Benton County Democrats

Standing up for the people of Benton County, WA

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Bluesky
Menu
  • Home
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Calendar
  • Links
    • Local Govt
    • Washington State
    • Congress
    • Democratic Organization
    • The Resistance
    • Civics
    • Other
  • Documents and Resources
  • Web Log
    • Committee News
    • Affinity
    • Past Events
    • Elections
    • Good of the Order
  • Contact Us
Menu

Ag and Rural Caucus for February 2025

Posted on February 3, 2025

Ag and Rural Caucus for February

Better Practices
6:30 pm Thursday 6 February
Steve Starr, chair, Grant County

Changes in north central Washington - for the good?
Steve will talk about economic growth, changing demographics, and politics in Grant County. Along with growth around Moses Lake he will talk about the build-out of data centers around Quincy. And he will brief us on the direction of the Hispanic vote.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86197176823?pwd=6BIWfzuGjNJvviW6YvgbeDeLHKF8FA.1 
Policy Briefing
6:30 pm Thursday 20 February
Dugan Marieb, Sr. Associate, Regulatory Affairs, Pine Gate Renewables

Making Community Benefit Agreements work for Counties

No one size fits all and Pine Gate believes in tailoring mitigation agreements to the community and impact of the project.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85907982157?pwd=MU4vV3E3VGZ5VU02dnhvZjg2b3hKZz09

Paste link into browser.

Correction on Representative Ramel Proposal

I wrote below that under Representative Ramel’s proposal “the money [energy excise tax] flows to the state and a portion is returned to the local authorities.” This is not correct.

The correction is that under HB 1960 all the money flows back to local authorities. The portion that I wrote is “returned to local authorities” is only the grant portion. “The quarter that goes to the state is used to fund a grant program that’s designed to incentivize counties and developers to work together.”

 The grant funding is 25 percent of the total amount returned to local authorities. The remaining 75 percent of the Renewable Energy Excise Tax is allocated by formula.

Don
19 February 2025

Recording note

You will notice tomorrow that the session is being recorded. The recording link will be made available to several legislators but otherwise will not be circulated. Just so you know.

Don
19 February 2025

Does Bargaining break Rules?

Listen closely Thursday. Dugan Magrieb, Pine Gates Renewable, will explain how his company and Morrow County developed an innovative agreement around his company’s solar energy plans and the county’s wheat industry.

What you will hear is a textbook example of bargaining. Textbook because each party works diligently to understand its counterparty with the idea of coming to a mutually agreeable solution.

What we want to learn from Dugan is how he and the county were able to work out a deal. The details themselves are important and interesting. What we need to figure out, though, is how they were even able to sit down to talk.

Washington’s EFSEC permitting process is valued because it is expedited and conforms to rules. What may be missing is an opening for counterparties to bargain, to arrive at mutually satisfactory agreements.

The “why” of bargained of community benefit agreements is easy – everybody wins. The “how” is tricky. How do we reconcile bargaining with bureaucracy? This is bureaucracy in the good sense of following even-handed, transparent rules. Policy-making in the good sense of serving the public may require “holes” in administrative law to allow old-fashioned backroom bargaining.

Let’s listen carefully Thursday and learn.

Don
18 February 2025

How to get Developers and Counties to the Same Table

So, what is the problem in Washington with counties striking a deal with developers? The problem is not the money. There is money enough in renewable energy to make counties comfortable. It is the declining profile of the personal property tax revenues and the eventual “tax shift” to resident taxpayers that gives Washington commissioners heartburn.

Tax shift, though, is just the beginning. The real rub is that developers in Washington do not have to work with local commissioners. Developers can ignore the local commissioners and seek “expedited” permitting through EFSEC (Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council). EFSEC operates under administrative law rule, for better or worse. There is county representation under EFSEC rules but developers face a predictable, bureaucratic process.

Local commissioners see that any time they make a developer uncomfortable, the developer charges out the front door to EFSEC.

It is no surprise, then, that many local commissioners in central Washington find political profit in siding with specious arguments against wind mills and solar panels. When they fail to shut wind and solar out because developers do their end run to EFSEC, they live with the tax  windfall and harvest the gratitude of their embattled residents.

The policy question for us in Washington is how to create conditions to bring developers and local commissioners together to negotiate, in good faith, something like what Pine Gate Renewables and Morrow County have done.

One way would be to take EFSEC out and turn over permitting exclusively to the counties. No one has the stomach to do this. Few have confidence that counties would not abuse a veto right over renewable energy proposals. My bias is that “show them the money” and put faith in greed.

Representative Alex Ramel (LD 40; Whatcom County) has a different idea. He has legislation which relieves developers from paying property tax and, instead, charges them an excise tax based on capacity. The money flows to the state and a portion is returned to the local authorities. This may be a technical resolution to tax shift but it fails the red-blooded tests of returning political agency to the county commissioners. Still, credit Representative Ramel with trying to find a solution.

Next week, we will try to discover some magic sauce in the way Oregon does things to make possible the Morrow County – Pine Gate agreement. I suspect our Oregon friends will blush and claim it is just common sense, and exclaim how much they envy our EFSEC process.

Don
12 February 2025

Greedy Counties? Or Aggrieved Tax Payers?

Counties get property taxes from wind and solar, don’t they? Yes, but. The “but” is that wind turbines and solar panels are taxed as “personal” property. This means that instead of appreciating like your home they depreciate, like your 4 x 4.

A wind turbine spins tax dollars when it first starts up. Those tax dollars, though, do not keep up. The wind turbine continues to generate revenues for its owner but less and less goes to the county treasurer.

At the same time as the turbine and panel taxes taper off, county budgets increase, ballooned by the early flush of tax revenues.

Enter “tax shift” stage right. Tax shift is when legacy taxpayers – you and me – pick up the slack left by corporate America as their tax payments depreciate away, a little like Wiley Coyote running off the cliff.

Tax shift is why the Washington Association of Counties and Representative Axel Ramel are trying to figure out ways to level out the contributions developers return to hosting counties. And this is why we talking about “community benefit agreements” with Dugan Magrieb of Pine Gate Renewables. How did Pine Gate solve Morrow County’s tax shift problem?

Don
11 February 2025

Why not Washington?

Why are we taking up a solar farm case from Morrow County in Oregon?

Simple. The Republican county commissioners (“judges”) in the northern Oregon counties are enthusiastic supporters of wind and solar facilities – and their Republican colleagues north of the Columbia are dead set against wind and solar.  

Community Benefit Agreements (CBA) are part of the answer. The name, CBA, is not always technically correct but the idea is the same. Provide counties a significant financial incentive, a community benefit, and it is easier for local commissioners to fact check claims that solar panels poison the soil or flicker from wind turbines causes epilepsy.

Pine Gate Renewables, developers of the Sunstone solar farm in Morrow County, authored an innovative CBA targeted at Morrow County’s wheat industry.

The first-of-its-kind initiative will invest over a thousand dollars per project acre into a County-managed fund for programs that support the local agricultural economy and improve the long-term viability and resilience of Morrow County’s wheat farms.  

Is there something about Oregon’s institutions that make this kind of agreement possible? Dugan Marieb with Pine Gate will help us understand what it might take for rural Washington commissioners to champion renewable energy.

Don
10 February 2025

Morning After Notes

Steve did his homework for last evening. And he certainly delivered. Steve was provocative – he pushed buttons. What he delivered was uncomfortable and his friend Bob may not have been happy. So be it.

The recording is here. Also, https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/is_wvcqU01DxNe-bMMu0UgqdUHKoSWEzbO3CsQh1fGItJN3Dsuu_CAj7fDHNW5HF.ZYndfrLGOnB3MVtA

Steve indicted identity politics, and with cause. I would like to add to his point. We can re-direct our message to delivering kitchen-table policy without closing the kitchen door. We need to retain our value that everyone has a place at the table when we serve up housing, jobs, and food, personal security and dreams for a better life. We do not close the door to different colors or creeds even when we may want to see ourselves in the faces around the table. You may not want to call it diversity but there is value in mashing different ideas and perspectives along with the potatoes. Last night was an example.

Because Steve was provocative, I want to add a point of fact-checking. The record of Joe Biden’s immigration policy was not quite as the dominant narrative tells us. We did a very thorough review of the data in December 2023. Search for the data on the ARC website. In our 2023 meeting, Ann Marie Danimus offered the criticism that the Democratic congress failed to fund and staff the necessary courts and bureaucracy to make an effective immigration policy work. That criticism was on the mark. Slogans are not the answer to immigration issues. And immigration is not going away. Climate change, economic differentials, and labor demand argue for US leadership in figuring out a just, compassionate, and smart immigration administration.

On another point I failed to come up with data. I ask for your help. Fox News, as Steve reported, is alive with stories about how transgender women athletes are injuring cisgender women athletes on the playing fields, whether volleyball or rugby. What is the actual record?

Don
7 February 2025

Steve and Bob join forces
Governor Ferguson and Steve Starr have the same idea. Steve, Grant County chair and ARC expert, will talk to us tomorrow about what is happening in north central Washington. He was going to touch on the employment effects of data centers in Quincy. Bob thinks Steve is on the right track.

The Governor yesterday “signed an executive order forming a team to evaluate the impact of data centers on energy use, state tax revenue and job creation.” The team will take up how much energy data center use and whether job promises are kept. And at what expense.

Is this an example of energy colonialism complaining about who gets to exploit cheap real estate and cheap power in eastern Washington? Or at dig at the legislature for rejecting transparency measures to release employment data? Or just good government? I prefer the good government read.

Here is ProPublica’s article. And the Seattle Times.

Don
5 February 2025

Our Better Practices roundtable is on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm.. Use the link above for 2025.

Our Policy Series is on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Use the link above for 2025. 


Copyright © 2025 Ag and Rural Caucus, All rights reserved.
Ag and Rural Caucus of State Democratic Central Committee
Our mailing address is:
Ag and Rural Caucus
2921 Mud Creek Rd
Waitsburg, WA 99361

Search

Subscribe

Benton County Dems on Facebook

Cover for Benton County WA Democrats
2,834
Benton County WA Democrats

Benton County WA Democrats

Serving the Democrats of Benton County, WA

Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
Vaccination is described as safe, effective, and the best protection available against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, according to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). ... See MoreSee Less

Washington state releases new vaccine recommendations ahead of flu season

keprtv.com

The state of Washington announced its vaccine recommendations for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season.
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
If we're reading this correctly, Trump has just broken the law by advising the public to buy Lilly stock, which is a violation of the STOCK Act - short for the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, the STOCK Act is a 2012 law that aims to prevent insider trading among members of Congress, government officials, and their staff.🚨INVESTMENT ALERT🚨Eli Lilly is set to build a $5,000,000,000 manufacturing plant in Virginia! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
What’s different now is the looming threat of entire research programs being eliminated, not just reduced.www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/our-view-sept-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawM3oFVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHo... ... See MoreSee Less

We can’t afford to lose this much talent. PNNL layoffs put scientific progress at risk

www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com

The real risk of PNNL layoffs is brain drain on a national scale.
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
For the first time since 2021, there are more unemployed job-seekers than available openings. ... See MoreSee Less

Trump’s Economy Is Finally Here—and It’s Even Worse Than You Imagined

slate.trib.al

Layoffs are spreading and unemployment is rising—and one kind of worker is being hit the hardest.
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
Some good news to report this morning, but we wish Rep. Dan Newhouse would step up and work with his WA state Dem colleagues to challenge the potential shut down of Hanford's VIT plant. ... See MoreSee Less

Representatives Newhouse and Schrier push for Washington conservation bill to aid farmers

www.nbcrightnow.com

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced a bipartisan bill to enhance conservation efforts in Washington state.
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Party Calendar

October 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 2, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

•
3
  • Indivisible Tricities - First Fridays Happy Hour

    Indivisible Tricities - First Fridays Happy Hour

    October 3, 2025  4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    Moonshot Brewing 8804 W. Victoria Ave Kennewick, WA

    We are going to start a social every first Friday of the month and BIG thanks to Moonshot Brewing who has agreed to let us meet there. Join us on Friday, Sept 5th, 4-6pm. Let’s come together and have some fun! Hope to see you there!

    See more details

•
4
5
6
7
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    October 7, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Richland City Council

    Richland City Council

    October 7, 2025  7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• •
8
9
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 9, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

  • MiniVan Training: Democrats University

    MiniVan Training: Democrats University

    October 9, 2025  5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JAmvKeUER7yEYZtEgU2dBQ#/registration

    Information you provide when registering will be shared with the account owner and host and can be used and shared by them in accordance with their Terms and Privacy Policy.

    See more details

• •
10
  • Tri-City Democrats Meeting/Potluck

    Tri-City Democrats Meeting/Potluck

    October 10, 2025  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    For current location please visit https://www.facebook.com/TriCityDems/

    See more details

•
11
12
13
  • Benton County Executive Board

    Benton County Executive Board

    October 13, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair.

    See more details

•
14
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    October 14, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Kennewick City Council Workshop

    Kennewick City Council Workshop

    October 14, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

    See more details

• •
15
16
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 16, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

•
17
18
  • NO KINGS Zillah Washington

    NO KINGS Zillah Washington

    October 18, 2025  10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    1st Avenue & Vintage Valley Parkway Zillah, WA 98953

    **In Zillah, we don’t put up with would-be kings. Come out and let your neighbors know they aren’t alone.

    Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.

    The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us.

    A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

    See more details

  • NO KINGS Tri-Cities WA

    NO KINGS Tri-Cities WA

    October 18, 2025  11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    Columbia Center Blvd 1321 N Columbia Center Blvd Kennewick, WA 99336

    Keep your eye out for the perfect costume because this year’s HAIRraisin’ FUNraiser will take place on Saturday, October 25, at 6pm at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center. Costumes are encouraged at this Halloween Bash celebrating the amazing work that B5 does.

    Guests will hear an update from Executive Director Theresa Roosendaal, and hear two stories of B5 students who are thriving here in the Tri-Cities. There will be auctions, games, a costume contest, and an opportunity to win a two-year lease for a 2025 Cadillac CT4 generously donated by McCurley Cadillac! 

    You can purchase tickets at here or contact Larissa at 509-551-1643 or at larissa.knopp@thriveatb5.org.

    See more details

  • NO KINGS Walla Walla

    NO KINGS Walla Walla

    October 18, 2025  12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    Walla Walla County Superior 315 W Main St Walla Walla, WA 99362

    In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.

    Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.

    The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us.

    A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

    See more details

• • •
19
20
21
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    October 21, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Richland City Council

    Richland City Council

    October 21, 2025  7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• •
22
23
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 23, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

  • BCDCC General Public Meeting

    BCDCC General Public Meeting

    October 23, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair.

    See more details

• •
24
25
  • HAIRraisin’ FUNraiser

    HAIRraisin’ FUNraiser

    October 25, 2025  6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Red Lion Hotel Pasco Airport & Conference Center 2525 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301

    Keep your eye out for the perfect costume because this year’s HAIRraisin’ FUNraiser will take place on Saturday, October 25, at 6pm at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center. Costumes are encouraged at this Halloween Bash celebrating the amazing work that B5 does.

    Guests will hear an update from Executive Director Theresa Roosendaal, and hear two stories of B5 students who are thriving here in the Tri-Cities. There will be auctions, games, a costume contest, and an opportunity to win a two-year lease for a 2025 Cadillac CT4 generously donated by McCurley Cadillac! 

    You can purchase tickets at here or contact Larissa at 509-551-1643 or at larissa.knopp@thriveatb5.org.

    See more details

•
26
27
28
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    October 28, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Richland City Council Workshop

    Richland City Council Workshop

    October 28, 2025  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• •
29
30
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 30, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

•
31
©2025 Benton County Democrats | Theme by SuperbThemes