Riveters Collective

Contact your County electeds about the draft jail funding ordinance before July 11! The County recently revealed its draft ordinance that voters will see on the November ballot. We have a list of suggested improvements posted on our website!

@cf_whatcom The first initiative lifts the minimum wage in Bellingham by a dollar in 2024 and another dollar in 2025. The second protects renters, requiring that landlords that raise rents dramatically in a single year pay relocation assistance to tenants. See more info on their page!

Initiatives proposed by @cf_whatcom were signed by over 13,500 community members and delivered to the City of Bellingham earlier this week. Both initiatives put people first in decisions about the local economy.

Congratulations to the workers at REI in Bellingham on unionizing! When workers when, we all win. All deserve livable wages and fair treatment.

We won our union election on Friday and we are ready to move FORWARD TOGETHER! #reiunion #unionyes

Are you on our mailing list? Each month, Riveters Collective sends out a round-up of updates from our committees, upcoming events and civic action items. Subscribe through the link in our bio if you haven’t already!

We are asking them to prioritize funding services that will divert folks from incarceration and to clarify where that funding will come from. Review the draft (linked below) and let your voice be heard! whatcomcounty.us/4130/Implement…

Riveters! A draft of the Justice Project Implementation Plan is up and available for review. Public feedback is being taken through June 11th, and can be submitted to IPRTaskForce@co.whatcom.wa.us.

Let your voice be heard! A Town Hall Listening Session is planned for May 24 to discuss how the County will address the significant improvements needed in our local justice system. See details below.

We encourage you to show up, ask questions and get involved. You can join in person at County Council Chambers, County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225, or join virtually. More information available here. whatcomcounty.us/4130/Implement…

Hey Riveters! There will be a town hall listening session on May 24, 2023, at 6 p.m. as elements of the draft Implementation Plan for the new jail and facilities will be shared for public feedback. They will discuss potential locations, services and systems, costs and funding.

In a statement to the county, their counsel wrote there has been insufficient evidence to show this would not change the essential character of their neighborhood. Join in the fight to protect their way of life. Their website, HOMEWhatcom, has more info and a live petition.

Residents near Reese Hill Rd. outside of Sumas have expressed alarm about increased truck traffic, protection of wetlands, noise and pollution if a huge gravel mine proposed by Cowden is approved by the county.

Write to your 42nd District legislators: Sen. Sharon Shewmake - sharon.shewmake@leg.wa.gov Rep. Alicia Rule - alicia.rule@leg.wa.gov Rep. Joe Timmons - joe.timmons@leg.wa.gov

Bellingham City Council passed an ordinance criminalizing public drug use in Bellingham April 10. Those who believe addiction is a health issue and are opposed to criminalizing addiction before services are available for those needing support should contact their representatives:

Write to your 40th District legislators: Sen. Liz Lovelett - liz.lovelett@leg.wa.gov Rep. Alex Ramel - alex.ramel@leg.wa.gov Rep. Debra Lekanoff - debra.lekanoff@leg.wa.gov

Write to Bellingham City Council asking to decriminalize drug use: engagebellingham.org/council-public…

Either way, Americans need the ERA. Indivisibles, Sign on to Bellingham Indivisible's letter and message your Senators and MOC's for SJRes4 and HJRes 25 to affirm the ERA and remove the fake deadline. docs.google.com/document/d/1eF…