2012 Platform

The work on the 2012 platform began in January, when the Platform Committee was be formed in order to review and suggest changes to the 2010 Platform in time to be completed by the date of the Precinct Caucuses, which was April 15th, 2012. Resolutions and suggestions were collected and evaluated by the Platform and Resolutions Committee, which held meetings frequently during February and March. At the Legislative District Caucus on April 28th, we presented the draft platform for discussion and approval.

We put a lot of work into this platform, and we hope you will stand up for the issues you hold dear and make your voices heard.

Platform Development

Suggested changes and additions to this draft platform were collected throughout January and February of 2012. The draft platform needed to be completed by April 1st to allow four days for proofing and formatting and 10 days' notice for the Call to Caucus. Therefore, all public submissions needed to be in by March 1st.

Resolutions

Because of the compressed schedule, resolutions that qualified for clarity and timeliness were referred to the 46th Platform & Resolutions Committee for action at the 46th District Caucus. Three resolutions were passed at the caucus:

• Resolution Against Coal Train Traffic
• Requiring Low-Impact Building Techniques in Development Projects
• Resolution in Support of Updating the Mining Law of 1872

This Platform Development Process was in parallel with our brother and sister Legislative Districts AND County organizations all across the state. The County Conventions were held on Sunday, April 29th. The State Platform will be adopted at the State Convention on June 3rd.

Please bear in mind the distinction between platform matters (a/k/a "planks") and resolutions. Our Platform is meant to present enduring values and big picture issues, often including suggested solutions to those problems. Resolutions are for shorter-term issues of immediate concern, likely to be resolved one way or another before we begin developing our next platform in 2014. The Platform & Resolutions Committee will attempt to identify and group each submittal according to issue and type, either as a suggested Platform plank or a Resolution. Where a number of overlapping submittals appear to address a single issue, the Committee may consolidate them into one or two statements for us to consider as an LD on April 28th.

If you would like to be involved in the Platform and Resolutions Committee to continue discussion and help promote our values, please contact Sarajane Siegfriedt and/or Jean Thomas. Your participation at every level is welcome and encouraged!