“If I‑2117 passes, it would allow more pollution and shift the burden of paying for the impacts of pollution onto communities, workers, and families — while cutting investments in clean air and water, transportation, wildfire prevention, and a lot more,” the coalition says.
Author Archives: Andrew Villeneuve
Andrew Villeneuve is the founder and executive director of the Northwest Progressive Institute, as well as the founder of NPI's sibling, the Northwest Progressive Foundation. He has worked to advance progressive causes for over two decades as a strategist, speaker, author, and organizer. Andrew is also a cybersecurity expert, a veteran facilitator, a delegate to the Washington State Democratic Central Committee, and a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.
Posted inElections
Is Dave Reichert up, or is he down? According to his campaign, the answer is yes
The Republican’s campaign is employing contradictory messaging in an effort to get backers to open their wallets.
Posted inPublic Planning
Help Chickadee Bakeshop and other Snoqualmie businesses recover from a devastating fire
While no one was hurt in the fire, each of these women-owned small businesses faces a long road to recovery and they need all of the help that they can get.
Posted inElections
Rebecca Saldaña bows out of 2024 contest for Commissioner of Public Lands
Her exit reduces the number of credible Democratic hopefuls to three and improving the party’s chances of avoiding a general election lockout that would effectively guarantee a Republican pickup of the office, which oversees Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources
Posted inElections
Republican State Senator Phil Fortunato decides to challenge Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs
Fortunato is the second Republican candidate to file with the Public Disclosure Commission to take on Hobbs this cycle. He faces difficult odds, especially given his extreme politics.
Posted inPublic Planning
Multiple bridges on the Columbia River are vulnerable to ship strike, New York Times story notes
The Francis Scott Key Bridge is far from the only critical crossing around the United States that is at risk of coming down if a ship were to hit it. A New York Times story about bridges at risk highlighted several in the PNW, including two that span the Columbia River.
Posted inPublic Planning
Lynnwood Link extension slated to open to the public on August 30th, 2024, Sound Transit announces
Four new stations will inaugurate revenue service and be added to Puget Sound’s growing light rail system as of Labor Day Weekend: Shoreline South/148th St., Shoreline North/185th St., Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood City Center.
Posted inElections
Poll Watch: Right wing firm Echelon Insights drops another skewed survey to boost Dave Reichert’s gubernatorial ambitions
Read NPI’s analysis of a fatally flawed March 2024 survey conducted by a Virginia-based, Republican aligned polling firm for a right wing group hoping to influence media coverage of Washington State’s 2024 gubernatorial race.
Posted inElections
Dave Upthegrove earns key endorsements from Washington Conservation Action, former Commissioner Peter Goldmark
The endorsements come at a critical juncture in the 2024 contest for Commissioner of Public Lands and could help Upthegrove secure even more support from activists and elected officials who have been on the fence so far. Upthegrove is vying with three other Democrats and two Republicans for the job.
Posted inPublic Planning
Redmond Health Through Housing project moves closer to welcoming residents
A former Silver Cloud Inn in Redmond is set to open as a Health Through Housing facility for the homeless, offering one hundred units and support services managed by The Salvation Army. Previously, it housed Afghan refugees, nearly all of whom secured permanent housing.
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
Many Washington State legislators are hosting 2024 post-session town halls and community chats — here’s a running guide
Constituents have opportunities to engage with their Washington State elected representatives in the 5th, 16th, 27th, and 42nd Districts through in-person and telephone meetings set from April 2nd-13th, 2024.
Posted inAnnouncements
NPI’s Cascadia Advocate celebrates twenty years of continuous publication
In this publisher’s note, NPI founder Andrew Villeneuve comments on the twenty-year anniversary of The Cascadia Advocate and NPI’s plans for its future.
Posted inAnnouncements
Welcome to Version 5.0 (“Emmons”) of NPI’s Cascadia Advocate!
Learn about the changes that debuted with the fifth version of The Cascadia Advocate, released on March 29th, 2024 in conjunction with the blog’s twentieth anniversary.
Posted inNational Defense, Policy Topics, Public Planning
Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses after catastrophic overnight ship strike
Last night, the cargo ship Dali struck and caused the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, hindering marine traffic and impeding Port of Baltimore operations. The incident sent vehicles and workers into the water, with rescue efforts and NTSB investigations ongoing. President Biden has called for congressional funds to rebuild the span.