ISLAND COUNTY: March 2024 ICD Newsletter
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 Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
Janet St. Clair for State Senate Camano Island Launch
Camano Center – 606 Arrowhead Rd
Sunday, April 14th 2:30-4:30pm
RSVP to [Ed. Note: email link omitted] or via the the link [Ed. Note: link omitted]
Join us for a great lineup of guest speakers, snacks and a chance to meet the rest of Team Janet.
Message from Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon
Hello, Island County Democrats! These are some highlights from my work this month as your District 1 County Commissioner.
- I represent the western counties on the State’s Wildland Fire Advisory Committee, a committee consisting mostly of the State’s fire-fighting leadership. This month we held our second in-person meeting to work on our update to Washington’s 10-year strategic plan. As our summers get drier and hotter, the State’s fire-fighting professionals are worrying more and more about the western counties, most of which are not prepared for the types of wildfire disasters that sadly the eastern counties are becoming adapted to.
- So obviously I worry a lot of wildfire in Island County, and when I was asked to give a speech this month at the grand opening and dedication ceremony for the new Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue Station 53, I used that opportunity to suggest some things I’d like to see them take on, such as starting a Community Risk Reduction Program, and working with Island County’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to help neighborhoods to draft Community Wildland Fire Protection Plans. Island County budgeted for a new position in DEM this year who will work with neighborhoods on these, but the involvement of our fire departments in this initiative will be critical.
- Another State committee I spent a lot of time on over the last two years was the Pandemic After Action Review Task Force, which Governor Inslee appointed me to serve on, representing the 39 counties. This month we gave a presentation on the task force’s final report to the Washington State Association of Counties. This report includes 90 recommendations to the State to ensure that we are better prepared the next time we face such a critical public health emergency.
- The Board of Island County Commissioners worked quite a bit on the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) this month. After a great deal of reflection and study, I expressed my strong opinions regarding the tensions around protecting vulnerable forage fish spawning sites versus shoreline home protections, which unfortunately I can’t detail in this short newsletter piece. If you’d like to know more, contact me at district1@islandcountywa.gov and I’ll send you links and information. We will have at least one more work session on the SMP before the Board votes on any code changes.
- Friday, March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Next year, 2025, is the final year of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, and I am working with Representative Rick Larsen’s office, the Whidbey Veterans Resources Center, and other local veterans groups to organize an event sometime in the next few months to recognize our local Vietnam-era military veterans. If you are a Vietnam war veteran and would like to be on the mailing list for this event, or if you would like to support or assist us in organizing it, please contact me at district1@islandcountywa.gov.
We will be putting out yard and road signs in a couple of weeks. If you’d like either one, or if there are other ways you’d like to help my campaign, please text me at 612-702-2254 or email me at [Ed. Note: email link omitted]. You can learn more about my vision, my campaign, and my accomplishments as your District 1 County Commissioner at my campaign webpage, www.electmelbacon.com.
Thank you for the honor of serving you.
Melanie
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
The 2024 legislative session adjourned on March 7. We accomplished a lot in the 60 days, and thanks to all who reached out to me during the session.
I’m especially excited that my legislation (HB 1979) to reduce the costs of asthma inhalers and EpiPens was passed unanimously. This will bring much-needed relief to families across our district and throughout our state.
I also fought to restore millions of dollars in the transportation budget to preserve the ferries. This funding is critical to maintain the existing fleet as the bid process to build 5 new hybrid-electric ferries is completed this summer.
Finally, I’m proud that so many local priorities and projects were funded. Here’s a quick update of some of the projects that I helped secure in the 2024 transportation, capital, and operating budgets.
- $1.6 million for the Island Roots Workforce Housing project to improve housing affordability
- $600,000 to complete the Langley Library renovations
- $1.9 million for the Holman Recovery Center project in Arlington to improve behavioral health outcomes
- $10 million to invest in reforestation following wildfires to restore Washington’s forests
- $273,000 for improvements to Jensen Park in Arlington
- $200,000 for the City of Oak Harbor to plan for a recreation center
- $77,000 for safety upgrades to the Camano Lutheran Childcare center
- $2 million for estuary and salmon habitat restoration in Port Susan Bay, the Lower Maxwelton Valley, and other locations in our community
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to meet with me over the past six years; your advocacy is critical to the legislative process and securing these investments for our community.
I look forward to continuing to collaborate with constituents this spring, summer, and fall to identify our legislative priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session.
As always, it is an honor to serve as your representative.
Sincerely, Dave
Message from State Representative, Clyde Shavers
Dear Friends and Family,
The 2024 legislative session concluded earlier this month – and I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. For two years as state representative, I worked as hard as possible each and every day to fight for you.
In a time of political hostility and divisiveness, I’ve tried my absolute hardest to move forward with kindness and caring. And after reflecting on our combined stories and struggles, I’m hopeful about our future. Our country is great because of you – your resilience to endure and grow together, your compassion towards helping people whom you may never meet, and your unwavering belief in our democracy.
My goal has been and will always be simple – to give my absolute everything to public service. Serving in the legislature has been one of the most challenging endeavors, but also one of the most meaningful – and I’m honored to have gone on this adventure with you.
Here are just a few of the many, many things we’ve pushed accomplished together:
• Lowering Your Cost of Living & Fighting for Your Benefits: Lowering costs – including groceries, gas, and housing – and protecting your benefits have always been my top priority. That’s why I’m proud to have worked with Rep. Sharon Wylie on House Bill 1355 to provide greater property tax relief to seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities. I also cosponsored House Bill 1985 which increases the retirement benefits for teachers and public employees.
• Protecting Our Environment: I’m proud to have introduced House Bill 1924, one of the first fusion-related policies in WA. Fusion is among the most environmentally friendly sources of energy – and creates good-paying jobs, lowers energy bills, and supports a path toward energy independence.
• Supporting Our Veterans: I introduced House Bill 1346 which recognizes schools that support our military-connected students. With the Purple Star Award, military families can feel relieved knowing that their child is supported at school. I also cosponsored House Bill 1862, which provides tax exemptions for on-base nonprofits serving disabled veterans and members of the armed forces, and House Bill 1943, which expands the eligibility to spouses and dependents for the Washington National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant Program.
Together, we accomplished so much – but there’s more work to be done for all of us.
Let’s support our farming community that feeds us and the world through environmentally friendly tax incentives (House Bill 1936).
Let’s strengthen our democracy with all of us participating through House Bill 2023 which will require voting materials to be translated in more counties.
Thank you for the opportunity to continue my life-long dedication to public service. As a veteran having graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, I am honored to serve you here in the Washington State Legislature.
Always at Your Service,
Clyde
Message from US Representative, Rick Larsen
As you might recall, I reached out last year to share that I have been working with fellow lawmakers to expand services for veterans. The proposed 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.
Just as we began to make progress righting this wrong for the veterans seeking to grow their families — the extremists in the GOP launched their attack on another pillar of reproductive freedom: IVF treatments.
A recent legal decision from the Alabama Supreme Court in the issue of LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine has raised grave concerns about the future of IVF, a cornerstone of fertility treatment. This ruling reclassifies embryos as children and poses a significant threat to the viability of IVF.
Here are the facts. Fertility treatments like IVF are on the rise, and have helped countless parents grow their families:
● In 2023 42% of Americans say they have used fertility treatments or personally know someone who has — a 33% increase since 2018. (Source: Pew Research)
● 1 million babies have been born in the United States between 1987 and 2015 through the use of IVF. (Source: Penn Medicine)
● Between 1-2% percent of all U.S. births annually are thanks to IVF. (Source: Penn
Medicine)
We cannot allow conservative extremists to continue undermining reproductive freedom. The time has come to demand decisive action. I implore my colleagues in Congress to enact legislation that unequivocally safeguards access to IVF treatments.
More soon,
Rick
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