Tell me something good...
One of our jobs this year is to know and communicate all the good things that have come about during the Biden Administration. One of the biggest challenges is because there are so many!
You can start with the White Salmon-Hood River Bridge. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this year our Senators Murray and Cantwell were able to secure $200 million toward the cost of its replacement. That's 40% of the total cost, enough to kickstart the building of a new bridge to be completed by 2029. The same Infrastructure Law has injected a $600 million infusion of funding to replace the aging I-5 Columbia River crossing from Portland to Vancouver.
The Infrastructure Law will result in:
The largest investment in rebuilding our roads and bridges since the Interstate Highway System
The first-ever national network of EV charging stations
The largest investment in public transportation in history
The most significant investment in passenger rail since Amtrak's inception
Access to clean drinking water in every community
And you can compare that to the Trump presidency, when no infrastructure bill at all was ever passed, despite a lot of talk from Trump about how he would get it done.
There's more:
Two strongest years of job growth in history--11 million jobs created since 2021, including 750,000 new manufacturing jobs
3.5% Unemployment Rate--the lowest in 50 years
Nearly $300 billion invested by companies in new manufacturing projects
Gas prices down more than $1.60 from their peak in 2022
More people have health insurance than ever before, and 4 of 5 people who enroll in Obamacare can find coverage for $10 a month or less
Record high stock market indexes, about 30% higher than when Biden took office
These are only a few examples among many accomplishments. This vibrant economy, with its huge green energy investments, has come about due to Biden's leadership and a Congress, during his first two years, controlled by Democrats. Meanwhile, Trump is trumpeting a tune of vengeance, of mass deportation camps, and soldiers on the streets to quell anyone who dares to complain.
This contrast between Democratic and Republican leadership is stark. That's the story we need to tell in 2024.
You can help us share our story: volunteer to staff a Klickitat County Democrats booth!
Hundreds and hundreds of people will attend the county fair and various other events. The KCDP will be there, and we'll be equipped to tell our story. We need volunteers to staff our booth at the following events:
Goldendale Home and Garden Show May 3-5
Goldendale Community Days July 13
Klickitat County Fair Aug. 14-18
Huckfest Sept. 6-8
A typical volunteer shift lasts two hours. If you think you can help us at one of these events, sign up here. This is a fun way to interact with community members and to make a positive impact.
Bob Ferguson signs are here!
West County Residents: Get your free Bob Ferguson sign from Shelley Baxter - please see the newsletter for location and address.
Goldendale Area Residents: Get your sign at Monkeyshines Studio and Gallery, 514 S. Columbus Avenue, Suite #1. Monkeyshines is open 12 noon-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
At each of these locations, there will be a clipboard on which you can indicate that you've picked up a sign (or two!). If you need help getting a yard sign please contact us through email here.
We're up to 55 members who've paid their 2024 dues. Some of you have donated more than that. It costs money to rent booths at events, so every bit helps. If you haven't done so yet, click this link to find out the different ways you can join or renew. Thank you! (You can join for free if your financial situation prevents you from paying. Just let us know you need a free membership, and we'll place you on our membership roll.)
Upcoming Events
Goldendale Drinking Democratically is back!: We'll resume gathering at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday each month, beginning March 21, at Ayutla's Mexican Restaurant, 630 E. Simcoe Drive, Goldendale
West County Drinking Democratically: Fourth Thursday each month--so March 28 this month, 6:30 p.m. at Ayutlense Mexican Restaurant, 120 E. Steuben, Bingen
KCDP Quarterly Membership Meeting: 6 p.m. June 3, location to be announced. WA State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and State Insurance Commissioner candidate Patty Kuderer have tentatively committed to join us, so mark your calendar!
Tuesday County Commissioners Meetings: The Commissioners meet on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. at the Klickitat County Services Building, 115 West Court, Room #201, in Goldendale. They're accessible via Zoom at this link. Public commentary takes place at the beginning of the meeting. For meeting agendas, click here.