Cascadia today: Windstorm arrives + WA gov backs millionaire tax + some ski areas open
Windstorm arrives today
Though the National Weather Service downgraded its extreme wind advisory, high winds are still expected in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia today. Cancellations of some BC Ferries routes because of wind has caused serious disruption for holiday travelers to Vancouver Island. Be careful out there!
In related news, in response to repeated flooding in Abottsford and BC's Fraser River valley, some people are suggesting restoring Sumas Lake, which was drained by colonists in the 19th century, CBC reports.
WA governor backs a millionaires tax – in 2029
After persistently pushing austerity budgets, Washington governor Bob Ferguson took a welcome turn and said he'll support an income tax on people making more than $1 million per year, Washington State Standard reports. Unfortunately, the measure will be submitted to voters and if passed, wouldn't go into effect until 2029. It's expected to raise about $3 billion each year.
What Ferguson and many Democrats have been slow to realize is that Cascadia is in crisis because of federal cuts, and we need to make Washington state resilient now. Ferguson's proposed budget, lost in the news about the millionaires' tax, offers $800 million in cuts to services, dipping into the reserve fund and using the state's air pollution tax revenues to balance the books. Not to mention Ferguson's proposed highway-paving bill, which will borrow some $3 billion to prop up our climate-destroying road system.
Representative Shaun Scott (D-Seattle) has an alternate plan: create an employer tax on those making more that $157,000 similar to Seattle JumpStart tax, and use the funds NOW to backfill lost federal programs in health care, education, child care, and food benefits. In a piece for the Stranger, he notes:
"Per polling by the Washington State Revenue Alliance in 2024, 81 percent of Washingtonians support taxing major corporations." --Rep. Shaun Scott
Seattle buys property perfect for transit oriented housing
The Urbanist reports that the city of Seattle has agreed to buy an 18-acre property in one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods that has been at the center of a battle over whether it should developed for suburban-style housing for the wealthy or more dense, affordable, transit-focused housing. The former corporate park, known as Talaris, has tons of greenspace and sits in the middle of Laurelhurst, a notorious NIMBY zone of rich homeowners.
Cascadia Journal agrees with the Affordable Talaris proposal to create a park and dense transit-oriented housing there. Mayor Katie Wilson should make this a signature climate-oriented project for a city that did little in the past four years to do anything tangible in the fight against climate change. In related news, the Seattle city council approved new zoning allowing 8-unit "stacked flat" apartment buildings across the city, PubliCola reports.
Underground mutual aid supports immigrants
OPB reports on an encouraging trend: "underground" mutual aid efforts to provide food and supplies to immigrant families without documentation in Hillboro, Oregon. Many immigrants have stopped going out to schools and workplaces because they're afraid of masked ICE goons kidnapping their neighbors. The aid groups track ICE activity and then provide food and assistance to the families of those kidnapped.
Cascadia Democratic Action is establishing mutual aid and ICE monitoring efforts. Sign up for their email alerts here, or message Andrew at andyjourno.55 on Signal for more info.
Involuntary care won't solve drug or homeless issues
Shane Mills, writing for The Tyee, rightly argues that growing support in British Columbia for involuntarily putting people in drug treatment or forcing them into supportive housing is a paternalistic and ineffective approach to dealing with the issues of drug overdose and homelessness.
"It needs to be voluntary to make the needed changes in mindset and habits. I know people who have gone to treatment at the behest of others and were taking a shot, snort or swig as they waited outside the gate to enter rehab. They wanted to do right by others, but they were not there yet. Success did not follow." --Shane Mills
Some Cascadia ski areas open, others inaccessible
After one of the warmest and wettest autumns in recent memory, colder temperatures brought snow to the mountains of Cascadia and sighs of relief from those who like skiing and other winter sports. In Oregon, Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Hood will open, OPB reports. In Washington, Crystal Mountain, Snoqualmie, and other areas are preparing to open. Crews successfully cleared the route to the Mt. Baker ski area, which is now open.
Stevens Pass ski area remains closed, due to major damage to Hwy 2. Some who purchased passes at Stevens are crying foul, claiming the resort is staying closed for "lack of snow" to avoid paying refunds.
In BC, Whistler-Blackcomb is open, with 16 of 26 lifts currently running.
My favorite place to skate ski, Cabin Creek east of Snoqualmie, is getting ready to open thanks to crews of volunteers removing blown-down trees. Oh, and the Methow Valley in central Washington reports good snow conditions for cross-country and skate skiing. Yay! ❄️❄️❄️
Thanks for reading. I'll be taking the next two days off, have a great holiday season! --Andrew
