National Popular Vote

In this Email

MAY 16 2023

• Party News

  • NEW: National Popular Vote

  • NEW: Tickets Now Available for Spring Fling 2023

  • NEW: More Good Things Happening in Lansing

• Upcoming Events

  • NEW: Save the Date - Upcoming HCDP Events

  • NEW: Keweenaw Pridefest

  • NEW: Community Events

Party News

We've talked about this before, but it's been a while. Please read the note below from the MDP about why it's important for you to make your voice heard by our state legislators on the enactment of the National Popular Vote legislation here in Michigan.

This year's Spring Fling will be held June 10th. Our annual get together and fund raiser will be at the Bonfire Grill @ the Continental Fire Co. on Montezuma Avenue in Houghton.
 
Tickets are now available online or by mail. The cost is $50 per person, with Seniors and Student tickets available at $40.

What's happened in Lansing in the past week:

• Both houses of the state legislature have been engaged in finalizing their proposals for the 2023-24 state budget. The House passed their version this past Thursday. The House budget included the state's largest investment ever in education.

• The state House and Senate have now passed legislation mandating hands-free cell phone use in automobiles. If the governor signs this legislation, which she is expected to do, it will be come illegal to hold a cell phone in your hands while in the driver's seat of a car, even when stopped in traffic. The same legislation was introduced last year, but a handful of Republicans opposed it and it did not move forward. Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia already ban cell phone use while driving.

Upcoming Events

Save the Date -
Upcoming HCDP Events

Here are dates to hold for upcoming HCDP activities:  

• June 16th: Bridgefest Parade and vendor booth

• July 4th: Independence Day Parades (Participation TBD, but likely Lake Linden & South Range)

• July 8th: Strawberry Festival Parade in Chassell

• August 19th: Pasty Fest Parade in Calumet

• August 24 thru 27th: Booth at Houghton County Fair

A group of local folks calling themselves the Keweenaw Queers are organizing a Pridefest for Saturday June 3rd at the East Houghton Waterfront Park. The fest kicks off at 1 PM and continues until 5.
 
According to the group's Facebook event there will be a potluck, and they "aim to have performances by local musicians and non-commercial community tables with similarly-aligned community organizations."
 
Find out more by visiting the Facebook event page. They've even set up a Facebook group for those who may want to join in to help plan the event.

Tue 5/16

• The Laurium Village Council meets tonight at 6 PM in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall. More info can be found on the Village's website.

• The Calumet Village Council meets tonight at 6:30 PM in the Village Council Chambers. More information on the Council, it's committees, and minutes of past meetings can be found on the Council's webpage.

Wed 5/17

• The Hancock City Council meets at 6 PM in the Hancock City Hall Council Chambers.

Mon 5/22

• Monday is Harvey Milk Day, observed in the state of California, and by many throughout the country. Harvey Milk was the first out gay politician elected in the state of California and is recognized as a leader of the American civil rights movement. Learn more about Harvey Milk and his role in the struggle for gay rights here.

 Month of May
 
In May, we celebrate a number of different communities and raise awareness on a number of topics. We'll highlight one month long May celebration and/or commemoration each week during the month.

• Governor Whitmer and President Biden have both proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, a recognition first proclaimed by President George W. Bush in 2006. Read the Governor's proclamation here, and learn more about the meaning of Jewish American Heritage Month at the American Jewish Committee's website.