The Platform & Resolutions Committee (PRC) met on June 1, 2019 to consider resolutions that were submitted by a variety of counties to be considered at our convention on June 22, 2019. Odd numbered years do not allow for the usual process of resolutions being generated at the precinct level and then approved at county conventions prior to submission to the PRC.
Last Fall, 2018, the Executive Committee of SCDP approved the PRC Task Force report modifying the Instructions for developing and submitting County Resolutions to the South Carolina Democratic Party Platform and Resolutions Committee:
Review the approved South Carolina Democratic Party Platform
Resolutions approved at county conventions that are forwarded to the Platform and Resolutions Committee (PRC) must not be the same as, or similar to, the SC Platform and must align with and not detract from the essence of the Platform. Resolutions submitted that do not meet this criterion will not be considered.
Counties have the liberty of approving resolutions that are specific to the county and are not forwarded to the PRC.
All resolutions submitted to the PRC must meet the deadline that has been set.
Under these instructions the PRC reviewed six resolutions at its meeting on June 1, 2019.
- County submitted a resolution about possibly changing the rules for sex of the 1st vice chair and race of the 2nd vice chair. The Committee stated that these rules are developed at the national level, and SCDP does not have the discretion to make changes. However, the PRC acknowledges that in certain circumstances, emergencies may arise. If they do, please notify SCDP.
- Charleston County submitted a resolution entitled “Workers’ Bill of Rights.” The Committee has advised Charleston County that this already exists as part of the Platform approved in 2017.
- Lancaster County submitted a resolution suggesting that a “ad-hoc Platform Committee be formed and charged with developing a formal SC State Party Platform with policy and position planks addressing specific South Carolina issues, goals, and values…” This process already exists, but the PRC agreed that SCDP needs to make the information more readily available to Democrats in South Carolina. The PRC is recommending adding a separate ‘tab” on our website for Platform & Resolutions. In addition, the PRC will be insisting that the 2018 Resolutions be posted ASAP, and it also recommends creating a brochure or similar document that will contain in an abbreviated form of our platform & resolutions.
- Horry County submitted a resolution entitled “Zero Waste Resolution.” The PRC tabled this resolution until next year. In the meantime, the PRC encourages Horry County to address this issue with other counties in South Carolina. In addition, the PRC will write to our national DNC representatives to make sure this is addressed as the national platform is developed in 2020.
- Georgetown County submitted a resolution entitled “In Support of Public Education and Public -School Teachers.” The PRC had a lengthy discussion but decided that this is already part of our Platform and Resolutions passed in 2018.
- Beaufort County submitted a resolution about the Equal Rights Amendment. The Equal Rights Amendment has already been approved as part of our existing Platform & Resolutions.
On April 29, 2017, the South Carolina Democratic Party State Convention approved a series of resolutions pertaining to the Party Platform. Click here to read the resolutions as approved by the Convention.
One of the resolutions passed by the Convention states that the South Carolina Democratic Party adopts the National Democratic Party Platform in its entirety. Click here to read the National Democratic Party Platform.
The resolution passed by the State Convention reads:
- PROGRESSIVE DNC PLATFORM
WHEREAS, the Democratic National Convention passed the most Progressive Platform in the history of the Democratic Party.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the South Carolina Democratic Party adopts this platform in its entirety and pledges to focus on enactment on a state-wide level.
