A. We support renewable energy (RE) through:

• a carbon tax to fund research and development of RE
• tax incentives for investment in RE
• public education to promote personal installation of RE systems
• enacting international climate protection agreements
• standardized net metering policies by utilities for business and residential RE
• renewable energy standards (RES) requiring all utilities to produce or purchase 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2015.

B. We support energy efficiency by:

• requiring all utilities to offer incentives for energy efficiency and conservation to reduce consumption by 2% annually
• vehicle registration fees that reward fuel efficiency
• incentives to promote “green” carbon-neutral buildings.

C. We support government cost savings by:

• eliminating subsidies and tax incentives for all fossil fuels
• exploring savings that may be gained by merging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy
• exploring savings that may be gained by merging NASA and NOAA.

D. We support sustainable agricultural practices that protect the health of people, the environment and the economy by:

• a moratorium on the construction of new concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) until local control legislation is passed
• local control of CAFOs by county supervisors
• limiting urban sprawl and promoting in-fill or development within existing city footprints
• strengthening food and beverage inspection
• allowing the cultivation and processing of hemp for industrial use
• a ban on growing, in open environments, genetically engineered corn and soybeans for pharmaceutical drugs, hormones and vaccines
• the promotion of “Buy Local” programs and incentives for farmers to participate.

E. We support protection of our land, water, air and wildlife by:

• a moratorium on the construction of all new coal-fired power plants
• protecting wilderness areas from oil and gas exploration and drilling
• consistent and adequate funding for protection and enhancement through a constitutionally protected fund similar to the road fund
• enforcing maximum fines for Clean Water Act and other environmental violations
• a ban on disposal of coal ash and other industrial waste containing pollutants in unlined and/or unmonitored fill sites and support monitoring of groundwater at all disposal sites.

F. We support expanding the Iowa Beverage Deposit Law by:

• increasing the deposit above five (5) cents
• increasing distributor cost above one (1) cent
• expanding the refundable deposit on non-paper containers to include water, sport drink, fruit drink and dairy drink containers.

G. We support legislation that will limit the impacts of environmental degradation on low income and minority communities.

H. We support recycling in Iowa by adopting the recommendations of the Governor’s Recycling Task Force.

We support:

• Tax policies and/or subsidies for small businesses that maintain the social contract with their employees including: livable wages, reasonable benefits and pensions and safe work places.
• Positive “fair trade” policy and seek enforcement which protects workers rights and the environment worldwide.
• Pension portability and efforts to protect and preserve workers’ pensions and health care benefits.
• State legislation to fully fund Iowa Public Employment Retirement System (IPERS) and the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa to maintain their long-term financial health.
• A “living wage” standard for all employees.
• Legislation that allows Iowa workers who are injured on the job to choose their own licensed medical care provider.
• The objectives of and rigorous enforcement of comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) standards to provide greater employee safety on the job.
• The Federal Employee Free Choice Act.
• The enactment of a state Prevailing Wage Law.
• Legislation that expands the scope of bargaining for public sector employees.
• State legislation to allow private and public sector workers in Iowa to negotiate “fair share” clauses.
• The repeal of state Right to Work laws.
• A statewide health insurance program for public employees to reduce cost.
• Laws to prohibit predatory lending practices.
• The manufacture of U.S. military supplies in the United States.
• The creation of millions of jobs by moving quickly to rebuild America’s infrastructure with a Works Progress Administration (WPA) type program.
• Expansion of public transportation.
• Cutting the discretionary portion of the Pentagon budget and reallocating the funds for the benefit of Veterans.
• Providing assistance and incentives for U.S. businesses to invest in factory start up, job training and job placement.
• The United States resuming its past prominence in world shipping by significantly increasing the size of the Merchant Marines by 2016.
• Non-traditional and new ways to help wealth creation and grow the economy in blighted communities.
• Continuation of unemployment benefits for those who are laid off longer than 26 weeks.

We oppose:

• Tax cuts that undermine the ability of state and federal governments to provide essential services or which increase deficits or reduce progressiveness of the income tax system.
• United States companies establishing factories in foreign countries to access cheap labor, to escape U.S. income taxes or to avoid environmental protection or fair labor standards.
• Privatization of public services.
• All efforts to erode overtime pay protections.
• Efforts to take away the rights of injured workers in the name of “economic development”, “regulatory reform” or “tort reform.”
• Any efforts to increase taxes on credit unions.
• Tax cuts for the wealthy that contribute to massive deficits.

We support:

• All efforts to fully fund Head Start for all defined at-risk children in the United States who qualify for services.
• Reducing tuition cost for students attending higher education institutions through increased government support.
• Increased funding for public schools, area education agencies, community colleges and public universities.
• Increased funding for public pre-schools and early childhood programs.
• Increased funding for special education and for school services to students with disabilities.
• Repeal of the No Child Left Behind Act and support full funding until it is repealed.
• The expansion of the Pell Grant Program and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program.
• Increased funding for federal TRIO and Upward Bound educational programs.
• Raising Iowa teachers’ salaries to be nationally competitive.
• State funding for quality professional development and competent diversity training for all teachers K-12.
• A requirement for licensed school guidance counselors and media specialists in all public schools.
• Making permanent the program to reduce class size for lower elementary grades.
• The early recognition of and intervention with youth at-risk of violent and aggressive behavior.
• Title IX (banning sex discrimination in schools) and we call for its continued enforcement.
• Age appropriate financial planning and career education for all students.
• The teaching of sciences in the public school curriculum based on a foundation of scientific knowledge.
• Applying the best competent research that is available in organizing and delivering student instruction.
• A full repeal of the Solomon amendment.
• Fully funding adult education in prisons.
• Increased funding for the arts in K-12 education.
• Increased funding for public libraries.

We oppose:

• State and federal funding of abstinence-only sex education.
• Diverting public monies away from public schools to fund vouchers, tuition tax credits or private or for-profit educational businesses.

We call for:

• Limiting Congressional Bills to one issue and prohibiting unrelated riders.
• Enforcing strict new rules governing the practices of lobbyists.
• Measures to improve homeland security but without erosion of our civil rights.
• A comprehensive immigration policy that


• Provides for an expeditious system of legal entry of people requesting immigration into the U.S.
• Prioritizes entrants by reunification of immediate families, employment needs of the U.S. and responsiveness to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crisis.
• Provides requirements to earn legalization during the transition to the new policy.
• Provides an up-to-date electronic identification system for employers to verify employee citizenship and penalties for those employers who violate the law.
• Vigorous prosecution of those who harbor, aid or abet illegal entrants, provide false documents for work or engage in sex trade.
• Strengthening inner-city neighborhoods by encouraging investment through tax breaks.
• A comprehensive national industrial policy articulating the nation's economic strategies that in one document will act as a blueprint for returning the U.S. to its former place of pre-eminence in the world's economic system.
• Efforts to increase funding to Legal Aid programs including the Public Defenders Office.
• The diversion of mentally ill offenders from jail and prison into appropriate treatment programs and institutions that will ensure public safety.
• The continued funding of reentry programs for offenders and employer tax credits and federal employment bonding programs that encourage employment of the hard to employ including felons.
• Reinitiating the Equal Rights Amendment, continuation of Affirmative Action and enforcement of the American Disabilities Act.
• Equal rights of all persons without regard to their sexual orientation or gender identification. We support civil marriages between same sex couples.
• Repeal of the “PATRIOT Act” and adherence to the Bill of Rights and the U.S. and Iowa Constitutions.
• Increased funding for public radio and television while opposing corporate consolidation of news organizations.
• The use of open and competitive bidding and full disclosure in government contracts.
• Limit Eminent Domain to public projects that have been demonstrated to be for the public use and public good and to include adequate due process.
• Regulating tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration as a drug, banning products in target advertising at children.
• Legalizing marijuana in Iowa for medicinal purposes with appropriate regulatory safe guards.
• Legislation outlawing the use of cell phones and texting while operating a vehicle.
• Legislation that promotes an improved local and state transportation system (bus and rail) with preference to widening existing roads instead of building new.
• Including walkways and bike paths on streets and roads.
• Elimination of extra-judicial transfer of persons to countries known to employ torture as an interrogation technique and the use of “secret prisons.”
• Elimination of executive “signing statements” when used to over-rule aspects of the legislation being signed.
• No immunity for telecommunications companies and other parties who may have violated the law.
• Strict regulation of the financial industry.
• A requirement that any Federal, state or county mandated program must be fully funded prior to implementation.
• Preservation of Roe v Wade.
• Legislation encouraging the consolidation of Iowa counties into Regions of 9 - 12 counties.
• Legislation encouraging consolidating Iowa school districts.
• A constitutional amendment to limit the use of the word person in the U.S. Constitution to mean human beings and not apply to corporations.
• Legislation restoring voting rights to felons upon completion of their sentence and conclusion of parole or probation
• Efforts to simplify the Tax Code to make it a more progressive system and allowing the Bush tax cuts to sunset.
• The continuation of life in prison without parole for murder in Iowa and oppose imposition of the death penalty. We urge a ban on capital punishment in the U.S.
• Increase funding for community-based substance abuse treatment programs and correctional treatment programs and the expansion of drug courts.
• Congressional and Senatorial representation for District of Columbia citizens.
• For legislation, programs and funding to address the disproportionate incarceration of minorities.
• The repeal of mandatory sentences and mandatory minimum sentences.
• For public funded election campaigns.
• A verifiable paper trail for each vote cast.
• Impartial Congressional redistricting.
• A strict definition of the term “enemy combatant” to apply only to individuals engaged in the act of combat or use of sabotage or espionage during war as declared by Congress.

We support:

• Healthcare for all citizens as a basic American right.
• Public policy that focuses the health care system on promoting healthy lifestyles, wellness, nutrition, disease prevention and physical activity.
• Improving the quality of care for those with chronic diseases.
• Repeal of laws preventing the negotiation of lower prescription drug prices.
• A subsidized health insurance program for low-income individuals who are not covered through employment or as dependents of another insured.
• Single payer universal health care run by the government with coverage for all medically necessary services; but until that is achieved, we urge the House of Representatives to pass the U.S. Senate Health Care Bill.
• Increased funding for home health care services.
• Initiatives that reduce the paperwork burden on health care providers.
• Making the denial of insurance coverage based on pre-existing conditions illegal.
• Increased funding of mental health care and research.
• Full coverage under Medicare of all expenses related to physical and mental health and disabilities including necessary equipment and aids without expenditure gaps.
• Changes in Medicare D to make prescription drug coverage automatic with Medicare Part A and eliminate the donut hole gap.
• Providing health care benefits to honorably discharged veterans and spouses including full access to Veteran’s hospitals and prescription drugs.
• Legislation that provides affordable health care coverage for every income-eligible college student in Iowa.
• Funding for research and treatment for all terminal illnesses including Alzheimer’s disease.
• Funding for a cure for HIV, prevention programs and teaching tolerance for victims of HIV.
• Government funding for all types of stem cell research.
• Increased funding to eliminate abuse and neglect of children.
• Retaining and strengthening Social Security by removing the salary cap and oppose any attempts to underfund, weaken or privatize the system.
• Increased funding for Iowa’s existing Emergency Assistance Program for low-income families.
• Client representation on health and human services review boards.
• Funding for programs to address the nursing shortage in Iowa, such as scholarships, grants and forgivable loans to nursing students who remain in Iowa.
• Raising Iowa nurses’ salaries to a level which is nationally competitive.
• State and federal funding for family planning services and reproductive health services including age appropriate, medically accurate sex education.
• Providing full prescription coverage for pregnancy prevention by all health insurers.
• Requiring pharmacists to fill prescriptions for pregnancy prevention.
• Funding for research and treatment of macular degeneration.
• The provision of food, shelter, health care and educational opportunities for people impacted by the recession and natural disasters. Resources must be allocated promptly and fairly with appropriate requirements.

We support:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Geneva Conventions.
• Stopping foreign aid to Israel until Israel conforms to the Geneva Conventions.
• U.S. leadership in a fair and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Prompt hearings on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDW) by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and ratification of CEDAW by the full Senate.
• The closure of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (A/K/A: School of the Americas) and oppose the purpose for which it was created.
• The U.S. continuing participation in the United Nations and payment of assessments as appropriate.
• UN and all international efforts for ending genocide, gender violence and human rights violations.
• The achievement of United Nations Millennium Goals by 2015.
• The immediate closure of all U.S. prisons in foreign nations including the one at the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

We encourage:

• The U.S. to effectively use its resources to reduce global poverty, fight hunger and disease and fund voluntary international family planning.
• U.S. leadership to reduce nuclear stockpiles.

We call for:

• The conclusion of U.S. military participation in Iraq and Afghanistan and insist on appropriate assistance for troops when they return home.
• Evaluating the need for military bases in other countries with the intent of reducing expenditures and reinvesting in our own country.
• The normalization of relations with Cuba.

We oppose:

• U.S. military intervention in Iran.

Article I

Name and Affiliation

This organization shall be known as the Black Hawk County (Iowa) Democratic Party. It is affiliated with, and subordinate to, the Iowa Democratic Party.

Article II

Purpose

The Black Hawk County Democratic Party exists: to advance the interest of the Democratic Party in the county, to perpetuate the principles of democratic government, to uphold social justice, civil liberties and civic responsibility; to elect Democrats to office.

Article III

Membership

Section 1: Full Membership All persons at least eighteen years of age as of the date of the next general election , who are residents of Black Hawk County, Iowa, who support the principles of the Democratic Party, and who are registered to vote as Democrats in Black Hawk County, shall be eligible to participate in all unrestricted activities of the Black Hawk County Democratic Party.

Section 2: Youth Membership All persons under the age of eighteen who are ineligible to vote in the next general election, who are residents of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and who uphold the principles of the Democratic Party shall be eligible to participate in the activities of the Black Hawk County Democratic Party except for voting and holding of elective office within the party.

Article IV

Membership Meetings

Section 1: Precinct Caucuses Party members shall meet in precinct caucuses during even- numbered years at a place designated by the Black Hawk County Democratic Party Central Committee, and at a day and time specified by the Iowa Democratic Party. Party members attending the precinct caucuses shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Secretary. These persons shall serve in office until the succeeding precinct caucuses unless replaced for cause by the Black Hawk County Democratic Party Central Committee.Party members attending the precinct caucuses shall conduct business specified by an agenda established by the Iowa Democratic Party.Party members attending the precinct caucuses shall elect delegates and alternates to the Black Hawk County Democratic Convention according to the rules of the Iowa Democratic Party. They shall also elect members to various county convention committees established by the Black Hawk County Democratic Central Committee.

Section 2: County Convention The Black Hawk County Democratic Party Convention will convene in even-numbered years following the precinct caucuses at a day and time established by the Iowa Democratic Party and at a place designated by the Black Hawk County Democratic Central Committee.The Black Hawk County Democratic Party Chairperson, or a designee, shall call the County Convention to order, and shall conduct an election of a permanent Chairperson who shall preside over the County Convention until adjournment.Delegates to the County Convention shall enact a Black Hawk County Democratic Party platform; they will elect delegates to the district and state party convention meetings according to the rules established by the Iowa Democratic Party, they will elect delegates to the district and state party convention meetings according to the rules established by the Iowa Democratic Party; they will elect members of various district convention committees; they will conduct other business deemed to be in the interest of the Black Hawk County Democratic Party.

Section 3: Special Conventions The Black Hawk County Democratic Central Committee when empowered by the Iowa Democratic Party shall call conventions of the Black Hawk County Democrats. The Central Committee must give adequate notice of the impending special convention through both print and electronic media.

Article V

Black Hawk County Central Committee

Section 1: Membership The Black Hawk County Democratic Central Committee shall be composed of two elected Precinct Committeepersons from each voting precinct within the county. Ex officio non-voting members of the Central Committee shall be:

• The executive officers of affiliated organizations.
• All elected officers of the County Democratic Party.
• All publicly elected Democratic officials from Black Hawk County.
• All Standing Committee Chairpersons
• Any Democratic State or District Committee member whose legal residence is in Black Hawk County.

Section 2: Duties The Black Hawk County Democratic Central Committee shall take all necessary actions to perpetuate an effective Democratic Party between county conventions. The Committee is charged with the responsibility to promote the principles of democratic government, social justice, civil liberties, civic responsibility in the county, and to elect Democrats to public office.

Section 3: Meetings The Black Hawk County Democratic Central Committee shall meet regularly at a scheduled date, time, and place identified by the Central Committee each month unless the Committee chooses to suspend or shift the meeting date by a two-thirds affirmative vote of members voting “aye” or “nay” at a regularly scheduled meeting. In case of emergency, the Chairperson at his/her discretion may cancel and reschedule the Central Committee meeting.

Section 4: Quorum A quorum of twenty percent (20%) of members (excluding vacancies) shall be necessary to conduct business at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Black Hawk County Democratic Central Committee.

Section 5: Vacancies In the event that a vacancy occurs on the Black Hawk County Democratic Central Committee, the Committee shall elect an individual from the constituency of the voting precinct in which the vacancy occurs. The Central Committee may declare a position vacant by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members voting “aye” or “nay”. Individuals elected to fill vacancies will serve for the remainder of the term. In the event that a vacancy cannot be filled by an individual residing in the precinct in which the vacancy occurs, the Central Committee may elect by simple majority up to one at-large Precinct Committeeperson for every two vacancies that occur within the county. At-large Precinct Committee-persons will be assigned a precinct by the County Chair.

Article VI

County Party Officers

Section 1: Officers The Officers of the Black Hawk County Democratic Party shall be Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2: Election and Term of Office The Officers of the Black Hawk County Democratic Party shall be elected at the first meeting of the Central Committee following the off-year caucus. They shall assume office upon election and serve a two-year term between Central Committee organizational meetings, or until their successors have been chosen.

Section 3: Duties of Officers

Section 3.1: Duties of Chairperson. The Black Hawk County Democratic Chairperson shall be the principal spokesperson for the Democrats of Black Hawk County. This person shall preside over all Conventions of the County Democratic Party, shall preside over meetings of the Central Committee, appoint the Chairperson and members of standing committees with the approval of the Central Committee, shall appoint members of those special committees deemed necessary for the effective development of the County Party, shall engage or discharge personnel compensated by the Central Committee, shall present to the Central Committee for approval any matter deemed necessary for the effective operation of the County Party, and shall perform other duties designated by the Central Committee.

Section 3.2: Duties of Vice-Chairperson. The Black Hawk County Democratic Vice-Chairperson shall assume the duties of the Chairperson upon the temporary absence of the Chairperson. This person shall assume all duties of the Chairperson, in the event the Chairperson is unwilling or unable to serve, until another Chairperson can be elected; shall maintain and expand up-to-date file of volunteers, shall coordinate the activities of affiliated organizations with those of the Central Committee, and shall perform other duties designated by the Chairperson.

Section 3.3: Duties of Secretary. The Black Hawk County Democratic Secretary shall record and publish the minutes of all conventions and all meetings of the Central Committee. This person shall maintain files of correspondence between the Black Hawk County Party, its Central Committee, and other organizations and individuals; shall keep files of the reports of party officers as well as those of standing and special committees, shall prepare and maintain a membership roster of Central Committee members including addresses and telephone numbers, and shall perform other duties designated by the Chairperson.

Section 3.4: Duties of Treasurer. The Black Hawk County Democratic Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the County Party and may be under bond in the amount determined by the Central Committee. This person shall determine where the County Party funds shall be deposited, shall make receipts and disbursements of funds according to Central Committee policy, shall draw upon the treasury to pay bills due within thirty days after receiving authorization for payment, shall make a report at each Central Committee meeting relative to the status of the County Party treasury, shall perform other duties designated by the Chairperson and all duties required by state law.

Article VII

Committees

The Black Hawk County Democratic Party Central Committee shall establish standing and special committees as required for the effective operation of the county paryt. The standing committees may include: permanent organization committee, press and public relations committee, candidate recruitment and review committee, special events committee, financial committee, research committee, appointments committee, issues committee, etc.

Article VIII

Amendments to Bylaws

The Bylaws of the Black Hawk Couty Democratic Party may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of members at three consecutive meetings of the Central Committee. The Bylaws of the Black Hawk County Democratic Party may also be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of delegates voting “aye” or “nay” at a regular Black Hawk County Convention.

Article IX

Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Black Hawk County Democratic Party in all parliamentary situations that are not provided for in federal or state law, the rules of the national Democratic Party, the rules of the Iowa Democratic Party, and the Bylaws or adopted rules of the Black Hawk County Democratic Party.