LG Garlin Gilchrist to Visit Houghton Oct 21st

Lt Governor Garlin Gilchrist to Visit Houghton October 21st

The Houghton County Democratic Party is pleased to host Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, who will visit Houghton on Saturday October 21st at 5 PM. The location will be sent to those who RSVP the day before the visit.

As part of the Whitmer Administration, Lt. Governor Gilchrist has focused on helping Michiganders in communities across our state realize their full economic and political potential. From co-chairing the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration, to helming the Michigan COVID-19 Task Force on Racial Disparities, to leading efforts to connect over 23,000 unserved locations in Michigan to affordable high-speed internet, Lt. Governor Gilchrist is committed to building a more just, equitable, prosperous, and connected Michigan where everyone can thrive.

Spooktacular Virtual Fundraiser October 28th

Join us for an online fundraiser to help Democratic candidates in the 2024 elections. 

It’s the HCDP Spooktacular!

Saturday, October 28 at 7 PM

This is an opportunity to help support your local party as we work to support local candidates for 2024. We are lining up a number of Democratic candidates and elected officials to participate. Hear our guests talk about the importance of local parties for their campaigns, and the importance of free and fair elections for our democracy.

In today’s closely contested races your support is vital.

Our seasonal fundraiser can help us all avoid scary election outcomes next year! Click on the button below to contribute. By doing so you’ll get your email address on our list for attendance. The Zoom link will be made available to donors before the event.

Get Your COVID Shot

We care about all of you and so this is your friendly reminder to please go get your COVID shot, if you haven’t already.

Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against the latest strain of COVID were approved last month. Last week authorities approved updated shots from another manufacturer, Novavax.

Locally Walgreen’s in Houghton has COVID shots available and has been very busy dispensing them. Calls to Snyder’s in Calumet last week revealed they have not yet gotten their supply of the shots, but they are hopeful of having them available this week.

The Houghton County Health Department informs us that, with the pandemic being formally over, retail pharmacies are getting their supply first. Consequently, the Health Department does not currently have a supply of the shots.

The vaccines this year are no longer considered “boosters” to the original vaccine. Rather, like the annual flu shot, these latest vaccines were developed to combat the more recent variant. For COVID that variant is called XBB.1.5. Overall, the updated vaccine is effective against the variants currently causing the majority of COVID cases.

Talk to your doctor or local pharmacy and make a plan to get your shot.

 The success of our county party relies on the participation of people just like you. Join the HCDP today and help us put Democrats on the ballot who’ll make a difference.

“We are Democrats because we believe that good government must rely upon and strengthen the bonds that make us a society: recognizing the richness of our diverse heritage, preserving what we have been given, and leaving to posterity a legacy greater than that which we received.” - HCDP Platform Preamble

Job Creation - The Latest Numbers, and Which of the Two Parties is Better

(Hint: It’s not even close…)

Non-farm payrolls increased by 336,000 in September, according to the latest figures put out Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor. This is well above the expert’s consensus forecast of 170,000 jobs, and more than 100,000 higher than the previous month.

"The unemployment rate has stayed below 4% for 20 months in a row, the longest stretch in 50 years," President Biden said in an address Friday from the White House. As to the jobs figures, he said, “It's no accident — it's Bidenomics."

The chart below was put together by Democratic political strategist Simon Rosenburg, but it’s based on Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. It’s a pretty amazing chart.

As Rosenburg says: “Biden's 13.9 million jobs are more than 7 times as many jobs as were created in the 16 years of the last 3 Republican Presidencies, combined. Since 1989 and the end of the Cold War, the US has seen 50 million new jobs created. Remarkably 48 million of those 50 million jobs - 96% - were created under Democratic Presidents. Essentially all of them.”

The next time that someone tells you that Republican Presidents are better for the economy, show them this chart.

Meme of the Week

One hundred and fifty years ago last Monday the cornerstone of the state capital building in Michigan was laid. Our state capital is the third building to serve as such. The first, in Detroit, and the second, in Lansing were wooden structures and both are gone now, having been consumed by fires.

This past week on the floor of the state House, Representatives spoke on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the cornerstone laying. Among those speakers was Rep. Abraham Aiyash, Majority Floor Leader and Democrat from Hamtramack. He reflected, “As beautiful as this building is, perhaps the most beautiful thing that I hope we continue to keep alive is the idea of democracy.” He also noted that “We have the most beautiful dome in all fifty states,” which is undeniably true.

Our Meme of the Week comes from the MI House Democrats, who captured Leader Aiyash’s remarks in a short video reel on Instagram.

Click on the image below to listen to his remarks. If you have an Instagram account why not give the mihousedems some ❤️ while you’re there.

More Good Things Happening in Lansing

The Michigan legislature continues their fall session, with Democrats still advancing their agenda. There was action inside and outside the state legislature this week.

• Governor Whitmer announced two actions last week that expand educational and job opportunities for many Michiganders. The first was on Tuesday when the Governor and Lt Governor announced expanded community college access through the Michigan Reconnect program. The program usually provides free local community college tuition to those 25 or older, but is now offering the same benefit to those 21 to 24. MORE: Michigan Radio.

• In the second action, on Wednesday the Governor announced the waiver of the state’s requirement of a bachelor’s degree for many state jobs. The waiver is available to veterans who've completed at least two years of active federal service in any branch at the rank of E-6 or above, expanding employment opportunities for many state veterans. MORE: WZZM 13

• After the Michigan Capital Commission banned firearms from the Capital in August the group that held last year’s Second Amendment March cancelled the event for this year. But then, they shifted gears and decided to rally at the Capital last Thursday in protest of the common sense gun laws enacted by the state legislature earlier in the year. Polls of Michigan voters have shown that the new gun laws have bipartisan support throughout the state. But that did not stop legislators like our Republican representative Greg Markkanen from promising to work to overturn those laws. MORE: Michigan Advance

• The Reproductive Health Act continues to face obstacles presented by one Democratic representative, Karen Whitsett. MORE: NPR News

• On Wednesday Democrats in the Senate threw their support behind the Governor’s proposed Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The Board would be similar to those in eight other states, and would have the power to cap prescription drug prices paid by state-licensed companies such as pharmacies, hospitals and insurance companies. MORE: Bridge Michigan

 Save the Date - Upcoming HCDP Events

September 28: Spooktacular Virtual Fundraiser - see the item above, or RSVP here.

HCDP Monthly Meetings: First Wednesday of each month at 7 PM, in the conference room at the Houghton Super 8 and by Zoom.

NEXT MEETING: NOVEMBER 1ST

Community Events

Tue 10/10

• This month's regular meeting of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners is this afternoon at 4 PM. This month’s meeting will be held in the Probate Court Room on the second floor of the Houghton County Courthouse. Find more information on the Board's webpage (find the Microsoft Teams virtual meeting info in the Agenda).

Wed 10/11

• The Houghton City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Meeting Agenda can be found in the Searchable Document Center of the Council's website.

Fri 10/13

• Friday is the 248th Birthday of the US Navy. The US Navy traces its roots to October 13, 1775. On that day an advisory committee to the Continental Congress, consisting of delegates from New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut met to consider then establishment of “a fleet of sufficient force for the protection of these colonies”. After the Revolutionary War the Navy fell into disuse and was re-established in 1794 with the Act to provide a Naval Armament. Learn more about the history of the Navy from the website of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Is there a community commemoration or event we should recognize that's of particular importance to you? Just send an email to [email protected].