensation.

19

20 09-JHD-31: PRIORITY STATUS FOR VETERANS (73 WORDS)

21 WHEREAS, we are failing to provide adequate post-service education, employment, education and health services to our

22 veterans;

23 WHEREAS we owe our rights and freedoms to the unselfish service of our veterans; and,

24 WHEREAS National Guard troops are fighting in active combat;

25 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports increased funding for veterans’ physical and mental rehabilitation as well

26 as assisting and prioritizing participation in educational programs and including National Guard troops under VA benefits.

27

28 09-JHD-32: DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS (77 WORDS)

29 WHEREAS, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and to realize a nation

30 that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all; and,

31 WHEREAS, same sex domestic partnerships are not recognized as deserving of the same protection, benefits and

32 obligations as heterosexual domestic partners and married couples;

33 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of Wisconsin work with state and national leadership to provide same

34 sex domestic partner benefits to state and federal employees.

10

2 WHEREAS, members of the US Congress take an oath to uphold the Constitution; and

3 WHEREAS, public record suggests that former high government officials violated laws by:

4 politicizing the Justice Department;

5 rewriting laws with signing statements;

6 spying without warrant;

7 allowing energy companies to secretly make policy;

8 violating habeas corpus;

9 engaging in rendition and torture;

10 ordering obstruction of justice; and

11 starting a war;

12 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW demands:

13 the Attorney General appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate;

14 Congress reissue previously ignored subpoenas;

15 the President and Congress follow the rule of law, domestic and international, and be held accountable when they don’t.

16

17 09-JHD-34: RESOLUTION ON NON-INCARCERATED FELONS VOTING (90 WORDS)

18 WHEREAS, voting is a right and obligation of citizens in a republic;

19 WHEREAS, it is seen as desirable to extend the vote to those non-incarcerated offenders who live in the community so

20 they might fully participate in this act of responsible citizenship;

21 WHEREAS, by allowing non-incarcerated felons to vote, the issue of possible fraudulent voting by offenders would be

22 eliminated; and,

23 WHEREAS, poll workers’ responsibility to verify offender status would be unnecessary and resulting less costly and more

24 efficient elections;

25 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports voting rights for non-incarcerated felons.

26

27 09-JHD-35: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE LEE-WEXLER-CONYERS BILL H.R. 383 ESTABLISHING A COMMITTEE TO

28 INVESTIGATE BUSH ADMINISTRATION CONDUCT (100 WORDS)

29 WHEREAS, NSA spied on Americans for seven years without warrant, violating FISA and the Fourth Amendment;

30 WHEREAS, former President Bush publicly acknowledged he knew his top advisors were planning and approving

31 interrogations and that he ‘approved it’, while top Government officials deliberately destroyed evidence and refused to

32 provide information, even to important standing committees of Congress; and,

33 WHEREAS, more than 100,000 pages of Government documents show a deliberate and systematic program of

34 Government-ordered torture and abuse;

35 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports Lee-Wexler-Conyers H.R. 383 to investigate the policies and interrogations,

36 provide oversight, and give recommendations to prevent this from happening again.

37

38 09-JHD-36: SUPPORTING WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY BILL 203 TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO EXAMINE ORDERS THAT PLACE

39 WISCONSIN’S NATIONAL GUARD ON FEDERAL ACTIVE DUTY TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE LAWFUL AND VALID (96 WORDS)

40 WHEREAS, under the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, Congress federalized

41 National Guard battalions for the limited mission of defending the security of the United States against Iraq;

42 WHEREAS, Iraq was never a threat and yet Wisconsin’s National Guard remains deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan;

43 WHEREAS, stronger measures are needed to ensure that Wisconsin’s National Guard is not unlawfully federalized; and,

44 WHEREAS, A.B. 203 will require the governor to examine future federalization orders and report to the appropriate

45 standing committees;

46 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW urges Wisconsin legislators to endorse and support A.B. 203.

11

2 PROVIDERS (94 WORDS)

3 WHEREAS, property tax exemption is granted by the grace of the Legislature to entities that reduce the burden of

4 government;

5 WHEREAS, non-profit low-income housing providers perform a service that would otherwise be provided by government;

6 WHEREAS, Wisconsin communities have traditionally granted tax-exemption to those providers;

7 WHEREAS, recent appellate court decisions have caused municipalities to revoke those exemptions; and,

8 WHEREAS, the only remedy is to grant exemption within the state statutes;

9 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW strongly urges the Legislature and Governor to grant tax-exempt status to non-profit

10 low-income housing providers retroactive to January 1, 2009.

11

12 09-JHD-38: RESOLUTION CONCERNING AL FRANKEN (69 WORDS)

13 WHEREAS, Democrat Al Franken won the US Senate election in Minnesota on November 4th, 2008; and,

14 WHEREAS, Former Senator Norm Coleman continues to exploit the recount system of the State of Minnesota to void the

15 election of Mr. Franken by the use of frivolous lawsuits in an attempt to throw out 312 of Mr. Franken’s votes;

16 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW requests the immediate seating of Senator-Elect Al Franken.

17

18

19 RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING EDUCATION, LABOR, AND ECONOMICS

20

21 09-ELE-01: PART TIME BENEFITS PROPORTIONAL TO PART TIME WORK (86 WORDS)

22 WHEREAS, companies lay off workers instead of cutting back hours of all employees;

23 WHEREAS, employees prefer to work full time rather than part time because companies will deny many benefits to part

24 time workers;

25 WHEREAS, companies laying off workers are exacerbating the current financial crisis; and,

26 WHEREAS, having one’s hours cut back results in less pay and benefits. Americans already work more time than people

27 in many other countries;

28 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports a law requiring employees to get proportional benefits for part time work.

29

30 09-ELE-02: CORPORATION TAXES (76 WORDS)

31 WHEREAS, some corporations use different “ploys” to avoid responsibility to pay a fair share of taxes; and for bad

32 decisions of money managers; and,

33 WHEREAS, some corporations move some of their operations out of the U.S.A. to use cheaper labor; to use cheaper

34 supplies, and to avoid taxes;

35 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW urges legislators to treat those that do this as foreign companies and charge them

36 duties and fees equal to the amount the taxes owed.

12

2 WHEREAS, wages, pensions and health care plans are evaporating and the middle class is diminishing;

3 WHEREAS, employees are fired for promoting a union in one-quarter of private-sector union organizing campaigns;

4 WHEREAS, 78 percent of companies require supervisors to deliver anti-union messages; and,

5 WHEREAS, after workers form a union, 44 percent of the time they are not able to get a contract mostly due to the

6 employer’s techniques coercion of intimidation.

7 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports the federal Employee Free Choice Act to strengthen penalties against

8 companies that illegally coerce or intimidate employees to prevent them from forming a union.

9

10 09-ELE-04: GREATER LABOR REPRESENTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (82 WORDS)

11 WHEREAS, unions built the middle class as people worked together to win better wages, health care, pensions, and

12 respect;

13 WHEREAS, a decline in worker rights, job security, job safety and income have led to a declining middle class and

14 adversely affected society by increasing income disparity; and,

15 WHEREAS, the right to privacy should ensure workers can organize without interference from management;

16 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that DPW supports greater labor representation in the Department of Labor and especially on

17 the National Labor Relations Board.

18

19 09-ELE-05: SAVE OUR SCHOOLS (99 WORDS)

20 WHEREAS, Wisconsin schools have always enjoyed a reputation for excellence, from starting the first kindergarten to the

21 world renowned University of Wisconsin; and,

22 WHEREAS, the current policy fails to provide equal educational opportunities to all citizens and therefore undermines

23 education's economic potential; and,

24 WHEREAS, the current policy focuses on control of property taxes rather than on the quality of public education,

25 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports legislation that will rework school funding so that it will be fair and equitable

26 to the taxpayer and the student and provide for a foundation funding level for all of Wisconsin’s great schools.

27

28 09-ELE-06: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE IN WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN (68 WORDS)

29 WHEREAS, West Central Wisconsin is recognized as the fastest growing population area in the state resulting in calls for

30 increased transportation infrastructure;

31 WHEREAS, Passenger rail service is more cost efficient and environmentally sound than expanded highway systems; and,

32 WHEREAS, other regions of Wisconsin are currently under consideration for new rail service or have Amtrak service;

33 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that DPW supports expanded passenger rail service in West Central Wisconsin.

34

35 09-ELE-07: SUPPORT A TRANSITIONAL JOBS PROGRAM (91 WORDS)

36 WHEREAS, millions of individuals want to work but cannot find a job and are ineligible for unemployment compensation

37 or other income such as TANF;

38 WHEREAS, unemployment without income is devastating to the individual and the community;

39 WHEREAS, a publicly funded Transitional Jobs Program could employ these individuals while producing socially useful

40 goods and services; and,

41 WHEREAS, this program would be affordable because the jobs would be low income and last only until a job becomes

42 available in the market;

43 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports a federally funded Transitional Jobs Program.

13

2 WHEREAS, the Federal government cannot, long term, run huge deficits and sustain a viable economy;

3 WHEREAS, interest payments on the debt claim ever-growing portions of yearly budgets; and,

4 WHEREAS, these interest payments rob us of the budgetary flexibility necessary to provide properly for our needy

5 citizens;

6 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports the idea that, with the exception of basic Social Security, Medicare, and

7 many government entitlement or assistance programs, tax policies and stimulus payments be based on financial need.

8 Government support of Medicare Part D for example, should be determined entirely on need.

9

10 09-ELE-09: THE FUTURES MARKET (55 WORDS)

11 WHEREAS, the Futures Market is a rich man’s game of one-upmanship and greed; and,

12 WHEREAS, the $4.00 gallon of gas was nothing more than profit taking at the expenses of ordinary people and general

13 population;

14 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that Congress develop oversight and regulations to create transparency – especially over the

15 electronics trading of the future’s market.

16

17 09-ELE-10: BANKING SYSTEM (86 WORDS)

18 WHEREAS, our national banks have become too large to fail as antitrust laws have been ignored;

19 WHEREAS, these banks created a system of exploitation of consumers by usurious fees, penalties and interest rates; and,

20 WHEREAS, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and courts have permitted these unsavory acts to continue

21 under protection of pre-emptive federal laws;

22 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports federal laws be amended to permit state and local governments to enact

23 consumer protection laws to prevent banks from robbing the citizenry.

24

25 09-ELE-11: CAP INTEREST RATES ON PREDATORY LOANS (100 WORDS)

26 WHEREAS, 15 states have eliminated high-cost predatory lenders by capping interest rates;

27 WHEREAS, Wisconsin does not regulate predatory lenders or cap annual interest rate charges;

28 WHEREAS, states that have addressed this problem with legislation are estimated to be saving their residents a total of

29 $1.8 billion per year in predatory loan fees; and,

30 WHEREAS, Congress passed legislation in 2006 to protect military personnel from predatory lenders by passing a 36%

31 cap on annual interest;

32 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW urges the Wisconsin legislature to cap the interest rates that can be charged be the

33 lesser of 18% or the Federal cap.

34

35 09-ELE-12: STRONG, AND FAIR TRADE POLICIES (89 WORDS)

36 WHEREAS, trade should strengthen the economy and create jobs;

37 WHEREAS, trade should not favor the few over the many;

38 WHEREAS, trade policy must be an integral part of an overall national economic strategy that delivers on the promise of

39 shared prosperity; and,

40 WHEREAS, the existing regime of trade (including the WTO, NAFTA/CAFTA and PNTR for China) has not met these

41 requirements;

42 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports the 2009 TRADE Act to be introduced by Rep. Mike Michaud and

43 encourages members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation to co-sponsor it.

14

2

3 09-AGE-01: KEEP COAL OUT OF THE FARM BILL (67 WORDS)

4 WHEREAS, in 2003 Vice President Cheney’s energy task force proposed 180 new coal fired power plants; and,

5 WHEREAS, the current farm bill enables coal-fired power plants to get high risk loans which guarantee the building of

6 more dirty plants;

7 WHEREAS, if all were built, CO2 emissions would counter any conservation effort.

8 THEREFORE RESOLVED, the DPW demands Congress to place no incentives for coal in the Farm Bill.

9

10 09-AGE-02: STRONG CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY BILL (99 WORDS)

11 WHEREAS, global warming is an urgent threat to Wisconsin's environment, public health, and economy;

12 WHEREAS, our dependence on dirty energy, puts Wisconsin ahead of the national average in pollutant emissions;

13 WHEREAS, the sulfur and emissions from the new coal-fired mega-plants and other fossil fuel emissions are increasing

14 health hazards;

15 WHEREAS, the State’s Global Warming Task Force recommends improving Wisconsin’s pollution footprint, creating clean

16 energy jobs and new efficient technologies; and,

17 WHEREAS, goals for commitment to renewable energy sources will be increased by 25% by 2025;

18 THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Wisconsin legislature must enact legislation promoting and endorsing Clean Energy.

19

20 09-AGE-03: GIVE AGRICULTURE SUPPORT ONLY TO SMALL FAMILY FARMS (73 WORDS)

21 WHEREAS, Factory Farms and Agribusiness get huge funds from the Department of Agriculture;

22 WHEREAS, crowded containment of animals leads to disease and the use of unwanted chemicals;

23 WHEREAS, many small farmers are in financial difficulties; and,

24 WHEREAS, small organic farms produce a safe variety of wholesome food;

25 THEREFORE RESOLVED, the United States Department of Agriculture use its funds and knowledge to help the small

26 family farm and stop funding Agribusiness and Factory Farms.

27

28 09-AGE-04: GLOBAL WARMING (94 WORDS)

29 WHEREAS, global warming is scientifically proven to jeopardize habitats and endanger public health;

30 WHEREAS, US fossil fuels and foreign oil dependency create environmental, economic and political strife; and,

31 WHEREAS, energy efficiency, conservation and development of alternative energy provides economic and health benefits

32 while generating jobs in development, manufacturing, and installation of new technologies;

33 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports climate change mitigation strategies including capping and trading

34 carbon emissions, promoting sustainable growth and energy conservation, enacting a corporate carbon tax, further

35 supporting the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Efficiency, and adopting the Kyoto Protocol.

36

37 09-AGE-05: SAVING AND SUPPORTING THE VIABILITY OF FAMILY FARMS (56 WORDS)

38 WHEREAS, agriculture continues to be a strong factor in Wisconsin’s economy; and,

39 WHEREAS, family farms are having difficulty earning a living wage, discouraging youth from entering farming and

40 continuing farms in the family;

41 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW encourages legislation and programs that enhance markets, support “parity”

42 commodity pricing, and enhance the sustainability of family farms.

15

2 WHEREAS, the state in 2005 determined that forestland next to agricultural land with the same owner be assessed at half

3 value;

4 WHEREAS, the managed forest program assures the health and economic viability of forests, further reducing tax

5 revenues; and,

6 WHEREAS, in heavily forested counties both programs have accelerated purchase of forestlands by non-resident

7 landowners markedly reducing tax revenues for public schools and county operations;

8 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW urges the legislature to change the eligibility for these programs and limit tax

9 benefits to residents of the township and county restoring needed revenues to school systems and county governments.

10

11 09-AGE-07: ORGANIC FARMING (85 WORDS)

12 WHEREAS, organic foods contain fewer kinds of pesticide residues and at lower concentrations;

13 WHEREAS, organic farming reduces the risk of contamination to soil, ground water, rivers, lakes, atmosphere and the life

14 within by manure, antibiotics, pesticides, and other chemicals;

15 WHEREAS, organic farming uses less energy than conventional agriculture largely by avoiding chemical fertilizer; and,

16 WHEREAS, organic food is healthier and the farming is more earth friendly;

17 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports encouraging Wisconsin farmers to farm organically through education,

18 workshops, and friendly organic farm legislation.

19

20 09-AGE-08: ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE (95 WORDS)

21 WHEREAS, climate change poses a severe threat to future generations and the diversity of life on earth;

22 WHEREAS, strong measures are urgently needed to effectively curb climate change by reducing carbon emissions;

23 WHEREAS, President Obama has proposed the implementation of a cap-and-trade program, which will provide an

24 effective, market-based means of reducing such emissions; and,

25 WHEREAS, H.R. 2454, also known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act, includes such a program and other

26 important provisions for reducing carbon emissions;

27 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW strongly supports H.R. 2454 and urges that it be given top priority.

28

29 09-AGE-09: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE (97 WORDS)

30 WHEREAS, the world is reaching peak oil production and there are many alternative energy options available, including

31 solar, wind and conservation practices;

32 WHEREAS, we must work to preserve Earth’s environment by promoting clean air and water and emphasizing the

33 protection of natural resources; and,

34 WHEREAS, nuclear energy is not an option;

35 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW supports legislation that will make Wisconsin a more energy independent state,

36 stressing the need for alternative and sustainable energy while promoting energy conservation and energy efficiency.

37 FURTHER RESOLVED, investing in renewable sources of energy will lead to new jobs and new businesses.

16

2 WHEREAS, America is dependent on finite fossil fuels for transportation;

3 WHEREAS, individual vehicle use for routine transportation needs increases fossil fuel consumption, traffic flow and

4 delays, and contributes to accidents;

5 WHEREAS, heavy road use for individual vehicular transportation accelerates road wear and escalates repair costs;

6 WHEREAS, current means of transportation are wasteful of resources and costly; and,

7 WHEREAS, development of passenger rail and bus transportation options create good jobs, reduce pressure on highways

8 and improve safety;

9 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW strongly supports the planning and implementation of mass transportation and

10 initiatives to increase non-fossil fuel-burning passenger rail and bus options.

11

12 09-AGE-11: RENEWABLE ENERGY: 25% BY 2025 (92 WORDS)

13 WHEREAS, reliance on imported oil has created serious economic and political problems for the United States;

14 WHEREAS, fossil fuels contribute to significant environmental problems, such as poor air quality, water pollution and

15 climate change due to excess carbon; and,

16 WHEREAS, viable clean and sustainable alternatives exist, including improved energy efficiencies, conservation and

17 renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydrogen;

18 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW supports legislation to provide tax incentives and funds for research and

19 development to reach or exceed the goal of 25% renewable energy use by 2025.

20

21

22 RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING FOREIGN AFFAIRS

23

24 09-FA-01: RATIFY COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY (87 WORDS)

25 WHEREAS, the proliferation of nuclear weapons poses a great danger to all;

26 WHEREAS, the elimination of global nuclear weapons arsenals is necessary to forever halt nuclear weapons proliferation;

27 and,

28 WHEREAS, 148 other nations have now signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT);

29 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW urges the U.S. Senate to ratify the CTBT before the end of 2010 and urges the U.S. to

30 work with all other nations towards the simultaneous, staged, and mutually verifiable elimination of all nuclear weapons

31 from all nations.

32

33 09-FA-02: OPPOSE THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE NATIONAL GUARD UNLESS THERE IS A DECLARATION OF WAR (55 WORDS)

34 WHEREAS, the deployment of the National Guard for more than 90 days undermines the Guard’s ability to protect

35 Wisconsin citizens at home; and,

36 WHEREAS, the Constitution vests war powers exclusively in the Congress;

37 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor oppose the continued deployment of the Wisconsin

38 National Guard Units overseas in undeclared wars.

17

2 WHEREAS, violence is an increasingly prevalent problem everywhere;

3 WHEREAS, a major part of budgets in all levels of government are usurped by this fact in our society;

4 WHEREAS, insufficient funds are available to meet human needs in the US and other places around the world;

5 WHEREAS, responding to human needs will lessen the need for prison and military resources; and,

6 WHEREAS, U.S. H.R. 808 proposes to establish a Department of Peace;

7 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, the DPW calls upon Governor Doyle and all State and US legislators to support H.R. 808.

8

9 09-FA-04: NORMALIZE RELATIONS WITH CUBA (64 WORDS)

10 WHEREAS, the country of Cuba does not pose a threat to the United States;

11 WHEREAS, the lives of many Cuban families have been disrupted by current U. S. policy toward Cuba; and,

12 WHEREAS, Cuba and the United States would benefit from normalized relations;

13 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the DPW calls on Congress and President Obama to normalize diplomatic, economic, and

14 social relations with Cuba immediately.

15

16 09-FA-05: AFGHANISTAN (78 WORDS)

17 WHEREAS, the United States has engaged in military operations in Afghanistan during the last eight years;

18 WHEREAS, history shows that Afghanistan does not have a tradition of a national centralized government; and,

19 WHEREAS, Afghanistan continues to be a country of loosely organized ethnic and tribal groups fiercely resistant to foreign

20 intervention;

21 THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan be transformed from being a largely military

22 engagement to one that is focused on economic development and law enforcement.