The Island County Democrats publish a monthly newsletter, which we are posting here. We believe that the statements made by the leadership of each party is of general public interest.
Message from ICD Chair, Jennifer Haase Morris
Hope you all are enjoying this lovely spring weather. The beauty of the Pacific Northwest is in one of its best times to show off.
As we work to streamline our communications and coordinate with other progressive-leaning newsletters, I will begin revamping the structure of my monthly message. In the meantime, here are few thoughts to share and action steps over the next month….
- I continue to have conversations nearly every day that challenge me to utilize skills in civil discourse – with Republicans and Democrats. It seems that many of us are working to get better at how we have dialogue and make decisions through consensus. For those who have contacted me recently, I appreciate your willingness to listen and share your perspectives. Always happy to talk by phone or share a cup of tea. Or something stronger.
- Commit now to help with Democratic activities at the Whidbey Island Fair on July 27-30 and the Stanwood Camano Fair on August 4-6. 2023. For the Whidbey Fair, we will need volunteers for our booth and the food stand. We had difficulty recruiting volunteers for the Holland Happening activities the last week in April, so we want to get started now to ensure that we have a great showing at the Fair! Send an email to icdchair@gmail.com, and I’ll get you connected to the volunteer coordinators.
- Mark your calendar for a virtual town hall with our 10th LD legislators, Senator Ron Muzzall, Representative Dave Paul, and Representative Clyde Shavers on Tuesday, May 2nd at 6:00 pm. You can submit questions ahead of time by following this link. Live questions can also be submitted during the event by commenting on Facebook or YouTube. Register for the event here.
ICD Chair
Jennifer Haase Morris
Message from Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon
I am very happy that the new budget adopted by the State Legislature includes funds for two requests made this year by Island County. My sincere thanks to Representative Dave Paul and Representative Clyde Shavers for their work to get these approved for us.
- Explore Septic/Sewer Solutions to Accommodate Housing Needs – $300,000 Operating request. The County requested $300,000 in the Operating budget to contract for a study of alternative solutions to septic and sewer and emergent technology to provide waste treatment services in the unincorporated parts of Island County. The final Operating budget fully funds this request, allocating funding between fiscal year 24 and 25 evenly. The study will include an opportunity for the Department of Health for consultation and review of the study, and the contractor will include recommendations from the Department in the final report. I have been pushing for a sewer solution for my district since the day I came into office. This could ultimately be a ground water protection game changer for us, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that it’s included in the budget.
- Island County Emergency Generator – $375,000 Capital request. The County requested $375,000 in the Capital budget to replace the emergency generator that powers the jail and administrative annex. The final Capital budget provides $386,000 for the request.
- Two more important projects that we supported were also funded:
- The County supported the City of Stanwood’s request for funding to restore their dike; $1.9 million was provided in the final Capital budget for the project (this dike protects the only road in and out of Camano Island).
- The final Operating budget also includes funding to continue the County’s Youth Behavioral Health pilot program established in the 21-23 biennium–$300,000 is provided for the program.
- The Budget also includes significant investments in Behavioral Health facilities and programs, as well as large investments in environment and climate resiliency, which are issues critical to all of us.
There are some disappointments in the budget. Rep. Dave Paul’s ferry fuel surcharge bill did not make it out of budget negotiations. The legislature also failed to resolve the law enforcement headaches caused by the Blake decision. But for the most part, it’s a good budget for the citizens of Washington—and as an Island County Commissioner, I’m grateful for the numerous investments in our needs.
Melanie
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
Dear friends,
As I head home from Oak Harbor Holland Happenings, I’m grateful for our community and this beautiful place we call home.
The legislative session just ended and I’m grateful for increased investments in behavioral health, affordable housing, women’s healthcare and common sense gun protections as well as climate change policies. The County is also pleased with dedicated revenue to update our facilities for better resiliency and sustainability and dike repair funds to protect Hwy 532.
My legislative work at the State and Federal level continues to focus on healthcare and access to internet for economic, educational and health equity. The Board is also updating animal welfare policies, delivering on our housing commitments for workforce housing and preparing for our Comprehensive Plan update.
Thank you for you partnership.
Respectfully,
Janet St Clair, County Commissioner
Email: j.stclair@islandcountywa.gov
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
The 2023 Legislative Session just ended on April 23rd. Here’s a quick update on four of my bills.
I’m pleased to report that HB 1007 has been signed by the governor. HB 1007 will ensure public servants who served overseas and earned an expeditionary medal receive their state retirement benefits. As many of you know, this issue was brought to me by a local police officer in 2019, and I’m proud that we have fixed this policy—so that veterans can get the benefits they have earned.
The governor has also signed HB 1058 into law. HB 1058 will streamline the process for individuals to earn their Commercial Driver’s License—or for retirees to renew their CDL. This common-sense and bipartisan legislation will help get more truck drivers on the road without compromising highway safety.
I’ve spent the last five years working to make college education more affordable. I’m very pleased that HB 1316 passed the House and Senate—and is now on the governor’s desk. This important legislation will ensure that high school students will have the opportunity to enroll in tuition-free college classes in the summer.
Finally, I worked to provide relief to ferry commuters and riders. Energy prices spiked last summer, nearly triggering a provision that required the Transportation Commission to impose a fuel surcharge to cover increased ferry fuel costs. The Legislature should fully fund these emergencies, and I introduced HB 1833 to ensure ferry riders are not hit by increased fares. Unfortunately, the bill died in the Senate. However, I included a proviso in the Transportation Budget to fix this problem over the next two years—and I will reintroduce the legislation next session to provide a permanent fix.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your representative.
Dave
Message from US Representative, Rick Larsen
I represent nearly 51,000 veterans in the 2nd Congressional District.
So many veterans have made enormous sacrifices to serve and fight for our country. They have earned our deepest gratitude and our unfaltering support.
I am focused on breaking down barriers and building opportunities for veterans and their families — and ensuring they receive the benefits they earned.
Last year, I supported a bill to provide more than a half-billion dollars in VA Supportive Housing. These funds have been used nationwide to serve veterans. But in our district alone, these funds helped more than 420 veterans find housing and access case management and clinical services.
I am proud of the effect these funds had in helping veterans find housing and accessing the resources they earned with their unwavering service.
Additionally, I am working with members of Congress to ensure that the commitment we made to our veterans does not end when their service does. So last year I helped sponsor a bill with Senators Patty Murray and Tammy Duckworth to help veterans start families.
Right now, service members can receive some fertility treatments. But due to a ban passed in Congress in 1992, the VA is prohibited from covering the cost of some fertility treatments.
The Veteran Families Health Services Act will cover treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility counseling—both while they are serving, and after they leave their military service.
I am committed to helping veterans and their families take full advantage of these benefits and to serving them just as they did for us.
Rick
News from the State Party
The State Central Committee (SCC) will meet Saturday, May 6th, at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Engineers District Lodge 751 in Seattle. Union Strong!
This meeting’s business is critical to the work of the Democratic Party over the coming term. At this meeting, we will be considering:
- Bylaw amendments to allow for virtual meetings of the SCC going forward.
- The Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan governing the selection of delegates to the state and national convention in 2024.
- The election of a representative to the Democratic National Committee to fill a current vacancy (to maintain equal division within our national delegation, this position will be filled by an individual who identifies as Female or Gender non-binary).
- The approval of the annual operating budget, to be proposed by the Executive Committee in advance of the meeting.
In addition to the above primary pieces of business, the meeting will also cover committee reports, submitted resolutions, and other business as brought forward by the Central Committee.
– Fe Mischo and Albert Ondo, your State Committee Members
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