News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on March 17th, 2025
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for March 17, 2025
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Tuesday, Mar 18, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
"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
"Thanks to everyone who has been contacting their legislators this session. It is working and many of those bills that we have been supporting have now passed in their house of origin. We are now at a key point in the session, the beginning of the final stretch! At this stage, bills that have successfully passed one house are under consideration in opposite house policy committees. This is a key point where bills need renewed support to move forward to become law.
This week we are offering new bills to support and a link to our website where we have info on bills that we have promoted in the past, but need that renewed support at this critical time. Please click here to provide continued support for more live bills that are in the final stretch."
- –HB 1303 – Environmental Justice
- An Act relating to increasing environmental justice by improving government decisions. There is currently no way to capture the community and health impacts of different projects and facilities for populations which have disproportionately borne the effects of pollution. This Act will reduce the disparities.
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- Suggested Text: Please support HB 1303 to reduce health and community disparities by adding environmental justice to the SEPA review process.
- –SB 5284 – Improving Recycling Outcomes
- In 2017 approximately 410,300 tons of plastic packing waste were generated by Washington residents and businesses. Only about 9 percent of this plastic waste is recyclable. The Recycling Reform Act develops a producer responsibility program where brands and manufacturers collaborate to reduce unnecessary packaging and paper, fund statewide recycling service and ensure that materials are recycled. A related bill, HB1607 establishing deposit return system for beverage containers is also worth supporting and is on the calendar for a House vote.
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- Suggested Text: Please support SB5284 to improve recycling outcomes for Washington residents. Our current recycling systems are insufficient and we need to require brands and packaging manufacturers to collaborate on a solution.
- –HB 1163 – Requires permits to purchase firearms
- Currently permits are not required to purchase a gun in Washington state. This bill mandates that gun buyers obtain a permit which requires a background check. Buyers will also be required to complete a certified firearms safety training program. There are similar policies in about a dozen states.
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- Suggested Text: Individuals should be required to have completed safety training and passed a background check before they obtain a firearm. This permitting system would ensure that these standards are met. Please support HB1163.
- –HB 1871 – Grid-interactive, residential energy storage
- Currently In the Appropriations Committee, this bill will incentivize grid-interactive energy storing batteries in homes with renewable energy sources like solar power. It is in the public interest to increase energy storage capacity across the state in response to increases in peak electrical loads, wildfire potential, and windstorms and other catastrophic events that may lead to power outages. Home battery energy storage systems will be a key part of the solution, but they must be connected to the grid so that the power is dispatchable by utilities during peak load events and available to customers in the case of power outages. The initial cost of residential battery energy storage systems is a barrier for many. A targeted incentive program can aid utilities and their customers in the adoption of these systems. At least 40 percent of the battery incentive program must benefit low-income households and moderate-income households, low-income service providers, housing authorities, or tribal governments.
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- Suggested text: Grid-interactive, residential energy storage helps our communities build local energy resilience and encourages renewable energy use. Please support HB 1871 to help low income households adopt this solution to improve energy systems across the state.
Please support our Legislative Committee by emailing our State Senators & Representatives using the "Email your legislators" links and with the Suggested Text (or similar sentiments).
3. NEW – Some facts about this year's Legislative Session
- Legislative Body: The 69th Biennial Session
- Start Date: January 13, 2025
- End Date: April 27, 2025
- Session Length: 105 days
- Purpose: To adopt the 2025-27 Operating, Capital, and Transportation budgets
- Click Here for "The Standard’s guide to the 2025 legislative session" (Washington State Standard)
4. NEW – Important Information for Candidates!
The Skagit County Democrats Endorsements Committee has begun meeting, and we encourage all prospective candidates to apply for endorsement in order to get access to Votebuilder, campaign contributions, and other Skagit Democrats' resources. For more information, please click the link here. If you have any questions, please contact the Endorsement Committee at endorsements@skagitdemocrats.org.
5. 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 8 things to know about the Trump-backed SAVE Act
- The Supreme Court Is at a Fork in the Road on Gun Rights
- Do ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine work in the treatment of COVID-19?
- University study followed gifted kids for 50 years. Here's what they learned
- Do small earthquakes mean a big quake might be coming in WA?
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Elise Cutter, Island Health Chief Executive Officer, discusses the upcoming Island Health levy, Tuesday, Mar 18, 9:30am to 10:15am, Team Kelli Lang Office, 2808 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
Free event. Breakfast will be provided. RSVP needed. "Elise will share key information about the levy, address common questions, and discuss how it impacts healthcare services in our community. A Q&A session will follow, giving you the opportunity to get your questions answered directly." Click Here for more information.
2. NEW – Rebuilding the Anti-Nuclear Weapons Movement Together, Friday, Apr 11 & Saturday, Apr 12, 9:00am – 5:00pm daily, Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Avenue, Seattle
"The Washington Against Nuclear Weapons Coalition of which the Skagit group No More Bombs is a coalition member, is hosting a unique two-day conference in Seattle titled Rebuilding the Anti-Nuclear Weapons Movement Together, April 11 and 12.
This conference is a one-of-its kind opportunity to learn about the arms race and Washington State’s role in it. Washington State is incredibly invested in the military and nuclear arms industry and could be a primary target in a nuclear conflict. (Read this KUOW report “The secret world of nukes in Washington state”.) There was once a strong anti-nuke movement here and nation wide. Skagit County became a Nuclear Free Zone in 1985 with 62% of Skagit County voters approving it. And remember the ‘Magic Skagit Music Festival’ that paid to fight a nuclear power plant in Hamilton? We need to rebuild the nuclear disarmament movement during these dangerous times.
One of the conference keynote speakers, Dr. Ira Helfand, is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, and a founding partner of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, (ICAN), the organization most responsible for the UN International Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, (TPNW). There will be workshops, panel discussions and more.
Conference registration is at: https://tinyurl.com/NoNukePNW." Click Here for additional information.
3. March is the month-long La Conner Daffodil Festival
There are lots of things to see and do!
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."