32^nd Legislative District Democratic Organization

Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting, September 12, 2018

at the Richmond Masonic Center

Following a delicious complete Mexican dinner prepared by Rosamaria Graziani’s volunteer crew and made available to all comers (for free will contributions), and about 30 minutes of “open mic” time for any and all to express briefly their views, concerns, and announcements, the meeting was called to order at 7 pm sharp by District Chair Carin Chase. After opening with the Pledge of Allegiance, M/S/C to adopt the agenda as proposed. M/S/C to approve the minutes of our last meeting, that of August 8.

Filling Vacancies

Following recognition of various elected officials and a few candidates who were present, Carin reminded the body that one of our two positions on the State Democratic Central Committee had been vacated by the recent death of Elaine Phelps. She accordingly opened the meeting to nominations to fill that office for the remainder of Elaine’s term. M/S to nominate Heather Fralick. There were no other nominations. Heather spoke, and – by a vote limited to our PCO members only – was elected to serve in that role.

Carin then announced another newly arisen vacancy on our Executive Board, that of liaison to the Young Democrats – previous incumbent Victoria Valentine having moved to Oregon. This being a role that, under our Bylaws, is to be filled by the Chair through appointment, she announced Jenna Nand as her selection for that office. Jenna spoke, and it was M/S/C to ratify her selection for that post.

Nominating Convention

With the results of the “Top-Two” (winnowing) primary now behind us, Carin convened our meeting as a “Nominating Convention” of our PCOs, to determine the official Democratic Party nominees for LD32 elective public offices.

For our State Senate position, M/S to nominate Maralyn Chase. There were no other nominations. Senator Chase spoke, and the PCOs voted to make her our nominee.

For our State Representative Position No. 1, M/S to nominate Cindy Ryu. There were no other nominations. In her absence, our PCOs voted (13-7) to make her our nominee.

For our State Representative Position No. 2, M/S (by Chris Roberts) to nominate Lauren Davis. There were no other nominations. Lauren spoke, and the PCOs voted (19-1) to make her our nominee.

New Business

With the specified business of the Nominating Convention thus concluded, Carin reconvened our general meeting to consider “New Business.”

Audrey Smith, of this year’s Coordinated Campaign, described both their planned and ongoing efforts in our area, to get Democrats elected. She can be reached at audrey@wa-democrats.org, or 206-817-9007.

A representative from the Initiative 1639 campaign (to reduce gun violence and related deaths) urged us all to vote “Yes” thereon. It was then suggested that at our next meeting we assess all the initiatives that have qualified for the November ballot, in order to establish our formal positions thereon.

On a related matter, Senator Chase urged us to sign Initiative 1000, an “Initiative to the Legislature” intended to rescind Initiative 200, the measure enacted several years ago to prohibit “affirmative action” steps in redress of past racial injustice. Some 300,000 signatures will be required to qualify I-1000 for a public vote. M/S/C to support signature-gathering for I-1000.

WSDCC: Chris Roberts reported on the upcoming WSDCC meeting, to be held in Spokane this very weekend, at which many proposed Party rules changes will be considered – including one providing for “automatic” delegates. M/S (Gray Petersen) to instruct our WSDCC representatives to “do their best” to establish a rule preventing disclosure of the names or other information about individual members of WSDCC “constituency caucuses,” without the consent of those individuals. After some discussion, Gray’s motion carried.

Resolutions: M/S/C to suspend the rules to permit consideration of two tardily posted resolutions that had been made available in printed form since the opening of the meeting. M/S/C to adopt the first of them, the “ Resolution in Support of the Keep Washington Working Act ” – a bill that will be 2SSB 5689 in the upcoming (2019-20) legislative session, and of which Senator Chase is a co-sponsor. Then, M/S to adopt the other printed resolution, titled “ Reject Corporate PAC Money from the Fossil Fuel Industry ”; after some discussion, this resolution too was adopted.

Appointments: M/S to approve the appointment of Michael Bachety as PCO for precinct SHL 1030. Michael spoke, and – following Q&A – it was voted to approve his appointment.

Expenses at WSDCC meetings: M/S to authorize our reimbursing the hotel lodging expenses of each of our (three) officially designated representatives at each WSDCC meeting held east of the Cascade Mountains. M/S/C to limit any such reimbursement to $250 per meeting, for each such person. After some discussion, M/S/C to extend such authorization to include attendance at WSDCC meetings held over 100 miles from our LD, even if west of the Cascades. As thus amended, the motion carried.

Good of the Order: Senator Chase suggested that we give attention to the question of how the provision of reproductive services and mental health services can be preserved and protected, if Trump nominee Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.

M/S/C to adjourn, at 8:49 pm.

Prepared and submitted by Dean Fournier, LD32 Secretary