In this newsletter: Take Action Now: Urgent Call To Preserve Democracy In Yakima! 2nd Best Fundraising Month! Thank You! Turning The Tide: Inspiring Voter Engagement In Upcoming Elections New Legislative Maps $100,000 Bullitt Prize For Some Conservation Champion
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1. If you do just one thing today, please let it be this. Send an email to: [email protected] Suggested Text: |
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Mayor Byers and City Council Member,
Please reconsider the proposed changes to key city committees discussed at the recent Study Session (2/13). By restructuring and abolishing certain committees, you risk reducing opportunities for resident input and burdening the Planning Commission. Let's maintain transparency and ensure all voices are heard in guiding Yakima forward. Sincerely, (Your Name) |
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The Backstory: We are closely monitoring the unfolding of Project 2025 in Yakima. If you're unfamiliar, it's a plan aimed at reshaping the US Government should Donald Trump be reelected. The strategy, in essence, involves firing government workers and replacing them with Trump loyalists, intending to transform government agencies into tools of the President. In Yakima, our newly elected city council comprises five MAGA patriots, whose election methods are questionable. It seems they may have utilized their church, where they all attend, to run their political campaign. Additionally, one council member doesn't even reside in Yakima. Their initial action was to immediately fire the city manager by 'Suspending the Rules.' Now, they are poised to diminish the significance of committees like the Historic Preservation Committee, Bike and Pedestrian Committee, and the Yakima Tree Board by making them subcommittees of the planning board. Furthermore, they plan to remove the Community Integration Committee (diversity focus) and the Sustainable Yakima Committee from the city code. This move stifles community input in the decision-making process. It's Project 25 in action. For more information: Contact Coleen Anderson at [email protected] |
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2. Thank you all, February was our second largest fundraising month ever! We now have 92 recurring donations! Please help us reach our Goal of 100 before the March end of quarter! Only 8 more to go! |
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After six months of recurring donation of just $25 per month we will send you a giant coffee mug with our original art work logo. Be sure and select "Make it monthly!" | | |
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After six months of recurring donation of just $50 per month we will send you a baseball cap embroidered with our original art work logo. Be sure and select "Make it monthly!" | | |
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3. Turning the Tide: Inspiring Voter Engagement in Upcoming Elections |
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The biggest threat to the upcoming election is lack of interest in the election. John Halpin, writing for The Liberal Patriot, speaks to an Economist/YouGov poll showing that the majority of potential voters could not care less about the election. |
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But where do we find hope in re-engaging people in the political process? Firstly, we're in a better position than we think. According to the Washington Secretary of State the average voter turnout in Central Washington is pretty close to the national average of 66%, and considering that only 37% of eligible voters participated in all of the last three Presidential Elections, we're doing relatively well (Pew Research, July 2022). Why do we look good? Because we have four of the five lowest-scoring subgroups on that poll: Income under $50,000, Hispanic, Age 18-29, and Independent. There is literally nowhere to go but up. Additionally, the top concerns of Americans - Inflation, Healthcare, Immigration, and Jobs - are also our concerns (Economist/YouGov poll, select poll 6. Most Important Issues). So, we have two significant advantages: we're starting from an average position, and we have a large portion of our population that still does not vote but can. Furthermore, we share the concerns of many others, which means we have the support of others who will be working on this issue. There's further encouragement from an unlikely source. The Republican Party in Central Washington is making strides in getting voter turnout among the younger population, which is encouraging. In fact, if voter turnout in the recent primary is any indication, the Republican Party dominates our youth in Central Washington.Rural Americans United emphasizes that over 80% of the people living in Central Washington have not heard a pro-democratic message. And for those under 25, it's closer to 100%! |
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There's no better proof than seeing 17-year-olds who voted in the primary almost exclusively supporting the Republican Party. That's why we broadcast pro-democratic messages - to educate, remind, and persuade people that democratic values are their values. Otherwise, all they hear is Republican Party rhetoric. And our young adults deserve better. |
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4. Legislative Maps: Who's On First? |
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Above is the current map under consideration by the District Court. In particular, LD 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 are all significantly changed. There will be a hearing on March 8th to discuss map 3A and whether there needs to be any changes to it. The Judge is expected to make a final ruling on the new LDs on or around March 25. The Office of the Secretary of State has confirmed that these lines will displace Sen. Hawkins(12), Sen. Torres(15), Sen. King(14), Rep. Corry(14) and Rep. Mosbrucker(14). If you would like to examine the map at street level, a model has been set up at: https://davesredistricting.org/join/0e12c2dd-3970-4020-b8cc-083ec2d5c64f
Additional links of interest: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/u-s-supreme-court-weighs-in-on-two-appeals-over-washingtons-legislative-map/ https://www.redistricting.wa.gov/district-maps-handouts Huge shoutout to the League of Women Voters for their tireless work in providing information and education throughout this process, and to Dr. John Kennedy for providing the above information. |
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5. Win $100,000 Bullitt Prize for Conservation Work! Apply Now! |
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The Washington Conservation Action Bullitt Prize is offering a $100,000 award for conservation work to individuals or collaborative groups. Applications are open until June 1, 2024. |
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Are you a young leader dedicated to conservation? If you're under 35, from the Pacific Northwest and are actively advancing environmental causes in Washington state, this is your opportunity to shine. Whether you're making waves in academia, grassroots initiatives, or your professional field, The Washington Conservation Action wants to hear from you. |
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Seize this incredible chance to be recognized for your commitment to environmental justice. Apply now for a shot at the Bullitt Prize and the chance to make a lasting difference. |
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