Action Newsletter for June 8, 2025
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Action e-newsletters are compiled from local and state Democratic news across Washington State.
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From the temporary editor:
You may know that Mr. Don Ambrose has been the editor of The Newsletter for many years. We are all thankful for his diligence and unselfish service to the local party news. Don is needing to focus on his health right now and others are stepping in as they can to try and fill his shoes. Fortunately, he has left an easy system of gathering, editing and compiling the newsletter. Almost anyone who can surf the net, type and paste content from emails to the editor about relevant topics, can do it. This makes The Newsletter ripe and ready for any new, aspiring volunteer Democratic journalist to step in. So please, if you would like to volunteer to compile this newsletter for the Skagit County Democrats, you need only email news@skagitdemocrats.org to learn more.
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR – No Kings in America
The “No Kings in America” mass protest is functionally a counter-protest to Trump’s birthday parade. Ostensibly, the parade is supposed to be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army which was formed in 1775. Trump finds this a “happy coincidence” that it also falls on his birthday.
The “No Kings in America” mass protest is scheduled in central Skagit County for Saturday, Jun 14, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, in front of Popeye’s along Burlington Boulevard, 120 Cascade Mall Drive, Burlington. Click Here to register with Indivisible Skagit.
The “No Kings in America” mass protest is scheduled in Anacortes for Saturday, Jun 14, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, outside of Safeway along Commercial Avenue & 12th Street, Anacortes. Click Here to register with Indivisible Skagit.
2. NEW – Washington State 40th District Representative Debra Lekanoff Invites You to Virtual Coffees
Rep. Lakanoff invites her constituents to virtual coffees several times over the Summer through September. The schedule is available online. She has also reported back with “The Story of the 2025 Legislative Session.”
3. Legislative Committee Report – Final Report
“On Tuesday [May 20th] Governor Ferguson signed the 2025-2026 state budget. The budget delivered to the governor did not include the wealth tax that the legislature had been considering, and instead made up a significant shortfall with a combination of cuts to programs and new taxes. Before signing, Ferguson made some additional cuts to address fiscal challenges and federal funding cuts. Since our last update, he also signed the below bills into law.
Thanks again to everyone who promoted these bills with us through the session. Thanks to legislative committee members who diligently combed through thousands of bills to identify those that align with Skagit Democrats priorities and showed up weekly to compile information, discuss, and develop calls to action for the newsletter and website. And a huge thank you to our Democrat representatives who sponsored so many of these bills. Great work!”
- HB 1296 – Promoting a safe and supportive public education system. Sponsored by Deb Lekanoff
- HB 1102 – Increasing support and services for veterans. Sponsored by Clyde Shavers
- SB 5284 – Improving Washington’s solid waste management outcomes. Sponsored by Liz Lovelett
- HB 1163 – Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms
- SB 5077 – Concerning expansion of voter registration services by government agencies
4. Have you renewed your membership for this year?
You don’t have to wait for a membership renewal letter. You can easily renew your membership on-line. Just go to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/scdmembership. Your membership fees help us keep the doors open and support Democratic candidates in Skagit County! We did well in Skagit County in the last Presidential election – let’s keep the momentum going! Email staff@skagitdemocrats.org if you are unsure of your membership status.
5. Important Information for Candidates!
Our annual endorsement meeting on Saturday, June 14th at 10:00am. At this meeting, we will be reviewing the Endorsement Committee’s recommendations for candidate endorsements and voting on the Skagit Democrats’ endorsements.
In order to enable full participation, this will be a hybrid meeting.
The meeting agenda and additional guidance will be published once the final candidate interviews are complete.
In Person – Community to Community Offices at 224 Stewart Rd, Suite 230, Mount Vernon
Zoom Meeting Information:
Topic: Skagit Democrats’ 2025 Endorsement Meeting
Time: June 14, 2025 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hJtUCBT3RiStRMtxyVhFQw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
6. 2025 Gala Interim Report
Thank you also to all of the elected officials, labor leaders, candidates, members and guests for making the Gala such a success! We all had a wonderful time.
We’re still working on the final profit calculations but are confident that we’ve surpassed our fundraising targets.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our Platinum Sponsor, the Community Roof Cooperative, and our Silver Sponsor, de Colores Early Learning Center, for their generous support.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Stand with Planned Parenthood on July 7, 2025
From Debbie Grant:
I hope you are all finding ways to care for yourselves during this fight – because we have a long way to go – and we need you. Take time to recharge. Find something that lifts you up and make time for it. Prioritize self-care.
**RALLY IN SUPPORT OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD**
WHERE: Planned Parenthood Health Center at 1805 E. Division in Mount Vernon
WHEN: Sat., 6/7 at 11:00a.m.- 12:00p.m.
We know the current administration intends to defund Planned Parenthood. Let’s get out there and make some noise to show our support. Bring as many friends and family as you can. We’ll have extra signs and you can always bring your own.
Let’s focus on all of the critical services PP provides to our community: cancer screening (breast, cervical, prostate, colon), abortion, birth control, emergency contraception (morning after pill), HIV services, pregnancy testing and planning, STD testing, HPV vaccines, menopause treatment, postpartum visits. If you’re making your own signs – it would be great to see some of these services highlighted.
I’ll be out of town, but Eric will be there (always with the flag), and he’ll have the extra signs and shirts. Jade Phillips from Mount Baker Planned Parenthood will also join us and can answer any questions.
Thanks for everything you’re doing. Keep going. Breathe. I’m sorry to miss you this time, but will join you for the next gathering.
Grateful for each of you,
Debbie (she/her)
2. NEW – Guemes Ferry Electronic Ticketing Update
The Skagit County Ferry Division has been working through the transition to electronic ticketing for the Guemes Island ferry. It is highly recommended to our riders to purchase ferry tickets on a mobile device prior to boarding as tickets will not be sold in the vehicle loading line. Riders wishing to purchase tickets in person must park at the terminal and come into the ferry ticket office to complete the transaction. If customers need to purchase tickets at the terminal, we ask that you arrive at the terminal as early as possible prior to boarding to ensure sufficient time to make your purchase before returning to the loading line. We understand this transition has been difficult and frustrating at the ferry terminal, but we ask for your patience as our customers become accustomed to purchasing tickets online prior to departure.
3. Farmer’s Markets 2025
- Anacortes, The Depot, 611 R Avenue – Saturdays – 9:00am – 2:00pm – Opened May 2
- Concrete, According to the Concrete Chamber’s site, the Market is open every Saturday, Mid-May through Labor Day weekend from 10am-2pm at the Concrete Community Center. EBT, WIC, & Senior FMNP vouchers, FVRx vouchers accepted!
- Mount Vernon, Riverwalk, 501 Main Street – Saturdays – 9:00am – 2:00pm – Opened May 17
- Sedro-Woolley, Hammer Heritage Square, 640 Metcalf Street – Wednesdays – 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Opened May 21
4. Information about Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez
We have received no new informati on this week.
You can help by:
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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.”
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