News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on November 26th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for November 27, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – Mount Vernon Holiday Parade
FINAL CALL: Skagit County Democrats will be walking in the Mount Vernon Holiday Parade. The parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 3, 5:00PM to 6:00PM. We will gather at 4:15PM in the area of the current library located at 315 Snoqualmie Street where it intersects Cleveland Avenue.
We do not yet know our position in the parade line up, so just check with parade organizers on our location; we will check in at the library corner to be sure to find everyone. This is an event that shines the light on Skagit County Democrats and provides an opportunity for us to be visible to the people we support. Our experience has been positive with citizens applauding our presence in the parade. Skagit County Democrats will distribute 400 small flags to children along the parade route. We encourage you to bring your friends and families. Children are especially welcome!
The Holiday Parade is about LIGHT, so bring whatever lights you may have to light our way. The parade lasts only one hour, so please join us in this fun community event!
2. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Central Committee will meet Saturday, Dec 9, 10:00am – 12:00pm, in-person and via Zoom
This Central Committee meeting will be a HYBRID meeting. Participants may choose to attend in-person in our meeting room at 2021 East College Way or via Zoom. We expect to hear from many of our local elected officials and potentially candidates for statewide office.
Click Here for the Zoom link (Meeting ID: 231 460 3118 – Passcode: 98273).
For those who plan to attend in-person, to reach our Conference Room, enter the building and proceed down a long hall to a crossing hall. Turn left and proceed nearly to the end of that hall. Our Conference Room is on the left across from the restrooms. Our restrooms have a security keypad lock restricting access. The combination should be available from the meeting coordinators.
3. NEW – Washington Democrats Holiday Party, Tuesday, Dec 12, 4:30pm – Sponsor Reception & 5:30pm – Main Event, 1932 1st Ave, Seattle
$30 – General Admission (and up). "We have so much to be proud of this November, but 2023 is just the beginning and we need to remain vigilant and energetic, with our eyes locked firmly on the prizes we must win in 2024. And so, we hope you will join us in kicking off the next year with a bang at our Holiday Party on December 12th!" Click Here to RSVP and purchase tickets.
4. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats Holiday Party, Saturday, Dec 16, Noon – 3:00pm, Shawn O'Donnell's Irish Pub at The Farmhouse, 13724 La Conner-Whitney Road (off Highway 20), Mount Vernon
"We have one of the meeting rooms in the back and will have a buffet luncheon with an Antipasto Platter, various sliders, shrimp cocktail, and more. There will be a cash bar. We hope you will bring your +1. Looking forward to Happy Holidays."
5. House Unanimously Passes Larsen-DelBene Bill to Add Mount Vernon [Federal] Court Location to Western District of Washington
"The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 786, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Tony Gonzalez (TX-23) that would add Mount Vernon as a court location in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington . . . " Click Here for the full article.
6. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats will NOT be meeting in December
7. NEW – Skagit County Democrats Headquarters Holiday Schedule
We are closing on Friday, December 22nd and reopening on Tuesday, January 2nd.
8. NEW – A message from Fuse Washington
"This is sinister.
Washington’s wealthiest MAGA donors have teamed up with the state Republican Party and Tim Eyman to launch an insidious slate of regressive initiatives.
Their initiatives would cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy and let our biggest polluters off the hook. They would cut nearly $900 million from public schools and child care, while increasing Big Oil profits and rolling back our investments in clean energy. They would also repeal Washington’s capital gains tax, defund long term care for seniors, and more.
There’s 3 simple things you can do to help stop these initiatives now:
- Don’t sign any initiative in the next three months. The bad ones are the only initiatives out there right now
- Make sure your friends and family members don’t sign them
- Report any signature gatherers you see for these initiatives to this hotline run by our partners: (425) 553-2157
Don’t get fooled. The petitioners are paid by the signature, and will often lie shamelessly about what the initiatives do to get you to sign.
These “Backwards Washington” initiatives are an extreme Republican agenda aimed directly at our kids and their schools, working families trying to afford childcare, seniors who benefit from long-term care, and clean energy solutions that tackle the growing climate crisis.
Here’s the initiatives and what they do:
- I-2109: Repeals Washington’s capital gains tax on top 0.2%, defunding early learning and education
- I-2117: Ends Washington’s program to fund clean energy and fight climate change by making polluters pay and repeals the Climate Commitment Act
- I-2124: Repeals long-term care coverage for working Washingtonians
- I-2113: Repeals best practice safety standards for dangerous high speed chases
- I-2081: A confusing mishmash of existing law designed to entice parents into signing the other initiatives while doing nothing for kids and schools
- I-2111: Ensures that Washington’s wealthiest 1% won’t contribute to our communities by banning progressive income taxes at the city, county, and state levels
Right-wing multi-millionaire Brian Heywood is bankrolling these initiatives in a cynical effort to dodge the taxes he owes to our communities. Heywood is joined in this effort by his co-sponsors: Washington’s MAGA Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh, and serial initiative con artist Tim Eyman. These are initiatives to the Legislature, and signatures are due at the end of the year. [Initiatives to the Legislature go before lawmakers before they appear on the ballot. The Legislature has three options. They can 1) approve them as is, 2) do nothing and let them go to the ballot, or 3) pass an alternative that would appear on the ballot alongside it.]
We’re joining our partners across the progressive community to fight back against these harmful initiatives. The first step is to decline to sign any of them and encourage your friends to do the same! And please call the hotline if you see signature gatherers – (425) 553-2157.
They are counting on holiday shoppers to sign their petitions. Let’s make sure they don’t succeed!
Thanks for all that you do, Aaron and the entire team at Fuse"
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.
- Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Their Role in Drug Spending
- How school boards became one of democracy’s front lines
- 1 Must-Read Quote From New Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on Social Security
- Why 40% of people choose willful ignorance
- Revealed: how top PR firm uses ‘trust barometer’ to promote world’s autocrats
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday, Dec 2, 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, and your family.
2. NEW – Anacortes Coastal Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, Dec 1, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Visitor Information Center, 9th Street and Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
"Hot chocolate, local performances, and special guest appearances… Santa available after for pictures! Tree lighting at approximately 6:45pm."
3. NEW – Anacortes Lion’s Walk with Santa Holiday Parade, Saturday, Dec 2, 11:00am – 12:00pm, Downtown Anacortes
"PARADE will start at 11AM and proceed up Commercial Avenue from 3rd to 10th Street, go west on 10th Street crossing O and N Avenues to disburse once past the Library parking lots. For more information – e-mail lioncatowoods@gmail.com." Click Here for more information.
4. NEW – Sedro-Woolley Celebrates an Old-Fashioned Christmas, Saturday Dec 2, 1:00pm – 6:00pm, Downtown Sedro-Woolley
"Christmas is coming! Join us for Hay Rides, a Petting Zoo, Santa, the Lighted Christmas Parade, and more! Visit with Santa at Mount Baker Mortgage following the parade."
5. NEW – La Conner Rotary Club Santa Breakfast, Saturday, Dec 2, 8:00am – 11:00pm, Maple Hall, 104 Commercial Street, La Conner
"Come join us . . . for a pancake breakfast and a visit with Santa. Breakfast Price: Adults $10, Children $5, Under 5 Free. Menu: Pancakes (including gluten-free), scrambled eggs, sausage, Orange Juice, Hot Chocolate, and Coffee. Bring your camera for photos with Santa!"
6. NEW – La Conner Christmas Tree Lighting in Gilkey Square, Saturday, Dec 2, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, Gilkey Square, La Conner
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Progressive folks regularly demonstrate each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue in Anacortes. While this is not an official Skagit County Democrats activity, turnout is encouraged.
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 led quite capably by Judy Farrar and Judith Chilcote. 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 $.51. 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."