ISLAND COUNTY: June 2025 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 ICD Chair, Jennifer Haase Morris
What if I told you that just 3,000 people in Island County could spark transformational political change?
One of the many political writers I follow is Emily Amick (emilyinyourphone on Substack). Emily is a lawyer, journalist, and political analyst who served as counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. She created @EmilyinYourPhone to give people her insider insight into the political process and help them find ways they can take action.
Following the weekend of the No Kings protests around the country, she wrote about multiple ways that we can all continue the momentum. After the optimism we feel in being surrounded by so many people who are united in the resistance, it can feel a bit daunting to think about how we can truly have an impact.
Political scientist Erica Chenoweth’s research outlines what she calls the 3.5% rule – – no government has successfully withstood a challenge from 3.5% of its population mobilized in sustained, nonviolent resistance. Transformational change can come from a surprisingly small group of committed individuals.
Consider the math: in our Island County population of approximately 86,000, that’s just 3,000 people. In a US population of 330 million +, that’s roughly 11 million people. Look around your neighborhood, your grocery store, your workplace. If just one in every 29 people you see became actively engaged, we’d reach that transformational threshold.
So…what are a few things we can all focus on in July to keep that momentum going?
Reclaim Patriotism!
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines patriotism as “a special affection for one’s own country, a sense of personal identification with the country, and a special concern for the well-being of the country.” It also notes that patriotism often includes “a willingness to make sacrifices or promote national interests.”
Pew Research Center studies show that Americans associate patriotism with things like voting, peaceful protests, and civic duty, representing active participation in democracy rather than passive symbolism.
When I recently found my father’s carefully folded American flag tucked away in a closet—the same flag he proudly displayed every June 14th and July 4th from our front porch—I felt a surge of frustration that this symbol of his military service had been hijacked. My dad was a veteran of World War II who rarely spoke of his military experience but maintained that deep sense of respect for the importance of engaging in and fighting for democracy.
Seeing his flag triggered my frustration that the MAGA Republicans have co-opted the flag as a symbol of their definition of patriotism and the banner for loyalty to their “king” rather than to country.
I asked my helpful editor, ChatGPT, to remind what characteristics the American flag represents. Here’s what they said:
1. Liberty: The flag stands for the fundamental American value of individual freedom—freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. Democracy: It symbolizes the commitment to a government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” where power ultimately rests with the citizens.
3. Unity in Diversity: The 50 stars represent the unity of all states, while the stripes honor the original 13 colonies. Together, they embody the idea of a diverse yet united nation.
4. Equality and Justice: The flag represents the ongoing aspiration for equal rights and fair treatment for all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or background.
5. Patriotism and Sacrifice: It honors those who have served or sacrificed to uphold American values, particularly in military service and public life.
6. Resilience: The flag is often flown in times of hardship or national tragedy, reflecting the nation’s strength, endurance, and hope in the face of challenges.
Those are not only democratic (small d) values. They are Democratic (capital D) Party values.
July 4th is just around the corner. Let’s go full out patriotic and Democratic and proudly wear our red, white, and blue, and wave our flags. If you are walking in a parade or participating in a fireworks display or simply having a backyard barbecue…wear or make something in the colors that represent the democracy we are fighting for. Post a sign in your yard to tell your neighbors that you believe in equal rights for all – even those neighbors who disagree with your politics. Fly a flag from your front porch. Post photos on your preferred social media platform.
Tell your friends that Island County Democrats are fighting for a healthy future. We are fighting for freedom. We are fighting for families.
This July 4th, let’s show our communities what real patriotism looks like—and prove that 3,000 committed Island County residents can indeed change the world.
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
Dear Friends,
Raise your hand if the most important issue for you when you think about government is roads, boats, and bridges? I doubt I would see many hands raised. Yet, in local government, it is one of the most important aspects of our job and in the early evolution of county government, the prime responsibility of your elected county commissioner. Transportation networks are critical for the economic, recreational, security, and health well-being of residents. For generations, roads, boats, and bridges made sure products got to market, people got to work, kids got to school, residents had access to medical care, communities gathered, and people got out to enjoy our beautiful northwest. This is still true today. And most roads in Washington are under county jurisdiction.
This week at the Council of Governments, we had an informative presentation from WSDOT on our 3000+ bridges in Washington State and the critical nature of Deception Pass Bridge in our County. Both Camano and Whidbey Islands are dependent on bridges to get on and off the islands. We learned this week that like much of our transportation infrastructure, we are at a critical point. Without investment, that infrastructure will fail.
The legislature debated this issue in an extremely challenging session. Fortunately, some relief was provided by Senate Bill 5801 which raised the gas tax by 6 cents, beginning in July. This is yet another regressive tax, but the need is tremendous if we can protect our transportation infrastructure for the future. With declining gas tax revenue, we must also look at other strategies such as road use charges or redirect licensing revenue back to transportation. During all the federal issues we are facing, I encourage you to not lose sight of the importance of transportation infrastructure in Island County and in the State. Reach out to your elected leaders and express your ideas and opinions on how we can protect our roads, boats, and bridges.
Finally, I want to thank President Biden and our federal elected leaders for leaning into the challenge of infrastructure, making significant investments in Island County through the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684). Through those investments, jobs were created and infrastructure protected. Sometimes, the basics of government matter.
In your service,
Janet St. Clair, District 3 Commissioner
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
Dear neighbors,
The 2025 legislative session has ended, and it was one of the most challenging budget years in recent memory. Despite this, I’m proud to report that we passed balanced and responsible budgets which reflect the values of the 10th District and the needs of working Washingtonians.
As your representative, I fought to preserve essential services. This year brought budget shortfalls in both operating and transportation accounts, but we stood firm protecting investments in schools, housing, healthcare, ferries, and jobs. We rejected shortsighted rollbacks and prioritized long-term progress. It was also a session of profound loss. We mourned the passing of former Speaker Frank Chopp and Senator Bill Ramos – leaders whose legacies live on in our collective work for equity, opportunity, and community.
Investing in Education & Workforce Pathways
As Chair of the House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee, I advanced legislation that removes barriers and builds economic mobility. From expanding College Bound Scholarships (SB 5543) to improving career and technical education (CTE) credit transfers (HB 1273), we’re making higher education and job training more accessible and more affordable for all. Read more about our work on education in my recent article to the South Whidbey Record.
A Sustainable, Reliable Ferry System
Our ferries are lifelines. This year’s transportation budget invests heavily in vessel construction, hybrid-electric upgrades, and workforce stability (SB 5161, HB 1264). Thanks to new revenue tools (SB 5801), we’re safeguarding long-term service and maritime jobs. As Co-Chair of the Ferry Caucus, I will continue to lead efforts to improve our ferry system in the 2026 session.
Tackling the Housing Crisis
We passed major housing reforms, including rent stabilization (HB 1217), middle housing expansion (SB 5471), and transit-oriented development (HB 1491). I’m especially proud of my bill, HB 1791, which gives cities new flexibility to fund affordable housing and homelessness services using existing REET funds. This means no new taxes, just better tools.
Local Wins
This year’s capital and transportation budgets brought significant funding for communities across our district:
These investments strengthen infrastructure, protect our environment, and improve lives across Island, Skagit, and Snohomish counties.
Healthcare Affordability & Access
Healthcare costs remain a top concern for our community. That’s why I championed HB 1979 in 2024 to cap inhaler and EpiPen costs at $35. We also improved crisis response (HB 1811), strengthened behavioral health coverage (HB 1432), and promoted transparency in healthcare mergers (HB 1686).
A Safer, Healthier Community
Through HB 2015, we invested over $200 million into community reinvestment, law enforcement training, reentry services, and youth diversion programs. I believe by focusing on prevention and restorative justice, we can put community needs first and keep our district a safe place to thrive.
Keep In Touch
Thank you to everyone who reached out, came to a town hall, or shared your story. Please continue to reach out to me to share your priorities, concerns, and ideas on how we can continue to improve our community!
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your state representative.
Sincerely,
Dave Paul
Message from US Representative, Rick Larsen
Last week, I exercised my congressional oversight authority to tour the privately run ICE detention facility in Tacoma.
I took a basic tour, during which I saw the kitchen, the law library, medical facilities, and housing pods.
More than 1,500 people are currently detained in the Tacoma facility — that is more than twice as many as at the start of the year. The facility is understaffed and can not sufficiently provide basic services to the people being held there.
I do not approve of President Trump’s policy to arrest 3,000 people a day for detention, and it is only exacerbating the problems arising from understaffing.
After the tour, I met with Alfredo Juarez Zeferino, known to the community as Lelo, a Northwest Washington community member who has been detained since March. Lelo is an activist, a union leader, and a husband.
Lelo seemed resilient and hopeful, but being in the detention center has taken a toll on him. He shared his experiences from the facility, and I shared with him that many people in Northwest Washington, beyond his family and friends, have been urging me to meet with him. I shared with him how Skagit County and the broader Northwest Washington community have rallied around him to fight for his future.
He asked for my help to be able to visit with his family, and I am working to make that possible.
I will continue to work with Representative Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, to ensure people detained by ICE receive basic services and have the opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights.
More soon,
Rick
Donate
Your generous contributions will directly help ICD:
- Host local community education and information events
- Coordinate local Democratic Party volunteers activities
- Train and inspire PCOs to action
- Provide tools, materials and space for local Democratic Party planning and organizing
For the biggest bang for your buck, mail your checks to:
[Ed. Note: donation information omitted]
Editorial Policy: The Voter Interests Project is a non-partisan organization. Part of our mission is to keep voters informed about the activities of elected officials and candidates for public office. We do not endorse or support any particular candidates; therefore, we omit all email links and donation links from candidate communications to supporters. If you are interested in supporting a candidate, we recommend you contact the candidate or their campaign directly.
