Washington State Republicans held their convention in Spokane on April 18-20 and took two hard steps to the extreme right: they endorsed Semi Bird for governor and adopted a resolution opposing democracy. Really.
Danny Westneat in The Seattle Times

Ranked Choice Voting has gained currency in blue jurisdictions in the Puget Sound; Seattle voted in 2022 to use RCV. It has earned a reputation as a “good government” Democratic idea, both a capital “D” and a small " D” democratic.
From the Ag & Rural Caucus

When asked what gives me hope about the future, I invariably respond that this country's youth gives me confidence. Just because we are counting on the youth does not mean they are counting on us.
From the Ag & Rural Caucus

CBS’ 60 Minutes recently reported the removal of 97 books from the Beaufort, SC School District, an action led by Moms for Liberty. This group’s actions are being felt well beyond its Florida headquarters.
60 Minutes

In recent years, more than 2,500 books have been removed from school districts around the US, labeled as banned, restricted, or challenged, and made unavailable to millions of students.
Dan Rather in Steady at Substack

I’m often inspired by those younger than I who work tirelessly to help our country survive and thrive. But at 92, it’s not every day I find someone older who is such an inspiration.
Dan Rather in Steady at Substack

I grew up with the dams. I was graduating from Walla Walla High School when the dams on the Snake were being built. My dad, a farmer, was trained in engineering. He left me with an appreciation of the dams as engineering successes. I am still awed by the massive structures.
From the Capital Press

What are “deaths of despair”?  Drugs, alcohol, and suicide. And “despair”? By definition, mental health is the proximate cause. Behind the mental health, though, lies real economic decline, relative loss of economic position, and perceived loss of economic status.
From the Ag & Rural Caucus

When we first started looking at wolves and cattle in Stevens and Ferry counties, one version of the question was simple: Why should we require cattle operators to lose calves to wolves reintroduced by Puget Sound wildlife advocates?
From the Ag & Rural Caucus

You don’t need political power to make real change, says Katie Fahey. She tells the story of how she led a successful movement in Michigan to end gerrymandering - the practice of drawing district lines to favor one political party - and how it all started with a simple social media post.
A TED Talk

Back in 2018, I arrived at a September Democratic Central Committee meeting expecting a routine weekend. Meeting in a corridor, a friend leans over and asks if I know about the resolution to remove the Lower Snake River dams. Of course, I did not. But the same thing had happened at the previous meeting in June, except the dams were to be removed by December. Ken Caylor, chair of the resolutions committee at that time, had managed to table the resolution.
From the Ag & Rural Caucus

We met on Thursday, December 10, to figure out how to talk about immigration in our red districts. It was a “Better Practices” session. What we came up with was, “Let’s talk Policy.” We can agree with Republicans that our border policy needs repair. Maybe not just repair but a major overhaul. We can agree on that much.
From the Ag & Rural Caucus

When you’re out and about this holiday season in Washington State from now until January 1st—and a signature gather approaches you—Decline to Sign. The Tim Eyman paid signature gatherers are out there once again, funded by wealthy political activists, and pushing no less than six deceptive initiatives. Not one of them is worthy of your signature.
From Indivisible - The High Ground

We know something of MAGA Mike Johnson’s background and political convictions: his ultraconservative views on abortion and gay marriage; his “covenant marriage”; his anti-science young-earth creationist beliefs; and his lawyerly efforts to overturn the 2020 election, to point out just a few.
From Indivisible - The High Ground

This evening, I asked our guest, Ann Marie Danimus, about how to persuade a climate skeptic that climate change is real. She said, “Ask a farmer.” She added, “and ask your insurance agent.”
From the Ag & Rural Caucus.

Hyperlocal does it. Colleen Smith (The Islands’ Sounder) and Michelle Nedved (The Miner) explained what it takes to make a local newspaper a success. Hyperlocal means not just the police blotter and obituaries. It means the relationships behind them.
From the Ag & Rural Caucus.

Three posts authored between August 30 and October 6, 2023 describe a series of meetings convened by the Washington State Democrat’s Ag and Rural Caucus on guns. The meetings were challenging and ended on note of “what’s next?”

Even if you are a Democrat living in a very Republican community, you are not alone.
From Rumble by Michael Moore

YOUTH v GOV is the story of 21 American youth, ages 14 to 25, who took on the world’s most powerful government over climate change.