April Mono County Democrats Updates
- monocountydemocrat
- Apr 21
- 8 min read
In this newsletter:
Fellow Mono County community members,
As the weather improves and we are soon able to park on Mammoth streets again, we hope to start organizing in-person get-togethers for fellow Democrats and members of like-minded organizations and coalitions. While it's easy to focus on what divides us, this is a great opportunity to highlight the positive impact we can make by working together. Please stay tuned for more details as the plans develop.
I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Rachel, our new marketing and social media coordinator. I met Rachel at the Hands-Off event on April 5, where she offered to help us out. She is taking over for Kate, who is now in law school in Tucson and can't devote time to us anymore, although she remains supportive. Please join me in welcoming Rachel and giving her a big thank you!
Lastly, I know many of you feel that the real challenges we face come from Trump and Elon Musk, and I agree. However, we have limited ability to influence them in the short term. What we can do is communicate our feelings to our member of Congress. If enough of us reach out to Kevin Kiley, he might reconsider his positions or at least adopt a less extreme stance on some of the more troubling policies promoted by the Republicans. While it may not be completely satisfying, it’s a constructive step and certainly better than taking no action at all!
-Joyce Kaufman
Mono County Democratic Central Committee Chair
Mono County Events
Hands off - and Hands on in Mammoth Lakes and Bishop
“Hands Off” was the title of the mass movements that took place across the country on Saturday, April 5. While there were large rallies in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., we had a solid turnout here in the Eastern Sierra.
We estimated about 350 participants in the rally in Bishop and around 150 in Mammoth. These numbers are quite impressive for our region and reflect the frustration, anger, and even rage that people are feeling about what is happening in our country under Donald Trump and his associate, Elon Musk.
On April 19, we had around 80 people join the subsequent rally in Mammoth. Lining the sidewalk near the Village, it felt wonderful to receive encouragement from passing cars. One participant mentioned that she hadn't rallied since her days as a Vietnam War protester, which resonated with me.
What stood out was the diversity of ages within the group, ranging from young adults in their 20s to older individuals. All were united by a shared concern about the current state of our country and a desire to take action.
In a strange way, Trump and Musk have begun to unite Americans who care about upholding and respecting the Constitution and due process. Although some believe protests are ineffective, if they primarily help people feel connected in their frustration and confusion, that’s already a positive outcome. There is power in community, and Mono County is filled with remarkable individuals, all striving for the best for America.
Let’s continue the protests and make our voices heard!
Special Shout Out: A new coalition called Coalition Mammoth has been formed in Mammoth, led by three young, passionate, and energetic women: Emily, Eva, and Skyler. They played a crucial role in organizing the rallies held on April 12 and April 19. Although they have stated that they do not identify specifically as “Democrats,” they share many of the same values as others in the community. We look forward to collaborating with this group in the future.
April 12 Earth Day Celebration in Bishop
The Mono Dems have consistently participated in Earth Day, often collaborating with the Inyo Dems. This event, held at Bishop City Park, is a popular and uplifting gathering that unites various organizations to honor our planet.
This year, the event, sponsored by one of the Bishop Rotary Clubs, faced controversy when we, the Mono Dems, were informed that our presence would be considered “too political.” After consulting with the Committee, we decided that our presence was crucial. We ultimately agreed not to display our Mono Dems banner or be recognized as the Mono Dems.
At the event, we provided access for voter registration, offered wildflower seeds in envelopes for children to decorate and plant, and shared flyers of “6 Important Facts About Climate Change” and an “Eco-Friendly Earth Bingo” card, both of which were very popular. Our table drew a steady flow of visitors, and many signed up for our newsletter and mailing list.
As a follow-up to the events before our participation, the president of Bishop Rotary happened to be at the table next to ours. I explained the situation to her, and she relayed it to her Board. They have since apologized and invited us to participate next year as the Mono Dems. While this was satisfying, it also highlights the current divisions in our country, where even celebrating our planet and Earth Day has become politicized.
The Mono Dems remain committed to safeguarding our planet for this generation and those to come.
We extend our gratitude to all the Mono Dems who assisted us that day (Doug and Lou Stewart, and Barb Phillips) and to everyone who stopped by. Special thanks to Barb Phillips for sourcing and packaging the seeds, and Sue Chandler from South Lake Tahoe for the idea. Special thanks as well to our new marketing person, Rachel, for pulling together the flyers.
We appreciate all the support!
July 4th Parade in Mammoth Lakes
For many years, the Mono Dems, often in collaboration with the Inyo Dems, have taken part in the Fourth of July parade in Mammoth. At our recent monthly meeting, in preparation for submitting our parade application, we unanimously decided to participate again this year, with an emphasis on the Constitution and “We the People.”
Our messaging will highlight the issues that affect and unite us as Americans. For example, we support veterans' rights, we back farmers and ranchers who significantly contribute to our country, and we uphold the rights of all individuals protected by the Constitution.
If you wish to join us in marching with our committee, we would be delighted to have you! We will soon provide more details on how you can contribute. If you share our beliefs, we hope you will join us this July 4th in supporting American Democracy.
Things you can do to make a difference
More pressure for our CD3 representative, Kevin Kiley
Kevin Kiley continues to focus on his feud with Governor Newsom while ignoring the needs and wants of his constituents. On April 15, Bernie Sanders and AOC included Folsom, CA, located in CD 3, as one of the stops on their “Fighting Oligarchy Tour.”
It was reported that over 30,000 people attended the rally, with many more turned away due to space limitations. The line to enter reportedly stretched over three miles! During her speech, AOC specifically mentioned Kevin Kiley by name.
“Kevin Kiley knows this is not what you want. He knows that it is deeply unpopular. He knows it hurts the people of Folsom,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “But he is not there to serve working families. He is there to serve himself and the billionaire class that put him there.”
The following day, a rally took place at Kiley’s office. There was also a visit planned for Monday, April 21, when he has scheduled office hours and meetings with constituents. Our colleagues from the Placer County Dems planned to be there and will personally deliver letters to Kiley that they have received and printed.
Here are some of the important issues to address:
The Save Act
Kiley voted “yes” on the SAVE Act, HR 22, which passed the House mostly along party lines. This bill, proposed by Republicans as a means to “protect” our voting rights, requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing voter registration applications for federal elections unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. It defines acceptable proof, such as identification compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Kiley has publicly supported this bill.
However, the bill poses significant challenges. It would disenfranchise individuals who have changed their names or lack the necessary documentation, such as a passport. For example, married women who choose to change their names would need to provide legal proof of their name change, potentially leading to delays and additional costs. Furthermore, the ambiguity within the bill could result in uneven implementation across different regions.
Additionally, the SAVE Act was intended to address election fraud, which is virtually non-existent. The bill will move to the Senate for a vote, where it is unlikely to pass. Nevertheless, it is important to reach out to our Senators to express our outrage regarding this legislation or any related issue.
Adam Schiff can be reached through his website: https://www.schiff.senate.gov/, or by phone in DC at: 202-224-3841 or at a local office in Fresno: 559-485-7430. Alex Padilla can be reached through his website: https://www.padilla.senate.gov/, or by phone in DC at: 202-224-3553 and local office in Fresno: 559-497-5109.
Medicaid
Rep. Kevin Kiley announced that he has filed a bill aimed at prohibiting states, such as California, from using federal or state Medicaid funds to provide medical services to undocumented individuals. However, the bill does include an exception for emergency medical services. Kiley claims that this legislation would save California taxpayers "billions of dollars each year."
While it is unlikely to pass, many view it as an attack on immigrants and a broader assault on Medicaid, which has become a target for Republicans.
It is important to let Kiley know how you feel about the current situation. You can email his office at https://kiley.house.gov/. While you may not receive a response, it's essential to communicate your thoughts. Be sure to include your address and contact information.
You can also call his local office or his Washington, D.C. office. The phone numbers for his Rocklin office are 916-724-2575 and toll-free 888-406-3855. The phone number for his D.C. office is 202-225-2523.
Even if you speak with someone, the conversation may not be very satisfying. However, Congressional offices do track calls and emails, so it's important that your feelings are documented.
Support for our veterans
This section is intended for anyone who is a veteran, knows a veteran, or wishes to support veterans.
We have been examining veterans’ issues, particularly how the DOGE cuts impact veterans in our area, and here is what we have discovered so far:
There are approximately 1.8 million veterans in CA; nearly 96,000 (just over 5%) reside in our district, CD 3. Projections for 2025 indicate that nearly 26,000 will be in Placer County, the largest county in the district. In September 2024, out of over 2 million people in the federal workforce, almost 30% were veterans, compared to about 6% of veterans in the overall civilian workforce. Over 40,000 veterans were employed by the federal government in California alone. Therefore, veterans across California, including CD 3, will be impacted by cuts to the VA.
VA cuts will impact veterans in two main ways:
Reduced staffing at the Department of Veterans Affairs will affect healthcare, housing loans, and general access to information.
Employment, as the federal government is the largest single employer of veterans in the nation.
In July 2024, Kevin Kiley and the Republican majority approved a 22% cut to the Department of Veterans Affairs, resulting in the loss of 81,000 health service jobs and 30 million fewer veteran outpatient visits. A DCCC spokesman stated: “Kevin Kiley and House Republicans have repeatedly abandoned our veterans and fallen in line behind the despicable effort to cut the services and health care owed to them.” And that was before DOGE got involved!
Under Sue Hilderbrand's leadership, the CD 3 Roc (Regional Organizing Council) is forming a Veterans Coalition. The aim is to unite veterans to address their issues, including cuts to their benefits.
Additionally, the Unite for Veterans Coalition, a nationwide group, has organized a major rally for June 6th, the anniversary of D-Day, as a nonpartisan call “to preserve veterans' jobs and benefits and promote the protection of democratic principles,” according to its organizers, the Unite for Veterans Coalition, a group of veterans from various advocacy organizations.
We hope to organize a similar rally in CD 3 on that date. More information about the national march can be found here.
If you want to learn more about the Veterans Coalition, you can contact Sue at Sue@cadem.org, and we will keep you informed about any plans for a local rally.
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