Cascadia today: Deadlines loom in legislatures + ICE violated due process in WA + Portland bookshop buys building

Deadlines loom for bills in WA & OR

As the deadlines for bills in the Washington and Oregon legislatures approach, Republicans were up to their typical obstruction tactics, with the Republican caucus walking out of the Oregon senate and denying it a quorum for the first time since 2023 , Oregon Capital Chronicle reports. This time they're mad about a gas tax. Republicans in the Washington legislature, meanwhile, requested that a 39-page bill that would have modernized the state's electrical grid be read in full – preventing a vote this year on the bill. In related news, Washington's revenue forecast was 1.1% better than expected, helping make budgeting go a bit easier. Meanwhile, the British Columbia legislature, under the NDP, is punting on hard budget decisions, says Paul Willcocks at The Tyee, adding to a record $13.3 billion deficit.

There's still time to pass important bills. If you live in Oregon, please take a moment to tell your legislators to pass HB 4143, which would give the governor power to withhold money owed to the federal government if the feds refuse to pay the state appropriated funds. I wrote more about this bill here.

Oregon bill would hold back payments to feds

A bill pre-filed in the Oregon legislature would allow the governor to hold back money owed to the federal government if federal funds appropriated to Oregon are withheld by the US government in “contravention of a valid court order.” The measure, whose primary sponsor is Rep Willy Chotzen (D-Portland), does

Cascadia JournalAndrew Engelson

Most ICE detentions in WA violated due process

Investigate West looks at court rulings in challenged detentions of immigrants in Washington state last year and found that 60% had violated due process and ordered those detained be released. In related news, KUOW reports that nurses at St Joseph's hospital in Tacoma often observed ICE agents preventing or interfering with medical care of detainees. And at Eugene Weekly, artist McKenzie Young-Roy offers a visual journal of anti-ICE protests at the federal building in Eugene.

If you want to boycott Oregon businesses that contract with ICE and DHS, visit Melt Oregon, which has compiled a list of collaborating companies, including RKJ Construction in Beaverton, and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects in Portland.

First Nation sees big future in kelp farming

According to an article at Ha-Shilth-Sa, a 40-hectare kelp farm north of Tofino, British Columbia, established on Ahousaht lands is providing First Nations on Vancouver Island reliable revenue as commercial fishing comes under more strict regulations. Kelp is a booming business in Cascadia, with the seaweed used for skin care products, food, and soil amendments for agriculture.

Portland non-profit bookstore to buy building

The beloved non-profit Portland bookstore Mother Foulcault's has raised enough money to buy the building it occupies, according to The Portland Mercury. A Go Fund Me helped raise enough funds for a down payment on the building. Find out more at Mother Foulcault's website.

Thanks for reading. Keep loving and keep fighting. --Andrew