Approved by the Walla Walla County Convention on April 8, 2006
written by the Committee on Platform, Commendations and Resolutions

Michael Fredrickson, Chairperson
David G. Carey
Skyler Rude
Frank Brown
Daniel F. Nims
Tim Donaldson
Sheryl Cox



Table of Contents

Preamble

Section 1.0 – Taxation

Section 2.0 – Governmental Fiscal Policy

Section 3.0 – Trade and Economic Affairs

Section 4.0 – Law and Justice

Section 5.0 – International affairs

Section 6.0 – National Affairs, State, and Local Affairs

Section 7.0 – Republican Party Affairs

Section 8.0 – Commendations

Section 9.0 – Resolutions



PREAMBLE
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We, the Republicans of the County of Walla Walla, believe that all men and women are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights and these rights must not be removed or restricted by government.

We believe in good government is based on the individual and that each person’s ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored and recognized.

We believe in free enterprise and the encouragement of individual initiative and incentive have given this nation an economic system second to none.

We believe that a sound fiscal policy should be our goal.

We believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all persons.

We believe we must retain those principles of the past worth retaining, yet always be receptive to new ideas with an outlook broad enough to accommodate thoughtful change and varying points of view.

We believe in American values that preserve the feeling of national strength and pride, and at the same time-share with people everywhere a desire for peace and freedom and the extension of human rights throughout the world.

Finally, we believe that the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideas into positive and successful principles of government.

We, therefore, believe the Republican Party of Walla Walla County has the twin objectives of attracting voters to the party by projecting a positive image as the party for individual worth, achievement, fulfillment, and therefore of being the “people-oriented” Party; and of electing Republicans to public office to carry out these policies.

We are determined to keep our party open and to extend a hearty welcome to all who agree with the broader Republican ideals listed above. Thus, we do adopt the following Republican platform and resolutions.




Section 1.0 TAXATION
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1.1 We believe taxation must be at reasonable and affordable levels.

1.2 We believe tax-favored investment policies should be directed at providing an incentive for increased expansion of the private sector and therefore the creation of jobs.

1.3 We believe taxation should be programmed to provide incentives for individuals to be thrifty. Persons should be encouraged to increase their personal financial well-being, not penalized for so doing.

1.4 We believe the imposition of taxation should be based on sound fiscal principles and not on political expediency.

1.5 We support policies allowing persons to retain the fruits of their labor and be able to transfer this to other persons, not to governments.

1.6 We believe that, as mandated programs are imposed upon local governments by the state government, federal government or judicial branch of government, the funding for said programs or the means to obtain said funding be provided as well.

1.7 We consider the present state Business and Occupation Tax to be onerous especially for new businesses, and therefore urge that a revised Business and Occupation Tax law be enacted which provides for a revised tax to be levied based upon profit residuals.

1.8 We support congressional efforts to simplify our income tax system.

1.9 We believe that the current “death tax” does not allow for individuals to retain the fruits of their labor and is an abuse of the tax system and we support the permanent repeal of estate tax.



Section 2.0 GOVERNMENTAL FISCAL POLICIES
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2.1 We believe in a balanced budget requirement at all levels of government.

2.2 We deplore wasteful spending practices and encourage competitive bidding, with stringent accountability and justification of monies spent.

2.3 We oppose the current system of requiring a state wide prevailing wage to be paid on governmental projects and that this be replaced by a local area market wage rate.

2.4 We support and encourage continued efforts to control expenditures and provide sound funding for Social Security and its ancillary programs. All funds collected for the Social Security fund shall remain in that fund to be expended only for defined Social Security functions.

2.5 We encourage the federal government to disburse the trust funds collected for specific purposes to the entities entitled to those trust funds in a timely manner.

2.6 We encourage incentive plans to reward government agencies that spend under their budget.

2.7 We believe when governmental regulations cause economic hardship on a lower level of government, the regulating level shall relieve the affected level of said economic hardship.

2.8 We believe that all levels of government should start the budget process with a “zero line” budget and/or a budget that starts at the previous years levels.

2.9 We support the Initiative 601 spending caps.

2.10 We strongly support a new minimum wage structure that does not grow automatically on an annual basis and limit new job growth in the State of Washington.



Section 3.0 TRADE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
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3.1 We believe in free enterprise and an open market system.

3.2 We strongly oppose the removal of, or breaching of, Snake River dams and Columbia River dams.

3.3 We propose removal of all river nets, along with compensation for income loss, for a four-year period to determine the effects of this practice on salmon runs on the Columbia River.

3.4 We support efforts to conserve energy, keep energy costs reasonable, and develop alternative sources of affordable energy.

3.5 We strongly oppose increases to the Bonneville Power Administration rate structure.

3.6 We strongly believe the Endangered Species Act should be amended to require the incorporation of economic factors in reaching a balanced decision for the preservation of a species.

3.7 We support policies to encourage individual enterprise and entrepreneurship.

3.8 We support efforts to develop fair foreign trade.

3.9 We support prudent deregulation to foster competition in the market place.

3.10 We support programs designed to reduce unemployment by creating jobs in the private sector.

3.11 We strongly support and encourage the expansion of State Highway 12, from two lanes to four lanes, from the Tri-Cities to Walla Walla; to save lives and support continued economic development.

Section 4.0 LAW AND JUSTICE
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4.1 We support those programs designed to protect the victim to the same extent as the protection of the accused.

4.2 We believe in equal constitutional rights for all persons.

4.3 We believe the right to privacy is integral to our free society and deplore the dissemination of personal information without the consent of the individual.

4.4 We need to curtail any and all terrorist activity in the United States and around the world, but we, as American citizens, cannot afford to do so at the risk of surrendering our constitutional rights.

4.5 We encourage the state and federal legislatures to consider methods to assure that only competent persons are placed and retained in judicial positions, and procedures established for prompt removal of incompetent or unfit persons.

4.6 We implore the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government to remain within their constitutional boundaries and not attempt to usurp the powers of each other’s branch of government or expand their powers beyond those provided to them by the constitution.

4.7 We believe that the appointment and confirmation of federal judges be based strictly upon their judicial qualifications, decisions and merits, not on a political agenda.

4.8 We strongly support the division of the 9th Circuit of Appeals Court.

4.9 We commend law enforcement agencies at all levels for their efforts to control the illegal drug trade, and support their current efforts to apprehend those involved in the illegal drug trade.

4.10 We support stronger penalties for those convicted of participation in the delivery or use of illegal drugs, repeat offenders, and sex offenders.

4.11 We uphold the right of law-abiding citizens of the United States to keep and bear arms as intended by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

4.12 We believe all governmental agencies must be required to follow the basic legal precept that all persons be considered innocent until proven guilty.



Section 5.0 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
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5.1 We believe all persons have the right of self-determination and deplore the imposition of the will of a minority upon a majority.

5.2 We believe the United States must lead in the fight for democracy and freedom, and cannot shirk from hard decisions and actions to foster democratic governments and human liberty.

5.3 We believe diplomacy, not force, is the preferred method of settlement for disputes. We also recognize not all governments agree with these methods and must be dealt with accordingly.

5.4 We commend and support the continuing Republican policies, which have resulted, and will continue to result, in expanded freedoms and democracy throughout the world.

5.5 We believe the United States Constitution supersedes that of the United Nations Charter.

5.6 We support all efforts to strengthen our national borders and policies to prevent all illegal immigration, and oppose taxpayer funded benefits to illegal immigrants.

5.7 We support a properly run program for documented guest workers.

5.8 We support the continued war on terrorism throughout the world to protect Americans and American way of life.

Section 6.0 NATIONAL AFFAIRS, STATE, AND LOCAL AFFAIRS
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6.1 We support a strong national defense and demand our leaders provide this in a reasonable, cost effective and responsible manner.

6.2 We support and encourage efforts to continue the reduction and eventual elimination of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons throughout the world.

6.3 We support necessary reforms to reduce costs, increase availability and allow transferability of health care programs. We oppose any governmental health plan which poses significant increases in general or specific taxes, mandated fees, mandated participation or reductions in personal choice regarding an individual’s health care.

6.4 We strongly support medical tort reform to help insure the rights of the public to affordable health insurance.

6.5 We support a strong agricultural economy as the foundation of our nation, and encourage policies to support the family farm.

6.6 We support protection of our environment and conservation of natural resources commensurate with reasonable economic considerations.

6.7 We urge legislators to assure regulations passed promoting safety for workers and the environment that does not oppress individuals and/or businesses to the point of endangering America’s commerce and food supply.

6.8 Believing in individual freedom, we oppose compulsory membership by any group.

6.9 We believe that society has a moral obligation to assist those in need and to strive to get them to a productive position as soon as possible.

6.10 We believe in the traditional family unit as the basis for a strong society and government should foster, not hinder, the integrity of the traditional family unit through regulatory and fiscal practices.

6.11 We believe that God is an integral part of the fabric of our nation and that “Under God” needs to be included in the Pledge of Allegiance.

6.12 We continue to support efforts to reform our existing welfare system to enable people to become self-sufficient and productive members of society.

6.13 We affirm our support for the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution regarding protection of private property rights, and insist that regulations for the public use be accompanied by just and equitable compensation when those regulations cause loss of use and/or value of private property.

6.14 No regulation shall be enforceable until coordinated with uniform interpretation and compliance by all affected and enforcement agencies.

6.15 We believe in reasonable regulations, based on sound fiscal bases, for multiple land use, control of toxins, irrigation and environmental protection.

6.16 We support a competency based, internationally competitive, educational system with an equal opportunity for all students to pursue their career choice.

6.17 We support the concept of an adequate basic education for all students, but oppose the judicial or legislative branch of government limiting how far above this level we may choose to provide for our children, believing this should be a local decision.

6.18 We believe that the state government should reevaluate their definition of basic education since evidence indicates the current definition is inadequate.

6.19 We support programs providing for special needs and/or exceptional children on an equal basis.

6.20 We support an appropriate reserve fund for the State of Washington.

6.21 We reaffirm our support for existing efforts between city and county governments to effect efficiencies and cost savings.

6.22 We support President Bush in his call for a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

6.23 We strongly oppose binding arbitration for public employees.

6.24 We support the State of Washington fully funding its pension obligations.



Section 7.0 REPUBLICAN PARTY AFFAIRS
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7.1 We reaffirm that the Republican Party should broaden its constituent base to include all people who agree with the Republican Party statement of principles.

7.2 We call for Party members to unite behind the basic Republican Party principles of small government, local control, and individual freedoms while respecting divergent opinions on other important issues.

7.3 We believe the Republican Party of Walla Walla County is and will continue to be an effective vehicle for persons to band together and be a force in setting public policy.

7.4 We pledge our support and efforts for the election of all Republican candidates in the general election. We endorse the candidacy of persons for nonpartisan offices who evidence belief in Republican Party principles.



Section 8.0 COMMENDATIONS
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8.1 President of the United States
We commend and thank our President George W. Bush for his effective representation.

8.2 U.S. Congresswoman Commendation
We commend and thank our United States Congresswoman Cathy McMorris for her effective representation.

8.3 State Senate Commendation
We commend and thank our State Senator Michael Hewitt for his effective representation.

8.4 State House Commendation
We commend and thank our State Representative Maureen Walsh for her effective representation.

8.5 County Commissioners Commendation
We commend and thank our County Commissioners, Gregory Tompkins, David Carey, and Gregg Loney, for their many years of service and dedication to the Walla Walla County Republican Party.

8.6 Local Elected Officials Commendation
We commend and thank all our local Republican elected officials, County Assessor Bill Vollendorff, County Auditor Karen Martin, County Clerk Kathy Martin, County Coroner Frank Brown, County Prosecuting Attorney James Nagle, and County Sheriff J. Michael Humphreys, along with County Treasurer Gordon Heimbigner, for their years of service and dedication furthering Republican ideals in Walla Walla County.

8.7 State Committeewoman Commendation
We commend and thank Betty Hershman for her representation of Walla Walla County Republican Party at the state level along with her service on the State Executive Board.

8.8 State Committeeman Commendation
We commend and thank Michael Fredrickson for his representation of Walla Walla County Republican Party at the state level.

8.9 County Chairperson Commendation
We commend and thank Jim Johnson for his leadership of the Walla Walla County Republican Party.

8.10 Central Committee Officers Commendations
We commend and thank the officers of the Walla Walla County Republican Central Committee for their service and dedication to the Walla Walla County Republican Party.

8.11 Precinct Committee Officers
We commend and thank the PCO’s their service and dedication to the Walla Walla County Republican Party.

8.12 Commissions, Boards, and Appointed Positions
A special thanks to all of the Republicans that are involved in the volunteer local, state, and federal commissions, boards, and appointed positions to help foster Republican ideals at all levels of government.



Section 9.0 RESOLUTIONS
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9.1 Recommended for Acceptance

RESOLVED THAT, a copy of this platform and this resolution shall be sent to the following officials by the Chairperson of this convention:

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris
State Senator Michael Hewitt
State Representative Maureen Walsh
County Commissioner David Carey
County Commissioner Gregg Loney
County Commissioner Gregory Tompkins
Mayor Dominic Elia and Members of the Walla Walla City Council
Mayor Ed Ammon and Members of the College Place City Council
Mayor Marty Dunn and Members of the Waitsburg Town Council
Mayor Libby McCaw and Members of the Prescott Town Council
State Republican Chairman Diane Teblius