Cascadia today: OR legislature to consider withholding fed tax + BC re-criminalizes drugs + artist responds to gentrification

Good morning – to everyone but ICE agents! Here's your daily roundup of news from the Pacific Northwest and our region's pushback against fascism. If you appreciate this feisty newsletter about Oregon and Washington's resistance, consider a paid subscription to help me continue publishing. And let your friends know about Cascadia Journal. Thanks! --Andrew

OR legislative session includes plan to backfill fed cuts

Oregon Capital Chronicle reports on the upcoming session of the Oregon legislature, which begins on Feb 2 and goes on for a ridiculously short 35 days. Immigration is a top issue, and legislators are planning to propose more limits on how state agencies can cooperate with ICE. More intriguing are plans in the works for Oregon to withhold payments to the federal government if the feds illegally revoke funds allocated to the state. In addition, the Working Families Caucus is working on a proposal to respond to federal cuts that have clawed back $700 million from Oregon. The proposal would "break from the federal tax code, which would recover $700 million in the same budget cycle." Cascadia Journal has reached out to the Working Families Caucus to find more details on these plans.

Portland city council finally elects president

The Portland Mercury reports that the Portland city council, after a week of bitter debate, has finally elected a council president – a compromise candidate, Jamie Dunphy, who reluctantly accepted the position to break the deadlock between moderates and progressive factions. He told the Mercury, "I'm willing, not happy, but willing to do this in service of this institution." The council has a lot to address this year, including the ongoing crisis for unsheltered people, ICE crackdowns and protests, and a budget deficit of $67 million.

BC to end decriminalization of drug use

CBC reports that the British Columbia Ministry of Health will not continue its three-year pilot program decriminalizing drug use in the province. Confronted with thousand of overdose deaths, BC followed evidenced-based public health advice in starting decriminalization, but sadly politics and fear is leading to re-criminalization.

"I think we’re still not addressing what’s actually driving overdose deaths and public disorder, which is a very toxic, unregulated drug supply, and a lack of housing and a lack of alternatives for people to go.” --Kora DeBeck, public policy professor, Simon Fraser University

Enviros urge reforms to save whales from crab fishing gear

Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that environmentalists are urging new restrictions in response to the deaths of at least four humpback whales on the coast of Oregon last year caused by entanglement in crab fishing gear. Conservation groups are urging Oregon fish and wildlife officials to require pop-up fishing gear, which eliminates the need for lines. Read their petition here.

Harrison Clark's musical/poetic response to gentrification

The South Seattle Emerald has an interview with south Seattle musician, poet, and storyteller Harrison Clark, whose multi-genre performances address "nature, gentrification, memory, and climate catastrophe." He'll be performing a three-part cycle of music and storytelling, Mistaken for a Fault Line over three nights from 8 to 10 pm at the Black & Tan Hall in Seattle: Thursday, Jan 15, Friday, Jan 16, and Saturday, Jan 17.

"This anthology is definitely my coming-back-to-Seattle story. It's my reconnection with the city and everything that's changed about it." --Harrison Clark

That's today's news & arts roundup. Thanks for reading! --Andrew