Senator Stabenow's Visit

More than 30 people came out for Senator Stabenow’s visit to Houghton. After an introduction by Houghton Dems Chair William Keith the Senator gave remarks on topics ranging from protecting the Great Lakes; the addition of a new lock at the Soo; the difference between Republican trickle down economics and Bidenomics - which is growing the middle class and cutting costs for Americans. She pointed to the impact of production tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act that are stimulating the return of manufacturing jobs to the US. She spoke about the capping of the cost for insulin to $35 per month for those on Medicare, and how Republicans objected to expanding that cap to those covered by private insurance.

One of the key messages she left us with was the importance of making the case and spreading the word about all that’s been achieved in the last few years under Democratic leadership. She is part of a new effort to communicate those achievements to the people of Michigan, and promised we’d hear more about that effort soon. We look forward to hearing more and doing our part to spread the word.

Our painting project with Let’s Rebuild Community has been going great, but we’d love to see more Dems join us for the last work session. So far we’ve had two work sessions. The third work session is scheduled for August 12th.

We’ll be painting at the same home we’ve worked the first two sessions. Volunteers will not be required to climb ladders - any painting required above arms length will be professionally contracted by the nonprofit.

Volunteers will meet at Faith Lutheran in Calumet at 8 AM for breakfast and the briefing. Breakfast and lunch, along with t-shirts and supplies will be furnished.

There’s still time to volunteer for the August 12th work session. Email William Keith at [email protected] to get your name on the list of volunteers.

We are looking for volunteers to staff our Houghton Dems booth at the County Fair Friday, August 25 through Sunday, Aug 27. Booth hours will be 11 AM to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5 PM.

Volunteers will need to cover at least a two hour shift, and will receive a pass for free entry into the fairgrounds.

If you’d like to volunteer please email or text Barb Turuc to coordinate your shift and get your pass.

Only one of the eight recall petitions we talked about last week have passed muster with the Board of State Canvassers. Seven of the petition requests were rejected for being not sufficiently descriptive. Only the recall petition for Republican Rep. Cam Cavitt of Cheboygan will now be allowed to go forward to collect signatures.

To be successful, the Cavitt recall effort must collect 11,901 valid signatures from registered voters in the 106th House District. That number is equal to 25% of the local votes in last year’s governor race.

Read More at MLive.

It’s Election Day in Ohio and this evening the votes will be tabulated for the special election on Issue 1 - the cynical attempt by Republican politicians and lobbyists to thwart a change putting reproductive freedoms into Ohio’s state constitution via a November referendum.

The Ohio Secretary of State’s office offered the graphic below outlining vote totals for the week ending last Thursday. As of Friday 578,490 Ohioans had already voted, an historically high number for an August election. According to AP News, early turnout has been so heavy that some election offices are straining to manage the load and trying to recruit additional poll workers.

The Ohio Secretary of State has certified that enough valid signatures were gathered to put the reproductive rights proposal on the ballot in November. Issue 1 attempts to defeat the reproductive rights initiative before it even goes to voters by increasing the barriers to amending the state’s constitution.

Instead of a simple majority voting in favor of a ballot to amend (as has been the case in Ohio since 1912), the new requirement under the GOP’s proposed ballot Issue 1 would be a super-majority of 60% of voters necessary to amend the constitution.

We’ve got our fingers crossed that Issue 1 goes down to defeat by a healthy margin, and that the Court allows the reproductive rights proposal to appear on the November ballot.

 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

We’re trying out something new this week - sharing a meme from some of our Democratic friends and allies.

This week’s meme was posted on Instagram by the Marquette County Dems, and highlights some of the economic accomplishments our country has seen under the leadership of President Joe Biden. We need more Bidenomics!

Bidenomics - building the economy from the bottom up and the middle out.

If you’re on Instagram, click through on the image above and show the Marquette County Dems some ❤️!

The news is fairly light out of Lansing this past week as the legislature continues their summer break:

• Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday that she’ll deliver an address on August 30th about “What’s Next”, outlining her priorities for the fall legislative session. Michigan Advance counts over 100 bills the Governor has signed into law so far this year from the new Democratic-majority Legislature.

• Governor Whitmer announced an executive directive last week to lower costs and ensure permits for more projects like housing, community revitalization, manufacturing, clean energy and water protection, while also protecting Michigan’s air, land and water.

Tue 8/8

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

Wed 8/9

• 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.

Mon 8/14

• Next Monday marks 88 years since Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.

  On August 14, 1935 press photographers snapped photos as President Roosevelt signed the historic act guaranteeing an income for the unemployed and retirees.

  Today Social Security continues to provide a powerful safety net for retirees and the disabled. The Social Security system has remained popular, and relatively unchanged, since 1935.

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