The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” presents significant concerns from a Democratic perspective, particularly in terms of its impact on vulnerable communities, healthcare equity, and the sustainability of public safety net programs. This poses significant threats to the well-being of working families, the elderly, and marginalized communities.

Rep. Michael Baumgartner congratulated himself on his vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill. Included in the piece are several bullets representing--in a binary, absolutist vacuum--how failure to pass the bill would affect Eastern Washington families.

A week before increasing the federal deficit by trillions and throwing 12 million people off of Medicaid, Congressman Michael Baumgartner sent out a glossy, 8x10-inch, double-sided, full-color mailer. It prominently featured a photo of a beaming Congressman Baumgartner alongside Donald Trump, both smiling and giving a "thumbs up" in anticipation of passing the so-called Big Beautiful Bill.

Our program featured Esther Click, head of Walla Walla Emergency Services Communications (WESCOM).

On August 5, 2025, voters in Walla Walla County will consider a proposed 0.2% Sales and Use Tax to support critical improvements to the county’s 911 emergency communications system. The funding would support WESCOM, which serves more than 63,000 residents countywide.

Enjoy this video of the Power of Community Celebration hosted by the Walla Walla Democrats on Wednesday, June 18 at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. The event was attended by over 300 guests.

The speakers included

• Bob Ferguson, Governor, State of Washington

• Mike Pellioccetti, Treasurer, State of Washington

• Keynote: Charles “Chuck” Sams III, Former Director, National Park Service

Regenerative ag is the theme of the day, or decade, actually. It means everything thought to be good about farming and soil management. It comes down to four recommended practices: 1) reduce tillage, 2) integrate livestock with cropping, 3) rotate crops, and 4) utilize cover cropping. (We have already talked about #2, holistic livestock management, along with virtual fencing.)

This month, we will discuss cover cropping. The idea is to keep a crop on the ground. Around here, this does not happen much in summer, fallow between wheat crops, or in spring crops following wheat harvest.
Don Schwerin, Ag & Rural Caucus

Correspondent Scott Pelley focuses on President Trump’s use of executive orders to target major law firms he accused of “weaponizing” the justice system against him. 

The report highlights interviews with legal professionals, including Marc Elias, who compared Trump’s tactics to mob intimidation and described the executive actions as retaliatory and harmful to the legal profession. 
60 Minutes, CBS

How do we sell tax increases? We should talk about services instead of taxes. Talk about how rural counties receive more from the state than we pay – a lot more – and that cuts will hit us first and hardest.

Don Schwerin, chair, Washington State Democrats Ag & Rural Caucus

Episode Seven of the podcast “Concrete Mama” includes an eye-opening summary of new programs enthusiastically embraced by inmates, staff, and administrators at the Washington State Penitentiary.
Walla Walla County Democrats

If you eat, you should understand how your food is grown, processed, transported, and marketed. You may be shocked by the impact the foods you eat have on our environment.

Two films are now available on Amazon Prime that will help you understand this important topic: Kiss the Ground and Common Ground.
Walla Walla County Democrats