Resolutions

KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE

A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ALL EXPRESSIONS, DISPLAYS AND ACTS OF RACISM AND BIGOTRY.

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WHEREAS the Kootenai County Democrats recognize that our community has seen increased numbers of incidents with racist overtones; and

WHEREAS trespassers recently planted the Confederate Flag and literature in several yards in Coeur d’Alene without the homeowners’ knowledge or consent; and

WHEREAS many residents have had their political signs stolen from their personal property and others have had their political bumper stickers removed or defaced; and

WHEREAS most Kootenai County citizens, regardless of party affiliation, reject racism and anything that symbolizes racism; and

WHEREAS the FBI has declared that white supremacists pose one of the two greatest terrorism threats facing the country today; and

WHEREAS all citizens should be free to publicly express political opinions and preferences without fear of intimidation or having their personal property stolen or vandalized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee hereby condemns all expressions and displays of racism in our community, condemns the defacing, destruction and/or theft of private property, and condemns any form of public intimidation, including voter intimidation at the polls or elsewhere.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on all residents of Kootenai County, especially elected officials, to publicly denounce white supremacy and acts of racism and bigotry.

Resolved this 14th day of October 2020 by the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee, Evan Koch, Chair.

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR COMMUNITY
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Whereas, we, the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee, were deeply troubled by the resolution passed by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee on April 25, 2019 that urged the federal government to reinstate travel privileges for Martin Sellner, contrary to the policy of the Unites States government as implemented by the President and the Department of Homeland Security, who is engaged to Brittany Pettibone, a Post Falls resident and YouTube personality who has publicly touted both the Pizzagate and Great Replacement conspiracy theories; and

Whereas, Martin Sellner has previous ties to the Neo Nazis and currently leads the Identitarian movement in Austria, which is a white nationalist movement that originated in France and is anti-immigration and attacks multiculturalism; and

Whereas, Identitarianism violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States because it discriminates and denies equal protection on the basis of race, national origin and citizenship status; and

Whereas, we value inclusivity and reject hate; and

Whereas, Martin Sellner is currently under investigation in Austria for his ties to a known terrorist, including receiving a $1,700 donation from Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who killed 51 people at two mosques in New Zealand on March 15, 2019; and

Whereas, we recognize that ensuring the security and safety of our community is of the utmost importance and requires a commitment on both a local and national level; and

Whereas, we believe that reasonable and practical national, state and local policies and laws must be in place to ensure the safety and security of our community; and

Whereas, we understand that a safe environment is essential to ensuring that our community is a prosperous one; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee:
Supports the Department of Homeland Security in restricting Martin Sellner’s travel privileges while he is under investigation in Austria for his ties to terrorist Brenton Harrison Tarrant; and
Continues to prioritize safety and security in our community; and
Believes that a safe community is one is which all persons are entitled to equal opportunity and equal treatment regardless of race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability or military status.

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FIRST TIME OFFENSE MARIJUANA POSSESSION PENALTY REDUCTION (House Bill 55)
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Whereas a person convicted of possession of marijuana in an amount over three ounces is guilty of a felony and subject to a penalty of prison for five (5) years and a fine of up to $10,000.00; and

Whereas the penalties for marijuana possession of less than three (3) ounces of marijuana are excessive and burdensome to the Idaho Judicial System; and

Whereas House Bill 140 would amend Idaho Code Section 37-2732 to allow for persons possessing less than three (3) ounces of marijuana to be convicted of a misdemeanor and subject to a penalty of up to one (1) year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine; and

Whereas House Bill 140 would amend Idaho Code Section 37-2732 to allow for persons possessing less than .5 an ounce of marijuana for the first time to be found guilty of an infraction upon payment of a $250.00 fine or eight (8) hours of community service and attendance in a court approved drug education class; and

Whereas Democrat Representative John Gannon and Republican Representative Bryan Zollinger worked together in a bipartisan manner to address the reality of marijuana possession and the needs of Idaho’s criminal justice system; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee:

Supports the passage of House Bill 140 to amend Idaho Code Section 37-2732 to allow for misdemeanor and infraction charges and penalties for marijuana possession of less than three (3) ounces in the State of Idaho.

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FIRST TIME OFFENSE MARIJUANA POSSESSION PENALTY REDUCTION (House Bill 55)
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Whereas a person convicted of possession of marijuana in an amount over three ounces is guilty of a felony and subject to a penalty of prison for five (5) years and a fine of up to $10,000.00; and

Whereas the penalties for marijuana possession of less than three (3) ounces of marijuana are excessive and burdensome to the Idaho Judicial System; and

Whereas House Bill 140 would amend Idaho Code Section 37-2732 to allow for persons possessing less than three (3) ounces of marijuana to be convicted of a misdemeanor and subject to a penalty of up to one (1) year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine; and

Whereas House Bill 140 would amend Idaho Code Section 37-2732 to allow for persons possessing less than .5 an ounce of marijuana for the first time to be found guilty of an infraction upon payment of a $250.00 fine or eight (8) hours of community service and attendance in a court approved drug education class; and

Whereas Democrat Representative John Gannon and Republican Representative Bryan Zollinger worked together in a bipartisan manner to address the reality of marijuana possession and the needs of Idaho’s criminal justice system; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee:

Supports the passage of House Bill 140 to amend Idaho Code Section 37-2732 to allow for misdemeanor and infraction charges and penalties for marijuana possession of less than three (3) ounces in the State of Idaho.

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTAL LEVIES FOR VOTER APPROVAL ON MARCH 12, 2019
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Whereas each year the Idaho State Legislature fails to fully fund Idaho’s public educational institutions and requires Kootenai County property owners to make up the short fall through supplemental levies; and

Whereas the Idaho Department of Education consistently fails to secure funds to adequately fund Idaho’s public educational institutions; and

Whereas the Coeur d’Alene School District No. 271, is proposing a maintenance and operation supplemental levy to provide for the safety, education, mental health and advancement of its students; and

Whereas the Post Falls School District No. 273, is proposing a maintenance and operation supplemental levy to provide for the safety, education, mental health and advancement of its students; and

Whereas the Lakeland Joint School District No. 272 is proposing a maintenance and operation supplemental levy to provide for the safety, education, mental health and advancement of its students; and

Whereas the Plummer-Worley Joint School District No. 44 is proposing a maintenance and operation supplemental levy to provide for the safety, education, mental health and advancement of its students; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee:

Demands that the Idaho State Legislature fully fund Idaho’s public education system without reliance on supplemental levies subject to voter approval; and

For the benefit of current students and educators, supports the passage of the Coeur d’Alene School District No. 271, Post Falls School District no. 273, Lakeland Joint School District No. 272, and Plummer-Worley Joint School District No. 44 maintenance and operation supplemental levies on March 12, 2019.

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL 50 AND HOUSE BILL 55 ADDRESSING IDAHO’S MINIMUM WAGE
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Whereas the minimum wage in Idaho is $7.25 per hour and $3.35 per hour for tipped workers and pay income taxes; and

Whereas Kootenai County business owners compete directly with the State of Washington where workers earn a minimum wage of $12.00 per hour (including tipped employees) and do not pay income taxes;
Whereas House Bill 55 bill proposes to incrementally increase the minimum wage in Idaho $8.25 an hour effective July 1, 2019; to $10.50 an hour effective July 1, 2020; to $12.00 an hour effective July 1, 2021, and wages for tipped workers will increase to $4.35 per hour commencing July 1, 2019, $5.85 per hour on July 1, 2020 and $7.35 per hour commencing July 1, 2021; and
Whereas increasing wages will add $840,000 to Idaho’s general fund; and
Whereas until 2016 Idaho cities and counties have had the authority to establish a local minimum wage to attract and retain quality workers;

Whereas the Idaho State Legislature amended Idaho Code Section 44-1502(4) to revoke this authority from local communities and House Bill 50 would allow cities and counties to establish a competitive minimum wage; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee:

Supports the passage of House Bill 50 and House Bill 55 in order to attract qualified workers to Kootenai County and allow Kootenai County to establish a minimum wage that is competitive with the State of Washington.

KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SALARY INCREASES FOR EDUCATORS

Whereas school districts in Kootenai County compete for qualified educators in the same labor market as Spokane County, Washington area schools; and

Whereas Idaho educators’ salaries rank 50 th in the nation and average 12% less than the national average; and

Whereas State of Washington educators’ salaries ranked 16th in the nation in 2017 and Spokane County area educators’ salaries will increase by an average of 13% to 16% in 2018; and

Whereas Idaho educators pay state income tax and State of Washington educators do not pay state income tax; and

Whereas Article IX, Section 1 of the Idaho Constitution states: “the stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools”; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee:
1. Demands that the Idaho Legislature and Governor honor their duty to the Kootenai County’s children and fully fund the Idaho education system as required by the Idaho Constitution; and
2. Supports increasing funding to bring the average Idaho educator salary equal to the national average in order to attract and retain qualified educators; and
3. Encourages Kootenai County voters to elect legislative candidates that will commit to supporting education funding increases and expanding education revenue sources.

KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF 2018 MEDICAID EXPANSION
BALLOT INITIATIVE

Whereas the health and well-being of Idahoans is paramount and non-
partisan;

Whereas 62,000 tax-paying, working Idahoans and Idaho veterans do not have access to Medicaid benefits or other healthcare coverage;

Whereas Kootenai County spent $800,000 in 2016 and $600,000 in 2017 of its citizens’ property taxes to pay for indigent care services for uninsured residents at the Medicaid billing rate;

Whereas expanding Medicaid coverage would create 14,000 jobs and $46
million in revenue for the State of Idaho;

Whereas 11.2% of Idahoans do not have healthcare coverage and thousands die each year from lack of preventative care;

Whereas a majority of Idaho citizens support expanding Medicaid coverage by accepting our tax dollars back from the federal government; and

Whereas the Idaho Legislature has failed to act in the best interest of its
citizens and express the will of the majority by passing legislation to expand Medicaid coverage to working Idahoans; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee
1. supports the 2018 Medicaid Expansion Ballot Initiative; and
2. advocates for the election of its candidates to replace current legislators who have not represented Kootenai County residents by passing legislation to expand Medicaid coverage to working Idahoans.

KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF RESPONSIBLE SCHOOL BUILDING PLANNING AND FUNDING

Whereas Idaho’s education system ranks 48th in the nation and earned an F grade in over all education spending, and is 50th in per student expenditures; and

Whereas Idaho Code Section 33-317 requires 66 and 2/3% of voters to approve Idaho school bonds, and 43% of Idaho school bonds failed to receive 66 and 2/3% voter approval between 2002 and 2105; and

Whereas lowering the voter approval threshold to 60% would increase the school bond passage rate from 57% to 75% based on data from 2002 through 2015; and

Whereas Section 7 of the Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan (2010) encourages support for public school sites but does not require active, responsible planning for future school buildings; and

Whereas local school districts struggle to locate and afford adequate, accessible property to build public schools; and

Whereas Idaho Code Section 33-5208 allows the State of Idaho Department of Education to fund 30% or more of the facility costs for public charter schools, but does not fund any portion of the facility costs for traditional public schools; and

Whereas local school districts rely exclusively on local property taxes and school bonds to fund school facility and building projects; and

Whereas the student population of the Post Falls School District increased by 137 students in 2018 and the Post Falls School District will run a bond for a facilities and supplemental levy; and

Whereas the student population of the Coeur d’Alene School District increased by 85 students in 2018 and the Coeur d’Alene School District approved an emergency levy; and

Whereas the student population of the Lakeland Joint School District increased by 137 students in 2018 and the Lakeland Joint School District approved emergency levy will increase property taxes; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee:

1. Supports increasing overall funding for public schools; and
2. Supports legislative candidates who will work to amend Idaho Code Section 33-317 to require 60% voter approval of school bonds; and
3. Supports legislative candidates who will pass legislation requiring the State of Idaho Department of Education to fund 30% of the facility and building costs of Idaho’s public schools; and
4. Demands that local city councils and the Kootenai County Commissioners work to design and implement a system of development impact fees, transfer of development rights, and land dedication to ensure adequate, accessible, and affordable land is available for public schools.

KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF REPEALING KOOTENAI COUNTY ORDINANCE 522 (BUILDING CODE OPT-OUT PROVISION)

Whereas the construction codes adopted by the State of Idaho are intended to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare of Kootenai County citizens who occupy new and existing structures;

Whereas Kootenai County’s population is growing at a rate of 2.93% and the construction, real estate, finance, and development industries benefit economically from compliance with construction codes adopted by the State of Idaho;

Whereas property values, insurance rates and financing opportunities for Kootenai County residents are negatively affected by improperly constructed building structures; and

Whereas the businesses and citizens of Kootenai County overwhelmingly voiced opposition to ordinance Options 1, 2 and 4 as presented by the Kootenai County Commissioners at a public meeting March 19, 2018; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee

1. supports the repeal of Ordinance 522 as adopted by the Kootenai County Commissioners on March 19, 2018; and

2. advocates for the adoption of Option 3 (adoption of the updated construction codes as amended by the State of Idaho) as presented by the Kootenai County Commissioners at a public hearing on March 19, 2018.

KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED ACCESS TO SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Whereas suicide was the second leading cause of death for Idahoans ages 15-34 in 2016 and Idaho had the 8th highest suicide rate in the United States in 2016;

Whereas Kootenai County suffered the loss of 22 individuals to suicide in the first seven months of 2017 and loss of life to suicide continues to be of great concern to the residents of Kootenai County;

Whereas the victims of 22.8% of suicides between 2010 and 2014 were members or former members of the armed services and in 2015 the suicide rate for veterans remained 2.1 times as high as for the non-veteran population; and

Whereas the national suicide rate has increased by 30% since 1999 and an average of 1 person committed suicide every 12 minutes between 2012 and 2016; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee

1. supports increased allocation of tax revenue to fund local mental health services and suicide prevention training for school district and criminal justice system employees in the use of the Trauma Informed Care Model;
2. encourages the distribution of suicide prevention hotline materials in local schools and public services offices;
3. advocates for offering consistent, on-going suicide prevention training for school counselors; and
4. encourages the development and funding of suicide prevention programs for local veteran’s outreach programs.

KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF HAYDEN 2018 OVERRIDE LEVY

Whereas the City of Hayden has underfunded road maintenance needs and needs $980,00 each year to maintain good road conditions for its population of 14,693 citizens;

Whereas continuing to defer the City of Hayden’s road maintenance will increase maintenance costs by $19 million over the next 20 years;

Whereas the average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is 71 and the City of Hayden’s PCI is projected to fall to 55 over the next 20 years if the current road maintenance funding levels are maintained;

Whereas the City of Hayden dedicates less than .3 of a law enforcement officer per 1000 citizens, less than the Idaho average of 1.7 law enforcement officers per 1000 citizens;

Whereas the City of Hayden needs $653,000 to attain 24 hours per day, 7 days per week law enforcement services;

Whereas an override levy will fund road maintenance and law enforcement protection and increase each $1,000 of taxable property value by only $1.27; now, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee

Advocates for the safety and security of the citizens of the City of Hayden through the passage of the City of Hayden Override Levy to fund an additional $1,633,000 for road maintenance and law enforcement needs.

Whereas the 2018 Idaho Democratic Party Platform and the Kootenai County Democrats support the full text of the Second Amendment;

Whereas the firearm-related age-adjusted mortality rate increased nearly 42% in Idaho between 2000 and 2016;

Whereas 55% of assaults in 2016 in Idaho involved firearms and each day 514 domestic violence victims in Idaho seek safety and services from community based domestic violence programs;

Whereas Idaho Legislature rejected House Bill 585 by a vote of 31-39 which would have amended Idaho Code 18-3316 to reflect federal law and prohibit those convicted of domestic violence from possessing a firearm for two years; now therefore be it

Resolved, that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee

Supports the re-introduction and passage of HB 585 to protect domestic violence victims.