This platform represents the values and beliefs of the local Walla Walla County Democrats.

The values and beliefs in this platform are local ideas for local government by local Democrats. This platform represents the issues that Walla Walla County Democrats believe are most important and our ideas for addressing these issues.

Adopted by the Walla Walla Democratic Central Committee during the Platform Convention on August 8, 2023.

Walla Walla County Democrats believe in transparent, functional, and responsive governance.

We believe that elected public servants should hold high ideals and act with innovation, inclusivity, dignity, and honesty. We believe that our County thrives when government values and serves all people. We believe in honoring our county’s richly diverse history and investing in creating opportunities for all that want them. We believe that governance that is equitable, accessible, and inclusive is good for everyone.

Walla Walla County Democrats believe that our environment is a precious resource.

We believe that government should act to protect the environment and preserve it so that this and future generations can healthfully live, thrive, and experience it. We believe that farmers and farmworkers are at the heart of our county. We believe in investing in innovative and sustainable practices to protect the viability of the agricultural industry and its workers. We believe that all people, regardless of immigration status, deserve to be treated with respect, fairness, and human dignity.

Walla Walla County Democrats believe that the working class are the backbone of our county.

We believe that all labor has value and that all voices should be equal and heard. We believe in investing in early education and supporting working families. We believe that healthcare is a fundamental right and that all people deserve and should have access to high quality and affordable health care. We believe that our county must prioritize access to mental health care. We believe in innovative thinking and leveraging local partnerships to accomplish big ideas together.

Walla Walla County Democrats believe that fair, lawful, and accessible elections are the cornerstone of democracy.

We believe that registered voters should not experience barriers in exercising their constitutional right to vote. We believe in keeping our communities safe and continually investing in training and education that supports the fair and equitable treatment of all individuals. We believe that how we treat vulnerable and marginalized communities reflects who we are. We believe in innovative and data-informed solutions for combatting gun violence.

Walla Walla County Democrats believe in the potential of all residents and in the future of our region.

SECTION A

Walla Walla County is the birthplace of our state constitution and as such is a leader in our state when it comes to defining the course our state will follow. We recognize that building a more perfect union begins with how we treat underserved and marginalized communities at a local level.

Equity, Diversity,
and Civil Rights

.We call for:

  1. Enforcement of current hate crime and anti-discrimination laws for the sake of community unity.

  2. The passage of local anti-discrimination ordinances that build upon the protections provided in Federal and State law.

  3. Greater investment from local government in outreach to marginalized communities in Walla Walla County to promote increased participation in government from every part of our community.

  4. Expansion of programs at a local level that promote cultural competency training and coordination with advocacy groups.

  5. Increased funding for infrastructure in historically underserved areas of our county and its cities.

  6. Proclamations at a local level that recognize culturally significant holidays and events.

SECTION B

Economic Growth and Development

We recognize that a true free market system is one where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and where strong protections are in place to prevent abuse, fraud, and exploitation of workers. We also recognize that support for local business is fundamental to the growth of our region.

We call for:

  1. Pro-growth policies that encourage the development of more living wage jobs across the county.

  2. Policies which balance the economic needs of our families such as access to childcare, healthcare, housing, and transportation while preserving our unique county identity.

  3. Ordinances that incentivize owners of buildings, particularly in our towns and cities to use or rent their spaces to avoid long term vacancies.

  4. Greater infrastructure development to facilitate our county’s continued growth.

  5. Policies that provide a smooth transition between county and municipal development.

SECTION C

Healthcare

We believe that healthcare is a basic human right. All people deserve access to high quality affordable mental and physical healthcare. We recognize that our local healthcare system is under stress, and that local policy must focus on attracting providers, promoting health, and wellness.

We call for:

  1. A healthcare system that respects all people and their right to bodily autonomy.

  2. A healthcare system that ensures all decisions remain between a patient and their healthcare provider.

  3. Evidence based practices that are supported by science.

  4. Policies that relieve stress on our local healthcare system by incentivizing service providers to relocate to our county.

  5. Access to reproductive care and recognition that women have sole authority over their bodies and the decisions that impact them.

  6. Strong public health to protect and serve the community.

  7. Greater investment from local government in partnering with state, private, and  community-based organizations to strengthen the health safety net for all citizens residents in Walla Walla County.

  8. We call for Policies that prioritize access to mental health care.

SECTION D

Elections

We believe that free and fair elections are the foundation of our country. We hold that the right to vote is sacred and belongs to every citizen.

We call for:

  1. Election accessibility and promote the continued practice of early voting and free postage for mail in ballots.

  2. Local government to evaluate the need for increased drop boxes and other means of improving ballot access across the county.

  3. Election forms and literature to be available in multiple languages. including Spanish and Russian.

  4. Local election officials to fully comply with Federal law and the Washington State Voting Rights Act.

  5. Improving Expanded voter registration through education.

  6. Policies that encourage participation, especially in marginalized communities.

SECTION E

Criminal Justice

We believe it is essential to prioritize public safety while striving for a criminal justice system that offers fair and equitable treatment to all individuals.

We call for:

  1. The support of judicial discretion in determining appropriate sentences.

  2. Local attention and training to reduce racial disparities.

  3. Coordination with state and local organizations to understand and address social and economic factors that contribute to crime.

  4. Efforts to decrease recidivism rates through access to education, job training, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and employment opportunities.

  5. Measures to improve law enforcement training and accountability, including body cameras, diversifying law enforcement agency staff, strengthening citizen oversight boards, and use of deceleration de-escalation techniques to protect civilians and law enforcement personnel.

  6. Swift and comprehensive review of misconduct, racial profiling, and excessive use of force consistent with current state law.

SECTION F

Agriculture

We believe that agriculture is critical to our community’s economy, culture, and future. Farmers and farm workers are the stewards of our land and water. We honor the contributions that have been made by farmers and farm workers.

We call for:

  1. Support for family farms, encouraging innovation, and eliminating barriers to fair trade and transportation of commodities.

  2. Local governments to increase involvement with state and local organizations who are working toward the elimination of hunger.

  3. Local authorities to engage with producers when discussing and making decisions on water rights, and the ethical use of water in our county.

  4. Local officials to support research funding at WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) to give farmers the tools required to survive climate change.

  5. Local investment in WSDOT rail resources to create a viable alternative to the dams and barging grain.

  6. Local officials to advocate for continued funding of the Sustainable Farms and Fields program housed in the Washington State Conservation Commission, along with funding of the Soil Health Initiative at WSU with an emphasis on field demonstration of agronomic and financial performance.

SECTION G

Immigration

We believe that all people, regardless of their country of origin or immigration status deserve to be treated fairly, respectfully, and with dignity. We honor the legacy immigrant labor and acknowledge the contribution that has been made to our country. We believe that immigrants make our community stronger, prosperous, and more beautiful.

We call for:

  1. Our local governments to actively and consistently partner with community and state organizations to support our immigrant community.

  2. Continued cooperation between local law enforcement and members of the immigrant community to promote improved understanding and mutual respect.

  3. Support for culturally important events and celebrations

  4. Local social services to make information accessible to undocumented communities.

  5. Local officials to advocate for increased funding for local ESL programs.

SECTION H

Tribal Relations and Sovereignty

We believe in the unique and valuable history and cultural relationships of the lands, waterways, usual and accustomed areas which are highly valued among the sovereign Tribal Nations.

We call for:

  1. Recognition that our county occupies tribal land.

  2. Ensuring a lasting and respectful relationship with Tribal Nations.

  3. Opposition to all attempts to diminish tribal sovereignty, tribal culture, natural resources, health care, or the general welfare of tribes.

  4. Acknowledgement that Federal Trust responsibility extends beyond Tribal Reservation borders.

Gun Safety

SECTION I

We call for:

  1. Continued support of state and federal public health organizations to investigate and compile data on gun violence.

  2. Initiatives that promote responsible gun ownership and education

  3. Law enforcement and the courts to enforce current gun safety law

  4. Policies that restrict access to firearms for people who intend to harm themselves or others, especially vulnerable populations, such as our school children.

We believe in a balanced approach respectful of preserving the Second Amendment while decreasing preventable gun violence and death. Gun violence is an urgent, complex, and multifaceted problem. It requires evidence-based, multifaceted solutions. We believe that, at our core, all Americans recognize the problem of gun violence and support solutions to eliminate it.

SECTION J

Environment, Climate, and Sustainability

We believe that climate change is an urgent problem. We should prioritize proactive measures to protect and sustain the environment, promote clean energy, and address climate change while striving for equitable outcomes and social justice in environmental policy. We recognize that fighting climate change is essential for not only our survival, but also for our region’s prosperity into the future.

We call for:

  1. Policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy

  2. County leadership to enact cost saving policies that will lower carbon emissions. This may include clean energy incentives, support for recycling programs, county service vehicles transitioning to EV technology, and encourage the development of solar energy.

  3. Support for conservation and preservation of natural areas, working to protect public lands, national parks, and wildlife habitats from exploitation or harmful activities.

  4. Strengthening local standards for industries, energy production, and waste management to prevent pollution and promote sustainability.

  5. Evaluation of planting practices anticipating higher temperatures and promote further study on making the watershed more fire resistant.

  6. Striving for equitable environmental policies that address disparities and ensure that vulnerable populations are not disproportionately affected by pollution or environmental degradation.

SECTION K

We believe that access to housing is a basic human right, and that it should be available to all. We recognize that there are multiple causes of homelessness, and that housing is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive policy approach.

We call for:

  1. Continued implementation of the Walla Walla Regional Action Housing Plan.

  2. Policies that incentivize developers to create housing developments that are affordable for families that make less than our county’s median income.

  3. Increased partnership between local government and advocacy organizations such as the Walla Walla Alliance for the Homelessness.

  4. Greater investment in outreach services that focus on homeless people living in shelters or on the street to help evaluate their needs and guide them towards available resources.

  5. Greater investment in rental assistance programs and home improvement grants.

  6. Policies which balance compassion for unhoused people with public safety.

  7. Increased funding for the Walla Walla Housing Authority.

  8. Expanded funding for programs that address youth homelessness.

Housing and Homelessness

SECTION L

Education

We believe education is a fundamental human right accessible to all.  We recognize what is taught to our children should reflect the values of our country and instill in our children critical thinking skills, the value of tolerance and the desire to challenge themselves.  We respect parental rights and believe they must be balanced with free and accessible public education standards and requirements.

We call for:

  1. Policies that create curious lifelong learners.

  2. Policies that respect all parents’ right to decide for their children.

  3. Continued investment in early childhood education

  4. Protecting and increasing funding for K-12 and post-secondary education to increase accessibility.

  5. Policies that respect educators’ sacrifice and dedication to our children.