Category: News

General news, announcements and reports of interest to members of the 45th District Democrats and voters in the 45th Legislative District.

Proposed 45th District Democrats Bylaws Revisions With Gender Neutral Language

Preamble This organization is established to promote the values and principles of the Democratic Party, to support its candidates, to educate the residents of the 45th Legislative District about the Party’s goals and activities, and to extend opportunities to participate in the Party to all Democrats in the District. Article I: Name The name of this organization shall be the 45th District Democrats. Article II: Policies Section 1: This organization operates under the applicable bylaws and rules of the King County Democratic Central Committee (hereafter KCDCC), the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (hereafter WSDCC), the Democratic National Committee (hereafter DNC),...

2019 45th District Reorg—What to Expect and How to Help

A reorganization meeting runs a bit differently than a typical membership meeting, including specific times when voting is restricted to specific groups. Because of this, you will see some differences in how people are signed in, credentialed, and where they sit. Here are some of the differences you can expect to see: Sign In and Credentials Everyone attending the meeting is required to sign in. There will be three categories with specific credentials and, if appropriate, ballot packets. The categories are as follows: Current Elected PCOs (Precinct Committee Officers) Filed to run for PCO in May 2018 and were elected in the...

45th District Democrats of Washington State: A Resolution Limiting Involvement of the DCCC in Democratic Primaries

A Resolution Limiting Involvement of the DCCC in Democratic Primaries

Whereas the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is a political action committee (PAC) whose mission is to “elect Democratic House candidates every step of the way;” and Whereas the DCCC is a PAC formed by House Democrats, not an official part of the Democratic Party; and Whereas the DCCC uses individual ability to fundraise, not core Democratic principles and adherence to local and national Democratic platforms, as a deciding factor to choose which Democrats to support in primaries; and Whereas the DCCC in several 2018 races is actively supporting more conservative candidates and even former Republicans over progressives; and Whereas...

File for PCO by 4 p.m., Friday, May 18

Whether you’re thinking about becoming a precinct committee officer (PCO) or you already are one, this week is your only chance to become an elected PCO for the 2019–2020 election cycle. Filing is fast, easy, and free, but you must file before Friday, May 18, at 4 p.m. All you need to do to file is verify that your voter registration is up to date and provide some basic contact information.   Learn more and file for PCO   If you’re on the fence, here are just a few good reasons to become a PCO: Special Voting Privileges—Only PCOs get to...

45th District Democrats Call for Eastside Plastic Bag Ban

Resolution Inspired by 5th Grader’s Earth Month Experiment Redmond, Wash.—May 12, 2018—On Wednesday, May 2, the membership of the 45th District Democrats adopted a resolution in support of expanding Kirkland’s plastic bag ban to the Eastside cities of Duvall, Redmond, Sammamish, and Woodinville. Shawn Roland and his 10-year-old son, Jeremiah, presented the resolution. The pair were inspired to take action by an Earth Month challenge at Jeremiah’s school, Horace Mann Elementary. The challenge? Refusing to use single-use plastics for 30 days. The Rolands shared that the challenge was tough, but important. According to the Earth Day Network, each year, 4...

45th District Democrats of Washington State: A Resolution to Support Plastic Bag Bans

A Resolution to Support Plastic Bag Bans

WHEREAS​, the Washington State Legislature in RCW 70.95.010(8)(a) established waste reduction as the first priority for the collection, handling, and management of solid waste; and WHEREAS​, the Washington State Legislature in RCW 70.95.010(4) found that it is “necessary to change manufacturing and purchasing practices and waste generation behaviors to reduce the amount of waste that becomes a governmental responsibility”; and WHEREAS​, the Washington State Legislature in RCW 70.95.010(6)(c) found that it is the responsibility of city and county governments “to assume primary responsibility for solid waste management and to develop and implement aggressive and effective waste reduction and source separation...

What will you do to flip the Senate?

We have a monumental opportunity this year to shield Washington state from the chaos of the Trump administration. We can elect Manka Dhingra (D) and flip the Senate. We can empower our state to protect immigrants and other marginalized communities. We can preserve reproductive rights and healthcare access. We can expand workers’ rights and ensure economic gains go to everyone, not just the 1%. We can defend the environment and fight climate change. We can establish a true blue state where all people are valued and no one slips through the cracks. But we can’t do it without you. As...

Last chance to GOTV for Manka Dhingra (D)

Ballots are due this Tuesday by 8 p.m.—we need your help to get every last vote we can for Manka and progressives all the way down the ballot! In off-off years like this, especially in the primaries, a handful of votes really can be the difference between candidates who value public schools, aim to address climate change, and support vulnerable communities advancing and candidates who, well, don’t! If you haven’t voted yet, check out our endorsements and helpful links for submitting your ballot. We’ll wait here. All done? Filled out, signed, and turned your ballot in? Great! The next biggest...

2017 Special Election is Key to Democrats Taking Back the State Senate

45th District Democrats Endorse Manka Dhingra for Senate Redmond, WA: On Wednesday, April 5, the membership of the 45th District Democrats unanimously voted to endorse Democrat Manka Dhingra for their State Senate seat, up for special election this fall. Before calling for a vote, Endorsements Chair Dave Williams informed the crowd “Manka shares Democratic progressive values down the line” and “Since announcing in mid-February, she’s raised about $200,000, virtually all of it through individual donations, and none from corporate or PAC interests.” The meeting room filled with cheers and applause as the final tally to endorse the Senior Deputy Prosecuting...

45th District Democrats: News & Blog

Support for Credit Unions, Community Banking, and Members of The Global Alliance for Banking on Values

WHEREAS Credit Unions are defined as “not-for-profit organizations owned by all of its members…Credit unions focus on helping their members save and borrow and receive affordable financial services”; WHEREAS Community banks are defined as those that “serve businesses and consumers throughout the country, in both rural and urban areas, and are leading provider of credit to small businesses. In general, community banks can be defined as those owned by organizations with less than $10 billion in assets.” And, where Washington residents hold a minimum 51% ownership interest, or where the residents hold a direct controlling interest or are the majority beneficiaries of an entity, or a combination...

45th District Democrats: News & Blog

A Resolution Regarding the Standing Rock Sioux and the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)

Whereas Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) is constructing DAPL, a 1,172-mile pipeline to transport up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota to a river port in Illinois; and Whereas there have been more than 2,000 “significant accidents” with oil pipelines in the United States since 1995; and Whereas ETP originally considered a pipeline route crossing the Missouri River north of Bismarck, ND, a city with predominantly white, middle class residents. To avoid the potential threat to Bismarck’s water, the pipeline was planned to be rerouted under Lake Oahe, a half mile...

45th District Democrats: News & Blog

Post-Election Message from Our Chair

Discouraged that we lost the Presidency and failed to regain the Senate? Worried that Trump will get to pack the court and send us to a 20-year minority? Come get involved with the local Democrats! We are organized, informed, and have a plan for working each election to maximize the votes our district. We elect good candidates and support good policies. For specific ways to get involved, visit our Facebook page, our website, and come join us for our general meetings the first Wednesday of the month. You will find progressive and mainstream Democrats working to raise the minimum wage; obtain...

State Representative Patty Kuderer at the Bellevue City Council meeting in April.

Patty Kuderer provides 2016 Legislative Session Recap (video link)

Patty Kuderer, state representative for the our neighbors in the 48th Legislative District, recently presented an “end-of-session” recap of the 2016 Washington state legislative session to members of Bellevue City Council. You can view the video within her post on the Washington House Democrats website by clicking the image below: Topics discussed include education, I-405, public records requests and police body cams, among others. In addition, she’s posted a legislative session report which you can review HERE. Thanks to our own Ken Albinger for forwarding the links, allowing our Democratic members of the 45th to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in...