News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on April 30th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for May 1, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. UPDATED – Legislative Committee Report
The Washington State Legislatures General Session is now over, and because of your help we had some great successes this year. The following bills that we supported passed both chambers and went to the Governor's desk.
- SB5768 – Protecting access to abortion medications by authorizing the department of corrections to acquire, sell, deliver, distribute, and dispense abortion medications.
- SB5189 – Establishing behavioral health support specialists.
- HB1240 – Establishing firearms-related safety measures to increase public safety.
- HB1355 – Updating property tax exemptions for service-connected disabled veterans and senior citizens.
- SB5371 – Protecting southern resident orcas from vessels.
- HB1042 – Concerning the use of existing buildings for residential purposes.
- HB1047 – Concerning the use of toxic chemicals in cosmetic products.
- HB1028 – Supporting crime victims and witnesses by promoting victim-centered, trauma-informed responses in the legal system.
Thank you to everyone on the Legislative Committee that met weekly to read, discuss, and track the bills being considered. They put in a lot of hard work to bring you the best information possible. Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislature about the bills we were supporting! Your best tool for positive change is being engaged with all of our representatives, we can all make a difference in this wonderful state we call home.
2. NEW – 10th Legislative District Virtual Town Hall, Tuesday, May 2, 6:00pm
Representatives Dave Paul and Clyde Shavers and Senator Ron Muzzall review the Legislative Session and answer questions. Click Here to register.
3. NEW – 10th Legislative District Representative Dave Paul will host an in-person Community Town Hall, Wednesday, May 10, 5:00pm, Skagit Valley College, Room C172, Knutzen Cardinal Center, 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon
4. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Executive Board meets Thursday, May 11, 6:30pm via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link (Meeting ID: 892 7661 1191 Passcode: 959387). While only Executive Board officers may vote, members are welcome to attend.
5. NEW – May 5th Grassroots Reception, Friday, May 5, 6:00pm, South Seattle College, Brockey Center, 6000 16th Ave Southwest, Seattle
" . . . We’re hosting a reception for all our Democratic volunteers to come and celebrate our return to in-person work together to elect Democrats across the state! We’ll be hearing from AG Bob Ferguson, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, Senator Rebecca Saldaña, and Latino Caucus Chair Rep. Lilian Ortiz-Self for what will be an inspiring and exciting event! Get your ticket here!
6. NEW – Skagit County Democrats Candidate Endorsement Process
"Do you know of a candidate who has strong Democratic values running for office this year? If so, please encourage them to apply for certification and endorsement from the Skagit Democrats. That way, the party can formally support them through sharing their social media posts, allowing them to list the Skagit Democrats as an official endorser, giving access to the Votebuilder database, and sometimes even contributing a cash donation. If you know anyone interested in applying, please direct them to this link on our endorsement process.
7. Skagit County Democrats is again requesting anyone visiting our Headquarters to "mask up"
8. 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.
- Why are so many Americans unhappy with the state of the US today? Here’s what they said in CNN’s latest poll
- What Happens To Your Brain In A "Flow State", And How You Can Achieve It
- Jane Roberts, Who Is Married to the Supreme Court Chief Justice, Made $10.3 Million in Commissions
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now so huge and permanent that a coastal ecosystem is thriving on it
- Republicans ‘glorify political violence’ by embracing extreme gun culture
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday, May 6, 11:00am – 12:00pm, on the sidewalk in front of the Mount Vernon Health Center, 1805 East Division Street, Mount Vernon
Bring your signs, your friends, your family, and your masks. To RSVP, sign up here.
2. NEW – MVSD Mariachi Festival Cinco de Mayo at the Lincoln, Friday, May 5, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, Lincoln Theatre, 712 South First Street, Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon High School Mariachi & Folklorico Program. Free admission (donations accepted).
3. NEW – The Northwest Agriculture Business Center and partners are sponsoring a series of financial workshops
- Basic finances and basic loan readiness, Saturday, May 6, 10:00am – 1:00pm, Catholic Community Services Farmworker Center, 2727 East College Way, Mount Vernon
- Basic finances and basic loan readiness, Tuesday, May 9, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Catholic Community Services Farmworker Center, 2727 East College Way, Mount Vernon
- Different types of loans ranging from personal to business loans, Saturday, May 13, 10:00am – 1:00pm, Multi-purpose room, Knutzen Cardinal Center, Skagit Valley College, 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon – At the end of this workshop, we will celebrate with catered food from Cocina Sabores.
All three workshops will be presented in Spanish with live Mixteco interpretation. Contact: Juan Morales, Email – juan@agbizcenter.org, www.agbizcenter.org, Cell – (360) 770-0863.
4. NEW – Wildcat Steelhead Club Fishing Derby, May 6, 7:00am – 3:00pm, Thompson Pond (formerly known as Northern State Hospital Pond), Olmsted Park, Sedro-Woolley
Limited parking available. "Kids 14 and under bring your own bait and gear to the annual fishing derby! Free hot dogs and refreshments. Free Raffle prizes! Pick up sign-up forms at Big Scoop Ice cream in Mount Vernon, Holiday Market in Burlington, or Oliver and Hammer in Sedro-Woolley."
5. FCCs are up for Consideration – Again!
"Two previously deferred proposals (LR20-04 and LR22-02) to amend Skagit County’s Comprehensive Plan to allow Fully Contained Communities (FCCs)–huge housing developments on rural lands–are on the list of petitions to be considered for the County’s 2023 planning docket. Skagit citizens across the political spectrum have consistently demonstrated widespread opposition to FCCs. The County’s own Planning Department recommends that these petitions be EXCLUDED from the 2023 Docket. Let’s tell the County Commissioners that we agree with the Planning Department: It is time to fully exclude these lingering, and legally flawed proposals from consideration." Click Here for more information.
6. COVID-19 Information
Click Here for the most current 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 – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
Coffee and Cards meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm. This is the group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan and is now lead quite capably by Judy Farrar. The group 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, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555."