In this Email

JAN 17 2023

• Party News

  • NEW: County Convention on This Saturday

  • NEW: Dr Bob in 2024

  • Next Meeting in February

  • NEW: Michigan Democrats Move Forward

  • Treasurer & Finance Chair Wanted

• Upcoming Events

  • NEW: MDP Spring 2023 Convention

  • NEW: Campaign & Community Events

Party News

The HCDP County Convention, to consider resolutions and business for the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Spring Convention, will be held this Saturday, January 21st, at 10:00 AM at the Houghton Super 8 and virtually by Zoom.Resolutions approved at this meeting will be sent to the MDP Spring Convention. If you have a resolution that you'd like considered, it can be submitted and discussed at the Convention on Saturday. Or if you like, you can contact Policy & Resolutions Chair Pat Tikkannen (email her at [email protected]) for assistance in working your idea into a draft Resolution format ahead of time.Under MDP rules, delegates to the County Convention include Precinct Delegates who were duly elected at the Primary Election held August 2, 2022, the Democratic nominees for County and Legislative offices as set forth in section 3.2.2 of the MDP bylaws, and members of the Michigan Democratic Party who reside in the county or district and whose membership was renewed at least thirty (30) days prior to the County or District Convention.The Convention is being held in advance of the MDP Spring Convention in Detroit. (See the item under "Upcoming Events" below for details on that gathering.) 

Zoom Information for the County Convention

Time: Jan 21, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting ID:

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Passcode:

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Dr Bob Lorinser is running again! Equally as important, he is pledging to "build a donor-funded war chest to advance Democratic principles and assist quality candidates in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula."Here is part of the statement issued by his campaign:

Dr. Bob Lorinser, 67, of Marquette, announced the kickoff of his campaign for US Congress on Monday. Lorinser vies for the 2024 Democratic nomination to represent Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in the US House of Representatives.

"Congress needs reasonable voices, advocates, and people you can trust," said Lorinser. "To make Democracy successful, we need our leaders to be truth-tellers. They need to be kind, fair, and serve with dignity and integrity. My campaign commits to those values.

"I will not rest in my resolve to show Yoopers and Northern Michiganders a better path forward. In the last cycle, our campaign established the groundwork. We have unfinished business to accomplish.”

You can find more of the statement on Dr Bob's website.

At the December Potluck and General Meeting it was agreed to forego a January meeting. Our next General Membership Meeting will be Wednesday, February 1 at 7 PM. As usual, the meeting will be both in-person at the Super 8 in Houghton and by Zoom.

Last week Michigan's new Democratic leadership, including the Governor, the Lt. Governor, and House and Senate leaders, unveiled their plans for actions in the new legislature. The plan includes

• a repeal on the tax on retirees’ pensions

• an increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

• the restoration of a prevailing wage policy

• repeal the state’s controversial right to work law

• protections under state law against discrimination in employment, housing and education for LGBTQ people in Michigan.

The reduction of the pension tax, and the increase in EITC together amount to almost a $1B cut in Michigan income tax bills.

It's a stark contrast to the Republican leadership at the national level (now that we have a House leader), whose focus seems to be on political payback and legislative gridlock

Governor Whitmer discusses the year's first bills this past Thursday.Photo courtesy Fox 17 West Michigan

We are still searching for individuals willing to fill the roles of Treasurer and Finance Chair.

The treasurer is responsible for financial receipts and disbursements, and for providing financial reports to the County and Executive Committees as requested. The Treasurer also is responsible for the filing of Michigan Campaign Finance Disclosure reports. (More information on disclosure filing can be found at MERTSplus.com ).

The Finance Committee Chair oversees the creation of the annual budget and ideas for fundraising efforts.

If you are interested in serving as Treasurer or Finance Chair, or you know someone who may be, please contact Chair William Keith at [email protected].

Upcoming Events

The Michigan Democratic Party 2023 Spring Convention takes place Saturday February 11 in Detroit. All members of the Michigan Democratic Party are encouraged to attend. For those unable to travel, an online stream of the proceedings of the convention floor will be available at michigandems.com.

Further information, including the full Call to Convention and the Convention Schedule can be found on the Michigan Dems website.

Tue. 1/17

• The Calumet Village Council meets tonight at 6 PM in the Village Council Chambers.Further information can be found on the Village website.

• A Public Hearing will be held at 6:00PM tonight in the Council Chambers of the Laurium Village Hall. The public will have an opportunity to give input on the proposed Ordinance No. 2022-01: Registration of Rental Dwelling Units. Following the public hearing at 6:15PM, the regular monthly Laurium Village Council meeting will be held. More information can be found on the Village webpage.

• The Houghton County Board of Commissioners will meet this afternoon at 4 PM in the Conference Room on the fifth floor of the Houghton County Courthouse. More information can be found on the Board's webpage. (Open the meeting agenda link at the bottom of the page to find Zoom info.)

Wed. 1/18:

• The Hancock City Council meets at 6 PM in the Hancock City Hall Council Chambers More information can be found on the City Council's webpage.

Thur 1/19:

• From the Copper Beacon: "The League of Women Voters of Michigan Environmental Network is thrilled to announce that Peter Sinclair of the Yale Climate Project will be giving a presentation to Michigan League members and friends on the state of our climate in 2023 and on what we can and must do now to slow global warming." Register to attend by Zoom here.