Cascadia today: OR legislature returns + cherry season killed by ICE & honoring Sue Bird
Oregon legislature opens special session
According to OPB, the Oregon legislature convenes today in a special session to address a $300 transportation budget shortfall that it failed to address earlier this year. The package proposed by governor Tina Kotek includes a 6 cent increase in the current 40 cent per gallon gas tax and a controversial proposal to tax electric vehicles by the mile. Meanwhile, a longtime Oregon economist says the legislature could save money by scuttling some freeway projects.
Cherry season a bust thanks to ICE
OPB also reports that cherry crops in Oregon and Washington were extremely productive, but a shortage of migrant labor sparked by ICE crackdowns have left growers unable to sell much of the bumper crop. Part of the problem? The consolidation of the industry, with distributors taking a huge cut and farmers paid little:
"Even when the farmers aren’t making a lot of money, you may not see super low prices on the retail shelf.” – Tim Delbridge, agricultural economist at Oregon State University.
New overdose treatment center opens in Seattle
A new center dedicated to assisting people recovering from a recent opioid overdose opens at Seattle's Downtown Emergency Services Center, according to reporting from Cascade PBS. Though overdoses continue to be a crisis in Seattle, rate of fatal overdoses has declined over last year. In related news, the Tyee notes that Vancouver police were inadequately trained for decriminalization of small amounts of drugs, which went into effect in 2023.
New sculpture of Seattle's greatest athlete debuts
Cascade PBS reports on a new bronze sculpture honoring Seattle's greatest professional athlete: Seattle Storm basketball star Sue Bird. She's apparently the first WNBA player to be honored with a statue. About time for the winner of four championships and five gold medals to be celebrated.
--Andrew Engelson
