21Dems General Meeting Notes, May 18, 2022

Attendance as of 7:39

AGENDA 7:00        Call to Order

7:05        Land Acknowledgement, Announcements and Introductions – Welcome to New PCOs!

7:10        Election of SnoCo Dems Rep (gender not male)

7:25        Special Speakers and Topics:: Endorsements!   Roe v. Wade!

7:55        Minutes, Officer Reports, Committee Reports

8:00        Bio Break

8:05        Minutes, Officer Reports, Committee Reports

8:15        Old Business

8:15        New Business: Resolutions, Committee Confirmation (TBD)

8:25        Good of the Order

8:35        Adjourn  

We do not have a quorum as of 7:10

Call to order at 7:15

Welcome elected officials

David Chan – Fire Commissioner

Strom Peterson, 21st District Representative

Kate Baumgartner (political director for Sen. Murray)

Melissa Plummer (aide for Rep. DelBene) 

Report from Kate Baumgartner who read an article in Washington Post, a profile of Sen. Murray

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/15/patty-murray/

Thom Garrard – Presented a resolution adopted by delegation to State Convention. 

“Protecting Women’s Health” to protect women’s right to health care services, including abortion.

Sharon Holt asked a credentials check. There is a total of 12 PCOs and general members according to Thom.

We do have quorum.

Motion by Thom Garrard, second by Sharon Holt, for 21st District Democrats to adopt this Resolution

Adopted 10-0

PROTECTING WOMEN’S HEALTH

Whereas Roe v. Wade upholds the constitutional right to privacy, including in health care decisions and the right to access abortion care; and

Whereas Roe. Wade demonstrates quality legal reasoning and is consistent with related precedent since it was based on sound legal principles first established in Griswold v. Connecticut and Eisenstadt v. Baird, and repeatedly reaffirmed by the Supreme Court, including in Obergefell v. Hodges; and

Whereas the rights established in Roe v. Wade have been relied upon in this country for nearly half a century, and a large majority of the people of the United States support access to abortion care; and

Whereas low-income individuals and women of color are disproportionally impacted by restricting access to abortion care; and

Whereas the recently leaked draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson indicates that the Supreme Court may be prepared to use this case to overturn Roe v. Wade;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the 21st LD Democrats call for passage of federal legislation and any other appropriate action to ensure that all women can make their own health care decisions, that they have access to comprehensive, unbiased information about reproductive health care issues, and that women in all states have access to comprehensive, affordable health care, including prenatal care, miscarriage management, family planning services, abortion care, labor and delivery services, and postnatal care; and

Therefore, be it resolved, that the 21st LD Democrats call for passage of state legislation and/or any other appropriate action to ensure that, in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned, Washington will be a safe haven for women from states that have criminalized any component of reproductive health care services, including abortion, and who come to this state to obtain those services; and  

Be it further resolved, that this resolution shall be sent to President Biden, to all Democrats in our congressional delegation, in the state legislature, in other statewide offices, and to the Washington State Democratic Party.   

Submitted by Thom Garrard, SCM, LD 21

Adopted by LD 21 convention delegation on 5/13/22

Adopted by LD 21 general membership on ________

Note by Strom Peterson that HB1851 was passed and signed by the Governor, affirming a woman’s right to control her body: https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/1851.SL.pdf?q=20220518195744

Jeremie Sanders – new chair of Endorsement Committee

Members include: Jeremie, Mindy, Heather, David, Brook and Neil

Motion to approve Endorsement Committee members – Sharon Holt. Seconded by Peter Henry

Approved 9-0

To contact the committe: endorsements@21dems.org

Carin Chase arrived at 8:05 and was asked to present on Cultural Diversity, as the SnoCo Human Rights Commision representative from District 3. 

Clickable link: https://bit.ly/39d8zVu

Sharon asked that it be posted on our website as an event. Joel will also be sending out a SMS text message.

Secretary’s report – Peter Henry was present for part of the previous meeting on April 20 but was unable to take notes. Joel said we do have a recording and can get a transcription.

Thom Garrard asked for report on how many PCOs have filed.

Several emails have gone out, as well as a text message, to existing PCOs, reminding them to file.

Sharon urged everyone who hasn’t yet declared, to do so. She placed a link in the chat: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5729/Run-for-Office

Recommend outreach to new candidates who are not already PCOs. Their phone number is public record.

First and second Vice Chairs are absent. Heather has COVID! Get well quick!

Treasurer’s report – Teresa Melin. Balance approx. $4500 (Victory fund plus operations account)

For BECU we need a resolution to change signatories to access the account

Add: Teresa Melin

Remove: Tom Jurewiez 

Retain: Joel Ware, Micah Rowland

Motion to change the signatories on the account as noted – by Thom Garrard, second Sharon Holt. Approved 7 – 0

Teresa also needs a key to our mailbox. She should get it from Tom Jurewiez (previous treasurer)

State Committeewoman, Sharon Holt  

State Committeeman, Thom Garrard. Report from resolutions / platform committee. 

Motion to adjourn – Jeremie Sanders, second Sharon Holt at 9:01 

Adjourn by general consensus