Cascadia today: PDX cop measure falling short + can Seattle build new bus line without federal dollars? + First Nation forest center opens

Measure to pay Portland cops with climate funds falling short

Willamette Week reports that due to a large number of invalid signatures, a Portland ballot measure that would re-direct 25% of the Portland Clean Energy Fund to hiring 400 more cops is on pace to not have enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. Supporters of the initiative have started making noises about the counting being unfair, going so far to criticize an employee of the city's Small Donor elections program (which is not involved in validating signatures) who filmed paid signature gatherers giving misleading information about the ballot measure. There have been numerous complaints to election officials that signature gatherers lied about the true contents of the measure.

Seattle rapid bus line to move forward minus federal funds

The Urbanist reports that King County Metro will move forward with plans for a new rapid bus line in south Seattle without seeking federal transportation funds. This is an increasingly critical problem for Cascadia as the Trump administration has essentially ended funding for all major transit projects in the US even though Congress appropriated funds. We're being asked to be fiscally independent and yet $57 billion of federal taxes Washington residents pay every year does not return in funding or services. The feds have other priorities including a bloated $1.1 trillion military budget, a stupid, costly war on Iran, and a $200 billion budget for ICE and CBP goons.

Washington and Oregon need to pass bills in the legislature next year withholding funds to the federal government if it continues to withhold critical funds to our region.

Oregon bill would hold back payments to feds

A bill pre-filed in the Oregon legislature would allow the governor to hold back money owed to the federal government if federal funds appropriated to Oregon are withheld by the US government in “contravention of a valid court order.” The measure, whose primary sponsor is Rep Willy Chotzen (D-

Cascadia JournalAndrew Engelson

1 million acres burned by wildfires in OR

OPB has live updates on dozens of wildfires that have now burned more than 1 million acres across the state, and forced evacuations, including people on the Warm Springs reservation. Many highways in central and eastern parts of the state remain closed – find up to date information on wildfires at the State of Oregon Fire Dashboard and highway closures at the Oregon Department of Transportation's Trip Check page. OPB reports on aid organizations that are providing water and masks to farm workers faced with poor air quality.

Cascadia Democratic Action is organizing a water bottle and N-95 mask drive for people living without shelter, at Cal Anderson park in Seattle from noon - 4 pm, on Saturday, Aug. 1.

Seattle considers legislation limiting comp plan appeals

The Seattle city council is considering important legislation that would limit challenges to the city's comprehensive plan – its 10-year plan for transit and housing that's required by the state. NIMBYs have used the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to delay and derail tons of plans that would actually improve the environment, including building more dense housing in Seattle rather than expanding sprawl in suburbs, and even delaying a new bike path. Council sponsor Eddie Lin has more on the bill here.

There's a public hearing on the bill today, July 28, at 2 pm. Habitat for Humanity has a web page that can help you can make public comments or send an email in support of SEPA appeals reform.

Lheidli T'enneh First Nation opens forest center

CBC reports that the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation will soon open a forest interpretive center that will inform visitors about the ancient forests east of Prince George in northern British Columbia. The center is designed to look like a traditional Dakelh pit house, and features information on one of the only temperate inland rain forests in the world.

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