News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on August 21st, 2022
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for August 22, 2022
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats General Meeting is Sunday, Aug 28, 10:30am via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84534183755?pwd=RUM5dGI4dG1vRnk5aXY5TGFaeFNrZz09; Meeting ID: 845 3418 3755, Passcode: 720964.
2. NEW – Skagit Democrats and Indivisible Skagit collaborate on "WITH Arizona" phone banking for Arizona.
"Washington Indivisible Teams Helping Arizona (WITH-AZ) made 2770 phone calls since mid-July leading up to the AZ primary election on August 2. Our Skagit Team contributed a nice chunk to that total.
We now know that Senator Mark Kelly will be running against venture capitalist Blake Masters who describes himself on his website as "an early member of President Trump’s MAGA movement” and who has advocated the overturning of the 2020 election. We all know what the stakes are in November, with the Senate divided 50/50 counting Senator Kelly. Losing him would be catastrophic for our democracy, and for all of us as well as Arizonans.
You can join our team, get full training and support, set your own calling schedule, and free Arizonans to do the in-person work on the ground in their state. Please contact Lynn (campbelllynn87@gmail.com) or Christie (jsteinwa@earthlink.net) to sign up. This is not only crucial work, but it’s fun, fascinating, and flexible! Thanks for pitching in!"
3. NEW – Impact of the Federal Infrastructure Bill in Washington State
Click Here for a description.
4. Jessica Wadhams, candidate for 39th Legislative District Representative, is hosting multiple door knocking and other events
Click Here for a listing of upcoming events.
5. A recording of Fidalgo Democrats' recent meeting about the Danger of an Article 5 Constitutional Convention is now available
Click Here for the YouTube recording.
6. Skagit County Democrat’s “Ensuring Democracy Together” Gala & Auction!
"Many thanks to those of you who have donated to our Silent and Live auctions. We’ve received items ranging from political ephemera to home décor to get-aways. Exciting! Please keep those donations coming; the deadline is 9/20. Contact us at (360) 336-1555 to arrange delivery or pick up.
This year's Gala will feature travel opportunities we've never been able to provide before. Belize chocolate, Kenya Safari, Rwanda monkeys, and South African wine are just some of the featured travel experiences available through the Gala at discount prices you won't believe. Best of all, there is no need to wait until October to get started – you can book any of this exciting travel at any time before the Gala. Email to staff@skagitDemocrats.org for the details.
Gala Reminders
- Event will be October 8th, starting at 4:00pm at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge
- Seats are $75, table for 8 is $600.
- Pay on line at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/skagit-county-democratic-party-1 (put number of seats in “Purpose” at the bottom of the page) or at our office at 2021 East College Way, #104, Mount Vernon, between 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Monday – Thursday.
- We still need volunteers to help in a variety of areas. Please email us at staff@skagitDemocrats.org with “Volunteer for the Gala” in the subject line. Thank you.
7. Skagit County Democrats continues to mandate facemasks at our Headquarters Office
8. NEW – A message from Washington State Democrats Chair Tina Podlodowski (taken from her newsletter of Aug 19)
"Democrats have delivered — and then some.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, reducing costs for working families, and marking the greatest investment to fight climate change in U.S. history.
Our Democrats in Congress were instrumental in the creation and passage of the now-law, which:
- Lowers prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and capping out-of-pocket costs for seniors to $2,000.
- Lowers energy costs by hundreds of dollars on average for many families, increases cleaner energy production, and reduces carbon emissions by roughly 40% in less than 10 years.
- Locks in lower health insurance costs by $800 on average for 13 million Americans who get their insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchanges.
- Fights inflation by reducing the deficit.
- Makes the tax code fairer by cracking down on the ultra-wealthy and large corporations, so they pay what they owe in taxes.
- Doesn’t raise taxes on families making $400K or less, and no new taxes on small businesses.
Washington state is already a leader in the fight to combat climate change, thanks to Democrats. And now, we’ll be able to expand those efforts here and nationwide, while also investing in our working families and seniors by lowering everyday costs — from prescriptions to home energy — and creating good-paying jobs.
In 2021, there were already 76,905 Washington workers employed in clean energy jobs. The Inflation Reduction Act will expand these opportunities, bringing an estimated $5.3 billion of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to Washington between now and 2030. It also will direct billions in funding toward rural, urban, and Tribal communities, which already experience the extreme effects of climate change, like increased flooding and wildfires.
Last week, Biden also signed into law two other historic pieces of legislation — also passed thanks to support from our Democrats in Congress.
- CHIPS and Science Act: Strengthens American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security, and invests in research and development, science and technology, and the workforce of the future to keep the U.S. the leader in the industries of tomorrow, including nanotechnology, clean energy, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.
- PACT Act: Delivers more timely benefits and services to more than 5 million U.S. veterans — across all generations — who may have been impacted by toxic exposures while serving.
Democrats continue to make real change, and Washingtonians know it; we saw that in the primary. While Republicans — including Reps. Jaime Herrerra Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers — continue to put special interest groups and wealthy corporations before people.
This is why it is so critical we not only protect our Democratic majority in Congress, but expand it, so we can keep moving our state and nation forward. With one or two more votes, we could finally codify some of our most critical freedoms into federal law, like access to abortion and marriage equality. We have the opportunity to flip additional seats this year, and 81 days to make it happen. Let’s get to it, so our Democrats can keep delivering on behalf of all of us."
9. NEW – Links of the Week
The Links of the Week provide in-depth pieces and resources the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.
- Florida Republicans targeted Black voters, justice department says in filing
- Judicial deference and the future of regulation
- A Los Angeles Supportive Housing Program Interrupted the Cycle Between Jail and Homelessness—and Largely Paid for Itself
- The American Faith I Was Raised In
- The Big Bang didn't happen
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Friendship House Benefit Concert, Sunday, Sep 4, 12:00pm – 7:00pm with music starting at 1:00pm, Christianson's Nursery outdoor field, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon
"Five bands performing live all with a touch of Americana sound, food trucks and beverage garden with microbrews from Bastion Brewery, North Sound Brewing and Woolley Boys Cider. Please join us, as we celebrate our successes in sheltering Skagit residents since 1986 and be sure to bring a friend because we need your support to grow for the future." Click Here for ticket information.
2. Back to School 2022 – Be aware! Kids will be going back to school soon
- Anacortes – Tuesday, September 6
- Concrete – Wednesday, August 31
- Conway – Monday, August 29
- Burlington-Edison – Wednesday, August 31
- La Conner – Tuesday, August 30
- Mount Vernon – Wednesday, September 7
- Sedro-Woolley – Thursday, September 1
3. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Jul 19
Click Here for the full report and resources.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Democrats are again demonstrating in Anacortes each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue. "We carry signs for Dem candidates, get out and vote signs, women's right-to-chose in healthcare and so on and so on. We need more people to show up."
2. Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
"Are you looking for a way to make a positive contribution to our democracy while enjoying the company of others? Coffee and Cards is starting up again on Wednesdays from 10-11 am. This is a group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan (who sadly moved away) and is a way for us to express ourselves about issues of importance to us all.
We will write messages of encouragement and support to people who are making positive contributions as well as messages of concern and opposition to people who are negatively impacting our world. This includes legislators on the local, state, and federal level as well as CEOs of corporations and other people having a significant impact in our world. We will share ideas for people to write to and issues to address.
Postcards and stamps will be provided, but we ask that people bring money to cover the cost of the postcard stamps which are currently $.44. Coffee will be provided or bring your own. As Carol always reminded us, “We are stronger together.” Our office is located at 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, 360-336-1555."