The United States faces a health care crisis caused by increasing numbers of uninsured people, sky-rocketing costs and limited access, even for those who are insured, and unfair health disparities that hurt the well-being of our communities. Therefore be it resolved:
Quality health care be available for everyone with a choice of doctors and plans, without gaps in access or coverage, including Medicare Part DPreventative care as part of any basic benefit plan that promotes health and eliminates economic and racial disparitiesControlled costs by providing care and medications that are cost-efficient and medically effective
National Security
In order to secure the domestic safety and welfare of our citizens and restore our standing with other nations, be it resolved:
Disengage from the conflict in Iraq in a manner that will not further destabilize the regionProvide all veterans with needed medical and psychiatric care without cost to themReject the doctrine of preemption in favor of diplomacyNational guard units are not subjected to continuing deployments which harm the health and morale of our first defendersOpen a national dialogue to find equitable solutions to the growing immigration dilemmaAdequately fund the vital infrastructure of our country. This includes providing for our first responders and their equipment, building, maintaining and protecting our highways, local roads, railroads, waterways, ports and borders.Move away from our dependence on foreign oil by conserving our existing resources and moving toward clean, self-generating, and renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal
Environmental Issues
As a world faces diminishing resources and growing environmental destruction, it is imperative that environmental issues be addressed. Therefore be it resolved:
Whereas the Congressional Delegation is attempting to save Walker Lake by purchasing water rights in Mason and Smith Valley and transferring them to the lake and whereas by doing this the economy of these valleys will be greatly adversely this convention strongly urges the delegation to look at the effects of this on these two valleys and not make the decision unless it is made on sound scientific data and will not adversely effect the economy of the two valleys. Also they should look at alternative sources such as importation, desalinization, cloud seeding, and any other method to increase the water going to the lake.Existing technologies be examined as alternatives to long term storage of spent nuclear waste at Yucca MountainDependence on fossil fuels be limited by development of affordable, renewable resources Climate change be recognized as a reality, occurring now, and is influenced by human activity
Education
An educated populace is a successful and engaged populace and is vital to a functioning democracy. Therefore be it resolved:
· The No Child Left Behind Act be reformed in ways to provide schools with adequate funding to hire more educators, reduce class sizes, offer more programs to educate on future careers, and increase the resources available to every student. Assessments also need to be reformed to accurately reflect state standards as well as measure individual student growth. These Assessments should accurately measure each individual student’s improvement and growth through the continuing of their education. The results should provide an average to show a school’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Finally The No Child Left Behind Act should be reformed to extend accountability for student success equally among students, parents, educators and administrators. Support the concept that public monies should not be used for students to attend sectarian schools or other institutions in order to obtain educational services available to them in public schools to which they have reasonable accessRestore funding to student loans and grant programs and increasing these programs to expand the opportunity of post-secondary education to any American who wished to go to collegeSupport federal programs which will fund universal preschool and full-day kindergarten for children across the country
Election and Campaign Finance Reform
Elections are the life-blood upon which our Democracy survives. Therefore our elections must be as transparent and trust-worthy as possible. Therefore be it resolved:
We support full public financing for elections
We support lobbying reform which eliminates any potential for, or the appearance of, a conflict of interest or quid pro quo by elected officials and lobbyists.
Lobbying on behalf of foreign governments should be limited.
Ethics in Government
The people of the United States have an expectation that their representatives will serve with honor upholding their oath of office and fulfilling their public trust. Therefore be it resolved:
If any congressional legislator violates their oath and the public trust, they shall forfeit any and all claim to salary, benefits, medical coverage, insurances, and future retirement benefit.
Fiscal Responsibility
We support a balanced budgetWe support the revision of the Bankruptcy Act to provide for increased protections for citizens from predatory lending practices We urge Congress to raise the threshold for the Alternative Minimum Tax for individual taxpayers to protect middle income earners: those earning $125,000 and less. We also urge Congress to annually review this threshold and make adjustments by November 1 of each year so the IRS may implement forms and paperwork by January 1 of the following year.
Gun Control
We support and defend the right of each state to develop and enforce its own gun laws as it sees fit for the safety and well-being of its citizenry.
Human Rights
To restore the dignity and constitutional rights of American citizens we resolve that:
Patriot Act be abolishedFISA be restored to pre 2000 levelsRight to Habeas Corpus be restoredTorture be clearly defined and outlawedGuantanamo Bay Detention Center be closedSupport strong hate crime legislationThe Federal Government support the right to privacy and reproductive freedomMilitary personnel not be subject to discrimination based on sexual orientationApplication for asylum be available to foreign nationals who are subject to persecution in their homeland.Tolerance be promoted for all individuals without regard for race, creed, sexual orientation, or status of citizenship
Immigration
As a growing nation, immigration has become a major issue. Therefore be it resolved:
That current immigration laws be enforcedA substantive dialogue be opened to establish pathways to citizenship
Social Security
Social Security provides an essential safety net for our aging population. Therefore be it resolved:
Social Security funds only be used for Social Security programsEquitable steps be taken to ensure the continued funding of Social Security
Economy
Due to the shrinking United States economy, we resolve that:
Trading practices between the United States and other nations be fair and equitable to all partiesLending practices be fair and equitableIn order to stimulate the economy, an expedited withdrawal from Iraq be undertaken and some funding be redirected to domestic infrastructure
Labor
The National Labor Relations Act should be amended to allow for “card check” recognition of a union with a majority of bargaining unit members signing authorization cards.
State Issues
Yucca Mountain
We oppose not only Yucca Mountain for the storage of the nation’s nuclear waste, but also the storage of mercury in Hawthorne.
Health Care
In the absence of a national health care plan, we encourage the legislature of the state of Nevada to look into the development of a state-wide health plan for all residents.
Labor
We support the fair and equitable treatment of public and private employees in the State of Nevada. We resolve that:
Public and private retirement funds be fully funded and these funds be protectedCollective bargaining rights be available to all public employees
Wild Horses
We support the humane maintenance of a healthy wild horse and burro population in Nevada
Environmental Issues
Given the rising costs of fossil fuels, we support local alternative solutions. We resolve that:
The State of Nevada partner with private enterprise to support the retrofitting of existing structures with environmentally friendly technologiesThe State of Nevada partner with private companies to encourage renewable energy production and public transportationThe technology purported to make coal a clean fuel does nothing to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and heavy metal release. We oppose the construction of the proposed purported “clean” coal burning power plant in White Pine.
Nevada National Guard
The extended deployment of National Guard personnel in combat zones overseas creates an undue burden on them and their families, and also leaves valuable duties they have to perform undone. Therefore be it resolved:
Overseas deployments in combat zones of the National Guard, without the formal declaration of war by Congress, be limited to one year per term of enlistment.
Elections
All elections should be fair, open, and transparent therefore we resolve that:Presidential Caucus rules be reviewed toward finding ways to be more inclusiveAll election campaigns be publicly funded
Education
Education is vital to the future prosperity of Nevada. Therefore be it resolved::
The State not include education in current budget cutsThe State fund education at least at the national average
Water
Ground water is a limited and vital resource in Nevada. Therefore be it resolved:
The State fund and execute a statewide Water Resource Study to include ways to limit loss of stored water to evaporation and explore the uses of desalinization to increase available water resourcesTransfers of water between water basins be limited to the natural recharge of the contributing basin
Lyon County Issues
Environmental Issues
Environmental conditions profoundly impact the lives of Lyon County residents. Therefore be it resolved:
The Lyon County Commission continue to address dust control throughout the countyThe Lyon County Commission investigate and/or control the emissions created by the Nevada Wood Products plant in Silver SpringsThe Lyon County Commission will actively support the development of alternative sources of renewable energy by using federal grants and loan programs to set up pilot projects that make use of wind and solar power within Lyon County.
Infrastructure
We support planned growth with attention to infrastructure impact before approving development, either residential or business, with particular attention to water, roads, schools, emergency services, and environmental protections. Therefore be it resolved:
The Lyon County Commission create an updated and enforceable master plan for Lyon County to include at minimum: water, public transportation, sewer, libraries, schools, parks, criminal justice, arts, the environment, and health care.
