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RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED at THE MASON COUNTY DEMOCRATS COUNTY CONVENTION 4/19/08 LOCAL issues L-1. COLLEGE: We advocate that our 35th District Legislators introduce legislation to establish and fund a four-year college to serve Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson Counties. L-2. COUNTY MGR: We encourage the Mason County Commissioners to appoint a task force, including citizens as well as appointed and elected officials, to consider the pros and cons of establishing the position of County Manager/Administrator. L-3. REVIEW SALARIES/FUNCTIONS: We encourage the Mason County Commissioners to establish a citizen’s task force to review functions and salaries of Mason County Commissioners, and appointed Department Heads. L-4. ETHICS POLICIES: Mason County Commissioners need to adopt and implement ordinances on disclosure, conflict of interest, and ethics (including strong guidelines on hiring of relatives or close friends of employees) as soon as possible. L-5. RAINY DAY FUND: Because of the frequency of extreme weather events, we urge the Mason County Commissioners to maintain an adequate “rainy day” fund in general funds and in county road funds. L-6. PERFORMANCE AUDITS: We urge the Mason County Commissioners to establish a policy to conduct ongoing, rotational performance audits of all county departments. L-7. HEALTH DISTRICT: We encourage the Mason County Commissioners to explore establishment of a Health District, similar to what many Washington State counties have. Membership may include representatives from the City of Shelton, Mason County Hospital Districts, Mason County Commission, county-based medical provider(s) and others. L-8. REDISTRICTING: We encourage the Mason County Auditor to establish a citizens’ advisory committee to provide recommendations for new precinct and county commissioner districts/boundaries, in coordination with 2010 census and state redistricting activities. This process should take into consideration our county’s unique geography, the established road system and travel times. L-9. STREAMLINING: We urge the Mason County Commissioners to review and streamline the county’s permitting process, and encourage the establishment of a task force, to include citizens, to assist in this process. L-10. EMPLOYEES vs. CONSULTANTS: We urge the Mason County Commissioners to explore the cost-benefits and capacity-building of establishing permanent employee positions versus the ongoing use of consultants, particularly for ongoing county responsibilities and tasks. L-11. RESIDENCY: We urge the Mason County Commissioners to explore the pros and cons of requiring Department Heads to reside within the County. L-12 CITIZENS’ BUDGET: We urge the Mason County Commissioners to create a “citizens’ budget,” written in lay terms, to be published parallel to and simultaneously with the annual draft budget. STATE issues S-13. W.A.S.L.: We urge the State to re-examine the pros and cons of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) for its effectiveness, and its impact on students of all ages and abilities. S-14. PUGET SOUND: In order to restore the health of Puget Sound, the “jewel of Washington,” we urge our federal, state and local elected officials to fully fund and implement the Puget Sound Partnership 2020 Action Plan. S-15. HEALTH CARE: If universal access to health care is not realized nationally within the next two years, Washington State needs to enact legislation so that universal, single payer access to health care is a reality for all Washingtonians. S-16. STATE TAX STRUCTURE: We urge the Legislature to publicly debate the November 2002 Gates Commission Report to the Legislature to overhaul Washington State’s tax system at all levels. S-17. SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: We encourage our state to permit civil marriage for same-sex couples. NATIONAL issues N-19. PATRIOT ACT: We urge Congress to repeal the Patriot Act and prohibit warrantless searches. N-20. CORPORATE PERSONHOOD: Corporations should not be deemed “persons” with constitutional rights, which are intended for individual citizens. N-22. DRUGS: We urge an end to the federal “War on Drugs,” and that funding be redirected to treatment by healthcare professionals for those who abuse and/or are addicted to drugs. N-23. WAR: The United States must end its illegal war and occupation of Iraq. We renounce military adventurism. N-24. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROCESS: Beginning in January 2009, the political parties and congress and state legislatures must come together to examine reform of the Presidential election process.
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