Daily Digest: Ferguson says more taxes "too risky," Spokane seeks to protect LGBTQ folks

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Gov Ferguson: $12 billion tax increase "too risky"

In a press release issued yesterday, Washington governor Bob Ferguson said the legislature's plan to increase taxes by $12 billion to address a $16 billion budget shortfall was "too risky." KUOW reports that the Democrat's plan that Ferguson rejected would raise business and capital gains taxes and lift a limit on property taxes. In the face of Ferguson's continued veto threats, Democrats are weighing other alternatives such as raising gas taxes. In a statement online Sen Noel Frame of Seattle said of the tax proposal, “This progressive revenue proposal raises taxes on some of the biggest, most profitable corporations worldwide and the wealthiest few individuals, directing funding to public schools, community safety, and the essential services people count on from their government." Seems like a good idea, especially since the Trump administration's plans to eviscerate the Department of Education alone could cost the state $845 million.

Gov Kotek fires head of public defense agency

OPB reports that Oregon governor Kotek has fired the director of the Oregon Public Defense Commission, Jessica Kampfe. The state's public defender system is in a severe crisis, with nearly 4,000 people within the state's criminal justice system currently without an attorney. Investigate West recently took an in-depth look at similar crisis facing Yakima county in Washington state. Some people charged with crimes, the article said, have had to wait five months or more for a state-provided attorney, which is guaranteed both by the US and OR and WA state constitutions.

Spokane aims to protect LGBTQ+ people

RANGE Media writes that the Spokane city council will vote on a Shield Law ordinance that would increase protections for LGBTQ+ people, including prohibiting use of city funds to investigate anyone’s status regarding gender affirming or reproductive care, adds a new designation of "“Two Spirit” (an Indigenous queer identity) to the city's human rights code, and guarantees health insurance for city employees to cover gender-affirming care. Meanwhile, the Idaho Statesman reports that the Idaho state attorney general has threatened to revoke funding to Boise for flying a pride outside city hall. Idaho recently passed a law prohibiting government offices from flying any flags other than the US, state, or local jurisdiction flags. Thanks for holding firm, Boise. 🏳️‍🌈

BC is feeling pretty patriotic

Speaking of flags, the red maple leaf has never been quite so popular north of the 49th parallel, writes Max Cameron, a professor of political science at UBC, at The Tyee. His essay looks at the new Canadian patriotism in British Columbia in reaction to Trump's trade war and threats of annexation: "Against polarizing patriotism, we need a unifying vision for Canada, one that channels pride without ignoring what is shameful, love without illusions, national belonging without exclusions, and community without coercion." However, not everyone is so rosy about Canada – the Tyee also reports that Alberta premier Danielle Smith has said the province might consider leaving Canada if the Conservatives don't win. In that case, BC is more than welcome to join those of us in Washington and Oregon if we're forced to go our own way. 🇱🇸

--Andrew Engelson

Pride flag photo by Kiteinthewind CC BY-SA 4.0.