Off Year Caucus

Off Year Caucus

I was about to start writing but I got asked to speak instead; just doing a pitch for caucus organizing (making them HAPPEN as opposed to candidate stuff).

Now the real meat: platform resolution time.

First proposed resolution: from fearless leader Brian Flaherty. Followup on the party's endorsement of the SILO; urging the Legislature to act on more progressive taxation for school funding. Shifting from sales tax to income/proprty tax. Tom Larkin notes: Progressive taxation has long been in the JCDems platform and he was opposed to the SILO endorsement; but there was no other way to fund. This resolution helps address that. That was unanimous.

Aside: Staffers are here representin' for Clinton, Edwards, Obama and Richardson. Also old media, James Lynch of the Gazette; I told him he's getting scooped.

Rod Sullivan has another SILO resolution; this one asks the school board not to use the pennies for property tax relief. Patti Fields of the school board speaks in favor.

Other electeds sighted besides those two: Amy Correia, Pat Harney, Terrence Neuzil, and Janet Lyness chairing the show. Later: Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek arrives.

That was also unanimous. Next resolving from Peter Hansen. Urging UN involvement in int'l conflict resolution. Once again no dissent.

Now the Iowans for Sensible Priorities resolution. Long reading, short speaking, no no's.

Ralph Siddall: Sudanese cultural center and Darfur discussion, unanimous. Damon Shutt - here comes some controversy. Imepachment. I propose adding Cheney's name. That passes with one silent no vote added for humor.

The usual arguments: divisiveness vs. necessity. Passes with significant dissent; I'd estimate 60-40 but no one asks for division.

Patriot Act badness: I'm missing all the details as I'm still working sign-in. Anyway it's unanimous.

More elected: Slockett, Stutsman, Regenia Bailey.

Here's the big war resolution: Withdraw with all deliberate speed, no military efforts against Iran without declaration of war. Question as to whether than encompasses UN action against Iran. Amendment to say "initiate military action" to clear that point up. With that said, it passes with about two no's. (Maybe 70 people here.)

Immigration comes up. Missed the details. The acoustics in here are lousy and again I'm getting administrivia questions; someone's being very sincere about some lunch details and is completely oblivious to my attempts to listen. A "skilled workers" amendment fails. Larry Meyers arrives which makes the whole Board of Supervisors.

OK, the nut of the resolution is a path to citizenship. Resolution passes on a quiet voice vote; a lot of people just stayed quiet.

The resolving seems to be ending down; we're pshing raffle tickets and thanking folks. So that should wind down this post and we'll have more later with speakers.