State Party Platforms
At the local, state, and national level, political parties regularly update their party platforms, the document that sets forth their guiding principles — often during election years. Each platform begins at the grassroots, with any registered party member capable of submitting a policy belief they would like the party to support. While the process can vary slightly from state to state, and between parties, the general procedure is the same. The policy beliefs are first collected at the county level, and approved at the county convention. From there, it can move up the ladder all the way to a party’s national platform. Party platforms are an opportunity to shift the stances on important issues at every level of government.
If you are interested in participating in the platform process, several sample submissions can be found below:
Resolution:We oppose eminent domain abuse.
Rationale: Private corporations should not be encouraged to undermine the 5th Amendment. Landowners should have the right to say “Yes, please” or “No, thank you.” without the threat of eminent domain manipulating their decision making. For-profit ventures with no legitimate public benefit should not be considered a public use.
Resolution: We oppose eminent domain for private gain.
Rationale: Our land, water, and property rights must come before the profit-driven desires of private corporations. The heavy-hand of government should not be used to force people to take on unwanted risks while corporations make off with the reward.
Resolution: We oppose the investment, development and construction of pipelines involved in the carbon capture and sequestration process.
Rationale: Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is currently an unsound, unproven technology. CCS is a false solution to the climate crisis involving a continued reliance
on fossil fuels. Additionally, carbon dioxide is a corrosive substance that degrades the structural integrity of a pipeline creating a massive risk to nearby communities, including injury and death. Further, eminent domain should not be used solely for the profit of private corporations. The rights and well-being of the people must come before the private profits of massive corporations.
Resolution: We oppose the exploitation of eminent domain and the misuse of tax dollars for carbon capture and storage projects.
Rationale: CCS is proven to be a scheme from the oil & gas industry that relies on billions in federal tax subsidies, while leaving landowners and communities burdened with risks.
Resolution: We believe that the unrestricted and inappropriate use of eminent domain threatens private property rights. We oppose the use of eminent domain by private companies in place of good faith easement or purchase negotiations.
Rationale: Concerns have been expressed by landowners that pipeline companies may use the threat of eminent domain to lower offerings in negotiations for voluntary easement purchases. This pressures landowners, rather than allowing fair negotiations.
Resolution: We oppose amalgamation/integration of pore space.
Rationale: Corporations are attempting to seize subsurface property without paying just compensation as required by the United States Constitution in order to inject carbon dioxide waste underground.
