Precinct Conventions: What Resolutions Did You See?

[fickman]

I went to my precinct convention last night and was the only one who brought resolutions. Both of mine passed unanimously (I'll summarize them below).

Did your precinct have any resolutions? What was the mood like?

I was ready for a debate from - excuse the stereotype - nervous soccer moms, but my proposals were eagerly embraced. How things have changed in ten years!

My resolutions:
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Resolution 1 was for a rebate for homeschool families to see a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount owed to the local school district for money actually spent on their own kids' education.

Resolution 2 was a catch-all calling for a gradual approach towards Constitutional Carry with several intermediate goals, including:
- CHL concealed campus carry (public universities)
- CHL concealed carry (on person only) at primary and secondary schools for teacher, administrators, and staff
- general CHL concealed carry at primary and secondary schools
- general public open carry
- open and concealed carry of currently restricted knives, including fixed blade, long blade, machetes, switch blades, butterfly knives, and Bowie knives
------

These will go to the next level and obviously get parsed up, combined, altered, and lumped with similar proposals from other precincts. Still, my precinct's voice will be heard and hopefully similar resolutions make it to the State convention from precincts all over the map.

I've got to wait for the little league schedules to come out before I know if I can make the district convention at Pantego Bible Church later this month.

[fickman]

Let me add that there was a noticeable absence of coordinated resolutions written by special interest groups being printed out / submitted by attendees.

[scottmeador]

No resolutions submitted in precinct 4599 Tarrant County. Of course any would have passed unanimously as the wife and I were the only ones present.

[locke_n_load]

Resolution 2 was a catch-all calling for a gradual approach towards Constitutional Carry with several intermediate goals, including:
- CHL concealed campus carry (public universities)
- CHL concealed carry (on person only) at primary and secondary schools for teacher, administrators, and staff
- general CHL concealed carry at primary and secondary schools
- general public open carry
- open and concealed carry of currently restricted knives, including fixed blade, long blade, machetes, switch blades, butterfly knives, and Bowie knives
------

These will go to the next level and obviously get parsed up, combined, altered, and lumped with similar proposals from other precincts. Still, my precinct's voice will be heard and hopefully similar resolutions make it to the State convention from precincts all over the map.

I've got to wait for the little league schedules to come out before I know if I can make the district convention at Pantego Bible Church later this month.

Wish you had said "general public handgun open carry" since we already have rifles/shotguns!
I also wish I knew more about the process, or I would have made resolutions similar in my county... and added for CHLs to be able to carry where LEO carries.

So what happens when these proposals go up the ladder? Do we see them on the ballot when the election comes up? Does anything happen to them then? Like become bills?

[fickman]

Wish you had said "general public handgun open carry" since we already have rifles/shotguns!
I also wish I knew more about the process, or I would have made resolutions similar in my county... and added for CHLs to be able to carry where LEO carries.

So what happens when these proposals go up the ladder? Do we see them on the ballot when the election comes up? Does anything happen to them then? Like become bills?

Nice catch. I did update my resolution to say "handgun open carry" before printing it out for the very reason you stated.

For any item to get added to the state Party platform, it has to be introduced at a precinct convention and get passed all the way up. They can be amended, combined with similar resolutions, or discarded at any step. The state convention will vote to finalize the newest version of the Party platform.

The platform is really more of a general statement of beliefs and politicians have varying levels of esteem or adherence to it. The line connecting a precinct convention resolution and a bill being signed into law is very dotted and faded.

Now, somewhere between district and state you also morph a little from pure grassroots people coming straight from dinner to speak their minds. . . into the political entourages and fringe pieces who will do some real campaigning and occasionally even spend money to become state delegates.

So, I'm not important, but I like to think I'm representative of x number of people, and my little voice combined with theirs eventually gets heard by those at the higher levels.

Ten years ago, there was a contingent at our conventions that thought I was certified insane for some of my gun proposals. This time nobody even flinched. That's worth something . . maybe it says we've been doing a good job trying to slowly steer this ship in a better direction.

[NorthTexas]

No resolutions were submitted in my precinct, but only two of us showed up. This was my first time attending; I had no idea what to expect and was attending just to learn about the process. The other gentleman who showed up said he usually brings several resolutions but didn't have time to prepare any this year. He seemed to be quite the old hand. We're both planning to attend the next level convention later this month.

I'm looking forward to next time, since I now know to prepare some resolutions. The primaries are every two years, correct? Also, is there any standard format for resolutions? I was told they have to be provided in triplicate, but is there anything else I should know about?

[fickman]

Every two years is correct.

I generally search for a template online and follow "whereas, be it resolved" format with 3-5 points building to my resolution:

Whereas, [big, generic, rhetorical basis for measure]; and
Whereas, [rhetorical point slightly more specific]; and
Whereas, [rhetorical point slightly more specific];
Therefore be it resolved that we urge the legislature of the State of Texas to enact legislation that [main point of resolution].

By the way, love the North Texas flag! Go Mean Green!

[NorthTexas]

Every two years is correct.

I generally search for a template online and follow "whereas, be it resolved" format with 3-5 points building to my resolution:

Whereas, [big, generic, rhetorical basis for measure]; and
Whereas, [rhetorical point slightly more specific]; and
Whereas, [rhetorical point slightly more specific];
Therefore be it resolved that we urge the legislature of the State of Texas to enact legislation that [main point of resolution].

By the way, love the North Texas flag! Go Mean Green!

Thanks fickman, that's very helpful! And definitely GO MEAN GREEN!!!