Cascadia today: BC budget adds to debt + judge blocks ICE tear gas + Trump wants coal plant to pollute Cascadia
BC budget adds to debt as WA & OR squabble over taxes
The Tyee covers the announcement of the NDP's proposed provincial budget for British Columbia, which would raise the deficit to $13.3 billion, raise taxes by $500 million and increase spending by $4 billion. CBC has more on the proposed budget, which comes as BC's economy is stalled and the NDP plans to fast-track resource extraction such as mines, logging, and natural gas exports at the expense of the environment and Indigenous rights.
Meanwhile, Washington governor Bob Ferguson is squabbling with Democrats in the legislature over how a new millionaires tax should be spent if it passes Washington State Standard reports. Ferguson, predictably, wants sales tax relief, while the legislature is more inclined to avoid cuts to health care, child care and education. There's also the problem of $182 million in infrastructure damage from last year's storms. With only $21 million in federal FEMA requests, this will only add to the state's financial crunch.
Oregon Capital Chronicle reports on bills in the legislature that are dead at the halfway point in the extremely short session. One important bill is still alive: HB 4125, which would make it easier to direct the annual "kicker" tax refund back into the budget to avoid austerity cuts. If you live in Oregon, let your legislators know you support HB 4125, and using the kicker to avoid steep budget cuts.
It's time to move forward on autonomy – holding back federal taxes if necessary and spending our region's hard earned wages on Cascadia' priorities, not Trump's.
Andrew Engelson
Judge continues to block ICE tear gas in Portland
OPB reports that a federal judge has extended a ban on federal agents using tear gas and other non-lethal munitions against peaceful protesters outside Portland's ICE facility. In related news, the ACLU of Oregon, journalists, and Oregon attorney general Dan Rayfield are suing the feds for excessive use of force during an incident when ICE tear gassed a peaceful demonstration in Portland that included children earlier this year. Oh, and Seattle-based software giant Microsoft has been providing ICE with AI data-analysis tools in its immigration crackdown. Time to download open-source Linux-based software for your PC.
What are the limits of redemption?
The new online publication Western Edge has a riveting feature about a convicted felon's attempt at re-entering society and being used as a pawn in political posturing. Definitely take time to give it a read. It's the story of Kyle Hedquist, who killed a woman at the age of 18, and was sentenced to life in prison. But in prison, he became a model inmate, and was granted clemency by the governor. Hedquist volunteered for many boards, and was accepted to as a member of a police oversight board in Salem, Oregon. But once the police union and various politicians got involved, things got ugly.
Ryan Haas
WA plans steep fees on coal plant Trump wants fired up
Washington State Standard reports on a bill moving through the Washington legislature that would impose steep fees on a coal-fired plant in Centralia that was slated for closure, but the Trump administration insists needs to be fired up and polluting Cascadia's skies. It's just another example of why Oregon and Washington need to seek more independence from a federal government that cares more about helping corporate cronies than protecting the health and well being of our residents.
Young Dragon tells story of Bruce Lee's early life
The International Examiner looks at Young Dragon, Seattle playwright Keiko Green's play that tells the story of martial arts movie star Bruce Lee's early life. The play, which the Seattle Children's Theater pulled from performance at the troubled Kennedy Center, starts tomorrow and runs through March 22. Buy tickets here!
Thanks for reading. Keep loving and keep fighting! --Andrew
