News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on January 14th, 2024
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for January 15, 2024
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
(Color Symbolism)
1. NEW – Gala News – Save the Date!
It has been a year and a half since our major fundraiser – – – the Gala! Please save the date for June 1st. We are changing things up and it is sure to great time for all! More to come, but please Save the Date for June 1, 2024!
2. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters Office will be closed Monday, Jan 15 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
3. The 10th Legislative District Democrats will conduct a General Membership Meeting, Saturday, Jan 20, 10:00am via Zoom
Connection information will be forthcoming from the 10th LD Chair, John Amell, chair@10thlddemocrats.org.
4. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board will meet Tuesday, Jan 23, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.
5. Democracy in Crisis: Taking Action, sponsored by the 10th Legislative District Democrats, Saturday, Jan 27, 10:00am – 4:00pm, Skagit Valley College Cafeteria, 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon
Featured Speaker: Paul Benz, Director of WA Partners for Social Change. Workshops include Civil Survival, PFLAG Skagit, FairVote Washington. Lunch and snacks served. Click Here for more information.
6. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats Alliance for Gun Responsibility/Safe and Sane Skagit presentation of Jan 9 is now available on YouTube
Click Here for the video.
7. NEW – Legislative Committee Report for this week
"Short and Quick: The Washington State Legislature meets for 105 days in odd-numbered years with a primary duty to develop and pass a two-year budget. In even-numbered years (2024) they meet for 60 days to finish up business from the last session and make budget adjustments. Because of the short timeline for this year’s session, it is critical to pay close attention to priority bills and where they are in the process.
Important dates for tracking and advocating for legislation:
- All bills, except for budget and transportation issues, must pass out of committee in their house of origin (House or Senate) by January 31. Deadline for budget and transportation bills is February 5.
- All bills must pass out of their house of origin by February 13, budget/transportation by February 21.
- The last day to consider opposite house bills in committee is February 26.
- The last day to pass opposite house bills is March 1. Some exceptions: budget related matters, initiatives, and alternates.
- Last day of the 2024 Session is March 7.
Please review the following bills and express your support to your elected officials:
HB2114 – Limiting rent increases and other fees for tenants.
Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement.
Email your Legislator to support HB2114
Recommended Text:
“Please support HB2114 and help keep rental fees and rent in check. Some people have experienced drastic rent increases in recent years that have devastated them financially and hurt their chances of upward mobility. It's time to provide housing stability for tenants.”
SB5102 – Would ensure that every board of directors will provide school library information and technology programs for school children.
This may be the most effective means to fighting misinformation and denial of access to books and educational materials. Local politicians and school boards too often fold to radical right-wing pressure to ban books and restrict free thinking. SB5102 would bring to school libraries needed technology providing access to instructional materials. Write your legislators to support this proposed legislation and encourage them to include requirements for free access to truth in educational materials and literature.
Email your Legislator to support SB5102
Recommended Text:
“We must ensure that every Washington student has access to library materials and technology within their schools. School librarians and educators must be protected in their efforts to utilize technology and educational materials, including literature, to provide access to truth in education. At risk is an inferior education that will interfere with the ability of Washington youth to be competitive in the future workforce and to be deprived of a full understanding of truth in education. Please support SB5102.”
SB5335 – Developing the Washington health trust.
Universal health care is badly needed to reduce costs and ensure that nobody falls through the cracks at any point in life! We want to see SB 5335 passed in the 2024 state legislative session. This bill is intended to create a single-payer system by establishing a Washington Health Trust. In 2021, the legislature established a universal Health Care Commission to prepare the state for a health care system that provides coverage to all Washington Residents. Our state is already moving in the right direction on this! We just need to follow through on the vision. Please consider writing to your legislator and ask them to support this bill.
Email your Legislator to support SB5335
Recommended text:
'Please support and reintroduce SB 5335 in the 2024 state legislative session. Our state is already moving in the right direction on this! We just need to follow through on the vision. Please sponsor this bill and help get it through your chamber so we can make the lives of every Washingtonian better.'"
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.
- Here are the candidates on Washington’s presidential primary ballot
- Why are Americans so displeased with the economy?
- Has Congress Really Stolen Trillions From Social Security? Here's the Truth
- Why global commerce is now in the crossfire
- How Homeless People Said They Spent $750-a-Month Stipend Supports Basic Income
- How Gender Diversity Improves Defense Operations
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – 11th Annual Farmworker Tribunal, Tuesday, Jan 23, 1:30pm, State Capitol Campus Cherberg Building, 2nd Floor, 304 15th Avenue SW, Olympia
Sponsored by Familias Unidas por las Justicia and Community to Community. "Since 2013 WA Farmworkers have converged on the state capitol for the annual Tribunal to present evidence of mistreatment and engage lawmakers in policy solutions. The tribunal is an opportunity for lawmakers to witness the power, vision, and self-determination of the Farmworker Movement in Washington State." For more information contact Victor Rodriguez at alternativeconsulting2@gmail.com.
2. NEW – Safe and Sane Skagit is organizing a carpool to attend the Legislative Session Tuesday, Jan 16, when the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee will be hearing five important bills regarding life-saving gun violence prevention policies
They plan to leave Mount Vernon at 6:00am. If you are interested, please email Diane Studley, dianestudley@gmail.com, to get details and reserve a spot in the carpool.
3. NEW – The Local Journalism Committee of the League of Women Voters is planning four presentations to further public knowledge about elections
"Each of the events will be open to the public. There will not be any speeches by any candidates. The first event is about the process of the Presidential Preference Primary – how the ballot is created, how the votes are counted, and what the parties do afterward. It is scheduled for Monday, 2/12/24, from 6:30 to 8PM at the PUD Conference Room in Mount Vernon. Gabrielle Clay, Elections Manager of the Skagit County Auditor's Office, will be one of the presenters. Both parties are invited to explain how they respond to the results."
4. NEW – Skagit Board of County Commissioners to hold public hearing to consider EMS levy renewal
"The Skagit Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on January 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. to consider a resolution to place an emergency medical services (EMS) levy renewal on the April 23, 2024, special election ballot. The community is invited to join the hearing to learn more about the proposal and provide testimony for the record. Residents can attend and provide comments in-person in the Commissioners’ hearing room at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA, 98273, or via Zoom by using the login information available on the Commissioner’s webpage, www.skagitcounty.net/countycommissioners." Click Here for more information.
5. NEW – 2024 Master Composter Recycler Training
"If you are interested in composting and recycling, developing a sustainable future, and being part of a great community, consider becoming Certified Skagit County Master Composter Recycler. The certification training, hosted by the Skagit County Solid Waste Division, provides participants with tools and knowledge to share back to the community as official waste reduction educators.
The 16-hour training explores backyard composting, vermicomposting, recycling, sustainable living, green cleaning, and more. The training includes six classroom sessions and two Saturday field trips. Participants receive a training notebook, and two free books on topics of waste reduction. Classes will run on Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 – 5:00pm starting February 28th through April 3rd." Click Here for more information.
6. Commissioners seek candidates for vacant Skagit County District Court Judge, Position 2
Skagit County District Court Judge Dianne Goddard will retire from her service on February 29, 2024. The retirement will create a vacancy in Skagit County District Court for Position 2. The Board of County Commissioners will accept applications from qualified members of the Washington State Bar Association to fill the vacated position from January 5, 2024, until 4:30 p.m. on January 19, 2024. Click Here for more information.
7. Skagit Valley Eagles
"The Skagit Valley Eagle Festival is no longer an organized festival, however winter-time is still a time for celebration during this eagle-watching season. The Skagit River Interpretive Center is a great place to start your eagle watching adventure. Winter eagle watching activities take place in Concrete, Rockport, and Marblemount." Click Here for more information.
8. 10th Annual Illuminight Winter Walk, Friday, Jan 26, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, Riverwalk Plaza, Mount Vernon
Click Here for more information.
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."