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
Though it’s not yet the Summer Solstice, it feels like Summer has officially started now that we have marched in the Memorial Day Parade. Thank you to the Whidbey Island Democratic Club for organizing the enthusiastic group of Democrats for that event.
And it’s starting to feel like campaign season already. Lots of signs starting to go up in Oak Harbor. The Rise & Run Committee tracked potential candidates for the various local, mostly non-partisan, races up for election this year and will begin following up now that those who decided to run have filed with the Elections Office.
A few things to bring to your attention in the coming month:
- The next quarterly General Meeting of the Island County Democratic Central Committee is scheduled for Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. We will meet in person at the Coupeville Library on Whidbey and will have a Zoom link available for those who are unable to be there. All PCO’s and current members will receive the agenda packet in advance. If you are not a member and would like to participate, please send me an email at icdchair@gmail.com.
- Also on June 10, at 6:00 pm, Civility First is hosting a moderated discussion with Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and State Sen. Ron Muzzall. There is more information in the newsletter about that. I encourage you to attend. Island County Democrats and Island County Republicans as well as other political organizations are all co-sponsors of this free event at the Coupeville Rec Hall.
- Please reach out to your PCO to volunteer for various summer activities that provide great opportunities to showcase the work and impact of Island County Democrats – – Whidbey Island Fair, Stanwood-Camano Fair, and the Camano PRIDE event (on June 3rd).
See you soon!
Jennifer Haase Morris
Chair, Island County Democrats
News from ICD
Civility First Hosts Lt. Governor Heck (Democrat) and State Sen. Muzzall (Republican) for a Moderated Discussion on “How To Be Friends And Disagree On Politics”
Saturday, June 10, 2023, 6 – 8 p.m.
Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 NW Alexander Street
The public is invited to join Civility First for a free, in-person conversation between our state’s Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, a Democrat, and State Senator Ron Muzzall, a Republican. The two will engage in a moderated discussion on maintaining friendships and navigating political waters in today’s heated environment.
Heck and Muzzall are personal friends and have maintained that relationship even while working on opposite sides of the aisle. They believe that open communications and civility are crucial for the future of our state and nation, especially in today’s climate.
The event is co-sponsored by the Island County Democratic Party, the Island County Republican Party, the League of Women Voters, Whidbey Weekly, the Voter Interests Project and the Republican Women of North Whidbey.
More information is available at the Civility First website at: https://www.civilityfirst.org/june-10-event.html. Pre-registration is not required for this free event.
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
In June, I hope you will join me in celebrating Pride Month in Island County. As many know, Pride Month was established to commemorate the Stonewall riots in 1969. Otherwise known as the Stonewall Uprising, this was a pivotal moment for the LGBTQ community. Finding their voice, the Gay Liberation Front was formed with advocates and allies asking simply for equal rights and freedom from oppression. The first gay pride parade marched June 28, 1970.
I will be in attendance at the 2nd Annual Stanwood Camano Gay Pride Event at Freedom Park on June 3 with colleagues from Island County. This event is special to me. As a Mama Bear of a gay child, I feel as ferocious about the rights of my daughter as I do about protecting human rights for all. Last year was the first Stanwood Camano pride event and my daughter came with her partner and a close friend. It was a joyful celebration. What was most impactful was when her friend who grew up on Camano came up to me. Hugging me, with tears in her eyes, she exclaimed, “I never knew my hometown was a place I would ever be welcomed for who I am.” It was a homecoming. My daughter came up, put her arms around both of us and just smiled.
Why do we focus on events such as Pride Month, Black History Month, Disability Awareness Month or in May Island County celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month? Our efforts to recognize that inclusion means the recognition and awareness that some members of our community have had a different journey, one often fraught with structural racism, oppression or lack of basic human rights, helps us assure that all are seen and have the space created in our communities that all can thrive. Island County is completing a long process of self-reflection and learning, concluding with a new Equity Statement for our organization and the communities we serve. I look forward to sharing that with all of you as we strive to create an Island County that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Sincerely,
Janet St. Clair, Island County Commissioner
Message from Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon
I’m on vacation, avoiding politics. This week I’ve been thinking about my friends. Veronica, my teen-years friend who died 50 years ago this month. Mimi, my college-years friend who died last April. Cookie, my life-long friend who loaned me her pickup truck this week to haul yard refuse to the dump, and Sunny, my Whidbey friend and neighbor who loaned me her convertible to drive in the Coupeville parade the other day. Jan, my writing and spiritual studies friend of almost 40 years, who is sleeping right this minute in my spare bedroom. I find myself now wanting to write the names of so many others, like a luxuriating documentation of my bounty of friends; I have to force myself to stop here.
From all of these women over decades of life I’ve gained and experienced connection, grace, generosity, patience, humility, pride, tenacity and resilience. We’ve shared torrents of tears and eons of laughter, rest and work and play. They’ve shared with me the great lessons of life, love, and death.
So as we enter June, the time of the summer soltice, the time of graduations, new beginnings, celebrations of freedom, anniversaries and remembrances, I am recognizing those in my life who have shared all of these experiences with me. If you are a young person just starting your life, know that it will be your friends who will be your lifeline, time and again. And if you are an older person like me, I don’t have to tell you this. You already know.
Thank you, my friends. Enjoy your Memorial Day, everyone.
Melanie
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
Improving Healthcare
I’m happy to be back home after a successful 2023 Legislative Session. This was the 105-day session that creates the biannual operating, construction, and transportation budgets that fund the critical work of our state until 2025. Here is a quick update on some of the work we did to improve healthcare in our community.
I’ve heard from many about the importance of improving behavioral health, including strengthening mental health services and increasing substance use disorder treatment options in our community. The operating budget includes $1.1 billion to improve mental health and addiction services across our state.
In addition, the Legislature was convened on May 16th for a 1-day special session to finalize policy to address the 2021 Supreme Court decision that overturned Washington’s drug possession law. The bipartisan compromise prioritizes treatment for substance use disorder while also providing tools for law enforcement to keep our community safe. The bill includes $63 million to fund diversion, treatment, and behavioral health programs.
The operating budget also includes $1 billion for public health and better reimbursement rates for pediatricians, doctors, and healthcare workers.
Also on the policy front, the Legislature reduced healthcare costs by requiring insurance coverage of hearing aids and instruments (HB 1222) and by capping the cost of insulin to $35 a month (SB 5729).
Finally, I’m pleased that the budget will continue the funding of the youth mental health program I created in 2021 for Island County.
Thanks to everyone who met with me before and during the Legislative Session to provide feedback on these priorities.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your state representative.
Dave
Message from US Representative, Rick Larsen
Protecting our environment from the effects of climate change is one of my highest priorities in Congress. And today I am proud to announce new efforts to combat climate change right here in Washington’s Second Congressional District.
NOAA has recommended more than $37 million in spending to restore wildlife habitats throughout Northwest Washington, build climate resilience in underserved communities, and protect and restore tidal marsh in Padilla Bay.
These investments will include restoration of 1200 acres in South Whidbey Basin in the Puget Sound. This will restore the three biggest salmon producing rivers and nearly 70 percent of its remaining tidal wetlands. Additionally these restoration projects will increase fish habitats in tribal communities.
Work in Padilla Bay will help to restore and protect 74.5 acres of former and current tidal marsh. The investment in this area will help prevent flooding for roadways that are the only utility corridor for the Samish Island community.
These historic investments are a great step in the right direction. I am committed to improving our infrastructure, restoring our environment, and combating the growing risks of climate change.
Our coalition is about mobilizing grassroots supporters to keep up the fight for these critical climate change investments.
Rick
News from the State Party
The Washington State Democratic Central Committee met on May 6th and Fe and Albert attended. It was a very busy meeting and the following is a summary of actions taken:
- Roll Call – 162 members present of 186
- Approval of Agenda – Approved by Voice Vote, unamended
- Approval of January 28 Minutes – Approved by Voice Vote, unamended
- Bylaw Amendments Approved:
- Allow Virtual Committee meetings – Approved by Voice Vote
- Allow Virtual Executive Committee meetings – Approved by Voice Vote
- Allow Virtual meeting notice during vacancy filling – Approved by Voice Vote
- Allow Virtual Special meetings of the SCC – Approved by Voice Vote
- 2024 Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan – Approved by Voice Vote, unamended (The plan is available online for review; now forwarded to the Democratic National Committee for their review/approval)
- 2023 Operating Budget – Approved by Voice Vote, amended (Good news – The party is well ahead of 2023 fundraising goals)
- Amendment to break-out DSAAP support costs – Approved by Voice Vote (This was primarily to provide additional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Support to Local Party Organizations)
- DNC Member Vacancy Filled – Sophia Dannenberg elected by Voice Vote (Yay!)
- Resolutions Actions (Passed):
- Resolution 1004 – Resolution Calling for President Biden to direct the US Treasury to pay the public debt without further congressional deliberation (14th Amendment)
- Resolution 1005 – Resolution Requesting candidates seeking or receiving democratic party endorsements to sign an accessibility pledge to hold events in accessible locations
- Resolution 1006 – Resolution Against the Albertsons-Kroger Merger
- Resolution 1007 – Resolution in Support of Starbucks Workers
- Resolution 1008 – Resolution Calling for Reform the 1872 Mining Law (the 1872 Mining Law governs U.S. hardrock mining and allows mining companies, including foreign corporations, to buy public lands held in trust for all Americans at 1872 prices, to extract valuable ore, to pollute the land and watersheds, to keep all profits private without paying royalties, and to leave taxpayers to pay for the cleanup)
- Resolution 1009 – Resolution Opposing Privatization of Medicare
- Urgent Resolution 1010 – Resolution Calling for the Decriminalization of controlled substances and funding for treatment programs
– Fe Mischo and Albert Ondo
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