Recent Events
See the Web Log for information about past events
Democracy Happy Hour, June 29 @ 5 pm PT:
Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue w/ Kenia Peregrino from Washington for Equitable Representation
Democracy Happy Hour June 29 @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Topic for June 29, 2022: Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue w/ Kenia Peregrino from WA for Equitable Representation
Upcoming Topics in July:
- July 6 – US Supreme Court Debrief
- July 13 – Dark Money in Elections
- July 20 – Jan 6 Hearings Review
Candidate Forums and Interviews Tuesday, June 28th @ 6 pm PT
Are you or a woman you know interested in running for office?
WON (Women in Office Now) is a new project of Fix Democracy First Education Fund providing FREE training to help women successfully run for local, state or federal offices. Join us for our next training session: June 28th @ 6 pm: Training Module 9 Candidate Forums & Interviews with special guest Kathy Sakahara Kathy had a successful career as a presentation coach and trainer to Fortune 500 executives and technical experts. She carried that work into her nonprofit career, providing speakers’ bureau consulting, communication, and media outreach training to nonprofits across Washington. • Public speaking 101 • Speech writing • Preparing for interviews and debates • Research and know your positions • Practice sessions Register HERE for Training Module 9
Did you miss any of our previous sessions? You can view them HERE! Training 1 - Why Should I Run for Office? Training 2 - Where to Start? Questions to Ask Yourself Training 3 - The Basics of Running for Office - w/ special guest Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor & SOS Candidate Training 4 - Running a Campaign - What do I need to know? Training Module 5 - Choosing Your Campaign Team - with guest speaker Cassidy Butler from IBEW Local 89 Training 6 - Campaign Communications - with special guest speaker Kristine Reeves, former WA State Rep & Candidate for the 30th LD Training 7 - Campaign Finance - with special guest speaker Scott Haley from WA's Public Disclosure Commission Training 8 - Fundraising for My Campaign with special guest speaker Madalene Mielke, President & CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
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More Upcoming WON Training Topics
All session presentations will be recorded. You can view past recordings and resources @ fixdemocracyfirst.org/won
Support Democracy! Please make a donation to support our programs and work for democracy. We can't do this without you!
Follow Us!
BANS OFF OUR BODIES! RICHLAND, WA
The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Join the Tri-Cities Womxn’s March along with the Party for Socialism and Liberation in a protest on Friday, June 24 at 7pm at John Dam Plaza. Let’s continue to remind our leaders and community members that Reproductive rights are human rights! We will not go down without a fight and we need every voice, every story, and every heart engaged in this battle. There is power in numbers and every single person counts. Join us in chants, art, presence and action.
Folks are welcome to come around 6:30pm to make posters, materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own as well.
LOCATION John Dam Plaza 815 George Washington Way Richland, WA 99352
HOST Audrey
TIME Friday, June 24 7:00 p.m.
Benton County Democratic Central Committee Meeting
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Hybrid Meeting
Social Hour 6pm-7pm (order your own food)
Meeting begins at 7:00pm
Round Table Pizza, George Washington Way, Richland
Notified meeting for approval of Resolution
When joining the meeting, please type your name and your role in the chat. If you are a PCO, please type your precinct number by your name. If you are an officer or committee chair, please include that information. If none of those apply to you, please type guest, and we’re glad you’re joining us! The Zoom will stay on after the end of the meeting for social interaction.
Benton County Democratic Central Committee June 23, 2022 7:00pm
Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Adopt Agenda Approval of Minutes Secretary's Report (Julie) Treasurer's Report & Communications (Durga) Chair's Report (Richard) All hands on deck for August primary and November general elections PCOs will be critical, appointed PCOs welcome Signs for Doug White for Congress 1st VC Report (Regina) 2nd VC Report (John) Organizing Committee (Allison) Elections Committee (Justin) State Committee #1 (Regina) State Committee #2 (Sabastian) Resolutions (Kitty) Labor (open) Events & TC Dems (Carl) 8th LD (Chris) 16th LD (Everett) 15th LD Unfinished Business Approval of the stock buyback resolution New Business Good of the Order State convention June 25, Tacoma; hybrid format Adjourn
Ag and Rural Caucus Self-Call To Meeting, June 2022
Water Right Adjudication: Yakima and Nooksack 06:30 PM 23 June, 2022 Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81379922162?pwd=MFZybDdkdk5PcGxtMk9odmxSZEFadz09 Meeting ID: 813 7992 2162 Passcode: 331894
Water Rights Adjudication: Theory, Yakima Experience, and the Nooksack Anticipation Mary Verner, theory – Department of Ecology Tom Ring, veteran of Yakima adjudication William Clarke, anticipation, Whatcom County, Ag Water Board |
“There is a crack in everything. That is how the light gets in.”
“Anthem”
Leonard Cohen
The Ag and Rural Caucus looks for the cracks. We look for the light. We try to go behind the headlines and easy snap phrases to learn how policy really works. And we try to find constructive solutions in the nuances. We try to understand the interests around the table and the details of the issue at hand. Using knowledge and sensitivity we try to lever open the cracks to make something work. Wolf-cattle management in Ferry and Stevens Counties, the Lower Snake River dams, and most water issues are examples of where we have fallen short, but we keep trying.
I am reminded of the Leonard Cohen lyric by a question that came up in our coordination meeting last week. One of our guests asked how we would respond to more technical information. I responded that, while in no way are we experts in water law, we would welcome the opportunity to learn. Had I been more alert I would have more vigorously welcomed insight into how professionals look for the cracks to drive solutions. Water rights adjudication is a rich example of looking for the cracks. In the case of the Yakima River Basin adjudication, it took forty years to find the cracks. Time – forty years – obviously is one way of resolving problems but it is expensive for both the public and water users. Can Ecology and water-rights advocates across the state learn from episode to episode to reduce the decision-making costs, or is each adjudication sui generis, unique?
We are using a “compare and contrast” format for Thursday’s meeting. Mary Verner heads up Ecology’s Water Resources Program, Bill Clarke is an attorney and lobbyist specializing in water and natural resources, and Tom Ring has been with the Yakama Nation’s Water Resource Program and is a veteran of Yakima Basin water issues.
Mary and Bill will have different takes on the adjudication enterprise for the Nooksack and Tom will provide balancing commentary to keep us moving.
This, at least, the plan. Join us. And invite your friends to come in. Please encourage anyone in your circles who might be interested. As always, our meeting are open to everyone.
Don
20 June 2022
A Scarce Resource
How do you divvy up a scarce resource? Like water. There are laws, rules and regulations, and values. Values are ideas like there should be water for endangered salmon, or water to grow food for people, or that water is fundamental to life and should be conserved as a public resource. Then, of course, we have values like having a green lawn in August and a clean car whenever. Not all values are created equal.
Water rights adjudication is application of Washington State Law and Ecology rules. Where do values come in? Clearly, how we value water has changed in the last hundred years. The legislature keeps up with some of this change and adds RCW’s with revised instructions for Ecology. So, is water right adjudication just a mechanical application of law or is there room to grow to accommodate changing values? And by whose authority?
Please do join us on the 23rd. We will talk about water, naturally, but we will also be talking about the kind of society we choose for our grandchildren. We can talk about water as a metaphor for the political choices we make about our collective life. And we can talk about water as the fundament for jobs, families and communities, and not just east of the Cascade crest.
Don 13 June 2022
Lost Your Title?
Ever settle a parent’s estate? Maybe not all the deeds and titles were filed quite where you thought. Maybe you ended up filing a lost title request with the Department of Licensing so you could sell Mom’s old Buick?
This is a little like a water adjudication. The Buick is from 2003 but the estate’s water right dates back to 1893. This is what keeps irrigators in Whatcom County up at night. They are in the very first stage of a comprehensive water right adjudication and farmers are wringing their hands about how to document their great-grandparents’ claim to use water for crops in the late summer when the rains give out. (I can see our friends in Othello shaking their heads worrying about short August rains but the Nooksack does not have Grand Coulee Dam upstream.)
On the 23rd we will take up water right adjudication. Mary Verner from Ecology with give us the theory of water right adjudication, Tom Ring from the Yakima Valley will talk about how the forty-year Yakima Basin process played out, and Bill Clarke from Whatcom County can share what the process looks like as it is just beginning.
Don
7 June 2022
Water Rights: The Fundamentals
Let’s start at the beginning. Who has rights to use public waters and how did they get them? This is the business of water right adjudication. And the Department of Ecology, working for the state, is boss. Except that the state is a later comer to claiming jurisdiction, about a hundred years. And except that only the courts can really adjudicate water rights.
Confused? Aside from one-on-one adjudications, there has been only one general basin adjudication, the Yakima. It took forty years. It wrapped up in 2019. It is known by its court title: Ecology v Acquella.
Next up is the Nooksack (WRIA-01). Are landowners in Whatcom County looking forward to forty years of litigation?
Don
Copyright © 2022 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
Wow, what a week we’ve had! To each and every one of you who took a big step to end the violence and the heartbreak: Thank you. Millions of us, of all backgrounds and across the partisan divide, took to the streets with a unified demand for Congress to do something to end gun violence
Like we’ve been saying, this is not a moment, this is a movement. We are so thankful for all of the participation and support that we received over the last few weeks. But what matters even more is what we do next.
Please join us next Thursday, June 23rd at 4pm EST as we discuss the next steps for our movement on our electoral, legal, and state legislative and advocacy work and how you can help us keep up the fight.
In solidarity,
National Organizing Team
Contributions will benefit March For Our Lives Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Contributions or gifts to March For Our Lives Action Fund are not deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable contributions. Update your donation information here.
March For Our Lives
Nationwide
New York, NY 55555
United States
The League of Women Voters of Benton & Franklin Counties is pleased to present a public discussion: “Is My Ballot Secure?”.
Wednesday, June 22. 2022, 6:00 pm Columbia Basin College 2600 N. 20th Ave. Pasco, WA 99301 The Theatre (P104)
The League is honored to host Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton, and Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton. The Auditors will outline the ballot process from the drop box to the counting of ballots and the safeguards in place if any irregularity occurs. Benton & Franklin County citizens are welcome to participate in the question-and-answer period that will follow. Admission is free. For details contact: christinegrantham3@gmail.com
Democracy Happy Hour, June 22 @ 5 pm PT:
Inadequacy of American Election Law & Impact on Upcoming Elections w/ Michael Otten & Peter Siris
Democracy Happy Hour June 22 @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Topic for June 22, 2022: Inadequacy of American Election Law & Impact on Upcoming Elections w/ Michael Otten & Peter Siris
Upcoming topics:
- June 29th – Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue w/ Kenia Peregrino from Washington for Equitable Representation (rescheduled from last week)
BADGER FORUM THURSDAY, JUNE 16 | 12:00 Noon
DAMS AND SALMON: Beyond the Spreadsheets Two veteran northwest reporters take on the issues
“After spending $18 billion the federal agencies have developed arguably the best fish passage system in the world. It’s just not good enough.”
Rocky Barker, retired environmental reporter Idaho Statesman
“The blunt and inarguable answer to Northwesterners who want to breach the Lower Snake River dams and “save the salmon” is really quite simple: It won’t work.”
Ken Robertson, retired managing editor Tri-City Herald
Are the four Lower Snake River Dams going to be breached to save dwindling salmon runs? Who decides and when? By whose criteria? And at what cost? And who picks up the tab?
The Columbia Basin Badger Club first addressed this issue in 2010, when a speaker from American Rivers presented the argument for breaching the dams to an audience largely made up of breaching opponents. There are many voices in the conversation, which ranges from the courtrooms to the halls of Congress and from Boise to Salem and Olympia. There are so many voices speaking at once that its nearly impossible to hear any single voice clearly. The Columbia Basin Badger Club has invited two veteran northwest journalists, one from Boise the other from the Tri-Cities, to help us consider the cultural, political, and spiritual aspects of the ongoing regional debate over the future of the Lower Snake River Dams.
REGISTER FOR DAMS AND SALMON: Beyond the Spreadsheets
UPDATED REGISTRATION: Please note that we have upgraded our registration procedure. No need to register on Zoom after you register on our website. Your confirmation email from the Badger Club will contain the link to join the webinar. You will also receive reminder emails from the Badger Club.
COMING JULY 21: There are three candidates–all Republicans–on the primary election ballot for Benton County Commissioner. We’ve invited them all to participate in a Badger Forum debate. This will give our viewers a chance to hear from each one and to question them directly about their positions. Register HERE for July’s Badger Forum.
Democracy Happy Hour, June 15 @ 5 pm PT:
The Independent State Legislature Theory
Democracy Happy Hour June 15 @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for June 15, 2022: The Independent State Legislature Theory
Upcoming topics:
- June 22nd – Inadequacy of American Election Law & Impact on Upcoming Elections w/ Michael Otten & Peter Siris
- • June 29th – Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue w/ Kenia Peregrino from Washington for Equitable Representation (rescheduled from last week)
Fundraising for My Campaign Tuesday, June 14th @ 6 pm PT with special guest speaker Madalene Mielke, President & CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
Are you or a woman you know interested in running for office?
WON (Women in Office Now) is a new project of Fix Democracy First Education Fund providing FREE training to help women successfully run for local, state or federal offices. Join us for our next training session: June 14th @ 6 pm: Training Module 8 Fundraising for My Campaign with special guest speaker Madalene Mielke, President & CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) • Fundraising goals and timeline • Hosting events • Online fundraising options • Targeting donors in your jurisdiction • Outreach to bigger donors • Public funding (available in certain areas) Register HERE for Training Module 8
Did you miss any of our previous sessions? You can view them HERE! Training 1 - Why Should I Run for Office? Training 2 - Where to Start? Questions to Ask Yourself Training 3 - The Basics of Running for Office - w/ special guest Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor & SOS Candidate Training 4 - Running a Campaign - What do I need to know? Training Module 5 - Choosing Your Campaign Team - with guest speaker Cassidy Butler from IBEW Local 89 Training 6 - Campaign Communications - with special guest speaker Kristine Reeves, former WA State Rep & Candidate for the 30th LD Training 7 - Campaign Finance - with special guest speaker Scott Haley from WA's Public Disclosure Commission
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More Upcoming WON Training Topics
All session presentations will be recorded. You can view past recordings and resources @ fixdemocracyfirst.org/won
Support Democracy! Please make a donation to support our programs and work for democracy. We can't do this without you!
Follow Us!
This is a big weekend for FAN in Eastern WA, and we hope you’ll be able to join in!
On Saturday June 11, we are celebrating Spokane Pride. We will meet at 11:30am to march in the Pride Parade, and then will have a FAN table at the Pride Festival from 12:00-6:00 pm. Join us to march and/or stop by our table! You can email or call me with questions at my contact info below.
Then on Sunday June 12, join our Eastern WA Spring Summit! It is from 2:00-4:00pm at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, or you can attend via Zoom. There’s still time to RSVP and receive more information when you register.
We would love to see you this weekend for one or both of these opportunities to gather!
Lauren Schubring | (she/her/hers)
Regional Organizer, Eastern Washington
FAITH ACTION NETWORK
Phone: 313.719.8150
Email: schubring@fanwa.org
View our 2022 Legislative Successes here.
Early Summer Picnic
Zoom Meeting June 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Hey everyone!
Potluck picnic at Carl Baker’s house. Come meet your fellow Democrats and socialize! 4501 W Lattin Ct, West Richland.
A kind and generous member has donated two sets of US quarters from the American Women Quarters program. These are proof sets (highly polished) honoring Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren and Anna May Wong. We are auctioning these as a fundraiser for the group. Bid in the comments below the designated photo for the Facebook event. If you’re not on Facebook, email hodor@warmrock.net and we’ll post your bid on your behalf. The v auction will conclude at the end of the evening June 10th.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81900608085?pwd=a1dHZlJ4ek94Zmd0SkRGNFkzMEU4dz09
Meeting ID: 819 0060 8085
Passcode: 335996
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,81900608085#,,,,*335996# US (Tacoma)
If you have trouble getting the meeting link through Meetup, please reach out to the Tri-city Democrats page or to Carl Baker (hodor@warmrock.net) and we’ll get the information to you.
Safety Remains First
June Regular Business Meeting Details Thursday, June 16 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Shelter 1, Chiawana Park (end of Chiawana Park Road)
Fellow Democrats,
Our regular June meeting is still in-person. The location is now Chiawana Park.
Go down Court Street and take a left at Road 88 to get to Chiawana Park. We’ll be down at the shelter at the end of the park, near the playground.
As our COVID numbers rise here in Franklin County and across the state, it’s better to be safe than sorry. That said, state health officials are only cautioning us about indoor safety, not outdoors.
So we’re going outside for this one. My apologies for the sudden switch.
Remember, we need a minimum of seven (7) PCOs elected in the 2020 cycle or appointed since then. Acting PCOs — those who live outside their assigned precinct and are caretaking for it — cannot vote.
If you’d like to bring food for yourself or others, feel free. I’ll have enough refreshments to carry us through what I hope will be a fulfilling, yet compact, return to in-person meetings.
The agenda remains the same. I’ll still bring paper copies and take good notes for anyone who can’t make it.
In service to democracy and the Union.
— Dorsey
January 6th Commission Hearing Watch Event June 9th @ 4:30 pm PT (Time tentative based on Commission schedule)
January 6th Commission Hearing Watch Event Thursday, June 9th @ 4:30 pm PT (Time tentative based on Commission schedule)
Let’s join together to watch the first January 6th Commission hearing. We’ll have time for questions and discussion following the hearing.
It’s been more than a year since armed, right-wing militants attacked our Capitol and tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
The attacks continue. More than one year later, the same faction that attacked our country on January 6th is hard at work silencing our voices by restricting our freedom to vote, sabotaging fair voting districts, and quietly preparing future attempts to undermine free and fair elections.
During these hearings, Americans will witness testimony of those involved in the attack on our democracy.
The promise of democracy is not a partisan issue but a calling that unites us as Americans. To prevent an attack from happening again, Americans must witness the hearings set to expose the complex planning intended to undermine our votes, led by former President Trump and his loyalists.
By coming together for watch events, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us––no matter our color, zip code, or income.
*Please note the time is approximate and may be subject to change based on hearing schedule.
Democracy Happy Hour, June 8 @ 5 pm PT:
Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue
Democracy Happy Hour June 8 @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for June 8, 2022: Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue w/ WA for Equitable Representation
Upcoming topics:
- June 15th – The Independent State Legislature Theory
- June 22nd – The Precinct Strategy: What is it & why?
Dear advocates in Central Washington,
We are looking forward to seeing you for our annual Faith Action Network Spring Summit, Sunday June 5, 2:00-4:00pm, in-person or online. Rev. David Hacker and St. Michael’s Episcopal Mission in downtown Yakima will host this hybrid meeting–a chance to meet new people, renew connections, and build community. Please RSVP at the Central WA link on this page, and share the attached flyer in your communities.
Every year we look forward to summits as a time to hear what is motivating you to act for compassion, justice and equity. We also want to get a sense of your policy priorities from the vantage of your grassroots involvement. FAN staff Elise DeGooyer and Kristin Ang will share legislative successes and bring FAN updates, and we will have small group conversations about the issues that matter in your communities. It’s time to reconnect and move forward with renewed energy for justice!
We look forward to meeting with you and learning together. If you have questions, please contact the FAN office at fan@fanwa.org or 206-625-9790.
See you in June!
FAN Staff
FAITH ACTION NETWORK
Central Washington Spring Summit
and
Eastern Washington Spring Summit
During May-June, FAN holds Regional Spring Summits around Washington State. Advocates gather to talk about how our legislative agenda fared during the past session and strategize for the rest of the year on issues they care about most. Together, we look for new ways to be more effective at creating lasting change.
Please Register For the Central WA Summit at https://fanwa.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/event/info?id=226&reset=1
Please Register For the Eastern WA Summit at https://fanwa.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/event/info?id=227&reset=1
Share These Events!
Democracy Happy Hour, June 1 @ 5 pm PT:
Tracking Money in Elections
Democracy Happy Hour June 1 @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for June 1, 2022: Tracking Money in Elections
Upcoming topics:
- June 8th – Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue w/ WA for Equitable Representation
- June 15th – The Independent State Legislature Theory
- June 22nd – The Precinct Strategy: What is it & why?
Campaign Finance Tuesday, May 31st @ 6 pm PT with special guest speaker Scott Haley from WA's Public Disclosure Commission
Are you or a woman you know interested in running for office?
WON (Women in Office Now) is a new project of Fix Democracy First Education Fund providing FREE training to help women successfully run for local, state or federal offices. Join us for our next training session: May 31st @ 6 pm: Training Module 7 Campaign Finance with special guest speaker Scott Haley from WA's Public Disclosure Commission • State and local regulations • Contribution limits • Filing with the PDC (Public Disclosure Commission) • Fundraising dos and don’ts Register HERE for Training Module 7
Did you miss any of our previous sessions? You can view them HERE! Training 1 - Why Should I Run for Office? Training 2 - Where to Start? Questions to Ask Yourself Training 3 - The Basics of Running for Office - w/ special guest Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor & SOS Candidate Training 4 - Running a Campaign - What do I need to know? Training Module 5 - Choosing Your Campaign Team - with guest speaker Cassidy Butler from IBEW Local 89 Training 6 - Campaign Communications - with special guest speaker Kristine Reeves, former WA State Rep & Candidate for the 30th LD
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More Upcoming WON Training Topics
All session presentations will be recorded. You can view past recordings and resources @ fixdemocracyfirst.org/won
Support Democracy! Please make a donation to support our programs and work for democracy. We can't do this without you!
Follow Us!
Ready to get involved? ¿Listo para el trabajo? We will win this primary, but we will need every volunteer we can find. Ganaremos esta primaria, pero necesitaremos a todos los voluntarios que podamos encontrar.
We have a variety of upcoming events that anyone could help with- regardless of their prior experience in volunteering. If you can hold a phone or a pen and care about democracy, we have a way to get votes out with your help! We need to reach 65000 people in June, and we know from multiple studies of prior elections that the biggest motivator is personal contact. That’s where you can make a difference! You can be that point of contact that makes the difference between a ballot in the mail or in the trash. Will you help?
Tenemos una variedad de próximos eventos con los que cualquiera podría ayudar, independientemente de su experiencia previa como voluntario. Si puede sostener un teléfono o un bolígrafo y se preocupa por la democracia, ¡tenemos una manera de obtener votos con su ayuda! Necesitamos llegar a 65000 personas en junio, y sabemos por múltiples estudios de elecciones anteriores que el mayor motivador es el contacto personal. ¡Ahí es donde usted puede marcar la diferencia! Usted puede ser ese punto de contacto que marque la diferencia entre una boleta en el correo o en la basura. ¿Ayudará?
Upcoming Opportunities:
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION MEETING: Thursday May 26th at 4:00pm on Zoom Learn about all the various ways you can support the campaign! PHONE BANKING: Every Tuesday (5:00-6:00pm) and Thursday (6:30-7:30pm) If you don't want to use your own phone number, Google Voice can make phone banking anonymous and safe. DOOR TO DOOR OUTREACH: Every Saturday from 10:00-1:00pm and 3:00-6:00pm Locations vary: we would like to be in both Yakima and Tri-Cities weekly but we need volunteer coordinators to make it happen! Would you like to help? Contact us! LETTER WRITING: You can have letter writing supplies and an address list delivered right to your home and work on it when you like- or contact us to get connected to a letter writing event in your community.
Film Screening & Panel Discussion Running With My Girls - May 26th @ 6 pm PT
Running With My Girls Film Screening & Panel Discussion - May 26, 2022 @ 6 pm PT
Join Fix Democracy First and Meaningful Movies Project for a special screening of Running With My Girls on Thursday, May 26th. This is a new documentary offering insight into women of color running for office. Following the film we’ll have a panel discussion. Panelists TBD.
View trailer @ https://www.runningwithmygirls.com/trailer
Taking on the entrenched political establishment in Denver, Colorado, five female activists decide to run for office as part of a grassroots movement to take back their city.
Tired of watching their communities be ignored and displaced, five women of color run for municipal office in Denver – one of the fastest gentrifying cities in the country. With only a fraction of the funds of their incumbent opponents, the women find power through their community and each other to run their grassroots campaigns.
BADGER FORUM THURSDAY, MAY 26 | 12:00 Noon
FAKE NEWS AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES
Since September 11, 2001, more Americans have been killed domestically by white, right-wing extremists than by Islamist militants. What inspires Americans to take up arms against their fellow Americans? And what can Plato’s Republic teach us about how to prevent the further radicalization of America? Professor Seth Weinberger will challenge us to imagine an aspirational future identity and consider the role of a liberal arts education in building a new nation.
Weinberger is a specialist in international relations and security. His research includes congressional-executive war powers and the laws of war. He is a regular speaker on international conflict, including topics such as the 2015 Paris Attack, Arab Spring, and War on Terror.
Professor Seth Weinberger University of Puget Sound
There is no charge for Badger Club members. Non-members pay $5.00.
Register HERE for “Fake News and Conspiracy Theories”
Coming June 16: DAMS AND SALMON: Beyond the Spreadsheets. Two veteran northwest journalists compare notes and argue the social, political, and spiritual dimensions of breaching the Lower Snake River Dams. Register HERE.
Democracy Happy Hour, May 25 @ 5 pm PT:
Social Media to Support Democracy Part 2 w/ Jeremy Chase
Democracy Happy Hour TODAY @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for May 25, 2022: Social Media to Support Democracy Part 2 w/ Jeremy Chase
Upcoming topics:
- June 1st – Tracking Money in Elections
- June 8th – Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue w/ WA for Equitable Representation
- June 15th – The Independent State Legislature Theory
- June 22nd – The Precinct Strategy: What is it & why?
Candidate Filing for 2022
Candidate filing week is May 16 through May 20. Those who wish to be elected Precinct Committee Officers for the 2023-2024 term must file their candidacy during this week. When filing opens on May 16, you can file online for free in just a few minutes with the following link:
You can find your precinct with the Benton County Searchable Map.
Your district type is PRECINCT.
Click START for Precinct Committee Officer – Democratic
Then fill out your name as you want it to appear on the ballot and your contact information. Your contact information will be public record. Then SUBMIT your form.
Ag and Rural Caucus Call To Meeting, May 2022
The Methow Valley: Tradeoffs in Managing Rural Growth Time: May 19, 2022 06:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81379922162?pwd=MFZybDdkdk5PcGxtMk9odmxSZEFadz09 Meeting ID: 813 7992 2162 Passcode: 331894
The Methow Valley: Tradeoffs in Managing Rural Growth Lorah Super, Methow Valley Citizens Council Simon Wendell, Housing Solutions Network Katie Haven, Okanogan County Democratic Party Chair |
Crown Columbia…not a soft drink – or whiskey
Are water rights a “public resource stewarded by the state,” or private property? If water is a free good, then it will be over-consumed. So should not water be allocated by a market where it is moved to the highest and best use, as determined by the price offered? Water banks that would disperse water rights per bid price would seem to be efficient market mechanisms.
We think that we have moved past this neo-liberal prescription. We think that water is a public resource conditionally loaned to private users for the benefit of society. Except that we have this peculiar notion of “first in time, first in right” which hardly satisfies any criterion of public benefit.
Interesting, but what does this have to do with the Methow Valley? Just this. Crown Columbia Water Resources LLC has filed a trust water agreement with DOE to create a water bank using all the waters of the Columbia River: “The points of diversion and places of use will be within all Water Resource Inventory Areas that drain to the Columbia River.” The Methow flows to the Columbia, as does virtually every other drainage east of the Cascades. And the Methow Valley Citizens Council has fought back an early attempt by Crown Columbia to buy Methow water.
We are addressing water Thursday evening in the Methow, and then again next month we take up water right adjudications in the Yakima and Nooksack, where we go to the fundamentals of water rights.
Don
Gateway Communities
We have framed the Methow Valley as a gateway community: Mazama, Winthrop, Twist, and even Carlton and Methow. Gateway because is it a first stop for Puget Sound traffic coming over the mountain seeking recreation, second homes, retirement and investment. The land use, water and housing problems of gateway communities follow the seasonal flow of people and persistence of their dollars. Commerce for restaurants and hotels, uptick in real estate values, and the excitement of new ideas can overwhelm what attracted visitors in the first place, and wreak lasting changes in human and natural resources.
The Methow is not the only gateway community. I was visiting Glenn Rudolph in Roslyn the other day and he described Roslyn-Cle Elum as a gateway community with rampaging housing development. Leavenworth certainly qualifies. I hope someone from Leavenworth joins our conversation. Leavenworth seems to have limited the durable effects of hosting extraordinary numbers of day-trippers. Is this impression correct?
Stretch gateway a bit and we are all gateway communities, whether it is soaring housing prices, purchase and sale of our water rights, corporate purchase of farm land, siting of windmills on our hills and solar farms on our crop land, consolidation of food processing and meat packing…we are all exposed to economic changes affecting land use, water, and housing. The question is how we steer avarice and economic muscle into positive economic and social growth that meets the values and needs, of all of us.
The Methow Valley is a good place to start this exercise. Their impatience with their success is still an inspiration for the rest of us.
Don
Early Winters ski resort – Legacy?
When the snow and rain of the past weeks have given me an excuse, I have been reading murder mysteries. My favorite writer finds the roots of today’s crime in grievances going back generations. Likewise, when I talk to my friends in the Methow they reach back nearly fifty years to help me understand today’s issues of land use, water and housing.
What began in the mid-1970’s was an epic contest to define the future of the Methow. The Aspen Ski Corporation found above Early Winters Creek in the upper Methow “the best potential destination ski resort in the United States.”
The Freestone Inn up the road from Mazama is all that is left of a very ambitious development project. Not quite, though. The other legacy is the community engagement that ultimately stopped the development. The key here is the Methow Valley Citizen’s Council. And Lorah Super is their program director. I will leave the Early Winter’s story to her to tell, if she chooses. She may even hesitate to label the story a completed tale.
Don
Conflicted?
We are conflicted about growth in our communities. We are flattered that “outsiders” may like us. And we profit by it. Outsiders’ tax dollars flow to our towns and counties. They keep our restaurants afloat. Local grocery stores get a bump up. Artisans find customers for their creativity. Jobs are created. If you hold real estate, you like outsiders to bid up houses and land. Even Democrats like outsiders who disrupt the political balance when they vote Puget Sound values.
On the other hand, growth through tourism is a chimera. Part-time minimum wage jobs do not build families. Available housing gets bought up as vacation homes, or VRBO properties. Local workers get priced out…they commute from over the hill in order to service privileged tourists. We suspect we are liked because we are cheap, though maybe “inexpensive” is a better word. Our farms, our viewscapes, and our water are for sale. Puget Sound sees us as a quaint colony of rustics with profits awaiting smart investors.
Both these pictures are descriptive. Growth has its tradeoffs. Growth brings benefits and exacts costs. Too often our rural communities are overwhelmed and we spend our energy playing catchup or simply venting.
Our meeting Thursday 19 May features the Methow Valley. The Methow Valley is perhaps our most experienced community in anticipating outside interest and doing its best to manage rural growth. Join us to learn their lessons and cautions. There are both. There are tradeoffs.
Credit Katie Haven for our program. Katie lives on her farm near the town of Methow and is chair of the Okanogan Democrats. She has recruited Lorah Super and Simon Windell to walk us through the challenges of managing growth in a gateway rural community.
Katie has forwarded several links that the community has found useful in understanding rural growth:
https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691176673/billionaire-wilderness
https://newrepublic.com/article/166201/need-talk-rural-gentrification-heaven-place-earth-book-review
Don
Copyright © 2022 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
Call to Meeting for May 19, 2022
May Regular Business Meeting Details Thursday, May 19 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87557170970
To Participate by Phone
Dial: 1 (253) 215-8782
Then Dial: 87557170970
Then Dial “#”
Fellow Democrats,
Good morning. It is Filing Week! This includes filing to run for precinct committee officer. To do that, you can file online via the Secretary of State’s Office or fill out this form and email it to elections@franklincountywa.gov.
I will write an email Saturday with a roundup of who filed where.
Doug White signs — we got’em
Doug White’s campaign has delivered signs to Benton and Franklin counties. With Benton County Chair Richard Reuther’s help, Franklin’s share is now at my house.
I’d like to give one out to whoever wants one. The suggested donation is $15, which you can pay by going to this link! Then just let me know. I’ll also be putting signs up across Pasco this weekend, and any hands that wish to help would be greatly appreciated.
A brief acting chair update
So far, no other candidates have turned out for chair. Everyone contacted so far has politely declined.
If we reach the June 16 meeting and no one steps forward to run for chair, calls for further meetings will be in the hands of the PCOs. They can to organize with the state party’s assistance or as a unit.
Any monthly bills we have also will be put on hold until the central committee reconstitutes itself. That means the PCOs elect a permanent chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer.
Natasha Hill seeking our endorsement
Natasha Hill, a prominent Democrat in the 5th Congressional District, is seeking the Franklin County Democrats’ endorsement.
You can read more here about Natasha’s upbringing and experience.
Why is a 5th CD candidate seeking our endorsement? Because only Pasco remains in the 4th CD. Redistricting put north Franklin County into the 5th’s hands.
Natasha is able to be with us at our June 16 meeting, but I wanted everyone to know now (reminders will follow, don’t worry).
In service to democracy and the Union.
— Dorsey
TODAY's Democracy Happy Hour @ 5 pm PT: Ranked Choice Voting: WA Local Campaigns in Clark & San Juan Counties
Democracy Happy Hour TODAY @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for May 18, 2022: Ranked Choice Voting Local Campaigns: Clark & San Juan Counties w/ FairVote WA
Upcoming topics:
- May 25th – The Precinct Strategy: What is it & why?
- June 1st – Tracking Money in Elections
- June 8th – Proportional Representation as a Social Justice Issue w/ WA for Equitable Representation
- June 15th – The Independent State Legislature Theory
Women in Office Now FREE training on May 17 @ 6 pm PT
WON (Women in Office Now) is a new project of Fix Democracy First Education Fund providing FREE training to help women successfully run for local, state or federal offices.
Our next training module, as part of a FREE 12 training series, will be on: May 17th @ 6 pm: Training Module 6 Campaign Communications • Branding - Visuals, signage, online presence • Building contact lists • How best to reach constituents? • Social media platforms • Email communications • Canvassing best practices • Media contacts & outreach Register HERE for Training Module 6
Did you miss any of our first four training sessions? Training 1 - Why Should I Run for Office? Training 2 - Where to Start? Questions to Ask Yourself Training 3 - The Basics of Running for Office - w/ special guest Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor & SOS Candidate Training 4 - Running a Campaign - What do I need to know? Training Module 5 - Choosing Your Campaign Team You can view them HERE!
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More Upcoming WON Training Topics
You’re Invited!
Bans Off Our Bodies marches happening coast to coast this weekend!
Saturday, May 14, 6-8 PM
John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland
Join millions of people mobilizing to demand legal, safe, and accessible reproductive health care.
We, as the progressive majority, need to act in this moment to spur change and ensure the patients and providers of reproductive health care know we are with them. We will not go back. RSVP now to take to the streets this Saturday in a public, visible display of the majority of Americans who believe abortion is health care.
All people deserve access to abortion care when they need it, on the timeline they choose, and in the community they trust.
And yet, the majority of a right-wing Supreme Court packed by Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump seems poised to eliminate access to safe and legal abortion.
We need all of our elected officials from state and local lawmakers to U.S. senators to President Biden to use all of their power to protect our essential rights and expand quality, affordable health care to all. We’ve seen extremists in all levels of government abuse their power to pass state abortion bans and rig the Supreme Court to side with a small minority of Americans.
Spring Picnic
Zoom Meeting May 13 8 at 6:00 PM
Hey everyone!
May 13 will be a picnic at Carl Baker’s house. This is a Tri-city Democrats event, but all Democrats and Democrat-friendly folks are welcome. We’ll be outdoors, but we do encourage vaccination and masking as appropriate. Bring a dish to share and let’s hang out together in-person for a change! We will open our Zoom meeting, so those who’d like to participate via Zoom are free to do so.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81900608085?pwd=a1dHZlJ4ek94Zmd0SkRGNFkzMEU4dz09
Meeting ID: 819 0060 8085
Passcode: 335996
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,81900608085#,,,,*335996# US (Tacoma)
If you have trouble getting the meeting link through Meetup, please reach out to the Tri-city Democrats page or to Carl Baker (hodor@warmrock.net) and we’ll get the information to you.
January 6th Movement Briefing
Movement Briefing: January 6 Select Committee Hearings with Representatives Jayapal & Raskin May 12th @ 4 pm PT
Movement Briefing: January 6 Select Committee Hearings with Representatives Jayapal & Raskin Thursday, May 12th @ 4 pm PT
Join Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Jamie Raskin (Rep. Raskin is tentative based on his January 6 Committee demands), Ms. Helen Butler, Ryan Goodman, Anat Shenker-Osorio and more TBA for this important event on Thursday, May 12th at 4pm PT.
Trump and an extremist faction are waging an ongoing campaign to sabotage American elections and attack our freedom to vote.
They engaged in a criminal conspiracy that almost overturned the 2020 election and incited the violent attack on our country on January 6th.
Americans have to stop them.
Here’s the good news: The House committee charged with investigating the January 6th attack is preparing for public hearings to expose the full scope of anti-democratic forces in this country.
| 8th Legislative District Democratic Central Committee www.LD8WAState.org |
|---|
Please join us for the May 12, 2022, 8th LDDCC General Membership Meeting. The Election Committee will be making their first endorsement recommendations for this election cycle and will ask the body to endorse Doug White for Congress and Patty Murray for Senate.
Meeting Notification: 8th LDDCC General Membership Meeting Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022 Time: 6:30 PM Place: Zoom Link Provided Below
Our secretary position remains open and we are seeking a secretary.
Agenda. 1. Call to Order 2. Adopt Agenda 3. March Meeting was taped. No meeting in April. 4. Chair’s Report 5. Treasurer’s Report 6. Vice Chair’s Report 7. State Committee Members' Reports 8. Benton County Chair’s Report 9. New Business:
- Election Committee Endorsement Recommendations.
- All PCO positions are open in the next election cycle. Please declare your intention to be a Democrat PCO with the Benton County Auditor during the week of May 16-20.
- Next 8th LDDCC Meeting, Thursday, June 9, 6:30 pm via Zoom. Same Zoom Link.
- Other Items from the membership
10. Good of the Order 11. Adjourn 12. There will be a brief meeting after the 8th LD meeting for elected and automatic delegates to the State Democratic Convention. A chair needs to be elected and the Chair needs to attend in-person.
Note: Please sign in on the Chat. Must have motion and second for discussion. Type motion in chat. For/Against limited to 3 each, alternating, in order of hand raise, 1 min limit. Limit Good of Order comments to one minute per speaker.
**********
8th LD is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: 8th LD General Membership Meeting Time: May 12, 2022 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84335598116?pwd=Z3B2aHgzWk9QekY5azRiR0NEZUhtUT09 Meeting ID: 843 3559 8116 Passcode: 494702
One tap mobile +12532158782,,84335598116#,,,,*494702# US (Tacoma)
The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel May 9th @ 6:30 pm PT
The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel Film Screening & Panel Discussion Monday, May 9th @ 6:30 pm PT Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/96698666643
Join Meaningful Movies Port Townsend and co-sponsor Jefferson County Move to Amend for our online screening of The New Corporation.
The New Corporation reveals how the corporate takeover of society is being justified by the sly rebranding of corporations as socially conscious entities. From gatherings of corporate elites in Davos, to climate change and spiraling inequality; the rise of ultra-right leaders to Covid-19 and racial injustice, the film looks at corporations’ devastating power. The film also features activists and resistance movements, touching on issues such as the inequities laid bare by the coronavirus pandemic, and the movement for Black lives.
Countering this is a groundswell of resistance worldwide as people take to the streets in pursuit of justice and the planet’s future. When we started this, it was the unfortunately necessary sequel. Now it is the EXTREMELY NECESSARY SEQUEL. It’s time.
Special Guests: Linda Brewster, President, Fix Democracy First; Crystie Kisler, co-founder of Finnriver Farm & Cidery; and Lisa Dekker, a long-time activist, member of the Indivisible Sequim steering committee, and member of the board of PSARA, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action.
Sponsors: Meaningful Movies Port Townsend, Jefferson County Move to Amend, Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, QUUF Green Sanctuary Environmental Action Committee, QUUF Social and Environmental Justice Council.
Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/96698666643
Local involvement opportunities
Fellow Democrats,
There’s two opportunities to push our message out to the public — one this weekend, another that’s more flexible.
10 a.m. Saturday, May 7: Pasco’s Cinco De Mayo parade will feature local Democrats riding a float and featuring our Franklin County Democrats banner. This is your chance to see the people of the Tri-Cities, and for them to see you!
Meet Carl Baker in the parking lot behind Pasco City Hall. Be prepared for rain and wind, and carry snacks for you and yours. The float might not start moving until 11:30 a.m.
This weekend (and future weekends): Democrat Doug White’s campaign is in full swing. With our endorsement in hand, he’s visited Pasco several times and will be coming back for several more as we move into the primary election season.
White’s campaign manager has given us walking lists for doorknocking that we can pick up any time and complete with miniVAN, the Democratic doorknocking app you can download to your phone.
All you and your canvass partner have to do is pick a list, type it into miniVAN and off you go — your map, houses and script are all inside the app. I’m getting literature this weekend, so feel free to ask me for some and I’ll deliver.
Not sure about miniVAN? That’s OK! Here’s a handy video showing you the basics in fewer than eight minutes.
Each link below goes to a sheet with at least two list codes, and each list has between 50 and 100 houses. Pick one code, don your best smile, then go for it!
- This set features the Lucas Park area near I-182, and the neighborhood between Pearl and Court streets off near 14th Avenue.
- Picking from this set will take you west of Pasco High School, or one of two neighborhoods south of Court Street and 20th Avenue.
- Finally, these two lists take you east of Robert Frost Elementary School, near Richardson Park.
Questions? Literature needs? Call or email me as needed. Let’s get Doug White over the top and into the general elections!
For democracy and the Union,
Acting chair Jake Dorsey
Fellow Democrats,
BADGER FORUM THURSDAY, MAY 5 | Special Start Time 12:30 PM
PEACEMAKER: Ambassador Ryan Crocker
“He is the era’s top diplomat, this proud son of eastern Washington. Every time we were in trouble, he was the diplomat sent in to right the ship.”
~General Jim Mattis, former Secretary of Defense
Photo: Ambassador Ryan Crocker
Ambassador Ryan Crocker was a career Foreign Service Officer who served six times as an American Ambassador: Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon. He is now a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Other academic appointments have included Diplomat in Residence at Princeton University, inaugural Kissinger Fellow at Yale University, the James Schlesinger Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Virginia, Texas A&M where he was Dean of the Bush School of Government.
He serves on the Board of Advisors of No One Left Behind, an NGO dedicated to ensuring that America keeps its promises to Afghans and Iraqis who risked their lives to support us. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President George W. Bush in 2009.
Other recent awards include the West Point Association of Graduates Thayer Award in 2020 and the inaugural Bancroft Award, presented by the Naval Academy in 2016. Also in 2016, he was named an Honorary Fellow of the Literary and Historical Society at University College, Dublin where he was presented the annual James Joyce Award. He is an Honorary Marine.
Click HERE to Register for: PEACEMAKER: Ambassador Ryan Crocker
There is no charge for Badger Club members. Non-members pay $5.00.
COMING MAY 26 | The Power of Fake News and Conspiracy Theories Register HERE
TODAY's Democracy Happy Hour @ 5 pm PT: Tax the Rich! w/ Bud Wurtz & special guest Senator Patty Kuderer
Democracy Happy Hour TODAY @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for May 4, 2022: The Politics Industry
Tax the Rich! How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer w/ Bud Wurtz & Senator Patty Kuderer
This week special presentation will feature an overview presentation of Tax the Rich! How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer.
Attendees will eligible to win a FREE copy of the book Tax the Rich! (an $18 value), generously donated by the Patriotic Millionaires.
Upcoming topics:
- May 11th – What Divides Rural, Suburban & Urban Politics?
- May 18th – Ranked Choice Voting: Clark County Campaign w/ FairVote WA
- May 25th – The Precinct Strategy: What is it & why?
Spring 2022 Online Auction is NOW underway!
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Ag and Rural Caucus Call To Meeting, April 2022
Thursday, Apr 21, 2022 06:30 PM Pacific Time https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87207788906?pwd=c1RocDQra0JMQ1I5RWswYS9zKzVaZz09 Meeting ID: 872 0778 8906 Passcode: 467257 +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
| Ag Labor: H2A and Immigration Mike Gempler, Grower’s League Jon DeVaney, Washington State Fruit Growers Association Elizabeth Strater, United Farm Workers |
SWOT
Check Google for “swot” and up comes a muscular definition: Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat. “Study assiduously” also comes up. Here, let’s generously take “swot” to be an old-fashioned way to say “study up”.
It is arcane, granted, but it is an introduction to two pieces laying out context for Thursday’s meeting on Ag Labor: H2A and Immigration.
The first is a piece on H2A by Joel Donofrio in the Yakima Herald Tribune featuring Jon DeVaney, one of our presenters. It is especially good setting out questions about the H2A program.
The second article from The Hill makes immigration reform appropriately technical but also perhaps within reach in the Senate. Last week I was skeptical about progress in this congress. This article sees some light.
Join in Thursday evening. Invite your friends.
Don
Immigration
Immigration reform has passed the U.S. Senate. In 2013. With Republican votes. 68-32 in fact. Architects were the Gang of Eight, including John McCain, Linsey Graham, Marco Rubio and Jeff Flake.
And immigration reform passed the House last year, 247-174, including 30 Republicans who voted for it. Even with the necessary legislative compromises, the United Farmworkers endorsed the bill, HR 1603.
The Senate’s Gang of Eight is still in place except for McCain and Flake but the outlook is dim for any Senate action on immigration legislation.
What has last passed both the House and Senate was the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, with emphasis on “control”. The Act made it illegal to hire undocumented labor. It made criminals out of willing labor and willing employers, with labor giving up any bargaining leverage.
It is easy to imagine that immigration legislation would take H2A off the table. Probably not. HR 1603 or similar reforms “give a path to immigration status for undocumented farmworkers.” This is important but it probably does not increase the ag workforce and maybe even permit undocumented labor to move out of agriculture.
Our presenters will help us understand these dynamics of ag labor and evaluate the operation of the ag labor market.
Don
Ag Labor: H2A and Immigration
Our April meeting – moved back to a Thursday evening – takes up Ag Labor. We will review H2A and how it works for growers, H2A labor, and domestic labor.
How does a grower contract with H2A workers? What does it cost the grower…housing, transportation, hourly rates, any benefits? How are H2A hourly rates set? What is the translation from piece-work rates to hourly rates?
What is the effect on full-time workers? Is there an escalator effect? Or does flooding the labor market with short-term workers depress expectations of wage and benefit gains? Maybe full-time workers are protected by rules minimizing wage competition?
Our guests are Mike Gempler of the Grower’s League, Jon DeVaney of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, and Elizabeth Strater from the United Farm Workers. Mike is an ARC veteran with at least three appearances. Jon joined Mike in our Yakima meeting several years ago, And Elizabeth and the UFW bring the important labor voice to the conversation.
Don
Copyright © 2022 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
Call to Meeting for April 21, 2022
April Regular Business Meeting Details Thursday, April 21 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87557170970
To Participate by Phone
Dial: 1 (253) 215-8782
Then Dial: 87557170970
Then Dial “#”
Fellow Democrats,
Good afternoon. My name is Jake Dorsey; I’m the second vice-chair of the Franklin County Democrats. It’s a pleasure to meet you (if we’ve met before, hello again!). Before we go further, two things:
1. Please email me at dorsey.jake@gmail.com if any part of this email and its attached agenda stirs concern. I am here to serve you.
2. This meeting is being called by chair Jeffrey Robinson; I’m just writing the email. ^_^
It is a historic moment for us. I use “historic” in the actual sense; Jeffrey Robinson has been our chair for several years now, taking us through a turbulent political era while keeping us focused on improving the lives of the residents of Franklin County.
Now Jeff is retiring to Walla Walla, where he will focus on his health, family and his next moves. We will be looking to seeing where, and with whom, his political mastery turns up next.
In the meantime, we must move forward. Elections for county executives and the District 3 commissioner are headed toward us. Between then and now, we must rally and either put forward, or assist, a Democratic candidate for one of those many offices.
Unfortunately, part of that work comes with a pair of internal elections. We need to fill the shoes Jeff has gracefully exited, and elect a new chair, first vice chair and (eventually) secretary. Please note that because this party election is happening within a chair’s term, elected and appointed precinct committee officers may participate.
I’ve spoken to several people who came highly recommended for the job. That said, if you know someone, or wish to stand for election yourself — now’s the time!With that out of the way, are there other topics you’d like to see brought before the body? Would you like to go back to in-person meetings? Know someone who wants to run against District 3’s gavel-happy commissioner? Once more, email me at dorsey.jake@gmail.com with your thoughts, ideas, concerns, gripes and other text-based points. (Phone calls also welcome after an introduction!)
In service to democracy and the Union.
— Dorsey
BADGER FORUM THURSDAY, APRIL 21 | Noon – 1PM
YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW: Public Records Act
Open government vs. misuse and abuse
Mike Fancher
Coalition for Open Government
Terry Nealey
Former State Representative
Your right to know what your government is doing is the guiding principle of the Washington State Public Records Act.
Rooted in distrust of government spawned during the civil rights and Vietnam protest era, the law allows anyone to request a public record without stating a reason. It provides exceptions in some cases, but most records are generally presumed to be public information.
The law has often resulted in the exposure of public officials’ misconduct or ineptitude. But it also has allowed some people to abuse the law because of personal vendettas or attempts to cash in on the public agency fines that are allowed under the act.
This struggle between balancing the public’s right to know while avoiding abuses will be the topic of the Columbia Basin Badger Club’s April 21 online forum.
Our speakers will be Mike Fancher, former executive editor of The Seattle Times and a current member of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, and Terry Nealey, who tried to draft legislation addressing abuses of the law while serving in the Legislature from 2009-2019 representing Eastern Washington’s 16th District.
Register HERE for YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
There is no charge for Badger Club members. Non-members pay $5.00.
COMING MAY 5 | PEACEMAKER: Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Special time 12:30 PM Register HERE
You are invited to the Yakima County Town Hall!
Wed, Apr 20
Hosted by Yakima County Democrats
If you haven’t joined a virtual or in person Town Hall, please consider attending this one! RVSP to attend the Zoom, or attend in person at the address below. You don’t have to live in Yakima County to attend- all are invited.
Apr 20, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Yakima County Democrats , 402 S 3rd St, Yakima, WA 98901, USA
TODAY's Democracy Happy Hour @ 5 pm PT: The Politics Industry
Democracy Happy Hour TODAY @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for April 20, 2022: The Politics Industry
Upcoming topics:
- Apr 27th – Open Discussion – Bring your ideas!
- May 4th – Tax the Rich: How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer w/ Bud Wurtz
- May 11th – What Divides Rural, Suburban & Urban Politics?
- May 18th – Ranked Choice Voting: Clark County Campaign w/ FairVote WA
National Women’s Political Caucus of
Washington’s Annual Candidate Training for Women and Non-Binary Individuals
In April, we provide a Campaign Training where local campaign experts help current and future candidates, campaign managers and community leaders to learn the ins and outs of running for office. We also offer an online Women of Color Campaign Training for training focused specifically to women of color, providing the tools necessary to campaign for office.
In May, we have an in-person Campaign Training in Vancouver, WA. The program is for those considering running for any elected position, specific challenges women of color candidates will face and how to build your political experience by serving on appointed boards and commissions.
Whether you want to run for office this year or in 10 years, or prefer to be the heroes behind the scenes as campaign staff or volunteers, this training is perfect! If you are ready for a Washington that is led by diverse women at all levels of government who support equal rights, reproductive freedom, and social equity and justice for women, join us for an intensive and interactive one-day training led by some of our region’s top political gurus and elected leaders.
Online Campaign Training Saturday April 2, 2022 – 9:00am
Online Women of Color Campaign Training Saturday April 9, 2022 – 9:00am
Vancouver – In Person Campaign Training Saturday May 7, 2022 – 8:30am
*We will follow all CDC guidelines and mandate ALL health recommendations. All topics are similar in content but vary by presenter.
Please share with your friends and network to help increase the number of women in public office by supporting our mutually important political work. We hope to see you there. Please reach out with any questions.
Cindy Gobel & Elena Cervantes
NWPC-WA Recruitment
Virtual Ice Cream Social
Zoom Meeting April 8 at 6:00 PM
Hey everyone!
It’s beginning to be Spring, so maybe a virtual ice cream social is in order. Anyone inclined to hang out and chat with fellow democrats, please do!
And the Zoom info is:
Topic: Tri-city Democrats Time:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81900608085?pwd=a1dHZlJ4ek94Zmd0SkRGNFkzMEU4dz09
Meeting ID: 819 0060 8085 Passcode: 335996
Join us for Free the Vote! Celebrating Voting Rights Restoration in WA Thursday, April 7th @ 6 pm PT with Special Guest, Representative Tarra Simmons
Hello Friends,
April 7 marks one year since Washington restored the freedom to vote to more than 20,000 Washingtonians with past convictions! In a time when some states are trying to silence the voices of its citizens, it is more important than ever to appreciate this historic win.
Please join Fix Democracy First, Civil Survival and the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition on April 7the @ 6 pm PT to celebrate the passing of this important law.
We’ll hear from special guest, Representative Tarra Simmons, who was the prime sponsor of this legislation, as well as others who have been impacted.
This will also be a joyful time for directly-impacted voters to share stories, educate the community about the new law, play Jeopardy to test your voting knowledge, and celebrate with each other!
All registrants are eligible for a FREE t-shirt too!
Please Support Our Work for Democracy! Make a donation today to support our programs and efforts for democracy. We can't do this without you!
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Fix Democracy First
1402 3rd Ave Ste 500
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 552-3287
info@fixdemocracyfirst.org
We’re hosting a series of online town halls to share what we know about tax fairness in Washington, and you’re invited! Our town hall for Eastern WA is on Monday, April 4, at 6:30 PM.
When you attend the town hall, you’ll leave with more knowledge of how the tax system is unfair for working people, and how you can help make things better for your neighbors and community!
Eastern WA Town Hall Monday, April 4 - 6:30 PM
We would be honored to have you share your evening with us! Together, we can fight to ensure seniors can retire with dignity, that kids get the education and resources they need for a brighter future, and that workers and farmers aren’t bearing a disproportionate burden of funding the needs of our communities.
I’m Jessa Lewis, with the Rural Roots Project of Invest in Washington Now. I’m excited to be part of the Rural Roots Project because too often those who work the land and live outside of the Puget Sound are left out of conversations that directly impact their families and livelihoods.
Invest In Washington Now
603 Stewart St Ste 819 Seattle, WA 98101
See the Web Log for information about older past events