Re-legalizing Fourplexes Is the Unfinished Business of Tom McCall
For decades, Oregon has used state law to battle economic segregation. Fair-housing experts say HB 2001 is the next step.
Region: Oregon
Infographics: What Would Clean Energy Jobs Bill do for Oregon’s Workforce?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Oregon legislators are poised to pass a pollution-busting bill and put Oregon on track to meet its climate goals. Some lawmakers and constituents wonder: is investing in clean energy really worth it? Couldn’t we just make polluters pay and leave it at that, instead of also re-investing the revenue in Oregon’s clean energy economy? We … Read more
King County Poised to Lock Out Fossil Fuels
Update: The King County Council voted 6-2 to support the moratorium. King County is poised to join the ranks of Northwest communities that are locking out coal, oil, and gas developments. Later this month, County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove will introduce legislation to prohibit major new fossil fuel infrastructure, including gas pipeline expansions. It’s the right … Read more
Here’s Oregon’s New Bill to Re-legalize ‘Missing Middle’ Homes Statewide
The proposal from Speaker Tina Kotek, HB 2001, would be great for workforce housing across the state.
Watch: KATU News’ Report on Representation in Local Governments in Oregon
Last month, Sightline Senior Researcher Kristin Eberhard published a piece that looked at the makeup of 20 Oregon city councils, 20 county councils and 20 school boards and how well they reflect the communities they represent. Using data taken from the US Census Bureau, Oregon school districts, local court jurisdictions’ websites, and even some cold … Read more
Why You’re Still Not Bringing a Reusable Mug for Your Daily Coffee
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2016 but we’ve added this update about startup company Vessel, which is piloting a mug share program in Boulder, Colorado. Five coffee shops across the city have already signed up to participate. Participation is free for customers—they simply pick up their caffeine fix in a stainless steel, … Read more
Cascadia’s Five Most Important ADU Victories of 2018
Editor’s note, 1/11/19: We updated this article to add information about 2018 code changes in Anchorage, Alaska. Cascadians are hungry for housing choices. One way they showed it in 2018 was by loosening restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in cities across the region—from Bellingham to Yakima, Florence to Portland. In all, at least 37 … Read more
2018 in Review: How Soon for Electric Robo-Taxis?
Earlier this month, Google subsidiary Waymo announced the launch of a commercial robo-taxi service in Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, after nearly two years of testing there. Yet just a few weeks earlier, automation expert Mary Cummings, the director of the Humans and Autonomy Laboratory at Duke University, said she doesn’t expect widespread use … Read more
Our Favorite Talking Points Flashcards of 2018
The moral dimensions of public-policy ideas aren’t always obvious. The real-life implications of data often require interpretation—even translation. For every smart solution, policymakers and movers and shakers need the best words and messages and narratives to convey why it matters. That’s what our Flashcards are for! We help you find the words—and stories, images, and … Read more
Why Couldn’t Washington Stop a Soda Tax Ban When Oregon Could?
In 2018, three soda companies together spent over $22 million to help pass a misleading ban in Washington on “grocery taxes,” which appeared as Initiative 1634 on the November ballot. Big Soda’s contributions accounted for more than 95 percent of I-1634’s funding. The opposition raised a scant $100,000. The ban passed by 12 percentage points. … Read more