Progress for Progressive Democrats

From Charlotte Roybal, Progressive Democratic Caucus:

A lot more happened at the Democratic Party of New Mexico State Central Committee meeting on April 23, 2005 than John Wertheim’s election. As each elected official spoke at the dais, they all acknowledged the new and different faces that were in the audience and got elected to State Central Committee.

Where did this come from? Well, for the past few months Democrats across the state who never before participated in party politics have decided to take action. They have joined forces with many long time faces in the Democratic Party in New Mexico because they have decided that they want to have a voice in the democratic party and have a vote on resolutions, platform and eventually the candidates that run for office.

To do this, people from across the state ran in their precincts, wards, and state central committee in order to have a vote and a voice. These people want their party back. They do not want our elected Democrats moving to the middle or right.

A resolution to “Bring the Troops Home” was written and submitted through precincts, wards and counties. San Juan, Sandoval, Bernalillo, Taos, Santa Fe and Los Alamos passed this resolution at each of their county meetings. As it passed through the State Resolutions Committee, progressives knew we were making a statement. On Saturday in Socorro, the resolution to Bring The Troops Home was passed in New Mexico. There is a resolution in Congress sponsored by Representative Lynn Woolsey which 43 congress man have already signed on with their support.

“We hope Tom Udall will consider signing on now that the DPNM has passed such a resolution. “ Our Congressman has always been known to listen to people in our communities,” said Paul Stokes of Sandoval County.

At the California State Convention of the Democratic Party last week, a similar action was taken.  It has also passed in Vermont. There is a movement across America to take action and become part of the Democratic Party infrastructure.

Bernalillo County had passed a resolution to support a living wage in communities in New Mexico. It was not brought before the state central committee so it was brought up from the floor on Saturday. There was reluctance to bring this forward at the State Resolutions Committee Meeting and at the Socorro Meeting but it was finally added to the packet of resolutions. Another additional resolution was brought forward from the floor by Giovanna Rossi Director of PRO- CHOICE  NM, regarding a woman’s right to choose.

Progressive democrats at the meeting joined with GLTB advocates to fight for the wording on a Resolution to oppose restrictions on civil marriage based on sexual orientation. This was included and passed.

Other resolutions that were passed dealt with full funding of Medicaid; Full funding of Veterans Health Care; Support of Land Grants; Separation of Church and State; Repeal the Patriot Act; CAFÉ Standards; A Cap on Pay Day Loans; and No Privatization of Social Security.

After the State Party meeting, progressives across the state gathered to begin to discuss the formation of a Progressive Caucus within the party structure. The group was chaired by Moe Maestas of Albuquerque. There was representation from Deming, Portales, Taos, Carlsbad, Farmington, Las Cruces, as well as Santa Fe and Albuquerque. This group decided to move forward to form a caucus and will work on purpose, mission, organizational structure in the next few months.

The state party rules do not specify any accommodations for caucuses and will need to be amended. There were also breakout groups for a Veterans Caucus, a Native American Caucus and a Hispanic Policy group. The Young Democrats and Democrat Women also met after the meeting.