Cascadia today: BC premier pushes wealth tax + Siletz tribe regains coastal land + a conversation with Diana Le
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BC premier pushes millionaire tax, grocery price limits
As British Columbia heads toward a snap provincial election on Oct 19, NDP leader David Eby pushed two last-minute proposals meant to address a budget deficit and the affordability crisis. The New Democrats will follow Washington state's lead by imposing a surtax on residents who make more than $1 million annually. The NDP is also announcing price controls on certain grocery staples such as bread and milk. Meanwhile, polling doesn't look great for the NDP, who thought this would be a walk in the park: the Tyee reports that an recent poll finds the Conservatives and NDP effectively tied. CBC reports that Eby has had to pivot from criticizing Trump to addressing affordability. The BC Greens are expected to announce a tax on stocks and other investments later today. Vote BC Greens.
WA legislative candidates differ over how much to tax rich
KUOW reports on a legislative senate race in Washington's 32nd district located north of Seattle, in which incumbent Democrat Jesse Salomon is facing a close battle with Cindy Ryu, a Democratic house member. Both support the millionaires' tax passed last session – but Ryu says the state should go further and apply it to those making more than $250,000 per year. Meanwhile, Oregon Capital Chronicle reports on an open legislative house seat in Springfield, formerly held by a Democrat. The "purple" district with a lot of unaffiliated voters will choose between Adam Wilson, a Republican who wants more limits on drug use and camping by the homeless, while Democrat Kori Rodley wants more funding for preschool and childcare.
Carney barrels forward with climate-killing pipeline
The Narwhal takes a detailed look at Canadian prime minister Mark Carney's fast-track plan to build the multibillion dollar Pacific Link pipeline between Alberta and BC, despite the immense environmental cost to the planet. Not only will it cost Canada and BC billions, but Carney is opening Canada up to a raft of lawsuits holding oil companies and governments responsible for the impacts of climate change, including one being heard in the US supreme court. Columbia Insight reports on a new scientific study that can help those suing over climate change damage to attribute specific impacts to those responsible.
Last week I wrote about how Carney's cynical pipeline deal is in part meant to stop the right-wing Alberta separatist movement:
Andrew Engelson
Siletz tribe regains a coastal estuary in OR
OPB reports that Oregon's Siletz tribe has regained a 7-acre coastal estuary south of Yachats with the help of environmental nonprofits. Though it's a small parcel, it's critical habitat and a peaceful sanctuary for a tribe whose lands were stolen in an 1875 "treaty" that the Siletz never agreed to.
“I am excited for our people to reestablish our connection to this place, interacting with the land, plants, ocean and other beings we share these lands with.” – Alfred “Buddy” Lane IV, Confederated Tribe of the Siletz Indians
A conversation with Girl Noise Press founder Diana Le
Over at Chum News, read a great interview with Seattle's Diana Le, founder of Girl Noise press and author of the memoir Suburban Legend, which details childhood abuse, her Vietnamese heritage, and her awakening in the early aughts. Le talks with Katie Lee Ellison about gentrification, low-profit presses, and the DIY punk ethos.
“I’m coming to this hard realization that, for as much as I love Seattle, I don’t know if it’ll love me back.” --Diana Le
Thanks for reading! If you appreciate great writing that's grounded in Cascadia, be sure to join us Wed. Oct 7 at Vermillion in Seattle for the next edition of Subduction, a Cascadia spoken word series. We'll have lively readings by Laura Da’, Gabriella Gutiérrez y Muhs, Mateo Quispe, and Zach Charles. There's an open mic, and we'll be raising funds for La Resistencia's mutual aid efforts for immigrant families impacted by ICE kidnappings.
