WCDP News: Michigan Dems taking action

WCDP County Committee Meeting March 8th

WCDP County Committee – Quarterly Meeting March 8, 7:00 pm
The WCPD County Committee will meet on March 8, 2023, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, via Zoom. All members are welcome to attend; only members of the County Committee may vote.

The agenda will include an update about the Executive Board’s strategic planning process, introduction of newly stated vision and mission statements, election of 2 officers, and new business presented by WCDP members. Per WCDP’s bylaws, the meeting will be run according to Robert’s Rules of Order. If you would like to introduce an agenda item, send it to chair@washtenawdems.org by March 1.

Michigan Dems respond to gun violence crisis

On February 16th, Michigan Senate Democrats introduced 10 gun control bills. Michigan House Democrats introduced several mental health bills. Representative Debbie Dingell also just introduced a bill in the House to protect domestic abuse survivors and victims of stalking from gun violence. Contact your legislators to let them know you support their passage. To learn more about gun violence legislation, join Moms Demand Action on Thursday night at 6pm for their monthly meeting.

March 4th Meeting — Two ways to attend

We’re trying a hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting this month. For the in-person crowd, we’ll be meeting at our old stomping grounds, the Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center where, at this time, masks are optional. Details on both options below.

The Housing and Homelessness Crisis in Washtenaw County

There has been a significant spike in people experiencing homelessness in Washtenaw County this winter, especially families who cannot find housing. Local housing and homelessness service providers and others involved with the crisis will inform us about the impact of the lack of housing on the most vulnerable in our community, and its negative effects for education, business, health care systems, and so many other aspects of life across the county. We’ll learn more about what we can do about it. Read more on MLive.

We’ll also be joined by elected representatives for conversation and Q&A about legislative work in Lansing and in the County Board of Commissioners.

Meeting Agenda

9:15 – 9:45.— Social hour

9:45 – 10:45 — Organization business and Conversations with our Legislators

Rep. Carrie Rheingans, on proposed legislation for Michigan to join the National Popular Vote Initiative
Senator Jeff Irwin, Chair, Housing and Human Services Committee, will speak to Democratic legislative action on the homelessness crisis
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, with updates on business in D.C., including her bill to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence
State Rep. Jason Morgan (HD23) and State Senator Sue Shink (SD14) will discuss the package of gun violence prevention bills introduced in the last
two weeks
Other elected officialsTBA

10:45 – 12:00 — Homelessness Program & Panel

Judge Cedric Simpson
County Commissioner Andy LaBarre
Amanda Carlisle, Executive Director of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance,
Aubrey Patiño Executive Director Avalon Housing
Morghan Boydston, Human Services Manager, OCED/Office of Community and Economic Development.

Attend in person
The Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center (LRC) is at 4135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, 48108. The LRC is part of the Sheriff’s office complex. The most visible landmark from Washtenaw is St. Luke’s church, which shares a driveway with the LRC, immediately west of the church.

Send Us Your Ideas!

Ypsilanti City Council Passes Resolution to Restore Worker Freedom

On Tuesday, February 21st, the Ypsilanti City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on the State of Michigan to restore Workers Rights through the repeal of several laws that undermine working families.

Governor Whitmer to Help Geographically Disadvantaged Businesses

Governor Whitmer announced a new Executive Directive (ED) on February 3, 2023. The new ED would require 20% of the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB)’s contracts to go to Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (GDBEs) beginning fiscal year 2023-2024. GDBEs are businesses that are owned and operated in underutilized and underserved areas. These areas include inner cities and rural areas. This expands opportunities for women, veteran-owned, person with disability-owned, and minority-owned businesses across the state. Governor Whitmer announced these changes after the Black Leadership Advisory Council, which includes Washtenaw County’s Sheriff Clayton, called for state leadership to expand opportunities for Black-owned businesses in their 2022 report.

I am Black History: Youth Panel

Join the DNC on February 25 at 7:00 pm EST for a dynamic discussion on Youth Outreach in the Black Community with Special Guest Congresswoman Lauren Underwood.

I am Black History will celebrate local and national leaders bridging gaps in their communities. This year, in the tradition of honoring our nation’s greatest civil servants, the DNC will highlight local and national pillars that are working diligently to address issues in the areas of Mental Health and Youth.

They have gathered a phenomenal group of young activists, including Mari Copeny (Little Miss Flint), to discuss the importance of youth outreach and how we can continue to center youth on our path forward.

RSVP to receive a link to join on Zoom.

Public schools are for everybody

Whether you have school-aged children or not, your local public schools are at the center of your community as they engage with more than just their current families – they offer community-wide programming, partner with local organizations and businesses, employ our neighbors, engage with our senior citizens, bring in business, and so much more. Together, we are all raising the next generation of leaders, caretakers, explorers, and innovators.

Locally, Washtenaw County is home to nine typical Pre-K-12 public school districts. Each school district has its successes and challenges as we all evolve and adapt to our ever-changing world, though educating and preparing our children for this world should remain central to their purpose. But, have we lost this focus as the “what” and the “how” of public education has become grievously under attack as talking points for politicians and the media? Because, unfortunately, that filters down into our local schools, boards of education, and our families. Staying informed on issues facing your local public school districts is an important first step to ensuring a productive education for our next generations. The second step is to meaningfully engage with your schools to help them meet their challenges and advance their successes; a healthy school is reflective of a healthy community.

Future articles in this series will explore public education in Washtenaw and how to get involved. We will review and examine current events related to public education such as book bans, sex ed, student populations, curriculum, and more.

Find out more about your local district below: