State Democrats unanimously approve party platform

The Idaho Democratic Party concluded its state convention by approving the party platform and nine resolutions Sunday. 

Around 150 delegates were present during the vote, unanimously accepting all items. 

The 2024 Idaho Democratic State Convention attracted hundreds of Democrats from across Idaho. The two-day biennial gathering at the University of Idaho featured numerous workshops, community hearings and other events by many state organizations. 

But most importantly, the weekend conference affirmed the party’s values and priorities. 

Ada County Democrat Terri Pickens, vice chairperson of the party platform committee, said the party envisions an America where everyone has the freedom and opportunity to succeed by prioritizing equality and justice. 

II believes tax dollars should be invested wisely, she said, and is committed to providing access to affordable healthcare, addressing climate change and fostering an economy that works for everyone, including a living wage and workers’ rights. 

She added the party is dedicated to protecting and expanding civil rights and social justice, like LGBTQIA2S+ (the party's wording) rights, reproductive freedoms and criminal justice reform. 

It also advocates for sensible gun control measures and comprehensive immigration reform, Pickens said, while providing Idaho students with a quality education, the protection of natural resources and strengthening the nation’s democracy. 

The Democratic Party will work toward a number of reforms over the next two years. These address fields like public education, librarians and media restricted by policy makers, immigration, domestic violence survivors, women’s and reproductive rights, veterans’ health and welfare, Idaho’s democratic process and climate justice. 

Bonneville County Democrat Janice Brown, chairperson of the resolution committee, said Idaho has consistently ranked 51st in the nation in statewide education access and per-student education funding.  

The party calls upon the state Legislature to increase school funding, upgrade facilities and expand student support services, Brown said. 

Earlier this year, Brown said Gov. Brad Little signed a bill that allows people to sue libraries over content they feel is inappropriate, specifically for Idaho’s youth. She said the party stands against this legislation, and believes it is the parents’ and guardians’ responsibility to determine what is appropriate for their children. 

Since the Idaho abortion law was introduced, Brown said OB/GYN practices and hospitals have closed maternity wards. She added pregnant people have been subjected to harm as it requires out-of-state transfers to receive proper medical care. 

The Democratic Party stands against this law and calls to restore access to an evidence-based standard of medical treatments and procedures relevant to reproductive health, she said. 

It believes reproductive healthcare choices, including abortion, contraception and in vitro fertilization, should be between an individual and a provider unrestricted by legislative interference, Brown said. 

Brown said a worldwide, scientific consensus has determined the climate is warming due to the high concentration of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere from human activities over the past 150 years. She added countries like the U.S. that became wealthy through unrestricted climate pollution have a moral responsibility to reduce carbon emissions. 

She said the party advocates for actions and policies to mitigate anticipated climate impacts toward a carbon-free economy. 

The Democratic Party recognizes immigrants have contributed significantly to the U.S. economy and the social and cultural fabric, Brown said. Comprehensive immigration reform is needed, she said, to address the immigration system, ensure national security and uphold the nation’s values, fairness and opportunity. 

The party strongly supports President Joe Biden’s approach to immigration reform, which she said balances securing the border that honors America’s history as a nation of immigrants. 

Brown said many policymakers further discriminate and intimidate marginalized Idahoans by passing laws that specifically remove stories and expressions related to the LGBTQ community. 

The party supports this group, she said, and urges the federal government to continue Biden’s support for the community by enacting policies that protect and advance its rights. 

She added comprehensive nondiscrimination protections are essential to ensuring LGTBQ individuals have equal access to employment, housing, education, healthcare and public accommodations. 

A large portion of the world is at risk of domestic violence, Brown said, but Republicans in Congress did not reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act that provides federal grants dedicated to decreasing domestic violence. 

In Idaho, Little committed $600,000 to state domestic violence programs, she said. The party calls upon the governor to create ongoing dedicated state funding for state domestic violence centers. 

Brown said the party values and honors the service and sacrifices veterans have made. It supports Biden’s strides in addressing veterans’ issues, including improvements in healthcare, mental health support, housing and employment opportunities. 

The Democratic Party recognizes a responsibility to protect the democratic process, Brown said, and believes the work of strengthening American democracy is continuous. 

She added the party assures to protect and promote policies that encourage voter participation such as publishing a state-funded voter guide, expanding early in-person voting, mail-in voting, same-day voter registration and open primaries. 

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com