Author: Dylan Workman

Resolution 001
Resolution to Encourage the South Dakota Government to Fund a Statewide ACT
Test for All 11th Grade Students
WHEREAS, the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, the
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Southeast Technical Institute,
Augustana University, Black Hills State University, and Mount Marty College all
require either ACT or SAT test scores as part of their acceptance process, and,
WHEREAS, the South Dakota Democratic Party supports legislation which
guarantees equal access to all education opportunities, and
WHEREAS, it is the State of South Dakotas duty to help all its citizens reach their
highest potential, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Democratic Party encourages the state
legislative and executive branches to establish a statewide holiday in which all 11 th
grade students to take the ACT or SAT, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforementioned testing be provided
through state funding, free of charge to said students.

Author: Mark Winegar

Resolution 002
Resolution Regarding Ethics in Governance
WHEREAS the reputation of the state has been tarnished by recent scandals,
NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Democratic Party calls for greater
transparency in government and an ethics commission.

Author: Mark Winegar

Resolution 003
Resolution Regarding Gender Equality
WHEREAS, females are a significant portion of the population and make
significant contributions to the quality of life, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Democratic Party calls for gender
equality in all aspects of life including wages and salaries.

Source: Agriculture and Rural Life Subcommittee

Resolution 004
Resolution to urge the State of South Dakota to use Premium fuel blend E-30
in all state non flex-fuel vehicles.
Whereas, doubling ethanols current demand will add hundreds of millions of new
wealth to agricultural resources, associated businesses, and create thousands of
jobs;
Whereas, wide acceptance of ethanols high octane, low carbon premium blend E30 will double demand for ethanol;
Whereas, E-30 replacing gasolines benzene related octane will slash benzene and
related known human carcinogenic tail pipe emissions adversely effecting us;
Whereas, petroleum octanes emissions are todays neurotoxic equivalent to lead
and like lead, especially harms on our youngest children;
Whereas, E-30s higher octane and oxygen content assure a cleaner burn reducing
carbon deposits extending engine like;
Whereas, other states have followed our installation of blender pumps and ethanol
plan building boom;
Whereas, most importantly auto manufacturers followed South Dakotas creation
of the nations first E-85 flex fuel auto by producing their own versions.
Therefore, South Dakota can lead other states to challenge EPAs misperceptions
that E-30 will damage non flex-fuel vehicle engines and is illegal to use in non
flex-fuel vehicles;
Therefore, South Dakota would set a precedent by being the first state to put stateowned vehicles on E-30. NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved, that the South Dakota Democratic Party will seek bipartisan support
and our governors support to put all state owned non flex-fuel vehicles on
Premium E-30.

Author: Tribal and Native American Subcommittee

Resolution 005
Resolution Regarding Indian Health Service Funding
WHEREAS, the Indian Health Service is traditionally underfunded and frequently
runs out of annual funding well before the end of the fiscal year, and
WHEREAS, other federally-funded services such as the Veterans Administration
and Bureau of Prisons are funded near 100 percent of need, NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Democratic Party call upon Congress to
fund the Indian Health Service at 100 percent of need.

Author: Tribal and Native American Subcommittee

Resolution 006
Resolution Supporting the Expansion of Medicaid
WHEREAS, 50,000 South Dakotans still do not have affordable healthcare, and
WHEREAS, expanded Medicaid would increase funding for Indian Health Service
facilities, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Dakota Democratic Party call upon the South
Dakota Legislature to expand Medicaid.

Author: Kristina McSweeney

Resolution 007
Resolution in Support of Marijuana Legalization
Whereas: South Dakota law prohibits the possession and usage of marijuana, and
Whereas: The existing South Dakota marijuana laws violate the commitment to
meeting every individual's basic human rights to promote respect for diverse
lifestyles and viewpoints and to live in a community without fear of discrimination,
and
Whereas: The medical benefits of marijuana would help countless South Dakotans
who suffer from Glaucoma, Parkinsons Disease, seizure disorders, multiple
sclerosis, chronic pain, various psycho-physiological disorders, and many other
conditions, and
Whereas: The existing marijuana laws inhibit economic growth and opportunity,
and now therefore be it
Resolved: That the South Dakota Democratic Party supports regulation and
taxation of marijuana in a manner similar to that of alcohol, and be it
Further Resolved: That the South Dakota Democratic Party urges state and federal
governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution
of marijuana to all medical marijuana patients, and be it
Further Resolved: That the South Dakota Democratic Party supports the
legalization of industrial hemp which can be grown and used to produce renewable
food, oil, wax, resin, rope, cloth, paper, and fuel in support of a sustainable fullemployment society.

Author/Source: Miller Cannizzaro

Resolution 008
Resolution to urge the legislature to appropriate funds for public defenders.
WHEREAS, a right to counsel is provided by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to
the United States Constitution, and
WHEREAS, a right to counsel is similarly provided by Article VI 7. of the South
Dakota Constitution, and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Gideon v.
Wainwright (1963) that defendants have a right to an attorney at no cost the
accused, and
WHEREAS, the State of South Dakota currently provides indigent defendants
attorneys at a cost of ninety-two dollars per hour, NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved, that the South Dakota Democratic Party encourage the South
Dakota Legislature to fully fund public defenders as prescribed by the United
States Constitution, the South Dakota constitution and the Supreme Court of the
United States.

Author: Ray Ring and Kathy Tyler

Resolution 009
Resolution Regarding Evaluating the Fairness of South Dakotas Tax
Structure
WHEREAS, South Dakotas tax structure has not been evaluated in detail for more
than 25 years; NOW THEREFORE,
Be it resolved, that the South Dakota Democratic Party supports an in-depth study
of the states tax structure, looking for greater incentives for economic
development with lower taxes on lower-income individuals.

Author: Ray Ring and Kathy Tyler

Resolution 010
Personal Conscience Resolution
WHEREAS, we recognize that members of our party have deeply held and
sometimes differing views on issues of personal conscience; NOW THEREFORE,
Be it resolved, that the South Dakota Democratic Party recognizes that individual
members have a right to abide by their conscience on difficult issues and are
welcome participants at every level of the party.

Author: Jim Powers / Labor & Employment Committee

Resolution 011
Resolution to Urge the South Dakota Democratic Party to support the passage
of Initiated Measure 23.

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Democratic Party supports the rights of South
Dakotans to organize and collectively bargain, and
WHEREAS, the South Dakota Democratic Party recognizes that organized labor is
essential to improving life in South Dakota, and,
WHEREAS, all workers benefit from union representation in the
workplace, NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved, that the South Dakota Democratic Party encourage all South
Dakotans support the passage of Initiated Measure 23. An initiated measure to
give certain organizations the right to charge fees.

Author: Paul Thronson

Resolution 012
Resolution to support legislation that protects employees from wrongful and
improper termination
WHEREAS, The investment by ownership in human resources through careful
selection of qualified employees and the maintenance of good relations with such
employees over the long term results in mutual economic benefit, and
WHEREAS, When employees and employers cooperate for mutual benefit, the
result is the stabilization of competitive wage rates and working conditions within
and between industries, in addition to an optimal flow of goods and services, and
WHEREAS, The retention of supervisors who rely on intimidation and/or
manipulation of their employees can result in less costly management that may be
effective short term, but in the long term distresses workers, commerce, and
community, and
WHEREAS, The deliberate depression of fair wages by ownership through the
unfair discharge of tenured employees in favor of unexperienced low wage
employees might be effective short term, but in the long term distresses workers,
commerce, and community, and
WHEREAS, The protection for employees from wrongful termination, whether
through incompetence or general practice, is fairly balanced with an employer's
need for protection from employee poor performance, and
WHEREAS, That states such as Montana have provided statutory protection from
wrongful discharge since 1987 with positive economic results. Therefore, be it
RESOLVED, For the betterment of workers, community, and commerce, the South
Dakota Democratic Party calls for the support of legislation that protects
employees from wrongful and improper termination by their employer after a
certain probationary period, set by the employer but to be no longer than 6 months.

Author: Jim Powers / Labor & Employment Committee

Resolution 013

Resolution Opposing Referred Law 20.

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Democratic Party supports equal pay for all
workers, and
WHEREAS, the citizens of South Dakota voted to support an increased minimum
wage for all, NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved, that the South Dakota Democratic Party oppose REFERRED LAW
20, an act to establish a youth minimum wage.

Author: Ali Moran and Nancy Hilding

Resolution 014
Resolution Regarding Sacred Sites
WHEREAS, the Black Hills are sacred to many native nations; and
WHEREAS, Bear Butte, located in Meade County, Pe Sla located in Pennington
County and other Native American sacred sites, are of special
spiritual convocation;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Democratic Party
supports the protection and preservation of Bear Butte, Pe Sla, other Native
Americans sacred sites and their immediate surrounding areas for future
generations.

Author: Mary Claus and Miller Cannizzaro

Resolution 015
Resolution condemning the use of the justice system to generate revenue
WHEREAS, the justice system has used fees, court fines, and programs to generate
revenue at the expense of civil rights, and due process and
WHEREAS, specific groups have been profiled, resulting in the victimization of
by the court of transient and economically challenged citizens and
WHEREAS, this victimization has been ordered by courts without specific
sentencing of a crime and
WHEREAS, the judicial system has been unchallenged and unaccountable in this
abuse, NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved, that the South Dakota Democratic Party condemns this abuse of
justice, encourages greater awareness of corruption of justice, and recommends a
study of the system to identify issues present in the justice system.

Author: Dylan Workman

Resolution 016
Resolution to Advocate for the Lowering the South Dakota State Legislative
Age Requirement from 21 to 18
WHEREAS, South Dakota law currently requires legislative candidates to be 21
years of age, and
WHEREAS, candidacy age requirements discourage both political activism and
voting among younger generations, and
WHEREAS, young voters increase the electability of all Democratic candidates,
NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Democratic Party supports lowering the
candidacy age requirement for the State Legislature from 21 to 18 years of age,
AND
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Party encourages Democrats in the State
Legislature to introduce legislation that will propose an amendment to the South
Dakota State Constitution to lower the candidacy age requirement.

Author: Ina Winter

Resolution 017

Resolution to call on the South Dakota State Legislature to write all laws in
gender neutral language

WHEREAS, the South Dakota statutes apply to all South Dakota citizens
regardless of gender, and
WHEREAS, the South Dakota population includes more than the male gender, and
WHEREAS, the 2016 US Democratic Party Presumptive Presidential nominee is
not a male, and
WHEREAS, progress has been made in including all genders in society as a whole,
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Dakota Democratic Party call for the use of
non-gender language in the formation of future laws and the existing statutes be
corrected to the gender-neutral form as appropriate.

Author/Source: Sara Gran

Resolution 018
Resolution Calling for Policies that Provide Adequate Healthcare to All
People Deemed Wards of the State of South Dakota
WHEREAS, there is currently a shortage of healthcare staff, including behavioral
health, employed by the state of South Dakota to provide adequate diagnoses and
treatment of physical and mental health conditions in state-run facilities, and
WHEREAS, there is not currently adequate funding for state-run facilities, to
provide adequate services, i.e., nursing, dental, substance abuse, psychiatrists, and
mental health counselors, and,
WHEREAS, there is not adequate funding to help sustain treatment services and
medication plans upon being discharged from state-run facilities, and
WHEREAS, People who are able to have their health issues identified and treated
accurately are less likely to commit crimes and/or recidivate back into state-run
facilities, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, the South Dakota Democratic Party calls upon the South
Dakota Legislature to enact legislation which requires higher standards for early
identification of needs treatment and programs that help sustain positive outcomes.

Author: Nancy Hilding

Resolution 019
Resolution Advocating the Adoption of Medicare for All
WHEREAS, insurance companies make profit from insurance sales, thus
increasing the cost of medical care, and
WHEREAS, the state is capable of managing insurance just as well as insurance
companies, without having to give profits to investors, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Democratic Party believes the
Affordable Care Act is just a stepping stone to a better future solution, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Party believes that for a better future the
federal government should take over management of health care financing and
benefits as advocated by "Medicare for All" proponents and encourages the
Democratic National Convention to embrace the vision of the "Medicare for All
policy that has been advocated by Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Authors: Mary Claus and Sarah Gran

Resolution 020
Resolution to identify proper placement for criminals and mental health
patients
Whereas, there is no adequate system in place to properly identify mental health
patients versus criminals, and
Whereas, mental health patients should not be held in jails and violent criminals
should not be held in a mental care facility, and
Whereas, resolution supporting that all people have the opportunity for
identification and attempted treatment of any mental health conditions is provided,
and
Whereas, accurate diagnoses and treatment reduces recidivism, and
Whereas, high number of inmates with mental health issues could be treated in the
community, and
Whereas, inmates having several contradicting diagnoses by multiple doctors need
collaboration within the system, and
Whereas, criminals with violent and dangerous behavior should not be housed in
mental health care facilities but placed in adequate security with professionally
trained staff, and
Whereas, citizens incarcerated with mental health issues should not be housed in
the criminal justice system, NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that, the South Dakota Democratic Convention strongly
recommends a study and legislation submitted to improve this issue.