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
Earlier this month, we held our first General Meeting of the year. We had the honor of welcoming Chris Reykdal, Washington’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, who brought some much-needed clarity and hope. Despite the turbulence we’re seeing at the federal level, Chris assured us that our state remains committed to strengthening public education. His insights were a reminder that even in uncertain times, we have strong local and state leadership ready to protect what matters.
Our meeting also sparked an energizing conversation about how we define ourselves as Island County Democrats. Who are we? What do we stand for? What are we fighting for? We shared a first draft of a values statement and a possible slogan, and the feedback was thoughtful and inspiring. But we’re just getting started—and we want to hear from you. If you’re interested in helping shape the message that represents our shared values and vision, we’d love your input.
We also passed a resolution aimed at protecting the integrity of military leadership nominations. This resolution, which we’ll be submitting to Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, calls on them to push back against attempts by the current Administration to purge military leaders who are seen as supporters of diversity. If you weren’t at the meeting and would like to review the resolution, let me know—I’d be happy to send it your way.
Now more than ever, we must stay vigilant. Our democracy depends on each of us doing our part to protect its core principles—from transparency to accountability to balance of power.
Thank you for being in this fight!
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
Dear Friends,
Recent actions by the Trump Administration leave many feeling angry, hopeless, anxious about the future of our democracy, and fearful for our friends and neighbors. John and I recently attended the Mass Demonstration hosted by Washington State Labor Council at the NW Detention Center in Tacoma to protest the unjust detention of two local labor leaders who have broken no laws but have stood up for workers and mentored others. We saw signs also protesting other decisions by this administration meant to sow fear and chaos.
In a February article in Politico, I was struck by this paragraph: “On Thursday, as Republican hard-liners celebrated a concession they won from party leaders to force deeper spending cuts as part of the GOP’s sweeping policy push, centrists expressed deep alarm about the trajectory of the massive legislation that will include border security, energy, defense and tax provisions.” The article went on to talk about the fears for cuts to Medicaid and Medicare as well as “food aid benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is being targeted under the GOP budget for some $230 billion in spending cuts.” It is overwhelming and hard to know how to focus. I often tell folks to focus on the issues that matter most to you, personally or as public policy, and then focus on advocacy and future-thinking for yourself, your community, and your country. As always, we make a difference when we step up and speak out.
In April, I will be hosting a Town Hall on Camano on April 24 at 4 pm to share updates from our Health and Human Services Program Directors to learn more about what this means for Island County. We will also host community leaders from organizations that serve seniors and those with disabilities, our local family support center, one of our food banks, educational leaders and others. Our goal is to gather information and inform people on how they can get involved to continue the work to build healthy communities where everyone can thrive. For more information, email me at j.stclair@islandcountywa.gov. I hope to have a virtual option for the meeting. If you wish to attend in-person, it will be held at the Camano Administration Building at 121 NE Camano Drive, Camano Island.
Stay focused, stay strong, stay hopeful. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
Janet
Message from Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon
Hello Island County Democrats. These are my highlights from March. There are links to recordings of all of the Board meetings at https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter.
- Like most organizations in America today, the Board of Island County Commissioners spent a lot of time in March talking about what’s happening with our federal and state financing. Not just with the County government, but also with the other boards we serve on, like Island Senior Resources, the Board of Health (and the related human services and health groups), and Ebey’s. Not one agency in our country is unimpacted by our current economic fiasco. Short recap of the universal message: we can’t rely on our federal and state partners to the same degree as we have in the past. For the short term at least, we will have to depend more heavily on our local resources, volunteers, and financial generosity.
- We have opened the 2025 application period for Rural County Economic Development (RCED) grant funds. Applications will be accepted through April 30.
- As part of the Climate Commitment Act funding, the Department of Commerce awarded grants to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to support participation in local land use comprehensive planning for our 2025 Comp Plan update. Long Range Planning brought the Board the recommendations from the four community groups who received funding: American Legion of Camano, the Agricultural Resource Committee of Island County (ARCIC), Island Roots Housing, and Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN).
- Long Range Planning presented on the Clinton Subarea Plan as part of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.
- During Commissioners’ Comments on March 4, I spoke about the Racial Restrictive Covenants Project, which found more than 900 properties in Island County that still include racially restrictive language in their deeds and plats that were adopted from around 1930 – 1950 (these restrictions were made illegal upon adoption in 1968 of the Fair Housing Act). I read the restrictive covenant language into the record, and stated my desire that the County enact a Resolution of Atonement acknowledging this execrable history. This resolution will come to work session in April.
- April may be a pretty quiet month for County government—but Whidbey Earth and Ocean Month is going to be a big month for our community. For example, just on Earth Day alone, April 19, I know of 4 major community events. One place you can track some of these April events is through the Goosefoot calendar: https://whidbeyearthday.org/events/.
- If you’re interested in more closely following the actions the Board of Island County Commissioners take on your behalf, I encourage you to sign up for my weekly newsletter by contacting me at district1@islandcountywa.gov.
Thank you for the honor of serving you.
Melanie
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
Dear neighbors,
Recently, I hosted a bipartisan town hall with State Sen. Ron Muzzall. The good news: we had a record turnout for the event. The bad news: our room wasn’t big enough! I know many people who were not able to participate were disappointed—and I’ll make sure our next venue can accommodate a much larger crowd.
Clearly, our district is very concerned about the chaotic cuts and directives by the President. Many of our neighbors have been directly impacted, from farmers not receiving USDA grants to veterans who are very concerned about increased wait times for services because of mass layoffs at the Veterans Administration. Other community members who work for the Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other federal agencies have lost their jobs.
Given this environment, it’s not surprising that nearly half of the questions posed at the Town Hall related to the dysfunction in Washington D.C., including attacks on women and members of the LGBTQ community, threats to the democratic process, and the impact of cuts to Medicaid and other programs to our community—and the state’s budget.
Participants also expressed concerns over the cost of housing in our community and welcomed efforts to increase housing stock—and rein in the cost of skyrocketing rents. There were also several questions about protecting women’s reproductive rights and addressing climate change.
I know these are very trying times for our nation. It was very good to hear from so many engaged community members last weekend, and I’ll continue to work to protect our community at the state level. And we’ll make sure our next venue is larger!
If you want to stay informed beyond our events, check out my latest video update, where I share stories from my constituent meetings this session. Your feedback directly influences my priorities, so please keep reaching out with your concerns and ideas.
Another way to stay connected is by supporting local journalism. Independent reporting fosters open discussions, ensures transparency, and keeps us informed on critical issues. In my first article for La Conner Community News, I discuss why local news is essential to a healthy democracy. I encourage you to read it and continue supporting community news outlets.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your state representative. Let’s keep working together for a stronger Washington.
Sincerely,
State Representative Dave Paul
10th Legislative District
Message from State Representative, Clyde Shavers
From Community Voices to Legislative Action
Over March 22nd, I was thrilled to host two in-district town halls with strong community turnout. We met at Coupeville’s Nordic Hall and La Conner’s Civic Garden Club, and I want to thank everyone who spent part of their day with us. Your heartfelt stories shared with all of us remind me why I serve. I carry your hope and concerns with me to Olympia, and I am honored to serve as your state representative.
Legislative Highlights: Bills at a Glance
- HB 1102 – Serving Every Veteran: Expanding the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) program statewide. This bill, which passed the House with overwhelming support, represents the largest expansion of our state’s VSO program. Its goal is simple: ensure every veteran in every corner of Washington can access the benefits and services they’ve earned. No veteran should be left behind, whether they live in a big city or a rural town.
- HB 1167 – Ferry Workforce Pipeline: Turning students into the next generation of maritime professionals. Our ferries are a lifeline for island and coastal communities, and this forward-looking legislation strengthens the ferry workforce for the long term. HB 1167 looks to introduce a maritime curriculum into high school career programs – imagine our students taking courses that put them on the path to become ferry captains or marine engineers. By expanding maritime training opportunities, we’re investing in reliable ferry service for the future.
- HB 1018 – Fast-Tracking Fusion Energy: Opening the door to revolutionary clean energy technology. To secure a sustainable future, I sponsored HB 1018 to add fusion energy projects to Washington’s clean energy site certification program. In plain terms, this bill streamlines the permitting process for fusion energy facilities, positioning our state as a leader in groundbreaking clean energy innovation.
Spotlight: Pioneering Fusion Energy (HB 1018)
There’s a reason fusion energy is called the “holy grail” of clean power – it promises virtually limitless, carbon-free electricity by harnessing the process that powers the sun. With HB 1018, Washington is boldly stepping into this global race. In fact, one of the world’s first fusion power plants is now planned in our own state: Helion Energy, an Everett-based company, announced plans to build a 50 megawatt fusion facility in Chelan County. This is groundbreaking on a global scale. By streamlining fusion project permitting, we’re saying that Washington will lead the way in making this world-changing technology a reality. From attracting cutting-edge companies to creating jobs, the fusion effort here isn’t just about one power plant – it’s about our state helping to unlock a new era of clean energy for the world. We’re turning visionary science into achievable policy, ensuring that Washington’s innovators have the support to light up the future.
Closing Thoughts
I believe in doing the kind of work that truly matters – work that is bold in vision, life-changing for our communities, and future-shaping for the next generation. Whether it’s caring for veterans, improving everyday services, or pioneering clean energy, I remain committed to pushing forward initiatives that make a difference in all of our lives. Together, fueled by your stories and support, we are achieving progress that once seemed out of reach. I’m optimistic about all that lies ahead for our district and our state. Thank you for inspiring this work and for allowing me the honor of serving you – and I’m excited to continue this journey of public service with you.
Always at Your Service,
Clyde
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