General Membership Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2022 – Virtual meeting held via closed ZOOM
Pre-Meeting Special Program
- Skylink Program – Give Seattle a Lift! Martin Westerman and Martin Pagel
- Gondola options were explored and approved by SDOT prior to 2020.
- Stated that a gondola will be less expensive and impact less forest and existing buildings
- Group is requesting the 34th District Democrats provide a resolution to support a study
- Learn more: https://www.westseattleskylink.org/ , contact artartart@seanet.com or westseattleskylink@gmail.com with questions.
7:18 – Call to Order by Carla Rogers, Chair
Chair’s Remarks
- Propositions One and Two passed (Seattle Schools Capital levies)
- Caucus Committee
- has started planning for upcoming delegate caucus (March 26) which leads to state convention June 25
- Redistricting likely going into effect in a few days
- Planning for 34th District Dems July Fundraiser has begun
- PCO planning for filing in May
- Speak Up Survey: Where Should we Socialize?
- Midterms are coming soon to vote for US Senate and many other seats!
- Step up and volunteer to help maintain Democratic values and Democratic seats!
Opening Ceremonies
- Land & People Acknowledgement – First Vice Chair Rachel Glass
- VIP Recognition: Special Guests and Elected Officials are invited to speak:
- Burien City Councilmember Hugo Garcia Hugog@Burienwa.gov
- King County Councilmember Joe McDermott Joe.McDermott@KingCounty.gov
Approval of Tonight’s Agenda and Last Month’s Minutes
- Roxanne Thayer moved and Rachel Glass seconded to approve the agenda. Approved with voice vote.
- Bunny Hatcher moved and Roxanne Thayer seconded to approve the minutes. Approved with voice vote.
Budget and Membership Reports
- Treasurer Julie Whitaker reported on the budget since the last meeting.
- Budget increased largely due to membership dues
- Remember to renew! https://34dems.org/contribute/
- Change Makes $ense!:
Candidate Spotlight
- Justice Mary Yu – State Supreme Court Justice, appointed in 2014, proud to be first Asian LGBTQ member
- Brian Todd – King County District Court Judge, SW – King County Court South, currently assigned to Burien
- Lisa Paglisotti – King County District Court Judge, W – currently serve in the West division including West Seattle
- Rebecca Robertson – King County District Court Judge, President of District Municipal Court System
- Endorsement will be later in the year
Advocating with the WA State Legislature
- Annie Phillips, Burien PCO and co-lead of the EELU Caucus, presenting
- Concentrate on communicating with Rules Committee Chair Laurie Jinkins laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov
- Buildings and transportation are the biggest carbon emitters
- New laws must address methane, yard and kitchen waste
- House bills 1619, 1663, 1767, 1774, 1770, and 1799 – keep the pressure up to move these bills to vote!
Steps:
- To comment on a bill go to https://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/
- Select House or Senate, date and time, then the bill to address
- Select Pro or Con to simply make your position known, or Submit Written Testimony to write an opinion
- More information coming in the Sunday Newsletter!
Resolution to Consider
- Bunny Hatcher presented on “Resolution in Support of Climate Bills Pending in the 2022 Washington State Legislature” https://34dems.org/resolution-in-support-of-2022-climate-bills/
- Randy Litzenberger moved to amend the resolution to include HB 1619 concerning appliance efficiency and striking HB 1084 concerning buildings. Rachel Glass seconded. Amendment passed by voice vote.
- Rachel Glass moved and Bunny Hatcher seconded for the motion to go to the 34th members for approval.
- Poll results for the motion: 100% yes, resolution is adopted.
Healthcare Caucus Report & Whole WA Video
The 34th LD Healthcare Caucus is dedicated to the transformation of our healthcare system.
Goals: 1) All inclusive- everybody in, nobody out; 2) Not for profit; 3) With comprehensive benefits; 4) Free at point of service. UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE.
- Jen Nye, Chair of Healthcare Caucus, presenting update on Resolution Regarding Non-discriminatory, Medically Comprehensive Healthcare in Washington State https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mezZog0V1_qArDNDwBQmys0q6YQNcxl5/edit
- Keep Our Care Act (SB 5688 / HB 1809) would put controls on runaway corporate health mergers & acquisitions. Corporate hospital takeovers decrease competition and choice of provider, increase wait times, and limit access to or deny abortions, gender-affirming care, end of life care / death with dignity
- 48 percent of hospitals are owned by religious organizaitons and can limit care options
- Remove profit incentive from healthcare
- Contact and make your voice heard HCAUniversalHCC@hca.wa.gov
- Use the app app.leg.wa.gov/csi and make your voice heard
WHOLE WASHINGTON: Andre Stackhouse presenting (206.715.7085; captainstack@gmail.com; http//twitter.com/CaptainStack )
- 2022 Campaign Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnBoDWytUOA
- Universal Public Health Insurance is designed to better cover all Washington state residents and costs less. Need 400,000 signatures to get it on the ballot. Need volunteers to get enough signatures. State-wide ballot initiative.
- Sign up to volunteer: https://wholewashington.org/volunteer/
Executive Board Member Appointments
- Platform, Legislative Action Committee Chair – Deena Ledger
- Fundraising & Events Committee Chair – Gina Topp
- Social Justice & Equity Chair – Soleil Lewis
- Voice vote to approve new board members unanimously approved.
- Thank you to the new volunteers stepping up!
Redistricting
- March meeting will be the official cutover to the new district boundaries.
- Need to check your district? Visit https://www.redistricting.wa.gov/final-legislative-district-map
- Redistricted members should join the 33rd!
- Join by February 25 in order to participate in the 2022 Delegate Caucus
PCO Presentation
- Nick Bonazza presented Deena Ledger to become a PCO for SEA 34-3263, swore her in, and motioned for her appointment. Rachel Glass seconded. Voice vote for unanimous approval.
- Current term ends November 30, new term begins December 1. Years 2023 and 2024 are very important.
- More training for PCOs coming up and voter registration pop-ups are also coming.
- Contact Nick Bonazza at pco@34dems.org.
Announcements
- Pop Up Social – Feb 18! Whiskey West, Morgan Junction. Senator Ngueyn will attend.
- 2022 Delegate Caucus is March 26
- Will be held virtually
- 32 Delegates and 16 Alternates!
- To vote at Caucus you must be a member by February 25
- Next meeting is March 9, 6:30pm pre-meeting program
- Next board meeting is February 23, 7-8:30
GOTO and Mark Your Calendar
- Elizabeth Heath: West Seattle Democratic Women presenting on ranked choice voting, check West Seattle Blog for more information.
Adjourned at 9:07 by Carla Rogers, Chair