Resolutions

Adopted at the November 10, 2021 meeting of the membership.

WHEREAS, between 1991 and 1999, thirteen stocks of Columbia/Snake River salmon and steelhead were listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, including Snake River sockeye, steelhead and spring, summer and fall chinook; and

WHEREAS, the population of Southern Resident orcas, designated as an endangered species in 2005, has declined from 98 individuals in 1995 to just 74 today, with lack of chinook salmon for food a central cause of the decline; and

WHEREAS, over the past two decades, six federal agency salmon recovery plans, and the expenditure of $17 billion have left the listed stocks of Columbia Basin salmonids closer to being on a track to extinction than on a path to recovery, and Southern Resident orca populations in continuing decline; and

WHEREAS, the Northwest can replace the power generated by the four lower Snake River dams with a combination of new wind, solar, and demand-side resources (energy efficiency, demand response, and energy storage) that are all achievable in the next ten years; and improved alternatives to the current irrigation infrastructure and barge transportation practices can be developed, and

WHEREAS, resolutions from the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and from the National Congress of American Indians have emphatically called for breaching the lower Snake River dams, in order to honor the U.S. government’s obligations under treaties with Northwest Tribes; and

WHEREAS, Senator Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee have committed to working “…with our Northwest Tribes, states, and all the communities that rely on the river system to achieve a solution promptly” and added, “We, too, want action and a resolution that restores salmon runs and works for all the stakeholders and communities…;”

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the 34th Legislative District Democratic Organization recognizes and honors the claims of Northwest Tribes, and applauds the leadership of Senator Murray and Governor Inslee in stepping up to drive a timely resolution of these issues; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that breaching the four lower Snake River dams, accompanied by investments to meet the needs of stakeholders and communities from the Columbia Basin to the coast, must be the twin cornerstones of any lawful and effective salmon and orca recovery plan; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we call on the Biden Administration to work with Northwest Tribes, states, other stakeholders and elected officials to meet the U.S. Government’s legal and treaty obligations and to provide robust funding to make all this happen as soon as possible.

Submitted by the Environment, Energy and Land Use Caucus of the 34th LD. 

Approved by the membership at the 9/8/21 membership meeting.

Resolution in Support of a SELECT COMMITTEE FOR CLIMATE in the Seattle City Council

Whereas, 70% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) come from cities* and Seattle is the largest city in the state; it is thus essential that Seattle reach its GHG reduction goals if King County and Washington State are to achieve their goals.

Whereas, citizens of Seattle need to see that the goals of the City’s Green New Deal are being addressed in a systematic, transparent and effective way, with special consideration of underserved neighborhoods.

Whereas, achieving Seattle’s climate goals will require legislation that is currently overseen by at least six different council committees, and six committees working separately cannot produce a coherent set of agreed-upon, city-wide goals, priorities and strategies for action.

Whereas, as a committee of the whole Council, a Select Committee will enable the establishment of consistent city-wide, multi-sector priorities for goals, strategies, actions, council staffing and work plans, and it would enable the Council to assess city-wide progress on GHG emission reductions that cut across multiple sectors in a way that no single standing Committee could accomplish, and 

Whereas, since citizen participation is absolutely essential to the achievement of the City’s climate goals, a Select Committee would enable citizens to understand, track and hold the Council accountable for achievement of those goals, and it would highlight, in a way that only a committee of the whole could, the central priority the City is giving to climate change.  

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the 34th Legislative District Democrats request that the Seattle City Council immediately form a Select Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Justice.

Therefore, be it further resolved that the Select Committee shall ensure agreement on priority strategies to achieve the City’s GHG reduction goals, actions needed to accomplish the agreed City-initiated strategies, the schedule and budget allocations for implementation of essential actions, and a detailed plan for monitoring its success. 

* World Bank report:  “The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that urban areas currently account for over 67 percent of energy-related global greenhouse gases, which is expected to rise to 74 percent by 2030.”  Link:  http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTUWM/Resources/340232-1205330656272/4768406-1291309208465/PartIII.pdf

National Geographic article:  “ The world’s cities emit 70 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide—and that’s likely higher when consumption emissions are included, says report author Michael Doust, program director at C40 Cities, a network of the world’s cities committed to addressing climate change.” Link:  https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/03/city-consumption-greenhouse-gases-carbon-c40-spd/

Greenhouse Gas Protocol for Cities:  “Responsible for more than 70 percent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, cities represent the single greatest opportunity for tackling climate change. “  Link: https://ghgprotocol.org/greenhouse-gas-protocol-accounting-reporting-standard-cities

Submitted by Randy Litzenberger and Annie Phillips, Environmental Energy and Land Use caucus of the 34th Legislative District Democrats. Submitted and authored by members of the 43rd LD Democrats.

Approved by the membership at the 9/8/21 meeting.

PROPOSED Resolution Supporting Whole Washington Health Trust 

WHEREAS Article 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets forth that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control” establishes a fundamental right to healthcare1; 

WHEREAS, in the Declaration of Independence,  a foundational document of the Constitution of the United States, declares the responsibility of government to protect certain unalienable rights which include but are not limited to the preservation of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” we conclude that healthcare is a prerequisite for the latter, and as such is indeed a human right; 

WHEREAS in Washington State, 498,000 have no health coverage and even more residents are underinsured, and lives could be saved by ensuring access to healthcare; 

WHEREAS COVID-19 demonstrates that healthcare should not be tied to employment; 

WHEREAS the 2020 platform of the Washington State Democratic Party affirms that “healthcare is a basic human right,” and that “An affordable universal single-payer system is essential to provide the most equitable and effective health care, serving both individual and public health needs2” and; 

WHEREAS the 2020 State Democratic Party Platform calls on “Washington State to establish a single-payer system for Washington residents until such time as a single-payer system is enacted nationally;” 

WHEREAS a single-payer resolution was adopted by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee in April of 20173; 

WHEREAS people of color, people with disabilities, and low income people are the most likely to lack affordable, comprehensive healthcare4; 

WHEREAS Whole Washington has crafted a bill5 (SB 5204), introduced by Senator Hasegawa and 6 other cosponsors, guaranteeing universal healthcare to all Washingtonians, with a funding mechanism devised by a noted economist, reviewed by the Department of Revenue and the Employment Securities Department, which demonstrates that Washington state residents will save billions of dollars annually when universal healthcare is implemented; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the [Enter Your Org] endorse the Whole Washington universal healthcare bill; 

THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the upon adoption of this resolution, it be sent to the Seattle Times, and all state representatives in the Washington Legislature. 

1. http://www.un.org/en/udhrbook/pdf/udhr_booklet_en_web.pdf 
2. https://www.wa-democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/WSDCC-2020-Final-Platform.pdf  
3. https://www.wa-democrats.org/sites/wadems/files/resolutions/WSDCCRES%20-%20817%20-%20170422%20-%20PASS%20-%20HEA%20-%20Single%20Payer.pdf) 
4. http://www.epi.umn.edu/let/nutri/disparities/causes.shtm 
5. http://www.wholewashington.org/faqs 

Submitted by Jen Nye, member and co-lead of the Healthcare Policy Caucus.

Adopted by the membership at the August 11th, 2021 membership meeting.

Whereas history shows that increased unionization has the power to dramatically decrease economic inequality and build broadly shared prosperity; and

Whereas making the economy work for working people will restore faith in our economy and our democracy; and

Whereas union contracts are the single best tool for closing racial and gender pay gaps while ensuring fair and dignified treatment of workers and protecting against discrimination in employment or the workplace; and

Whereas the last significant federal labor legislation was the National Labor Relations Act (“Wagner Act”) of 1935, which has been weakened over time by Congress, by courts, and by legislation in many states; and

Whereas the Protecting the Right to Organize (“PRO”) Act, which has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and attracted 47 co-sponsors in the Senate, would – among other needed reforms – override states’ so-called “right-to-work laws, end the ban on secondary boycotts, implement card check, ban captive-audience meetings, enable independent contractors to organize collectively, and impose monetary penalties on companies and executives that violate workers’ rights – thus contributing significantly to a leveling of the playing field between workers who want to form a union and employers who’ve been exploiting weaknesses in the current law by intimidating and interfering with workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively;

Therefore, be it resolved that we thank Senators Murray and Cantwell for co-sponsoring the PRO Act, and encourage them to continue their efforts to rally support from 60 or more Democratic, Republican and Independent Senators in order to prevent a filibuster from being used to block its passage; and

Be it further resolved that we will vocally support the PRO Act and encourage our members to publicize our support via electronic means, at meetings, in “Letters to the Editor,” on social media, and in their precincts, neighborhoods, and communities; and

Be it further resolved that we will send copies of this resolution to the Washington State Democratic Central Committee, MLK Labor, the Washington State Labor Council, and the Washington State AFL-CIO. 

 Submitted by Ann Martin, member of the Resolutions & Endorsements Committee. Authored by Brent McFarland and Thom Garrard from the 32nd Legislative District Democrats.

Adopted at the August 11th, 2021 membership meeting.

WHEREAS Washington State, and in fact the whole country, is in the midst of a climate crisis, a housing crisis, and a failure to protect residents and visitors from vehicular accidents, with transportation creating 45%1(and increasing2) of Washington State’s greenhouse gases; and 

WHEREAS Washington State has developed a massive backlog of deferred maintenance on existing roadways, of which 57%—$6.9 billion—is unfunded, making Washington the eighth worst in the country for its share of roads (27%) in poor condition.4 At the same time, more than three-fourths of the state’s spending on roads went toward expansion—fourth highest in the nation, while the State, County, and City governments continue to build more lanes of highways and roads while underfunding investment in transit, passenger and freight rail, non-motorized mobility, and general mobility safety, and while these non-vehicular modes of transportation have been repeatedly demonstrated to create more culturally and economically vibrant neighborhoods and cities; and 

WHEREAS Washington State has a history of racial/ethnic and income inequity in transportation infrastructure, including building highways—such as the 509 extension5—through communities with higher percentages of color or lower incomes; and

WHEREAS Washington State’s 18th Amendment creates a structural inequity by limiting gas tax revenues to highways purposes, and the legislature has created new funding sources with carbon pricing that have not yet been committed to carbon-reducing projects, and the legislature is likely to take up the issue of transportation funding in a special session later this year; and 

WHEREAS We have an opportunity with carbon pricing revenues to invest in proven methods to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gasses, increase public safety, and reduce sprawl with mode shifts to non-car-based mobility including transit, bike lanes, pedestrian access, and “15-minute cities” while using the gas tax to fund for salmon recovery, the ferry system, and road maintenance; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the 34th District Democrats call for an end to the financially and environmentally unsustainable expansion of roads and highways, especially those through predominantly BIPOC or lower income neighborhoods, and instead use the gas tax in an equitable manner to adequately fund maintenance and repair of our highways, roads and ferry system, including modifications needed to meet our obligations for salmon habitat recovery; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the 34th District Democrats call for a true investment in environmentally sustainable mobility, public safety, and “15-minute cities” by dedicating 100% of the carbon pricing revenue, road use fees, and expanded car tab weight fees in a transformational investment by state, counties, and cities in non-vehicular mobility, that cannot be funded by the gas tax, including transit, passenger and freight rail, bike lanes, ADA compliance, and walkable, safe streets; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution shall be forwarded to the Chairs and Ranking Minority Members of the Washington House and Senate Transportation and Environment Committees, the legislative delegation from the  34th District, and the State and County Democratic Central Committees. 

Submitted by Annie Phillips, 34th LD Democrats member, co-lead, Environment, Energy and Land Use Caucus, and 34th PCO, for consideration by the 34th Legislative District Democrats. 

Adopted by the general membership at the July 14, 2021 membership meeting.

Resolution in Support of Eliminating the Senate Filibuster

WHEREAS The the authors of the United States Constitution intended legislation to be passed by simple majority vote1, and the Constitution mandates supermajority votes in only a few specific cases;2 and 

WHEREAS The Senate filibuster was created unintentionally in 1806 after Senators removed what they thought was redundant language in the Senate rules, and was not part of the design of the Senate;3 and

WHEREAS The use of the Senate filibuster was rare throughout much of the 19th century, and when employed it was generally used to delay and influence but not obstruct legislation, with most filibustered legislation eventually passing;4 and

WHEREAS Senator John Calhoun and Southern Senators began to use the Senate filibuster successfully to preserve slavery prior to the Civil War5 and then to block voting rights for Black citizens during Reconstruction;6 and

WHEREAS The Senate adopted the “cloture rule” in 1917 in the midst of a national security vote to allow a two-thirds vote to end a filibuster;7 and

WHEREAS While Senate filibuster was used rarely8 “from the 87 years between when Reconstruction ended until 1964, the only category of legislation against which the filibuster was employed to actively stop bills in their tracks was Civil Rights legislation”,9 including 200 bills outlawing lynching,10 bills ending poll taxes and employment discrimination, and the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964;11 and

WHEREAS The Senate rules were changed in the 1970s to reduce the cloture vote to 60, to institute a “tracking system” and the “silent filibuster” that allows other legislation to proceed while a bill is being filibustered, and to allow a Senator to filibuster without even needing to be present;12 and 

WHEREAS The use of the filibuster has skyrocketed since the 1970 and in recent years been used to block progressive legislation, including bills on worker rights, lobbying reform, voting rights and election reform, wage discrimination, a public option for healthcare, consumer protection, banking regulations, Social Security benefits, the DREAM Act, climate change legislation, and gun violence prevention in the wake of the Sandyhook mass shooting;13 and

WHEREAS The Senate filibuster rule has created a de facto supermajority requirement to pass any legislation;14 and

WHEREAS The filibuster has for several decades allowed Republicans to set the legislative agenda even when not in control of the Senate and despite representing a minority of the population of the United States;15 and

WHEREAS The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced H.R. 1, The For the People Act,16 which would expand voting access, reduce the influence of big money in elections, and reverse the Republican Party’s assault on voting rights in many states;17 and

WHEREAS The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 5, The Equality Act,18 which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation;19 and

WHEREAS The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced H.R. 536, The New Way Forward Act,20 which would reform the process for enforcing the immigration laws of the United States;21 and

WHEREAS A national $15 minimum wage was a central campaign promise of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and many Congressional Democrats and is supported by a large majority of Americans;22 and

WHEREAS Discussions are underway regarding a New Civil Rights Act;23 and

WHEREAS The 43rd District Democrats support24 Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood;25 and

WHEREAS The above legislation will likely be blocked by the requirement to achieve a 60-vote supermajority to end not just a filibuster but to overcome even just the threat of a filibuster26 despite Democrat control of the U.S. House, Senate, and Presidency; and

WHEREAS Abolishing the filibuster will benefit Democrats and a progressive legislative agenda that will improve and strengthen the United States;27and

WHEREAS Eliminating the filibuster will enable moderate Senators to “work across the aisle” and pass bills which have the support of a bipartisan majority;28 and

WHEREAS Failing to fulfill our campaign promises because of an arcane Senate rule is unacceptable to Democratic voters and constituency groups, and would further embolden the rise of the authoritarian right;29 and

WHEREAS More than 60 organizations and unions30 have joined in calling on the Senate to abolish the filibuster;31

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 43rd District Democrats support the elimination of the Senate filibuster, including by using the so-called “nuclear option”32 if necessary; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 43rd District Democrats call on Senators Murray and Cantwell to make a public statement in support of ending the Senate filibuster, and to sponsor, support, and actively work to end the Senate filibuster in 2021 and pass the aforementioned legislation; and, 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be submitted to Washington State Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Washington State Representative Pramila Jayapal, each of the Legislative District Democrats organizations of Washington State, and members of the media.

Notes

1. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/231040419.pdf 
2. https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/full-text  and https://www.thoughtco.com/the-supermajority-vote-in-us-government-3322045 
3. https://www.brookings.edu/testimonies/the-history-of-the-filibuster/ 
4. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/case-against-filibuster 
5. https://www.npr.org/2021/01/12/956018064/the-racist-history-of-the-senate-filibuster 
6. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/case-against-filibuster 
7. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/origins-of-filibuster-united-states-senate 
8. https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/what-is-the-senate-filibuster-and-what-would-it-take-to-eliminate-it/ 
9. https://www.npr.org/2021/01/12/956018064/the-racist-history-of-the-senate-filibuster 
10. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/senate-filibuster-monument-white-supremacy/613579/ 
11. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/democracy/reports/2019/12/05/478199/impact-filibuster-federal-policymaking/ and also https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/senate-filibuster-monument-white-supremacy/613579/
12. http://www.columbia.edu/~gjw10/rules_committee_statement_final.pdf 
13. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/democracy/reports/2019/12/05/478199/impact-filibuster-federal-policymaking/ 
14. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/all-the-lies-they-told-us-about-the-filibuster.html 
15. https://www.latimes.com/politics/newsletter/2021-02-26/filibuster-threat-shapes-democrats-agenda-essential-politics 
16. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1/text 
17. https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a35296946/hr1-for-the-people-bill-reform-money-in-politics/ 
18. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5/text 
19. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/540558-house-passes-sweeping-protections-for-lgbtq-people  
20. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/536/text 
21. https://www.injusticewatch.org/news/immigration/2021/prison-deportation-pipeline-chuy-garcia-new-way-forward-act/ and https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/it-is-time-for-a-new-way-forward/
22. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/minimum-wage-white-house-low-wage-workers-1134878/ 
23. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/18/opinion/biden-must-champion-new-civil-rights-act/ 
24. https://www.43rddemocrats.org/s/2018-Final-Platform-1.pdf  
25. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/20/puerto-rico-washington-dc-statehood-politics  
26. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/origins-of-filibuster-united-states-senate 
27. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/all-the-lies-they-told-us-about-the-filibuster.html 
28. https://theweek.com/articles/963069/how-ending-filibuster-could-actually-foster-bipartisanship 
29. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/opinion/biden-inauguration-democrats.html 
30. https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/05/60-groups-and-unions-senate-democrats-end-harmful-gridlock-and-dysfunction 
31. https://www.fixoursenate.org/press/full-page-new-york-times-ad-calls-on-senators-to-eliminate-the-filibuster-end-mcconnells-ability-to-continue-gridlock-and-dysfunction-from-minority 
32. https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/what-is-the-senate-filibuster-and-what-would-it-take-to-eliminate-it/ 

Submitted by Camille Gix, Policy & Advocacy Committee Chair, 43rd LD Democrats, and Paul Chapman, 43rd LD Democrats member and PCO, for consideration by the 43rd Legislative District Democrats at their March 16, 2021 meeting.

Adopted by the membership on July 14, 2021.

Resolution Urging Congress to Enact National Infrastructure Bank Legislation

To Memorialize The United States Congress To Enact H.R. 3339 Or Similar Legislation To Establish A National Infrastructure Bank To Finance Urgently Needed Infrastructure Projects

Whereas, the American Society of Civil Engineers stated in its 2017 report card that the United States scores a D+ regarding the current state of infrastructure and that four and one half trillion dollars would be needed to restore the nation’s infrastructure to a state of good repair.  Newer projects and over two trillion dollars’ worth of corrective projects are currently unfunded and the remaining projects are not adequately funded;

Whereas, a new National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) could directly aid in fostering an economic recovery and build the infrastructure projects we have neglected. Legislation to create such a bank has been introduced into Congress this spring, H.R. 6422. The new NIB is modeled on four previous institutions created by Presidents George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, which helped spur massive economic growth; and, 

Whereas, H.R. 6422 was introduced by Representative Danny Davis on March 31, 2020, and would establish a new four trillion-dollar National Infrastructure Bank authorized to invest solely in infrastructure projects.  It would be funded through a repurposing of existing Treasury debt, as was done previously in the United States; and would require no new federal spending; and 

Whereas, a new National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) could directly finance much of our nation’s infrastructure, in partnership with state and local officials, and hire people who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic; 

Whereas, the new bank would create an estimated twenty-five million new jobs paying Davis-Bacon wages.  It would ensure project labor agreements for all projects and Buy American provisions also while awarding a significant number of contracts to disadvantaged business enterprises and mandating large-scale minority hiring.  It is expected to grow the economy by four to five present each year; and  

Whereas, seventeen state legislatures and numerous county and city governments have introduced or passed resolutions in support of the bank.  Additionally, organizations like the National Association of Counties, the U.S. High-Speed Rail Association, the National Latino Farmers and Ranchers, the National Congress of Black Women, the National Federation of Federal Employees, the Democratic Municipal Officials, the American Sustainable Business Council, the National Association of Minority Contractors, and many others have endorsed the new bank.  Now, therefore,  

Be it Resolved, the 34th District Democratic Organization endorses HR 6422 or similar legislation to urge congress to pass this legislation; and, 

Be it further Resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to each member of the Congressional Delegation and to the President of the United States, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the resolution be sent to our state legislative delegation and the governor to inform them of our support for the National Infrastructure Bank.

Submitted by Martin Talarico and sponsored by Resolutions Chair Bunny Hatcher.

Adopted by the general membership on June 9, 2021.

Resolution urging Governor Inslee to Sign “EQUITY NOW!” EXECUTIVE ORDER 

WHEREAS in 1998, Washington voters passed Initiative 200 (I-200) which clearly stated in the  November 3, 1998 Washington State Voters Pamphlet, that I-200 does not end all affirmative  action programs, but only prohibits those programs which use race and gender to select a lesser  qualified applicant over a more deserving applicant for a public job, contract or admission to a state  college or university; and 

WHEREAS then Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire’s 1998 official I-200 ballot  statement explained: “The effect of the proposed measure would thus depend on how  its provisions are interpreted and applied.” 

WHEREAS Since 1998, Washington state has implemented Governor’s Directive Number 98- 01 which for 23 years has grossly misinterpreted Initiative 200 (I-200), now codified as RCW  49.60.400, by erroneously stating that neither race nor sex could ever be used as factors to select  candidates for public college or university admissions, public employment or a public contract; and 

WHEREAS in 2017, a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Disparity Study  found concrete evidence that women and contractors of color suffer discrimination barriers to fair  assess to federal and state-funded construction contracts across Washington’s multi-billion-dollar  transportation industry; and 

WHEREAS in 2019, the Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprises (OMWBE) Disparity  Study concluded:1) women and people of color do not enjoy equal access to all aspects of State  contracting opportunities; 2) the lack of remedial market intervention in the wake of Initiative 200  perpetuates this inequality; and 3) remedial action is necessary to end discrimination in State  contracting activities; and 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 34th Legislative District urges Governor Jay Inslee to reaffirm  Washington state’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by immediately signing the  “EQUITY NOW! EXECUTIVE ORDER” rescinding Governor’s Directive 98-01 and correctly  implementing I-200 (now RCW 49.60.400) to eliminate systemic inequities for all Washingtonians; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that Chair Carla Rogers shall email this resolution directly  to Governor Jay Inslee’s Chief of Staff, Jamila Thomas before June 19th.

Submitted by King County Conservation District Supervisor and State Party Rep Chris Porter.

This resolution was adopted by the membership on May 12, 2021.

Resolution to Act Now on Anti-Asian Violence

WHEREAS former President Trump, since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, used rallies and press conferences to blame the virus’ spread on people of Asian descent by repeatedly and purposely calling COVID-19 the “China virus” and/or “kung-flu”; and

WHEREAS, since the start of the pandemic, nearly 3,800 incidents of anti-Asian violence have been reported to the Stop AAPI Hate website across all 50 states , including assaults on vulnerable, elderly Asians, some of which have resulted in the death or permanent maiming of victims; and

WHEREAS racial violence has, sadly, been weaponized against Asian persons throughout U.S. history, including the lynching of eighteen Chinese immigrant laborers in Los Angeles in 1871 (the largest mass lynching ever in America), and the expulsion of Chinese immigrant laborers during riots in Tacoma (1885) and Seattle (1886); and

WHEREAS the recent increase in anti-Asian violence has also reached the Seattle area, according to data reported by the Seattle Police Department and the King County Prosecutor’s office; indeed, the Chinese Information and Service Center has logged nearly 400 reports of hate and bias incidents in King County since spring of 2020; and

WHEREAS Asians are the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S.; King County is nearly 20% Asian and in some King County cities the Asian demographic is over 30%; and

WHEREAS both President Biden and Governor Jay Inslee have issued statements condemning the spike in anti-Asian violence during the COVID-19 pandemic;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the 34th Legislative District Democrats stand in solidarity with the Asian community and all people of color against racial violence, and we acknowledge that anti-racism work must begin at the local level in our communities and our schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we call on the King County Sheriff’s office to track and respond to reports of racial violence, and to work with immigrant communities to assure that its responses are culturally and linguistically sensitive; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we call upon the city councils and the County Council within King County to acknowledge the many contributions of our Asian community to ensure that there is no place for hate crimes against any persons in their cities and to join in celebrating this May’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED we call on each school district within King County to raise awareness regarding anti-Asian taunting, to firmly discourage it, and to have resources available to address the resultant physical, mental and emotional stress upon Asian youth.

Adopted 5/12/21 by the 34th Legislative District Democrats

Originated by Celia Wu, 45th LD

Will be reviewed at the April 14, 2021 membership meeting. Board recommends do pass.

PROPOSED Resolution Calling for the King County Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation  Task Force of the Executive Branch to Adopt a Gender Transition Policy for Employees

WHEREAS the Democratic Party is a progressive party, committed to gender equity and social justice and the 34th Legislative District is similarly committed to these values; and

WHEREAS transgender, gender-variant and gender-nonconforming people frequently experience discrimination on both macro and microaggression levels; and 

WHEREAS discrimination against people based on their actual or perceived gender identity or expression detrimentally affects psychological, physical, social, and economic well-being (Bockting et al., 2017); and

WHEREAS transgender, gender variant and gender nonconforming people experience a disproportionate rate of homelessness (National Alliance to End Homelessness 2020); and

WHEREAS a workplace gender transition policy can protect vulnerable employees from discrimination, and help recruit and retain a diverse workforce; and

WHEREAS King County code prohibits discrimination against employees based on race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, disability among other protections, and  people who identify as both transgender, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and or disabled experience higher rates of discrimination compared to people who are transgender and white alone (James et al., 2016); and 

WHEREAS King County can, through its responsibilities as an employer, create a more inclusive workplace by adopting a gender transition policy for its employees that addresses the management of workplace records, implementation of gender neutral bathrooms and expectation from employees,  and identification of the person(s) in the organization who will be charged with supporting employees with their transition and ongoing needs, 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the 34th District Democrats support King County’s efforts to create gender identity and sexual orientation inclusion strategies and the creation of a gender transition policy for its employees by September 1, 2021.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the 34th District Democrats support the call for King County to adopt a gender transition policy for its employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution be sent to the King County Executive and Council for action.

Submitted by Janine Anzalota, PCO, State Committee Person for consideration by the 34th Legislative District Democrats.

References

Bockting, W., Coleman, E., Deutsch., Guillamon, A., Meyer I., Meyer, W., Reisner S., & Etner, R (2017). Adult Development and Quality of Life of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2016 Apr; 23(2): 188–197. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4809047/ 

National Alliance to End Homelessness (July 14, 2020). EndHomelessness.org. https://endhomelessness.org/resource/data-snapshot-trans-and-gender-non-conforming-individuals-experience-homelessness-at-higher-rates/ 

James, S, E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015 U.S Transgender Survey, Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality. https://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS%20Full%20Report%20-%20FINAL%201.6.17.pdf