Thank our DC legislators for holding the line on the debt ceiling!
There’s so much noise today about the “debt ceiling.” What is it? It’s effectively the nation’s credit card bill. As Rep. Dingell says in a recent post, paying it is nonnegotiable. “America is nearing the deadline to raise the debt ceiling to fulfill our commitments and maintain our nation’s full faith and credit. Raising the debt ceiling isn’t the time to negotiate spending cuts — it’s the time to pay our bills.” Radical Republicans are trying to hold us hostage, threatening to undo the work of our democratically elected government to get drastic spending cuts only a tiny minority want. Write to President Biden, Senators Stabenow and Peters, and Congresswoman Dingell to thank them for their principled stand. We must just simply pay our debts – then we can reverse the Republican tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations so we can fund the government the people want!
May 13: A Picnic with new leaders
It’s our first picnic with our new Congressional District neighbors! Join the fun and show Rep. Dingell some love on Saturday, May 13, 1-4 pm at Lions Club Park, 940 Fairground Street, in Plymouth. Bring the kids!
ICYMI: May Membership Meeting
Michigan’s first Democratic State Legislature in 38 Years: Accomplishments and Future Plans
We asked what they’ve been up to, and boy did they deliver. The May meeting was an informative back-and-forth among county and state legislators and attendees. Take a minute to write and thank them for their fantastic work for us! Our gratitude for their incredible work should ring out loud!
Some of the elected officials who presented on Saturday were:
- Representative Debbie Dingell U.S. House 6th Congressional District
- Senator Jeff Irwin, Senate District 15
- Representative Jason Morgan, House District 23
- Senator Sue Shink, Senate District
- Eli Savit, Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney
Justin Hodge, Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, announced that the New Human Services Partnership! Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) is recruiting for 3 opportunities to review grant proposals. Click here to find out more information and apply!
Ann Arbor for Public Power (A2P2) Festival
| more info: Public Power Festival | Facebook |
May 20, 2023 • Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Honoring the legacy of Senator Debbie Stabenow, with Astronaut and U.S.
Senator from Arizona, Mark Kelly
Get your tickets today at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mdplegacy2023
To join a table with other WCDP members, contact chair@washtenawdems.org by Wednesday, May 10.
Ypsi Town Hall: Campaign Finance Reform
Monday, May 15, at 6:30 pm • Ypsilanti Public Library
Join Voters Not Politicians at the Ypsilanti Public Library to learn more about the role of multinational corporate money in politics, how it’s drowning out the voices of voters and what you can do about it. For more information, visit https://www.mobilize.us/vnp/event/561286/.
Visibility Committee Call for Volunteers
Staff a table with other WCDP volunteers at the Ann Arbor African American Festival
- Help set up our table on Friday, June 2
- Staff a table during the festival on Saturday, June 3
Sign up for a 2-3 hour shift – slots are filling fast!
These additional events in May, June, and July need volunteers as well. If you live in one of these areas, we especially need you!
- Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Saturdays beginning in May)
- Chelsea Sounds and Sights (Thursday nights beginning in June)
- Milan Pride Picnic (Thursday, June 8, 4-7pm)
- Ann Arbor Juneteenth Celebration (Saturday, June 17)
- Ann Arbor Art Fair (July 20-22, shifts available throughout the day)
- More events coming in August and September
Even if none of these dates work for you but you are interested, sign up using the link below.. Training will be offered. We also need ongoing Visibility Committee members to help us plan and support local events throughout the county on an ongoing basis.
Sign Up Here and tell us which events are of interest to you. A member of our team will be in touch.
Get Involved in the County’s Homelessness Policy
The upcoming Continuum of Care meeting is almost here! They will discuss current data, system needs, hold an open dialogue about important topics, and vote on two items. Continuum of Care coordinates our community’s policies, strategies, and activities toward ending homelessness. This is your opportunity to get involved!
Questions? Email Kristin Kunes at kunesk@washtenaw.org.
WHEN: Thursday, May 25th @ 1pm – 4pm
WHERE: Ellen Thompson Women’s Health Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital, 5320 Elliott Dr, Ypsilanti 48197
RSVP at https://bit.ly/CoC-May
The DNC Best Practices Institute is excited to announce the launch of our 2023 Train the Trainer Webinar Training Program! This is a free six-week, twelve-part webinar course, covering aspects of grassroots campaigning. Each year we update Train the Trainer (T3) sessions so even if you’ve already participated there is still more to learn.
Click Here to Register for the 2023 T3 Program!T3 trainings are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET, from May 16, through June 22.
The deadline to register is Sunday, May 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET. CLICK HERE to submit your registration for the 2023 T3 Training Program!
Coffee with Your Representatives!
Carrie Rheingans, representing the 47th District
May 12 @ 1pm
- Vets Park – 2150 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor 48103
- Canvas for 2 hours, asking what issues are important to constituents, and then enjoy Happy Hour at HOMES Brewery.
Senator Jeff Irwin, District 15
May 20 @ 10 am
Join Senator Jeff Irwin for an in-person coffee hour
- York Ann Arbor, 1928 Packard St, Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor City Council Equity-Centered Coffee Chat
May 21 @ 1 pm
- Wheeler Park – 200 Depot St Ann Arbor 48104
- Chat with Councilmembers Cynthia Harrison (Ward 1), Linh Song and Chris Watson (Ward 2), and Ayesha Ghazi-Edwin (Ward 3)
Save the Date-May 26: Community Gathering with the National Black Women’s Justice Institute
Join the National Black Women’s Justice Institute to learn about the over-criminalization of Black women and girls, and NBWJI’s work to stop it.
Dr. Sydney McKinney, NBWJI’s Executive Director, will discuss why we must center the experiences, needs, and voices of Black women and girls in the work to end mass incarceration, and how NBWJI is advancing healing-centered justice.
RSVP by May 14th.
June 25th-Save the Date: Join Us for Fun, Food, and Community
The Washtenaw County Democratic Party is excited to invite you and your loved ones to our annual Friends and Family Picnic! This year, the picnic will be held on June 25, 2023 from 1pm-5pm at the Independence Lake Beach Center in Webster Township.
We hope you can join us for an afternoon of fun, food, and community. We’ll be grilling up some delicious food provided by Chef Walter Jackson, so all you need to bring is a dish or beverage to share.
Please note that there is an entry fee of $3 for seniors who are Washtenaw County residents and $10 for others. We encourage you to RSVP as soon as possible, as entry will be denied once the park capacity is filled.
This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow Democrats, meet elected officials, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. We hope to see you there!
If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact Susan Baskett at Susanebaskett@gmail.com or 734.474.8221.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms in our community! Today we celebrate the amazing women who have loved and supported us throughout our lives. Thank you for your unwavering kindness, your endless patience, and your boundless love. You make the world a better place, and we are grateful for all that you do. May your day be filled with joy, laughter, and love!
