Cascadia today: WA credit rating dips + progressives challenge corporate Dems + new Black-owned music bar in Portland
Good morning! This past weekend, Cascadia Democratic Action provided 17 vulnerable immigrant families in the eastern suburbs of Seattle with more than $500 worth of diapers and wipes. We're grateful to all who contributed, but to be clear: we wish we didn't have to do this drive.
These new families, who are productive, wonderful members of our community, are in hiding because of Trump's cruel mass deportation campaign. Some have stopped working or are too terrified to even go out to the grocery store. This has to stop, but until it does, organizations like CDA will continue to support our neighbors.
Thanks to all who contributed. If you'd like to learn more about CDA's mutual aid efforts, please visit this website.
WA's credit rating takes a dip
Washington State Standard reports that Moody's – a top credit rating agency – has lowered its outlook for Washington state's finances to "negative." The assessment is based on the legislature's recent budget, which pulled $880 million from the state's rainy day fund and used other gimmicks to balance the budget.
The legislature and governor Ferguson need to address the real crisis here in Cascadia: tax the wealthy and fund services we need as the federal government abandons us. And we need to create state banks in Oregon and Washington rather than relying on global megabanks to finance the investments our residents need.
Progressives challenge corporate Dems in OR
The upcoming Oregon primaries for legislative races include a number of progressive challengers to centrist pro-business Democrats, Oregon Capital Chronicle reports. The progressive Oregon Working Families Party is helping promote primary challenges to what calls "corporate Democrats" who have abandoned the needs of the working class. Districts facing challenges include those in Lake Oswego, Beaverton, and Washington county. Meanwhile, a new poll shows state senator Christine Drazan, who represents the Hood River county region, is leading in the Republican primary for Oregon governor.
NDP leads BC backwards on Earth Day
The Tyee reports on environmental groups and the BCGreens response to British Columbia premier David Eby's recent Earth Day proclamation that the province is "strengthening ecosystem protections." Their assessment? It's greenwashing: the province is instead moving to aggressively log old growth and "fast-track" mining projects without real consultation with First Nations.
Another greenwashing project: the Port of Seattle's promotion of a Green Corridor for cruises to Alaska. Last week at Cascadia Journal I wrote about how Seattle's cruise industry is a climate disaster: it emits the equivalent of half of Seattle's total annual CO2 emissions, including all residential and commercial building plus all cars, trucks, and buses combined.
Andrew Engelson
A new Black-owned Portland bar celebrates local music
OPB reports on a new Black-owned bar in Portland, The Downbeat, that celebrates local music from R&B to jazz to hip-hop. The speakeasy-style bar and restaurant is at NW 4th Ave & Glisan, and will feature a lineup of touring and local BIPOC musicians and performing artists.
"This is something that Portland was really missing," – Cyrus Coleman, co-owner of The Downbeat
Thanks for reading! Keep fighting and keep loving. --Andy
Do you appreciate Cascadia Journal's exclusive reporting on the ways the Pacific Northwest is pushing back against US fascism? If you have the means, please consider a paid subscription of just $5 per month. Each subscription helps me produce original reporting and opinionated notes on Cascadia's fight to build a more resilient and autonomous bioregion. And to those who already subscribe, thank you! --Andrew
