Daily Digest: WA sues Trump over bogus energy emergency, Boise flies the pride flag 🏳️🌈 and PDX says tax the rich!
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When did empathy become political?
Good afternoon! When the Trump administration included the word "empathy" in those to be avoided by NOAA employees, it said a lot about this administration's priorities. In my weekly essay for Cascadia Digest, I wrote about how having empathy for others should be a cornerstone not only of our political beliefs but being a decent human being. Hope you'll take a moment to read it this weekend.
WA sues Trump over bogus energy emergency
Washington attorney general Nick Brown announced today that the state is suing the Trump administration for its fake energy emergency policy, which will speed up drilling permits. Washington State Standard reported on the press conference where Nick Brown said Trump's policy was about " shackling America to dirty fossil fuels forever." The real global emergency of course is climate change, and the Seattle Times reports on how Trump funding cuts will hamper the University of Washington's Climate Impacts group, which helps communities adapt to increased heat and wildfire smoke.
Portland councilor wants to tax the rich!
In the wake of Portland Mayor Keith Wilson's city budget, which doesn't do much to raise revenue to deal with budget shortfalls, has announced he'll support expanding the city's current tax on CEO incomes. Yay! Meanwhile, WA governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill that limits rent increases to 10 percent a year. Speaking of inequality, Real Change has a detailed report on federal plans to sweep an encampment for those without shelter in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest.
Boise raises the pride flag 🏳️🌈
Boise's city council took a principled stand and voted 5-1 to designate the LGBTQ pride flag an "official" city flag, in defiance of a recently passed state law forbidding the flying of pride flags. Meanwhile, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes apologized to the city's queer community after his cops harassed nude sunbathers at a beach on Lake Washington that's a longtime LGBTQ meeting place, reminding folks it's legal to be nude in Seattle.
Have a great weekend! --Andrew Engelson
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