Cascadia today: Homeless agency lost $13 million + BC backs down on diluting DRIPA + Seattle indie bookstore day!

King county homeless agency can't account for $13 million

PubliCola reports that an audit of the King County Regional Homeless authority, which is responsible for shelter and services in the greater Seattle area, can't account for $13 million in funds. King County executive Girmay Zahilay, Seattle mayor Katie Wilson have called for more investigations and stronger fiscal control. Several Seattle city council members are calling for dissolving the agency, which has had a troubled financial history. In announcing a recent ambitious expansion of shelter beds and tiny homes in Seattle, mayor Wilson has indicated the city will do much of that work without KCRHA.

Portland and other school districts face budget crisis

The Portland Mercury reports that Portland public schools are on the edge of a financial cliff, with an expected $50 million budget deficit next year. Though some of the crisis can be attributed to bad choices, the fact remains that other districts in the state, including Salem, Bend, and Eugene, are in a similar situation. And even though state funding has been woefully inadequate, governor Tina Kotek has declined to call a special session of the legislature.

Why is it that local public agencies across Cascadia – including schools and transit – are constantly in financial crisis? The answer is actually simple: we refuse to adequately tax the enormous wealth of this region. That needs to change if we're going to ever make public services truly serve the needs of our residents.

Eby backs down on limits to DRIPA

The Tyee reports on the inside negotiations that led to British Columbia premier David Eby backing down on his threat to put limits on DRIPA, the BC law that requires consultation and consent from First Nations regarding new legislation that impacts them. Conservatives, including this columnist at the Vancouver Sun, are furious at Eby for deferring to First Nations, who were adamantly opposed. Ha-Shilt-Sa has more on the agreement not to amend the act.

Cascadia should move forward on consultation with and consent of Indigenous nations on all legislation that impacts them – including introducing bills in Oregon and Washington formally recognizing the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

An interview with UW professor fired for posts on Iran

Real Change has a detailed interview with Aria Fani, the University of Washington professor recently fired as director of the Middle East Center at the Jackson School of International Studies. The University won't comment on why Fani was fired, but it's clear it came after he wrote several public posts critical of the US and Israel-led war in Iran, and Israel's genocidal wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

There's a movement in the US right now to equate criticism of Israel with antisemitism (and indeed, I wouldn't be surprised if the US Justice Dept's recent sham "civil rights" investigation of UW pushed the university to fire Fani). The US-Israel wars are illegal and immoral and we should continue noisy, disruptive protests against them. Even if Seattle police decide to shut them down violently, as Through the Static reported happened this week at a protest of a talk by pro-Israel influencer Noa Cochva at Town Hall.

Seattle indie bookstore day is Saturday April 25

KUOW talks with independent booksellers prior to Seattle Independent Bookstore Day this Saturday, April 25. Among the participants is Estelita's Library, a great little social justice library and bookstore in Seattle central district. Push back against Amazon and big box bookstores and buy something from your local bookseller this weekend!

Thanks for reading! Keep loving and keep fighting. --Andy