Cascadia today: WA mosquito fleet at risk + will climate tax fund more cops? + Portland arts groups say tap unspent dollars

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OR legislature wraps up, WA ponders mosquito fleet

Oregon legislators wrapped up their session late last week, passing a disconnect from the federal tax code, saving the state $291 million in lost revenue, as well as a ban on police masks. Meanwhile, Washington legislature is approaching deadlines, with the millionaire's tax looking more likely after leaders in the legislature and governor Ferguson reached a deal.

One bill that's currently in troubled waters is a measure that would allow local governments to create and run a "mosquito fleet" of small ferries in Puget Sound. According to an article at the Urbanist, Sen Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo) added bunch of amendments putting strict limits on the passenger ferries (making them much harder to build) but the house version of the bill without the restrictions is still alive. You can let your state reps know you support the house version, HB 1923 without restrictions.

Protests on Women's Day and against Tukwila ICE facility

Protesters turned out in Seattle yesterday in a cold, persistent rain on International Women's Day to call for a return to the rule of law in the US, against poor treatment of women by ICE, and accountability for president Trump, whose DOJ continues to hide documents about his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein and accusations of sexual assault of a minor. Meanwhile, in Tukwila, a suburb south of Seattle, protesters showed up outside the Sabey corporation to oppose the company's plan to rent out office space for ICE admin offices, Real Change reports.

Will Portland spend climate funds on more cops?

The Portland Mercury reports on an effort by residents to put a measure on the ballot that would take 25% of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) to pay for more cops. This of course is a terrible idea, as Oregon is seeing impacts of rising sea levels due to climate change. The fund should be used to install solar panels or help families convert to energy efficient heat pumps. More cops definitely isn't what the tax was intended for.

Last WA aluminum smelter closes

Salish Currents reports that an Alcoa aluminum smelter in Whatcom county has closed and is being demolished – the last of what was once an array of ten smelters across the state. Lured by cheap hyrdo power, the plants were once a key part of Washington's economy. Meanwhile, Oregon and Washington are suing the Trump administration to end another round of illegal tariffs that have hit Cascadia's economy hard. The Washington state governor's office estimates Trumps tariffs could cost WA state $2.2 billion over the next four years.

Portland arts groups say tap reserves now

The Portland Mercury reports that Portland arts organizations, which are struggling after massive federal spending cuts, are urging the city to tap into a reserve of $8 million in unspent arts tax funds. Smaller organizations are particularly at risk and have called on reforms to the program to ensure they receive attention, Oregon Arts Watch reports.