News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on March 9th, 2025
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for March 10, 2025
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Executive Board meets Thursday, Mar 13, 6:30pm
The Executive Board meeting is open to members and associate members of the party (not the general public), therefore we are requiring pre-registration in order to attend via Zoom. To register in advance for this meeting, Click Here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
2. NEW – Legislative Committee Report
Please support our Legislative Committee by emailing our Senators & Representatives using the "Email your legislators" links and with the Suggested Text (or similar sentiments).
- –HB 1203 – Prohibiting the sale of certain tobacco and nicotine products
- To reduce youth appeal, prevent the early development of lifelong unhealthy habits, and reduce the burden on low-income communities historically targeted by Big Tobacco, WA HB 1203 seeks to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vapes. The bill is currently under review in the Finance Committee.
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- Suggested Text: Please vote Yes on HB 1203. This is about preventing youth access to products that create lifelong addictions. Nicotine products do not add value to society or communities.
3. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats Hybrid General Membership Meeting, Saturday, Mar 15, 10:00am – 12:00pm, in-person at Camano Island Library, 848 North Sunrise Boulevard, Suite D, Camano, or via Zoom
Click Here to register in advance for this meeting.
4. The Fidalgo Democrats meet THURSDAY, MAR 13, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
Please note change in the day of the week from the usual Tuesday to Thursday.
"Elsie Cutter the CEO of Island Health is doing a short presentation about the upcoming Anacortes Hospital Levy. Tony Melillo, NW Central Labor Council President and Dean Shelton, NW Labor Council Vice President will be talking about local, state, and national issues and concerns. How are the unions and the labor movement supporting workers? What can we do to help in these challenging times? There will be time for questions. Coffee and cookies will be served. The meeting will be recorded and posted to the YouTube channel. For more information call Barbara Cooper, Chair 360 770-3506."
5. The 40th Legislative District legislators will participate in a Town Hall, Saturday, Mar 15, 11:00am – 12:00pm, Mount Vernon Library Commons Community Room, 208 Kincaid Street, Mount Vernon
All three of our legislators are signed up for this. "Join us for an engaging conversation about the issues that matter most to our community. We're hosting a town hall where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts on state policies, local priorities, and upcoming legislative efforts."
6. 10th Legislative District Representative Dave Paul will participate in a Town Hall, Saturday, Mar 15, 3:30pm – 4:00pm, Oak Harbor Library, 1000 Southeast Regatta Drive, Oak Harbor
"Please join me for an engaging discussion about the 2025 legislative session and to share the issues that matter most to you. As always, it’s an honor to serve as your state representative." Republican State Senator Ron Muzzal will also be in attendance.
7. The Washington State Democrats are collecting narratives of the impacts of the Trump administration policies
"WA Dems and our elected Democrats need your help. We are collecting stories of people in Washington impacted by Trump administration policies.
Are you a federal employee who received an email saying you could be offered a buyout or that you were terminated without notice? Do you work at a research institution or non-governmental organization and have had your federal funding yanked away? Was someone in your family denied gender-affirming healthcare? We need your stories.
The best way to persuade people about the horrible impacts of Trump’s chaos is to share real stories from real people in their communities, like Randall’s. If you are interested in sharing your story of the direct impacts of Trump 2.0 on your life, please send an email to press@wa-democrats.org that includes your name, contact information, which Washington community you reside in, the story you would like to share, and permission to share your story with the public. Our Communications Team will be in touch within a few business days after you have reached out to help collect your story.
Senator Cantwell and Murray have also asked for help finding stories like these. Please be sure to note that you want your story told and be as detailed as possible. You can share your stories with our U.S. Senators here:
Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell"
8. There is an open comment period regarding the new rule by the Trump administration that bars passport gender identification beyond male or female
The public has until March 17 to respond to a change in how gender is recorded on US Passports. The revised passport application form will request the applicant's biological sex at birth, male “M” or female “F.” There will be no options for trans, non-binary or any other categories of gender identification. Please submit a comment objecting to this attack on gender rights! This link includes the proposed change and the opportunity for comment. Additional information can be found:
- Identity Documents for Trans, Nonbinary, Gender-Nonconforming, and Intersex People (Lamda Legal)
- Passports with 'X' sex markers will be valid until they expire or are renewed, State Department says (NBC News)
- Documents Trans People Should Change Now, How to Do It, And What They Can Change Later – Don’t Freak Out, Get Calm, And Hop To It (The Stranger)
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.
- Watch This French Senator’s Take On Trump, Musk
- Two Skagit battery farms face challenges as approval process advances
- Trump claimed autism rates are rising. Here are the facts
- Did tariffs cause the Great Depression? Here’s what to know
- Pew Religious Landscape Study Christianity
- [Small] Battery Brands Ranked From Worst To Best
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – March is Women's History Month
- Women's History Month Panel, Monday, Mar 10, 1:30pm – 2:30pm, Skagit Valley College- Multipurpose Room (Knutzen Cardinal Center), 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon
- A Tribute To Inspirational Women, Wednesday, Mar 12, 9:00am – 3:00pm, Student Life C190 (Knutzen Cardinal Center), 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon
- Women-Owned Brands to Support at the Co-op, Month of March, Skagit Valley Food Coop, 202 South First Street, Mount Vernon
- Women's History Month website
2. NEW – Monday, Mar 17, is Saint Patrick's Day
Wear green and, maybe, have a Guinness.
3. NEW – Community Forum hosted by Concrete School District, Tuesday, Mar 11, 6:00pm, District Board Room, Room 107
"Join us for our third Community Forum of the school year, where we will discuss important topics impacting our students and families. Topics covered:
- The Rise of Cyberbullying – Parent vs. district responsibilities
- Student Due Process – Understand rights and procedures
- How to Report Concerns – Ensuring student safety
- Student Privacy Protections – FERPA & other privacy laws
This is a great opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, ask questions, and collaborate as a community to support our students."
4. NEW – The Central Skagit Library District is hiring a new director and will hold an open house meet and greet for the final candidates, Sat, Mar 15, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, Central Skagit Library, 110 West State Street, Sedro-Woolley
"This is your opportunity to talk to and ask questions of the library’s future director."
5. NEW – Splash & Dash Polar Plunge, Saturday, Mar 15, 9:30am – 1:00pm, Seafarers Memorial Park, 601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes
"Join us at the 2025 Anacortes Dash and Splash! Whether you take the plunge or donate, proceeds from the Polar Plunge will fuel our mission as we celebrate Special Olympics Washington's 50th anniversary in 2025." $35 for Dash and Splash $25 for Plunge only. Click Here for more information.
6. March is the month-long La Conner Daffodil Festival
There are lots of things to see and do!
7. Applications Now Open for the 2025 Master Composter Recycler Volunteer Training
"If you are interested in composting and recycling, a sustainable future, and being part of a great community, consider becoming a 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." Click Here for more information. The final day to apply is Friday, March 21st, 2025.
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 $.56. 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."