The Washington State Democratic Party held its annual convention over the weekend in Wenatchee. The Party met to review committee work and vote on the adoption of its 2018 platform.  Additional weekend activities included committee meetings, mixers and a Rise and Run training presented in partnership with the National Democratic Training Committee to train and orient potential candidates for what is anticipated to be a hard fought election cycle.

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The proposed draft platform circulated ahead of the convention included several updates to the 2016 platform that address our current political climate. Here is a brief rundown of some notable changes expected to be adopted by the party:

Agriculture – Calls for rapid phase out of subsidies to large and corporate farms and development of a guest worker program.

Corporate Power – Condemns corporate citizenship and advocates limits on corporate political spending.

Energy – Supports development of a distributed energy smart grid and a commitment for the state to become net-carbon zero by 2050.

Government – Emphasizes open and transparent access to elections and data through voter rights laws and increased public disclosure requirements.

Health Care – Renews support for a single-payer health system as well as for ACA reforms.

Additionally the proposed platform would add some new policy prongs.

Foreign Policy – Calls on the federal government to fully fund the State Department, to honor ratified treaties like the Geneva and Vienna conventions, and to act in accordance with the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Housing Justice – Supports a major increase in funding for rental assistance and construction of affordable housing, as well as a repeal of restrictions on rent control.

Human and Civil Rights – Calls on the federal government to end its policy that separates families at the borders.

Reducing Gun Violence – Advocates beefed up background checks, raising the age for gun purchases to 21 or all weapons, and requiring safety training classes to purchase firearms.

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