Weekly Call To Action - September 26, 2021

Take Two Actions Now:

Protect Thurston Farmland from Industrial Rezone!

Comments are due before or at the Planning Commission Hearing October 6, 2021 at 7 PM. This hearing will be held virtually, and the agenda and a link to remotely connect will be available on the Planning Commission webpage, one week before the hearing. 

One landowner has petitioned to rezone from farmland to industrial in Thurston County, but this one amendment change will impact the entire county.

The League of Women Voters brought this problem to our attention and a member has provided the excellent detailed Talking Points. 

Send your comments by October 6, 2021 by 4:00 PM.

Action 1: Click to comment on the Up Castle Land Use & Rezone Amendment in the County Form  In the form, check the last box that says ‘I do not support the Up Castle Rezone and Land Use Amendment proposal’ and add your comments from the talking points below.

Talking Points: 

• Don’t Rezone Good Farmland.  
• Complete the Community- Driven Review of Agricultural Policies and Programs, CP - 16 project,  before rezoning any farmed land.
• Examine the need for rural warehouses, before you approve CP-19.
• Intensive industrial uses like generic warehouses do not fit the Comprehensive Plan vision for rural lands.
• Ask the BoCC to include a Community-Driven Review of Rural Warehousing Needs, Policy, and Code Language in the 2022-23 Docket. We need a Rural Warehouse Study.
• The code change impacts other rural areas.
• Do not adopt Lewis County zoning and land use vision to accommodate this warehouse.
• The Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP) calls for preservation of farmland and environmentally sensitive rural lands.​​

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Home Fund Tax Testimony

Only 1 cent per every $10 purchase to support low-income housing in Thurston County!

Testify support by email or in person at the October 19, 2021 (this meeting has been moved to November 23d by the commissioners) at the 3:00 PM Public Hearing for a County-wide Home Fund to support low-income housing. The Housing Director, Tom Webster, will ensure that the commissioners see all the comments received.

Learn more in this background document   

You have the option of sending your comments using the email provided below, or you may also appear in person by filling out the Zoom  registration form.  If you are appearing in person, send a copy of your spoken script to Tom Webster; Director of housing and homeless programs.  

Action 2: Modify the sample script and format testimony in your own words or by using the following talking points. Send email on or before October 18, 2021. 
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Affordable Housing Talking Points

• Free up financial resources for healthcare and nutritious food
• Provide residential stability
• Allow families to manage their day-to-day lives
• Relieve stress and improving mental health
• Reduce health risks associated with poor quality housing
• Decrease exposure to infectious diseases
• Promote social networks and community involvement
• Reduce stress on the business community

Subject:  Home Fund Tax Testimony

To: Director of housing and homeless programs, Tom Webster: Thomas.webster@co.thurston.wa.us .   

Script: Dear Thurston Commissioners and Housing Director,

Please accept my testimony for the 10/19/2021 Public Hearing - One-tenth of One Percent Sales Tax for County-wide Home Fund.

I support a Regional Home Fund Tax to support low-income housing.  
{Add your own talking points }

Sincerely,
[NAME] from [CITY], [ZIP]

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​Thank You

Thank Rep. Strickland for Supporting 
Working People in CD10

Action: Thank Representative Marilyn Strickland

• Marilyn Strickland: 202-225-9740 or Contact Form 

Script: We know things are fraught right now in pushing the Reconciliation Bill and Infrastructure Bill over the finish line. We want to thank you for supporting human infrastructure and recognizing its importance to a sustainable democracy. 

We particularly appreciate your commitment to housing, climate, caregiving, and healthcare justice. Keep pushing for a robust Reconciliation package and getting it passed.

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​Reminder Action

Make Investing in People the Priority

The GOP and some Senate Democrats are saying the Reconciliation Bill (The Build Back Better plan) is too expensive. They are claiming that taking care of the elderly, investing in our youth and families, and preparing for climate change is not affordable.

To put things into perspective, consider this:
This week Congress easily passed the National Defense Act to fund the military for next year. They didn’t argue, quibble, or grandstand. They agreed to spend 768 billion just for next year. That’s the same as almost 8 trillion over the next 10 years. 

The Reconciliation Bill which makes badly needed investments in American families, costs less than half this much at 350 billion a year or 3.5 trillion over 10 years.

Action: Tell our Senators to pass the full reconciliation bill now. If we can afford 8 trillion over 10 years for the military, we can afford 3.5 trillion for families.

• Senator Patty Murray,  Phone: 253-572-3636 (Tacoma); 202-224-2621‬ (D.C.) or Contact Form 
• Senator Maria Cantwell, Phone 253-572-2281 (Tacoma); 202-224-3441‬ (D.C.) or Contact Form 

• Email both your MOCs at once using Democracy.io. 

Script: My name is ____________, and I am from Olympia Indivisible. My Zip code is ______. Please pass the full Reconciliation Bill now. If we can afford 8 trillion over 10 years for the military, we can afford 3.5 trillion for families.

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​Supporting Our Candidates

Campaign Volunteer Work Still Needed
Ballots Arrive on October 7

Coordinated Campaign Headquarters (HQ) at 
1014 4th Avenue East, 
Open 10:00 - 4:00 PM

During open hours, if the front door is locked, knock loudly. If you see a light on in the upstairs window, someone is in the house and can open the front door for you.

Lit Drops - Packets of literature for our endorsed candidates, as well as other Democratic candidates including Olympia City Council Candidates, are available at the Democratic Coordinated Campaign Headquarters. If requested in advance, training will be available when you pick up the packets. 

Yard Signs
Yard signs can be picked up at the campaign headquarters for personal use or you can volunteer to help a campaign deliver yard signs to various locations.  You can also request signs on the individual candidates websites. Note that signs for Joel Hansen will be available after Sept 20.

• Joey Summerson is coordinating the yard sign placement.  Contact Joey: joeyyardsigns@gmail.com

Coordinated Campaign Services
Molly Sullivan is in charge of the coordinated campaign services for candidates. 

• Contact Spenser to Volunteer: 206-487-8946  
• Email Contact: molly@sullivancampaignservices.com

Campaign Headquarters Staff Needed
Volunteers are needed to staff the Coordinated Campaign Headquarters (HQ) - at 1014 4th Avenue East. 

• To volunteer to staff HQ,  Contact Susan:  360-402-0196. 

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Information on OI’s Endorsed Candidates
Feel free to access the OI website for additional information on all our endorsed candidates and how to contact them.

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2021 General Election Candidate Forums

The League of Women Voters of Thurston County (LWVTC), in collaboration with Thurston Community Media (TC Media), invites voters to view candidate forums featuring candidates for:

• Port of Olympia Commissioners, Districts 2 and 3 (OI Endorsed Candidates: Joel Hansen and Bob Iyall)
• Olympia City Council, Positions 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7
• Lacey City Council, Positions 4 & 7 (OI Endorsed Candidate: Robin Vazquez and Carolyn Cox)
• Tumwater City Council, Position 6
• Olympia School District Directors, Districts 3 and 5
• North Thurston School District Directors, Districts 2 and 4.

The forums are now available on Comcast Channel 77 and are available via YouTube. They can also be accessed through the League’s website at Candidate Forums - League of Women Voters of Thurston County (lwvthurston.org).