Caucus Update (State Convention)

As you know the precinct caucuses are this Sunday, April 15th.

It is possible that at that time you might be asked some questions about the schedule, timing and location of the 2012 Washington State Democratic Convention. This email should assist you in answering some of these questions and perhaps some of your own.

The State Convention is being held from Friday June 1st to Sunday June 3rd, 2012 at the Washington State Convention Center (800 Convention Place, Seattle, WA 98101). The host hotel is the Westin Seattle (1900 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101). The Westin and the Convention Center are both union facilities. It is less than ½ a mile between the Convention Center and the Westin.

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Newsletter – April 2012

The newsletter for April 2012 has been posted.  You can find it here:  2012-04-April

Endorsements committee interviews

On Wednesday, April 11th, we will be interviewing all six announced candidates for Pos. 1 and 2 for State Representative. (We have already endorsed Bob Hasegawa for State Senate, so there is no need to interview for that position.)

Schedule of interviews:

6:30        Jim Flynn (Pos. 1)

7:00        Rob Holland (Pos. 2)

7:30        Steven Bergquist (Pos. 2)

8:00        Bobby Virk (Pos. 2)

8:30        Zach Hudgins (Pos. 1)

9:00        Stephanie Bowman (Pos. 2)

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Bob Hasegawa Senate Campaign Kickoff

Bob Hasegawa is kicking off his campaign for State Senate.

Tukwila Community Center in the Banquet Room
12424 42nd Ave S
Tukwila, WA

Sunday, April 22, 2012 1:30 – 3:30pm 

Where’s my precinct caucus?

Unsure of where to caucus on April 15th for the precinct caucuses?  The Washington State Democrats have posted their caucus finder.  If you’re unsure of where to go, use their web page: http://www.wa-democrats.org/caucuses

Transit changes at King County Metro

For you transit buffs… time to provide your feedback on the latest proposed transit changes at King County Metro:

In recent months, we’ve heard from nearly 10,000 transit customers about our proposals to restructure bus service to be more productive and meet the needs of more people. That public input has helped shape the final September 2012 plan being submitted to the Metropolitan King County Council next week. This plan is aimed at being equitable, fair, and balanced regionally using the limited resources available.

Most of the final recommendations support the launch of the RapidRide C and D lines that will connect downtown Seattle to Ballard and West Seattle starting on Sept. 29. For that reason, the changes primarily affect service in Seattle and adjacent communities. Some of the revisions, such as the recommended changes to the routes 10, 11, 12, 123, and 125 will also improve the flow of buses through downtown Seattle, which will produce significant efficiencies for Metro’s overall system.

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A special event to benefit the work of the Northwest Progressive Institute

https://www.nwprogressive.org/gala/

Featuring Senator Maria Cantwell, Congressman Adam Smith, Andrew Villeneuve and Gael Tarleton from NPI, plus speakers to be announced

2012 Spring Fundraising Gala: Buy tickets

What: A special event to benefit the work of the Northwest Progressive Institute

When: Thursday, April 12th, 2012 Reception starts at 6:30 PM, main program at 7:15 PM

Where: Mercer Island Community Center 8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island, 98040

Who: Featuring Senator Maria Cantwell, Congressman Adam Smith, Andrew Villeneuve and Gael Tarleton from NPI, plus speakers to be announced

Refreshments: Delicious buffet, beer and wine available from our cash bar

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Precinct Caucus – Surrogate Affidavit Form

Can’t make it to the precinct caucus on April 15th because of a disability, military service, or religious reasons?  You can fill out a surrogate affidavit form so your vote will still count even though you cannot make it to the caucus.

A copy of this form properly completed and signed must be sent either by mail, fax or as a scanned PDF to the State Democratic Party headquarters and must be received no later than Friday, April 6, 2012 at 5:00 pm, this is so that the form may be forwarded to the proper local party organization prior to the Sunday, April 15, 2012
Precinct Caucuses.

Details are in the form: 2012 Precinct Caucuses – 99 – Surrogate Affidavit Form

11th Legislative District Caucus & Nominating Convention

Legislative District Caucus & Nominating Convention

This caucuses shall be held on April 28, 2012 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. at the IAM 751 International Machinists and Aerospace headquarters 9125 15th Place South Seattle, WA 98108-5100.

Details here: 11th Legislative District Caucus & Nominating Convention

Dennis Kucinich to be featured at April 12 Social Security forum

We are very pleased that Rep. Dennis Kucinich will be speaking at the Social Security forum at Highline Community College on April 12th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Entitled “The Threat to Social Security – An Issue for All Generations” the forum will be held in the Student Union Building (Building 8) on the Highline C.C. campus. Additional outstanding speakers include Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director, One America, Marilyn Watkins, Policy Director, Economic Opportunity Institute, and Magdaleno Rose-Avila, Executive Director, The Latino Equality Initiative and a member of PSARA’s Executive Board.

This is a very exciting program and we need to really assure a big turn out. Attached is the flier for the event. We are also getting 500 of them printed. Please focus on turning out a big crowd for this exciting forum.

Event:  http://bit.ly/GZlDXf

Flyer:  http://bit.ly/GXfg9x

11th District Democrats – 2012 Caucus Training

Wednesday March 28, 2012, Sharon Mast, DNC Representative, will conduct training for the district caucus area coordinators at 6:00 pm at the Renton Carpenters Hall, 231 Burnett Avenue North in Renton.  This coursework will be followed immediately by training for all 11th District Democrats’ PCOs at 7:00 pm.  Each session will last approximately one hour.

March for Trayvon 3/25 in Seattle

Just to make sure word of this gets out. There will be a march for Trayvon Martin on Sunday. Find more details at:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1082377

There is a Facebook event page at:

http://www.facebook.com/events/100940740039509/

Gas Prices

As the rhetoric heats up this election season, I’m sure all sorts of blame will go around on gas prices.  People will, again, suggest that we increase our domestic gas production (damaging the environment in the process) to try to lower those prices.

A statistical analysis of 36 years of monthly, inflation-adjusted gasoline prices and U.S. domestic oil production by The Associated Press shows no statistical correlation between how much oil comes out of U.S. wells and the price at the pump.

View the Minnesota Public Radio article for more details.

Camp Wellstone: Seattle

Register today!

This 2.5 day training, running from 3-9pm Friday, 9am-6:00pm Saturday, and 9am-3:30pm Sunday, combines lectures from highly experienced trainers, stimulating exercises, and interactive simulations. We’re counting on you to organize around issues that matter, help build campaigns for the future, and elect progressive candidates to office.

Camp Wellstone is divided into three tracks:

  • Activist track: For people interested in citizen lobbying, issue advocacy, and community organizing, this track provides skills in how to win on issues.
  • Campaign track: This track focuses on how to be an effective staff or volunteer member of a winning progressive campaign.
  • Candidate track: This is for people who have made the decision to run for office (or are exploring the possibility of running in the near future).

Details here:  http://wellstone.org/training-calendar/camp-wellstone-seattle-2

LAC & Jobs

The King County Democrats LAC meets every month at various convenient locations to discuss, update and answer questions from the attendees. To find LAC meeting times: go to King County Democrats website or email sarajane3h@comcast.net.

There are 10 issues of importance to the committee for legislative action. I have selected HB 2793 for starters. This bill aims to create up to 22,000 jobs by funding public capital projects. The bill is currently in the Rules committee for a second reading.

Rep Hans Dunshee (D Snohomish) chairs the Capital Budget Committee and is spearheaded passage. Our own Rep Hasagawa is on the Rules Committee. Rep Dunshee has worked with a broad coalition supporting the basic concept of creating jobs quickly with projects that are shovel ready. Also funded are labs and equipment at community colleges aimed at training unemployed workers.

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