In this Email

JAN 24 2023

• Party News

  • NEW: Note from the Chair: Welcome to 2023!

  • NEW: Six Resolutions Passed at the County Convention

  • NEW: Legislature Reviews Abortion Laws

  • NEW: Stabenow a First Class Leader

  • Treasurer & Finance Chair Wanted

• Upcoming Events

  • NEW: February General Membership Meeting

  • NEW: MDP Spring 2023 Convention

  • NEW: Campaign & Community Events

Party News

I hope everyone's winter vacation was restful. Personally, I spent the skipped January meeting at a math conference in Boston, where I had the chance one slow afternoon to hit the Freedom Trail, a collection of Revolutionary War history sites. If you take the official tour, at the Old City Hall you'll find a bronze donkey donated by a citizen who thought it would be fun for the kids - of course, at the time it was donated, the donkey and the elephant were already symbols off the Democratic and Republican Parties, and the Republicans of the city objected, so the city also installed a brass plaque in front of the donkey, engraved with footprints bearing the image of elephants and the phrase "Stand Here in Opposition." I was thoroughly amused by whole affair. Sometimes things don't have to be political, but so often it seems like some political aspect intrudes anyway.We resume monthly meetings next week on February 1st. In this off-year, we are building our resources: money is one, but people - members and candidates - are even more important. We will be starting planning for the Spring Fling; we already have some exciting Silent Auction items donated, and if you have something you think might interest people, or know someone who would like to promote their business, we would love to be connected. You can also talk to friends about joining up, attending meetings, or signing up for the mailing list. More members makes everything we need to do easier.And finally, although it may seem early, now is a good time to start laying the groundwork for campaigns next year if you know someone thinking about running. There are a lot of moving parts to a successful campaign, from deadlines to compliance requirements, and the HCDP is here to help anyone who wants to run. We're especially eager to help people who want to stand up in down ticket races like school boards and township boards, where you know your neighbors and can have a real effect on the issues affecting their lives. If you're interested or know someone who might be, talk to us about getting started.

Chair William Keith and the Boston brass donkey

Thanks to all who attended the County Convention on Saturday.Six resolutions were presented at the convention. All six were reviewed and discussed by those assembled and all were approved.The six resolutions are the result of the efforts of the Rural Caucus of the MDP. As a statewide organization the Rural Caucus will have presented these resolutions to other county parties for consideration at their conventions as well. Brian Hoduski, former co-chair of our County Party, is a leader within the Caucus, representing Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Iron Counties.The six resolutions cover the topics shown below. Click the links to see the full text of each resolution as it was presented to and approved by the HCDP:

• Affordable Housing and the local regulation of short-term rentals

• To amend state law to clarify Health Board Eligibility 

• In support of the Michigan legislature partnering with RIP Medical Debt for the Elimination of Medical Debt in collection for Michiganders

• In support of a Rural Regional Development Plan for Health Care, Education, Economic Development, and Infrastructure

• Empowering Rural Areas, MDP Rural Caucus & Other Established MDP Caucuses

• In support of Statewide Uniform Septic System Regulation for the protection of Michigan's water resources.

The HCDP will communicate these approved resolutions to the MDP for it's consideration at the state level.

The Democratically controlled state legislature has begun the process of identifying any laws that contradict the constitutional amendment passed last fall as Prop 3 (Reproductive Freedom for All).Michigan's 1931 law making abortion a felony is one of a number of state laws regulating abortion procedures, insurance, waiting periods, and standards for providers among other related topics.A bill has already been introduced to remove the felony abortion law from the books. Attorney General Nessel predicts that a number of other laws currently on the books will be repealed.You can find more on this story at Bridge Michigan.

Ken Grabowski, former associate editor at the Manistee News Advocate has penned a great column in that paper - a real tribute to Debbie Stabenow. The Senator recently announced she will step down after her current term ends in 2024. Grabowski recognized the Senator's 48 year long career - as county commissioner, state Representative, state Senator, US House Rep and finally as US Senator. The column is well worth a read and you can find it here.

Senator Stabenow has long been a fighter for 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 next HCDP general membership meeting will be Wednesday February 1 at the Super 8 Motel in Houghton at 7:00 p.m. You can also attend by Zoom - see info below.

You do not need to be a member to attend our meetings, and we would welcome you to join us.

HCDP General Meeting

Time: Feb 1, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID:

819 0939 4610

Passcode:

237571

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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. 1/24

• The Calumet Village Council holds a Special Meeting on Tuesday January 24, 2023 @ 6:00pm in the Village Council Chambers. Further information, including a Zoom link, can be found on the Village's website.

Wed. 1/25

• The Houghton City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Agendas and agenda packets for Council meetings are available in the Searchable Document Center of the Council's website.

Fri. 1/27:

• January 27th, the anniversary of the liberation of prisoners from the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, was designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day by the UN in 2005. More information can be found on the website of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. This day is one of two occasions in the US officially recognized for Holocaust remembrance.