ISLAND COUNTY: May 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
Pride and Protest
This June, voices will rise—joyful, defiant, unapologetically loud. Communities across Island County (and our nation) will gather to celebrate Pride Month, to commemorate Juneteenth, a solemn reminder of delayed justice and enduring resilience, and to confront injustice through the No Kings rally. Like a heroine in a novel who refuses to yield to a system built to tame her, this month will not be quiet.
Each of these events celebrated here locally and as a collective spirit across our country bring us the opportunity to honor the legacy of those who dared to live truthfully when the world demanded silence. They are declarations of presence. They are reminders, as Elizabeth Bennet might insist, that dignity is not something granted—it’s inherent.
Pride activities across Camano and Whidbey Islands will be colorful celebrations in a time when we feel the threat to the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community are at risk. The No Kings rally, a national day of action, calls out the creeping authoritarianism that would roll back hard-fought rights. Its name—a clever jab at tyranny past and present—invokes the spirit of revolution, of casting off golden crowns for the messy, beautiful work of democracy. Juneteenth places the hard truth in front of us that we are still struggling with racial injustice.
In a sense, these June events form a love story—one not of romantic entanglement, but of self-love and solidarity. Of communities saying, “We see you,” and more powerfully, “We are you.” It’s a tale told throughout history: the struggle to be seen, the courage to resist, and the pride that comes from choosing authenticity over approval.
So, whether you stand in protest or dance in the streets (or both), know that this month is more than a calendar of events—it’s a collective act of courage. As Elizabeth Bennet so boldly put it, “My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.” That spirit lives in every marcher, every flag raised, every truth told out loud.
In June, we don’t just remember what we’re fighting for—we live it, together.
Jennifer Haase Morris
Chair, Island County Democrats
Message from Island County Democrats
SAVE THE DATE
Island County Democratic Central Committee
General Meeting
Thursday, June 19, 2025
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (virtual via Zoom)
If you are not a PCO, please email icdchair@gmail.com for the Zoom link and agenda.
HELP WANTED
We are in the process of revamping our communications channels (newsletter, website, etc.).
Volunteers needed to help gather information, write short articles for e-newsletters, to maintain a calendar of events, and other tasks to support stronger communication processes for Island County Democrats.
Please email icdchair@gmail.com if you could commit 1 hour per month to be part of this forming group. Thank you!
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
As we move into June, it is hard to believe we have moved through six months of the uncertainty and chaos of this administration. We also saw the end of the Washington State Legislative Session, a challenging year as our elected leaders worked to achieve a balanced budget and also address public safety, affordable housing, access to healthcare, transportation, and many other priorities. As a County Commissioner, we address local priorities and needs through advocacy and policy at the local, state and national level. As an active member of the National Association of Counties, I have been working with my colleagues across the nation to raise awareness and advocate against the egregious cuts proposed against SNAP and WIC, programs that feed our children and families. We have stood fast, raising awareness of the impact of Medicaid cuts to healthcare access, care coordination for vulnerable seniors, and primary care for children. Confusion and anxiety is the result of threats to veterans’ support, social security and Medicare. Earlier this year, I hosted a Town Hall with panelists from food banks, senior centers, schools, disability services and others to talk about what they are seeing on the front lines.
In Olympia, we fought hard to protect basic state programs from our Recovery Navigators to Public Defense to our local transportation priorities. I spent many hours in Olympia working on continuing to address the ferry crisis and funding for new boats. We have seen success with the more stable service and the return of two boats for the Port Townsend Coupeville run. As you may remember, the Climate Commitment Act was significant in funding new hybrid ferry construction, boats with electric and high efficiency diesel, that will serve our region. The bids came in for new boats and we are able to move forward, one bid was from an East Coast builder and the other from our own Nichols Bros. The Nichols bid was higher because they pay working wages for local jobs. As required in Washington State, they also support small businesses and local supply chains. They were also an early innovator in our Washington State Apprenticeship programs, creating employment pathways for young people, women, and those in job transitions. These programs generate indirect tax revenue and help stabilize and grow local economic development. I am actively working with colleagues in Snohomish County, labor, and Workforce Development Council to advocate that Washington State Ferries and the Governor retain at least one boat for construction to Nichols Brothers, splitting the contract between the bids in order to get more boats more quickly, protect local jobs, and ensure the future of our maritime industry. Please contact our State elected officials to let them know, local jobs equal local economic impact and stronger families.
Sine Die is the official end of session. It rarely ends our work. We use the interim to meet with stakeholders on their issues, reach out to our elected leaders, propose solutions, and when needed, help policy that went off the rails get back on track. For me, that includes continued work on housing, behavioral health, transportation, and on a hyper-local level, helping find a strategic path forward to protect the Cama Beach cabins. I’m also back in Philadelphia in July for a NACo conference for our national priorities. Work with me. Keep the letters and phone calls coming, bring your voice into the process. A million whispers become a mighty wind. Happy Pride Month! Let love be the force behind our work.
Janet
Message from State Representative, Clyde Shavers
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I know it often feels like our world is off-kilter. We look to Washington, D.C. and see daily headlines of division, animosity, and gridlock. The political environment at the federal level has become deeply divisive – filled with shouting matches and partisan stand-offs that leave many of us discouraged. It’s easy to feel like the world has lost its balance amid this dysfunction. But here at home, I’m writing to share a different story – one of hope, determination, and finding balance in an unbalanced world.
In our office, we don’t have the luxury of endless stalemates or hateful rhetoric – we have work to do for our communities. Every day, I see Democrats and Republicans in Olympia coming together around shared values and common goals. We certainly don’t agree on everything, but we prove that respectful dialogue and hard work can bridge divides. Instead of mirroring the chaos, we’re committed to leading with civility and action, showing that effective governance is still possible when we put people first.
Our determination to work together has paid off in real and meaningful ways. We’ve passed several major bills with overwhelming bipartisan – often unanimous – support, proving that unity is the key to progress. For example, we came together to pass three of our bills:
- A groundbreaking fusion energy development bill. This new law streamlines permitting for fusion power projects, positioning Washington as a leader in clean, abundant energy for the future. It passed our legislature with near-unanimous support, demonstrating our shared commitment to innovative climate solutions.
- A maritime workforce training initiative. To address staffing shortages in our ferry system and maritime industries, we launched a career training pipeline for high school students interested in maritime professions. This effort to invest in our youth and ferry system earned unanimous approval – a win for our economy and state unity.
- An expansion of veteran services. We passed legislation to ensure veterans across Washington have better access to the benefits and support they’ve earned. This nearly unanimous, bipartisan bill extends help to veterans who were previously overlooked, reaffirming that taking care of those who served is a value we all share.
That spirit of unity and determination is also reflected in our state budget. In an era when federal budgets teeter on the brink, our state approved a two-year state budget that embodies hope, resilience, and responsible leadership. We balanced our budget and made investments in our people and communities, even amid economic challenges. This year’s budget isn’t just about dollars and cents – it’s a statement of what we value and believe in as Washingtonians. We’re proving that even when times are tough, we can protect our most vulnerable, create jobs, and strengthen the foundations of our communities. This budget was crafted through bipartisan cooperation and a belief that planning for a brighter tomorrow is the best answer to today’s uncertainties.
At a time when dysfunction and cynicism plague our national politics, we’re showing America that there is another way forward – one defined not by rancor, but by results. Each bipartisan bill we pass, each budget we balance, and each community investment we make sends a clear message: positive change is possible when we work together. Where others see hopeless division, we choose to see opportunities to roll up our sleeves and get things done. We are, quite simply, finding balance in an unbalanced world – and in doing so, lighting a path of hope for others to follow.
None of this progress happens in a vacuum. It happens because of you. Now more than ever, I encourage you to stay engaged and keep believing in the power of progress. Your voice and involvement are the compass that guides our work. Attend town halls, speak up about issues that matter to you, and hold us accountable. When you do, you remind all of us in public service why we’re here: to serve the people and build a better future together. In this unbalanced world, each of us has a part to play in restoring equilibrium – and your engagement is essential. I believe in this community, I believe in our state, and I believe that if we continue to lift each other up, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your state representative.
Always at Your Service,
Clyde
Message from US Representative, Rick Larsen
The GOP’s budget is a disaster for working families. It will more than double the current deficit, all while gutting essential programs like Social Security, Medicare, and critical climate initiatives. The Republican plan slashes the social safety net just to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Experts estimate that the top 0.1% of income earners — those making millions every year — will see an average tax windfall of $255,000 annually, or about $700 every single day. That is not just unfair, it is an insult to the hardworking people in Northwest Washington.
It is no surprise that the Chaos Caucus had to push this budget through in the dead of night. They know the American people would never support a scheme that gives handouts to billionaires at the expense of everyone else. Two of their own members even crossed the aisle to vote against it. This is not about sound fiscal policy — it is about rewarding the wealthiest donors and leaving the rest of us to pay the price.
The fight is not over. I will keep working to defeat this bill as it moves through the legislative process. The American people deserve better than a budget that puts the richest Americans first and leaves working families behind. We need policies that strengthen the middle class, invest in our future, and ensure everyone has a fair shot, not just the top 0.1%.
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