Cascadia today: BC won't amend Indigenous consultation + OR needs wind energy + PDX music venue saved

Good morning to your daily newsletter about fighting fascism in the Pacific Northwest! In case you missed it, this week I wrote about the National Tax Strike, and whether Cascadians should consider protesting Trump and help establish fiscal autonomy by refusing to pay federal taxes:

Should Cascadia join the tax strike?

As the April 15 federal tax deadline approaches, it’s worth taking a moment to consider how a tax strike could help Oregon and Washington assert fiscal independence and send a message to Congress that it needs to work harder to halt fascism in the US. To learn more about this

Cascadia JournalAndrew Engelson

BC premier walks plan to amend Indigenous consultation law

The Narwhal reports that BC premier David Eby has walked back plans to amend DRIPA, a provincial law that requires First Nations be consulted and "give free, prior and informed consent" to all legislation. Eby said he will now seek to temporarily suspend several clauses as BC deals with a court ruling that found parts of BC's mining law inconsistent with DRIPA. According to a piece at the Vancouver Sun, Indigenous groups were fiercely opposed to permanent changes to the law and three First Nations NDP legislators threatened to break the government's fragile coalition with the BC Greens.

This is a victory for Indigenous rights to consultation and consent, which is critical across Cascadia in order to honor treaty rights and repair the damage caused by several hundred years of colonization in the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle mayor wants to "go bigger" on housing density

PubliCola reports that Seattle mayor Katie Wilson has indicated she wants to expedite environmental review of the city's 20-year comprehensive plan and to "go bigger" by increasing the number of zones where apartment building can be constructed in the city. The Urbanist has more on Wilson's efforts to push housing zoning changes that are "taller, denser and faster." Seattle and other cities in Cascadia need to move forward on building more housing and connecting it to transit – the fact that more than 200,000 people rode the new greater Seattle light rail line on its first day confirms that Cascadians are hungry for climate-friendly, affordable cities.

WA DOL shared data with feds, likely violating law

RANGE Media reports that federal immigration officials obtained from data from the Washington state Dept of Licensing in the seizure of a Spokane immigrant on a civil immigration matter – likely in violation of the Keep Washington Working Act. In related news, the Seattle city council passed legislation aligning city code with the Keep Washington Working Act as well as pausing surveillance cams for 60 days if feds request data to enforce immigration or prevent access to abortion or gender care.

Tell Oregon: develop wind energy

Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that Oregon residents have less than one month to comment on a roadmap for offshore wind energy in Oregon. The various options range from ambitious expansion to zero coastal wind energy projects. The choice is clear: with fossil fuel costs skyrocketing and climate change hammering Cascadia, Oregon should chose this option: "Oregon develops a full-scale offshore wind energy industry." It's time to tell Trump that his corrupt war on wind energy, which only benefits fossil fuel corporations, needs to be thrown in the dumpster.

To comment on the plan, email dlcd.oswroadmap@dlcd.oregon.gov or take the online survey by April 27.

North Portland music venue saved

The Portland Mercury reports that the historic north Portland music venue Turn! Turn! Turn! has found new owners and will continue to serve as a live music venue. This comes as great news in a city that has recently lost several small, independent music venues, including Landmark Saloon and Lollipop Shoppe. Meanwhile, music lovers in Seattle are anxiously awaiting news about the Crocodile, a historic music venue that's in financial trouble and was put up for sale in January.

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