R ESOLUTIONS 2008
Adopted at the
STATE CONVENTION
of the
ALASKA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Palmer, Alaska
May 25, 2008
COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS
ADDRESSING ALASKA’S RURAL ENERGY NEEDS
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party encourages
the state Administration and Legislature to work with existing entities (e.g., the Denali
Commission, the Alaska Energy Authority, the Cooperative Extension Service, rural Native
organizations, etc.) to develop a long-range energy policy for rural Alaska. Such policy
should be community-based, and not a single approach imposed by the State; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution shall be transmitted to the
Governor of Alaska and all members of the Alaska Legislature.
EDUCATION – SOCIAL SERVICES
ELIMINATE “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT”
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges
Congress to eliminate or revoke the "No Child Left Behind Act” with its emphasis on teaching
children to meet artificial testing standards.
ALASKAN STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports
forgiveness of Alaska State Student Loans up to 50% or 10% per year over 5 years for
Alaskans who maintain residency in Alaska following graduation.
CLASSROOM SIZE
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports
legislation that calls for a lower Pupil Teacher Ratio in every elementary public school
classroom from kindergarten through 5th grade.
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TEACHERS’ PENSION PLAN
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports
legislation that calls for returning to the defined benefits retirement system for teachers,
which would motivate them to seek employment in our state.
AMERICAN CIVICS
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports
requiring the integration of civics into the high school curriculum.
TUITION RATES
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports
action to make the cost of attending the University of Alaska more affordable for Alaska
residents by a combination of tuition reductions, increased financial assistance, and
scholarships.
FINANCE
RESTRUCTURE LOCAL TAXES
ELMINATE TAXATION OF FOOD AND MEDICINE
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party support a
restructuring of local taxes to eliminate sales taxation of food and medicine.
HEALTH
DENALI KID CARE
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges the
Alaska State Legislature to raise the eligibility limit for participation in Denali Kid Care
from 175% to 200% of FPL and to adequately fund the program at that level.
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ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports
adequate funding for drug and alcohol treatment programs in Alaska.
MEDICARE REFORM
ENABLE BENEFICIARIES TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports
timely Medicare reform including Medicare coverage for physical therapy services that
enable Medicare beneficiaries to maintain a functional life-style without the requirement for
functional improvement.
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party proposes and
supports immediate access to affordable comprehensive healthcare coverage without regard
to age, sex or past medical history for all U.S. citizens.
HR 676
CONYER-KUCINICH NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE BILL
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges the
United States Congress to adopt HR 676, the Conyers-Kucinich National Health Insurance
Bill.
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party requests that
all Democratic candidates for public office and elected officials on both the state and federal
levels of government work to create a national health care program that is not based on the
profit-driven interests of the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT
USUAL, CUSTOMARY, AND REASONABLE
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Alaska Democratic Party supports changing
Medicare so that Medicare payments are based on the UCR (Usual Customary and
Reasonable) charges and that the UCR be calculated annually.
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FUNDING FOR SOCIAL SERVICES RESTORED
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges that
Alaskan legislators and commissioners must stop cutting budgets for the services to the
victims of these social ills. The State of Alaska should restore and make a commitment to
increase budgets in order to improve outreach to the agencies and their populations that
experience these social ills. Furthermore, the State of Alaska should provide basic social
services to all Alaskans.
JUDICIARY
AMEND NATIONAL SECURITY LAWS TO RESPECT CIVIL
LIBERTIES
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports the
fundamental redrafting of the USA Patriot Act and provisions of the Homeland Security Act
and above-mentioned Federal Register regulations so as to strengthen civil liberties that are
a foundation of liberty and justice for all.
CREATING AN EFFECTIVE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
COMBAT INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ACTS
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges the
Democratic Party and all Democratic Party candidates to support national security policies
that effectively combat those engaging in terrorism while preserving civil liberties and
fundamental human rights, and which are conducted in concert with our allies and the
United Nations.
LABOR AND COMMERCE
LIMIT CREDIT CARD CHARGES
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party support the
implementation of a limit on the percentage charges that banks can charge and also limit the
amount charged for late fees.
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NATIONAL
DECLARATION OF WAR
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party strongly urges
the Alaska Congressional Delegation and the Congress of the United States to comply with
its constitutional obligation to decide whether or not to declare war.
RESTORE FEMA AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges that the
Federal Emergency Management Agency be restored as an independent agency and that all
former authority be restored to this important agency.
END OCCUPATION IN IRAQ
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges that the
United States:
1. Create and implement a plan for the prompt and orderly withdrawal of all United
States Armed Forces, contractors and hired mercenaries;
2. Turn over at the earliest possible date all military operations in Iraq to the elected
government of Iraq and engage multi-national forces to assist, if requested by the
Iraqi government, to provide security and stability while the Iraqi people establish a
permanent, stable and legitimate government;
3. Take steps to protect Iraqis who are or were employees of the U.S. and contractors
who are in danger of assassination. These steps must include options of emigration to
the U.S. and other countries.
4. Take the steps necessary to restore the standing of the United States in the eyes of
the world; and
5. Redirect financial resources currently used in the occupation of Iraq to the urgent
needs of our nation at home and to humanitarian efforts abroad.
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RESOURCES
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY INCENTIVES
REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports the
reinstatement of energy tax credits as a means of encouraging and supporting alternative
energy solutions to fossil fuels thus furthering the United States' independence from foreign
oil importations and simultaneously striving towards curbing the effects of global warming.
DEVELOPMENT OF FOOD SOURCES
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports the
development of agricultural activities, production of locally made dairy products, and
preservation of local fisheries.
ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges that
Alaska create a system modeled after the California Electronic Waste and Recycling Act of
2003 for properly recycling electronics at the local level in cooperation with Green Star and
the Basel Convention, an international treaty restricting the export of hazardous waste to
developing nations.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports
prioritizing funding and financial incentives for developing energy derived from renewable
and sustainable sources with the goal of the United States using at least 20% renewable
energy sources by 2020.
SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges the
United States to become part of the solution to reverse the trend of global climate change by
combining incentives and regulations in such a way to reduce the United States’ contribution
to worldwide greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by the year 2020.
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STATE AFFAIRS
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
A PROTECTED CLASS IN ALASKA STATUTE
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges the
addition of sexual orientation as a protected class within the anti-discrimination laws of the
State of Alaska.
SUPPORT OF ALASKA PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges the
Alaska Legislature to pass a statute ordering the Division of Elections to conduct
presidential primaries statewide in future election years.
VOTER FRAUD LEGISLATION
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party calls for all
Democratic legislators to support legislation that will make voter fraud and
disenfranchisement a felony with no statute of limitations.
APPORTIONMENT OF SUPER DELEGATES
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party proportion
super delegates to represent the result of the state caucus; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges the Democratic
National Committee to change its rule to require that the vote of each state's super delegates
reflect the result of the state caucus or primary.
ADOPTION OF A CLEAN ELECTIONS SYSTEM IN ALASKA
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party urges
Governor Sarah Palin and the Alaska State Legislature to implement a Clean Elections
system in Alaska.
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TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVE AMERICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports the
repair and rebuilding of America’s infrastructure.
COMMUTER AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Democratic Party supports the
planning and development of a public transportation system to include commuter rail lines,
energy efficient modes of transport, and, where feasible, 24-hour availability of public
transportation.
AFFIRMED:
______________________________
CAROLYN COVINGTON, SECRETARY
Alaska Democratic Party 2008 Resolutions Page 9 of 11 pages
RESOLUTIONS 2008
INDEX
DEPARTMENT NAME Page
COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Addressing Alaska’s Rural Energy Needs 2
EDUCATION Eliminate No Child Left Behind 2
Alaska Student Loan Forgiveness 2
Classroom Size 2
Teachers’ Pension Plan 3
American Civics 3
Tuition Rates 3
FINANCE Restructure Local Taxes 3
Eliminate Taxation of Food and Medicine
HEALTH Denali Kid Care 3
Alcohol and Drug Treatment 4
Affordable Health Care Coverage 4
Conyer-Kucinich National Health Insurance 4
National Health Care Program 4
Medicare Reimbursement 4
Funding for Social Services Restored 5
JUDICIARY Amend National Security Laws to 5
Respect Civil Liberties
LABOR AND COMMERCE Limit Credit Card Charges 5
NATIONAL Declaration of War 6
Restore FEMA as an Independent Agency 6
End Occupation in Iraq 6
RESOURCES Alternative Energy Incentives 7
Reduce Global Warming
Development of Food Sources 7
Electronic Waste Recycling 7
Sustainable Energy 7
Solutions to Global Climate Change 7
STATE AFFAIRS Sexual Orientation 8
Protected Class in Alaska Statute
Support of Presidential Primaries 8
Voter Fraud Legislation 8
Apportionment of Super Delegates 8
Adoption of a Clean Elections System 8
TRANSPORTATION Improve America’s Infrastructure 9
Commuter and Public Transportation 9
Alaska Democratic Party 2008 Resolutions Page 10 of 11 pages
Alaska Democratic Party 2008 Resolutions Page 11 of 11 pages