Daily digest: Federal policies hammer Cascadia economy, Oregon's $800 million ballpark, and celebrating Juneteenth
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Trump policies hammer Cascadia economy
There's yet another story, this one at OPB, of Cascadia's farming industry taking a hit in productivity thanks to Trump's excessive and cruel immigration raids – this time, in Oregon. I think this quote sums up the buyer's remorse more conservative-leaning folks east of the Cascades are starting to feel:
The Oregon Farm Bureau is in a tight spot. Many of its members are politically conservative and may support President Donald Trump, but they also may rely on immigrant farmworkers.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Times looks at how trade and tourism in Seattle an Tacoma are tanking thanks to the federal government's chaotic trade policy and belligerent attitude towards Canada. Container shipping traffic in the the two cities is down 33 percent over last year. At Cascadia Daily News, there's a great piece about the upcoming Pacific Northwest Economic Region Conference coming up in July, which convenes more than 700 business leaders, policy, makers, and academics to talk about cooperation across borders. It's time to consider doing even more: eliminating borders within the bioregion of Cascadia.
Oregon approves $800 million for ballpark
OPB reports that the Oregon legislature approved $800 million in funding to build a baseball stadium in Portland with the hopes that Major League Baseball will grant them a new team and offer the pony up the rest of the $2 billion in funding required to build the sportsball palace. This, after a report from Street Roots reports that the death rate among Portland's homeless is among the highest on the west coast. Priorities, I guess.
BC right-wing parties implode
Grab the popcorn: The Tyee has a report on the infighting between British Columbia's Conservative Party and the new OneBC Party, noting:
You can’t really describe the warfare on B.C.’s right as a train wreck. It’s way worse than that. Imagine a train wreck where some survivors emerge and start kicking the injured.
Meanwhile, RANGE Media reports on the growing Christian right-wing empire of pastor Doug Wilson in Moscow, Idaho, whose membership has grown to 3,000 – about 10 percent of the town's population.
Celebrating Juneteenth
Happy Juneteenth, everyone – the date that celebrates the end of slavery and the vibrancy of Black culture. Here are some links to events across Cascadia today and this weekend in Seattle, South Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Bellingham, and Eugene. Enjoy!
--Andrew Engelson
