Living Our Values
We had well over 70 people milling about in the brisk sunshine Sunday afternoon at County Farm Park to gear up to win it all in 2024. We enjoyed delicious fare from VegMichigan, and enjoyed time with our friends from IBEW and Huron Valley Area Labor Federation. Young Dems Washtenaw staffed the sign-in and voter registration table, and our allies from the MDP Veterans Caucus made lots of new connections. We heard from our hard-working electeds, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, State Reps Jennifer Conlin, Jason Morgan, and Carrie Rheingans, and County Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair (and WCDP Black Caucus Chair) Caroline Sanders. MDP Jewish Caucus Chair Marla Linderman Richelew spoke movingly about the terrible toll, on individuals and communities, of the violence against innocents we are witnessing with horror. At a time of trauma and intentional political division, our gathering was a powerful reminder of our impact when we bring love, compassion, and determination to our work together.
The best articulation of the principles that drive our work together is the WCDP’s first Values statement, generated over months of discussion among members of the County Committee and Executive Board, and approved by the Executive Board at its October 17 meeting. Thank you to all members who contributed to the thinking reflected in this powerful statement.
What have Dems done for you lately?
Our Democratic trifecta in Lansing continues to deliver results for Michiganders in 2023! In the last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation driven by our Democratic majorities and strongly reflecting our values:
- Protecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by integrating ACA provisions into Michigan law, protecting Michigan residents from potential injurious actions by the U.S. Congress or federal courts. This legislation ensures affordable healthcare coverage for millions of Michigan families under “Healthy Michigan,“ cutting red tape, permitting children to remain on their parents’ healthcare plan until age 26, banning discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation, removing lifetime coverage cap restrictions, and more. MI Dems have also expanded dental care for Medicaid or Healthy Michigan enrollees, lowered the cost of prescription drugs and increase pharmacy oversight, and invested in “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies,” to address disproportionate racial impacts of maternal and infant mortality.
- Protecting our children’s health through the Clean Drinking Water Act, which will require schools and childcare centers to install filtered faucets, develop a drinking water management plan, and conduct routine sampling and testing to ensure safe and accessible drinking water for children. The Whitmer administration has already enforced the strongest Lead and Copper Rule for drinking water in the country.
And coming up:
Michigan lawmakers are soon expected to introduce bills known as “polluter pay,” an effort to reverse business-friendly environmental laws from the mid-1990s and hold companies more accountable for pollution they caused. In the Bridge Michigan article linked, our Senator Jeff Irwin is quoted: “This whole idea that we’re just going to trust the responsible parties to do the right thing? I don’t think it’s working well.” Senator Irwin and Democratic colleagues have been working on “polluter pay” laws for years. Now that we have the majority, we can get it done!
Our Most Important Work Right Now
Register to vote, and make sure everyone we know is registered as well, and knows WHY it’s essential to vote for Dems!
You can learn everything you need to know at the Michigan Voter Information Center
You can register immediately if you have a valid MI driver’s license or state ID, and the last 4 digits of your SSN
Meet your representatives – and tour the Capitol!
Our friends from the Monroe County Democratic Party – with whom we share HD31, held now by Rep. Reggie Miller – are inviting all WCDP members to join them to visit our electeds and tour the Capitol building on Thursday, November 2. Meet MCDP chair Rick Kull and members at 124 North Capitol Avenue at 9:30 am. Feel free to call Rick for details: 734-735-8432
WCDP November Monthly Meeting: Responding to Disruptive Behavior in Schools: a Panel Discussion of the Washtenaw Equity Partnership Final Report Recommendations
Saturday November 4 @ 9:15 am – 12:00 pm
In person at the Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Avenue, and on Zoom at the link below.
9:15: Meet and Greet
9:45: Party Business
- Theresa Reid, WCDP Chair
- Washington Update – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
10:15 Program
Panelists:
- Alma Wheeler Smith, Washtenaw Equity Partnership Chair, Former State Legislator
- S. Joy Gaines, Attorney, Washtenaw Equity Partnership Working Group member
- Tamala Bell, Ann Arbor teacher, Vice President, Ann Arbor Education Association
- Jennifer Lawrence, Attorney and parent, Ann Arbor Eberwhite Elementary School students
- Che Carter, Principal, Ann Arbor Huron High School Principal, Washtenaw Equity Partnership Working Group member
Download the final report PDF:Washtenaw Equity Partnership, Findings and Recommendations on Washtenaw County’s Criminal Legal System, Section 4.8, School Approaches to Disciplinary Issues, pp. 123-6.
Join us on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85974222876
Young Dems Washtenaw – Join us!
YDW has a logo, thanks to Sarah Rose, and lots of upcoming events, thanks to the growing leadership team. All Young Dems – that’s 16-36 – are invited to all events! Please join the team to turn out the mighty youth vote in Washtenaw County, from Manchester to Milan, Salem to Sylvan! Opportunities to meet friends and get involved:
- Sunday, Nov. 5, 2:00 – 4:00 pm: YDW welcome, socializing & organizing meeting, West Side Room, Westgate Branch AADL
- Sunday, Dec. 3, 2:00 – 4:00 pm: YDW welcome, socializing & organizing meeting, Location TBD
- Sunday, Jan. 7, 2:00 – 4:00 pm: YDW welcome & organizing meeting, Multipurpose Room, Downtown AADL
OPEN HOUSE
10am-4pm, Tuesday, November 14, IBEW Local 252 Union Hall
7920 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor.
Help us celebrate another great year of training the next generation of local electrical workers!
This Open House spotlights women in apprenticeship, celebrated by the Ann Arbor Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (AAEJATC). All of the AAEJATC women apprentices and most IBEW 252 women journeymen will be in attendance to answer questions and lead tours of the facility.
Also featuring:
- Manufacturer training partner Jim Tolzdorf of Madison Electric, with products on display.
- W4 Country radio, broadcasting live.
- Members of apprentice-run charity Union4Life, presenting a check to UM’s Rogel Cancer Center for breast cancer research.
Everyone’s invited – local politicians, civic and business leaders, all schools! We hope to see you there. Free hot dogs and soft drinks will be served.
This Open House is part of NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK – November 13-19.
Coffee with your legislators ☕
State Representative Carrie Rheingans (District 47) and special guest State Representative Jennifer Conlin (District 48) will host a constituent coffee hour at the Dexter District Library at 3255 Alpine Street, Dexter, MI 49203, on Wednesday, November 15th from 10-11 a.m. Questions? Message CarrieRheingans@house.mi.gov or call (517) 373-8835
