Cascadia today: OR economy stalled, WA pregnancy deaths increase + all the Mountain Goats songs about Portland
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Oregon's economy is stalling
OPB reports that Oregon's economy is stalling out, with unemployment creeping up to 5% and businesses getting rid of 25,000 jobs in the past year. Meanwhile, Seattle is facing an office rental slump, Axios reports, the cost of living in Portland and Seattle continues to creep up, and Alaska Air took a $32 million loss during the government shutdown.
As the federal government continues to impose tariffs that hurt Cascadia's economy, and slashed $8 billion in Congressionally-approved spending for clean energy projects in the Pacific Northwest, it's clear the federal government has given up caring about the economy in Washington and Oregon. It's time for Cascadia to revive an idea that Republicans floated in Olympia in 2010: setting up an escrow account for federal taxes, to be held if the feds refuse to fund what Congress previously approved.
If you live in Washington, urge your legislators to reintroduce this legislation.
As maternity deaths increase Cascadia defies CDC
KUOW reports that the West Coast Health Alliance (which includes Oregon and Washington) is defying new recommendations from the anti-vax CDC and urging that newborns continue to get vaccinated for Hepatitis B. Meanwhile, a report from the Washington State Department of Health found that pregnancy-related deaths in the state increased in the state in 2021 and 2022. Indigenous women were at especially high risk, the report noted. In related news, Investigate West looks at how lactation consultants and doulas can improve pregnancy outcomes, but getting payments from Medicaid in Oregon has proven difficult for these providers.
Nonprofit housing developer runs for Vancouver mayor
The Tyee has a Q&A with William Azaroff, a nonprofit housing developer who announced he's running to be OneCity's candidate for Vancouver mayor next year. OneCity, a party focused on zoning reform and transit oriented development, will select a candidate to face incumbent Ken Sim in February. Amanda Burrows, a supporter of social housing, is also in the running to be OneCity's candidate. In other political news, John Rustad resigned as leader of the BC Conservatives and the chaos will likely continue for the party, the Tyee reports. Meanwhile, progressive Washington legislator Rebecca Saldaña will vacate her south Seattle state senate seat to run for King County council.
Vancouver, WA man injured by ICE speaks out
OPB reports that Jose Paniagua Calderon, a man violently seized by ICE agents in Vancouver, WA last week, is recovering from allegedly having his foot run over by an ICE vehicle. Calderon is currently in custody at the NWIPC in Tacoma, where "they barely gave him his medication yesterday,” his sister said. In related news, hundreds of students in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Forest Grove staged a walkout to protest increased ICE activity in their neighborhoods.
Andrew Engelson
If you're interested in helping organize ICE monitoring activities in Oregon and Washington, sign up for action alerts from Cascadia Democratic Action.
Feds ramp up mining in OR despite environmental concerns
The feds recently approved a controversial lithium mine in southern Oregon despite concerns it will set back recovery efforts for Western sage grouse and disrupt independent cattle ranching in Malheur county, OPB reports. In related news, Oregon Capital Chronicle notes that a proposed gold mine in southern Oregon could leach cyanide into groundwater.
All the Mountain Goats songs about Portland
The Portland Mercury, in advance of two shows by the indie rock group The Mountain Goats, an article looks at all the song that singer-songwriter John Darnielle has written about Rose City in 23 albums. Darnielle lived for a time in North Portland and grew up in California, and the west coast and Cascadia are integral to his storytelling. I was at a recent show at the Neptune in Seattle and Darnielle and his band put on a joyful, energetic show – something of a surprise since the Mountain Goats are known for their moody lyrics. Seattle also makes an appearance in the latest album, Through the Fire Across from Peter Balkan:
Like a good-luck charm for a soldier
Heading off into battle
I carried a stone in my pocket
Something I found in Seattle
Thanks for reading! -Andrew
