Cascadia today: Cascadia wins! Portland's unspent $106 million housing funds + how to celebrate Black History Month
Seahawks and Bad Bunny win the Super Bowl
Congratulations to Cascadia's NFL team, the Seattle Seahawks, for winning their second Super Bowl title. But the real winner of the evening was Bad Bunny, whose halftime performance celebrated Puerto Rico, delved into the history of colonialism (yes that was a sugar cane plantation) and was an outpouring of pride and joy. Reclaiming the phrase "God bless America" by ticking off every country in north and south America was pure genius. You can be Cascadian and American, turns out.
There's a parade in Seattle on Wednesday to celebrate. Good time to bring out the blue, white, and green (fly those Doug flags!). And a shout of ICE out of Seattle is always welcome.
Portland's unspent housing funds climb to $106 million
The Portland Mercury reports that the Portland Housing Bureau has $106 million in unspent funds, in a city that was supposed to be ending homelessness, according to a campaign promise from mayor Keith Wilson. Willamette Week has more on the problem, noting that PHB's entire budget for fiscal year 2025-2025 is $244 million. The city council opened hearings last week to demand answers about why the funds are sitting unspent.
Washington drop in insured not a bad as projected
After Republicans in the US Congress failed to renew health care subsidies, more than one million American dropped their Obamacare insurance because of rising premiums. But in Washington state, the number hasn't been as steep as expected, Washington State Standard reports – in part because of the legislature's Cascade Care Savings plan, which helps more than 118,000 customers in the state's Obamacare system pay their premiums (including me, I believe).
As Spokane evictions increase, city adopts renter protections
RANGE Media reports that with increasing rents, evictions are on the rise in Spokane, which follows a statewide trend. In response, the city council has passed renter protections, including a six-month notice for rent increases above 3%.
Separatists in British Columbia, but not the good kind
The Tyee reports on a separatist meeting in Campbell River, BC – one that is allied with Alberta's right wing movement for independence, taking a similar name, the BC Prosperity Project. This movement isn't linked to the Cascadia movement, and though I would love to see British Columbia join Washington and Oregon in a united Cascadia, our movement has no time for these MAGA wannabes.
How to celebrate Black History Month in Seattle
The Stranger has a great guide to performances, museum exhibits, festivals celebrating Black-owned businesses and other cultural offering during Black History Month. Seattle Magazine also has a guide to events as well as a list of Black-owned business that could use your support.
Thanks for reading! Cascadia for the win! 💙🤍💚 --Andrew
