Cascadia: Strong Communities, a Green Economy, a Healthy Environment
Sightline Institute’s nonpartisan, nonprofit research and policy solutions help the region reconcile people, place, and prosperity.
Learn MoreHow We Work
Practical, research-based policy solutions
Case-making and arguments to advance progress
Strategies for unusual coalitions to win
Resources for journalists, decision-makers and advocates
Latest Research
All Sightline Institute research is available to you to cite, use, and share, per our free use policy.
Reintroducing: Your Local Library, a Critical Tool for Democracy
A Q&A with author and advocate Shamichael Hallman on how public libraries can help us rebuild civic trust and connection—if we redefine our relationship with them.
Election Reform Measures Lost; Election Reform Didn’t
What to learn—and what to leave behind—from the 2024 ballot measure losses in Cascadia.
Lessons for Washington State Leaders as Another US Oil Refinery Closes
In a state home to five oil refineries, a forthcoming, taxpayer-funded study can answer some central questions.
Three Ways Anchorage Leaders Could Unlock More Homes
The ordinances under consideration offer commonsense solutions to address the city’s longstanding housing shortage.
Alaskans Keep Their Model Election System
The open primaries and ranked choice voting that have delivered more representation for independents and moderate Republicans survived a repeal effort.
Portland Election Delivers City’s Most Representative Council Ever
Proportional ranked choice voting lived up to the promises of the voter-approved charter reform.
Lessons for Washington State Leaders as Another US Oil Refinery Closes
In a state home to five oil refineries, a forthcoming, taxpayer-funded study can answer some central questions.
One of Washington’s Anti-Climate Initiatives, 2066, Eked Out a Victory. Why?
And how leaders can still help families and businesses electrify for safer, cleaner buildings in line with the state’s climate values.
Four Ways Gov.-elect Ferguson and Washington Lawmakers Can Build on the State’s Big Climate Win
After Washingtonians overwhelmingly voted to keep the Climate Commitment Act, their leaders have powerful opportunities ahead.
Correcting the Record on Initiative 2066
What the Seattle Times editorial board got wrong about the Washington ballot measure.
The Contradiction of a Split Vote on Washington’s Anti-Climate Ballot Initiatives
Initiatives 2066 and 2117 are closely linked, but polls and endorsements diverge.
(Re)explaining Washington’s Climate Commitment Act
Understanding the cap-and-invest law that Washington Initiative 2117 would repeal.
Reintroducing: Your Local Library, a Critical Tool for Democracy
A Q&A with author and advocate Shamichael Hallman on how public libraries can help us rebuild civic trust and connection—if we redefine our relationship with them.
Election Reform Measures Lost; Election Reform Didn’t
What to learn—and what to leave behind—from the 2024 ballot measure losses in Cascadia.
Alaskans Keep Their Model Election System
The open primaries and ranked choice voting that have delivered more representation for independents and moderate Republicans survived a repeal effort.
Portland Election Delivers City’s Most Representative Council Ever
Proportional ranked choice voting lived up to the promises of the voter-approved charter reform.
Montana: So Close to Better Elections
Primaries featuring more choice for voters and candidates almost became the law in Big Sky Country.
Almost One in Three Idahoans Wanted Open Primaries and Instant Runoff Elections
In the reddest patch of Cascadia, a sizable minority of voters wished for a system to thwart spoilers, promote cooperation, and allow participation beyond partisan labels.
Four Ways Context Matters for Wildfire News Coverage
Reporters can help people see the forest, even when the trees are on fire.
Blazing a Trail: The Vital Role of Wildfire Hazard Maps
Sophisticated and high-resolution maps such as Oregon’s are essential tools for thriving in a fiery future.
The Best Wildfire Solution We’re Not Using
Three ways to curb the sprawl that traps us on a wildfire treadmill.
Three Ways Anchorage Leaders Could Unlock More Homes
The ordinances under consideration offer commonsense solutions to address the city’s longstanding housing shortage.
Parking Mandates Are Keeping Kids Out of Daycare
But cities can ditch these arbitrary rules and help families out of the daycare desert.
In Race after Race, People Keep Electing Pro-Housing Politicians
Contrary to some misconceptions, most voters seem to understand that housing is good.
To Fix Inclusionary Zoning, Fund It
Lessons from places that are solving the biggest problem in abundant housing politics and policy.
Vancouver Shows Just How Much it Costs to Ban Apartments
Driving problems from inequality to sprawl to pollution, restrictions against anything but single-detached houses have to go.
Washington’s Most Parking-Burdened Towns and Cities
A new Sightline report details the arcane, arbitrary, and pernicious rules blocking homes and businesses across the state.
Featured project
Beyond Parking Mandates | Data and insights on the growing movement for cities and towns to break free of arbitrary, excessive parking mandates.
Learn moreSubscribe to stay in the loop
Join the thousands of Cascadians who count on our newsletters to inform and connect them on the region’s top sustainability news and research.
Subscribe