Amid Seattle’s 4th of July fireworks, officials prepare to oppose Trump

As thousands celebrated the 4th and fireworks over Lake Union, nobody dumped tea — or coffee — in Elliott Bay but dozens of political leaders signed on this Independence Day weekend to a declaration opposing the Trump administration’s tax and spending cut bill.

“Washington leaders are now calling for measures to meet this moment. State lawmakers must urgently act to prepare for the harm done by the authoritarianism of the federal government. Local government leaders must enact progressive revenue, like the Seattle Shield Initiative, which can reduce harm to essential programs in major metropolitan areas from budget cuts,” the letter reads.

“The undersigned elected officials represent all levels of government including state, local, and special district governments. We commit to working together in the immediate term to develop meaningful solutions to protect residents. The time is urgently prudent for local leaders across Washington state to live up to the progressive values which have long made us a target of the Trump regime and their corporate cronies.”

The letter, sent out from the office of Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, follows the passage of the Trump-championed bill described by the Associated Press as a “sprawling collection of tax breaks, spending cuts and other Republican priorities, including new money for national defense and deportations.”

Washington officials including Governor Bob Ferguson say the bill could force a special session of the legislature to respond to billions in cuts including health care and food aid.

“Ferguson’s office estimated the state will lose $3 billion a year in federal Medicaid dollars, and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected nearly 330,000 Washington residents will lose Medicaid coverage or health insurance obtained through the Affordable Care Act,” the Seattle Times reports.

In Seattle, Rinck and Mayor Bruce Harrell have championed measures to offset the federal cutbacks to social programs including a proposal that could go to Seattle voters this fall that would eliminate the B&O tax for most of the city’s small businesses while increasing the tax rate on its largest. Rinck, head of a special council committee dedicated to helping the city withstand Trump administration changes, is calling the effort the Seattle Shield Initiative.

Trump signed the tax and spending legislation during the White House 4th of July picnic.

The full letter is below.

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