News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on July 7th, 2024
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for July 8, 2024
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. UPDATED – The Skagit Democrats' Executive Board AND CENTRAL COMMITTEE meets WEDNESDAY, Jul 10, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link. "Due to a scheduling conflict with Janet St. Clair's fundraising event next Thursday, we need to reschedule our E-Board meeting to Wednesday, July 10th, at 6:30 PM. As we need to approve the budget during this meeting, we're converting it to a Central Committee meeting to include all PCOs. [PCO] attendance is crucial for this important discussion. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the change."
2. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats MEMBERSHIP Meeting is SATURDAY, Jul 13, 10:00am via Zoom OR In-Person, C2C Community Center, 224 Stewart Road, Mount Vernon
The meeting will include a discussion about the H2A Program led by Rosalinda Guillen and a resolution proposed by one of our members.
This Membership meeting will be a HYBRID meeting. Please note the location of the IN-PERSON VENUE. If you choose the Zoom alternative, we ask that you log on no later than 9:45 a.m. Click Here for the Zoom link: Meeting ID: 815 0989 7011; Passcode: 850899. Click Here for the agenda.
3. NEW – 2nd annual This Gen Leaders Happy Hour in support of the Washington Senate Democratic Campaign, including 40th Legislative District Liz Lovelett, Tuesday, Jul 9, 6:00pn – 7:30pm, Slahal Restaurant, Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel, 1806 East 29th Street, Tacoma
"Please join Senators Joe Nguyen, T'wina Nobles, Yasmin Trudeau, Noel Frame, and Liz Lovelett at the 2nd annual This Gen Leaders Happy Hour . . . We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions, please reach out to Sara at sara@senatedemocrats.org . . . Please note that this is a 21+ event . . . Drinks and small bites provided." Click Here for tickets.
4. Join the Fidalgo Democrats, Tuesday, Jul 9, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
"Judge Heather Shand, a candidate for the Skagit County Superior Court and Judge Cecily Hazelrigg, seeking re-election to the WA Court of Appeals will be talking about how the court system works and what judges do. Learn about our legal system and why it is so important for democracy. There will be time for questions. For more information call Barbara Cooper 360 770-3506."
5. House party to support Janet St. Clair in Anacortes, Thursday, Jul 11, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Address provided upon RSVP. Click Here to RSVP or email info@janetforsenate.org.
6. The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Tuesday, Jul 16, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.
7. NEW – John Snow, 30th Legislative District Senate Candidate Virtual Town Hall, Wednesday, Jul 17, 6:00pm
"John will be holding a Virtual Town Hall on July 17 via Zoom to have a conversation about the issues that matter to you the most. In order to get the Zoom link to participate in this event, please RSVP using this form. You can also submit any questions or topics you would like to hear John talk about during the event."
8. PCO Recruitment
We need more PCOs for the 2022-2024 biennial to help us Get Out the Vote in this critical election year and to help us build a strong Skagit County and 10th, 39th, and 40th Legislative District Party Organizations. You can get involved in a big way by becoming a PCO.
- Step 1: Find Your Precinct. You can use the Skagit County iMap to find your precinct.
- Step 2: Check the list of vacant precincts.
- Step 3: Application: complete this form for Skagit County and email chair@skagitdemocrats.org.
9. NEW – The 2024 Primary Election is fast approaching
Here are the upcoming dates of significance (from the Skagit County Auditor's website).
- July 9 – Accessible Voting Unit test – 10:00 AM
- July 10 – Official Logic & Accuracy test – 10:00 AM
- July 17 – Domestic ballots mailed
- July 29 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
- August 6 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
- August 6 – Primary Election – Closes 8:00 PM
- August 13 – Canvassing Board Meeting, Initial Review – 1:30 PM
- August 20 – Primary Election Certification – 1:30 PM
10. Vote "No" on all Initiatives
Just as a reminder, the Skagit County Democrats have recommended AGAINST all 3 statewide initiatives. They are:
- Initiative 2109 would repeal the state’s new tax on capital gains on certain investment profits of more than $250,000 annually. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
- Initiative 2117 would repeal the state’s 2021 Climate Commitment Act, which requires oil refineries and other major greenhouse gas emitters to pay for pollution permits and reduce emissions over time. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
- Initiative 2124 would allow people to opt out of a .58% payroll tax that funds a long-term care insurance benefit of up to $36,500 per person. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
11. Rocio Lopez is requesting assistance to attend the National Democratic Convention in Chicago
Rocio has been elected to be an At Large Delegate to the Convention, Aug 19 – 22. Click Here to see Rocio's GoFundMe page.
12. NEW – Congratulations to 40th Legislative District Representative Debra Lekanoff who has been selected as a National Delegate to the National Democratic Convention
Debra needs donations but wants donations for her to be sent to Skagit County Democrats (Click Here for our donations page). Please write in the memo section of the donation page it is for her.
13. NEW – The Center for American Progress has some answers to "Project 2025"
Click Here for "Project 2025: Exposing the Far-Right Assault on America".
14. 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.
- COVID-19 making comeback amid low Washington booster rates
- Face mask effectiveness: What science knows now
- ‘Gentle Movement’ Is on the Rise—Because Exercising Is About More Than Just Streaks, Steps, and Calories
- Both sides of gun issue seek to stir up US voters as NRA influence wanes
- Opinion: Your religious values are not American values
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – The US Department of Energy (USDOE) and Washington State Dept. of Ecology are holding public meetings July 9-11 and taking comment on their proposed agreement on the future of Hanford's High Level Nuclear Waste Tanks
"To learn about the agreement and prepare for meetings or to submit comments, please join Heart of America Northwest for online workshops on Monday July 8 at either noon or 5 PM." Click Here to join the workshop at noon or 5:00pm, Monday, July 8.
2. NEW – Anacortes Community Blood Drive, Jul 11, 9:00am – Jul 19, 4:00pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 9th Street, Anacortes
"There is an urgent need for blood donations heading into Fourth of July weekend and the weeks following. “We’re operating on critically low levels of Type O Negative blood for the last 60 days and the hospital need for Type O blood group – the most needed in trauma situations – has risen six percent above average,” said Dr. Kirsten Alcorn, Co-Chief Medical Officer of Bloodworks Northwest. It takes 1,000 donors a day of all blood types to maintain a safe and reliable blood supply for unexpected emergencies and continued medical care in our region. Only 29% of the donors needed the week of Fourth of July have booked appointments. Please consider making an appointment by visiting BloodworksNW.org or calling 800-398-7888."
3. NEW – 28th Annual Skagit Valley Highland Games, Saturday, Jul 13 and Sunday, Jul 14, Skagit County Fairgrounds, 501 Taylor St, Mount Vernon
4. Skagit County to Remove Courthouse Fourth Floor (Old Jail from 1920s)
"Skagit County will begin demolition work on July 8th to remove the fourth floor of the Courthouse building on W. Kincaid Street in Mount Vernon. The courthouse will reach 100 years of service this year, and the fourth floor houses a jail that was used for the first 59 years . . . The parking lot on 3rd street immediately north of the Courthouse contains a crane and the contractor staging area, limiting vehicular traffic to all except ADA parking spots and deliveries." Click Here for more information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. 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 $.53. 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."
2. 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.