Daily Digest: Oregon tax revenue slumps $500 million, Trump hates Columbia River, and new soundtrack to Old Joy
Oregon revenue $500 million below estimates
OPB reports on some very bad news for Oregon – the state's chief economist says the state will have $500 million less in projected tax revenue during the 2025-2027 budget cycle, thanks to trade wars and economic instability. Also, Seattle Times notes that Microsoft fired 3 percent of its global staff yesterday, and KUOW reports on deep uncertainty about trade at the Port of Seattle, which estimates that 40 percent of Washington jobs depend on global trade. Oh, and British Columbia is making offers to US nurses fed up with Trump to come north and work. Dunno, that idea of Cascadia going its own way politically and economically is sounding less fringe every day.
WA hybrid ferry builder may work with rival
The Seattle Times report that a Whidbey Island-based ship building company proposed to the state of Washington to work with a competing company in Florida to build five new hybrid electric ferries for the state of Washington in order to keep the price tag under $1.27 billion. And BC Ferries expects a high number of travelers this summer as it also deals with an aging fleet. And you can thank Trump's belligerent approach to Canada for decreased sailing schedules for the Victoria Clipper between Victoria and Seattle – fewer folks from BC want to cross the border south.
“The Canadians feel such a sense of betrayal,”
– former Washington governor Jay Inslee.
Columbia River treaty in limbo
In the category of "stuff important to Cascadia that Trump is neglecting" the New York Times has a fantastic, in-depth look at stalled negotiations over renewal of the 60-year-old Columbia River Treaty (gift link). Lack of an agreement could have an impact on flood control, hydro power, restoration of salmon runs, and Indigenous fishing rights across the bioregion. “The Canadians feel such a sense of betrayal,” said former Washington governor Jay Inslee. I'd say most of us in Cascadia feel the same. Plus, Columbia Insight looks at how the Trump administration is prepared to abandon an agreement between the federal government and tribes to restore salmon runs in the Snake River.
Rediscovering the joys of Old Joy
The Portland Mercury has a great review/essay about the classic, low-budget indie movie Old Joy, which I had the opportunity to see at the Seattle Independent Film Festival years ago and has stuck with me. It's an understated look at two male friends trying rekindle a friendship at Oregon's Bagby Hot Springs. The occasion for the second look at Kelly Reichardt's 2006 film is that the moody score by Yo La Tengo has been reissued on vinyl. Give it a listen on Bandcamp!
--Andrew Engelson
Like what you're reading here? Help me meet my goal of 50 paid subscriber by the end of May. It's only 5 bucks a month – less than an oat milk latte!
