Michael Andersen
@andersem.bsky.social
Believer, skeptic, humanist, typist & dad. Trying to make places fairer as director of cities + towns for @Sightline.org, here in Portland OR. Views here: mine, all mine.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
(me forty minutes ago) i hate everyone and i hate this weather and i hate my life (me after going for a brief walk in the crisp autumn fog and chatting with three neighbors) we are all sacred apes upon gods green earth :)
November 11, 2025 at 12:58 AM
(me forty minutes ago) i hate everyone and i hate this weather and i hate my life (me after going for a brief walk in the crisp autumn fog and chatting with three neighbors) we are all sacred apes upon gods green earth :)
One time a friend told me she was going to run for Congress and my first reaction was "why on earth?" www.axios.com/2025/11/07/g...
Shutdown burnout is making members of Congress rethink their reelection plans
"The whole experience of being in Congress ... can make this a truly miserable job."
www.axios.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:46 AM
One time a friend told me she was going to run for Congress and my first reaction was "why on earth?" www.axios.com/2025/11/07/g...
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Parking was one of the more controversial aspects to Portland's Residential Infill Project.
This newly built triplex at SE 16th & Morrison is a good example of how eliminating parking requirements allowed a mature tree to be saved. www.redfin.com/OR/Portland/...
This newly built triplex at SE 16th & Morrison is a good example of how eliminating parking requirements allowed a mature tree to be saved. www.redfin.com/OR/Portland/...
November 10, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Parking was one of the more controversial aspects to Portland's Residential Infill Project.
This newly built triplex at SE 16th & Morrison is a good example of how eliminating parking requirements allowed a mature tree to be saved. www.redfin.com/OR/Portland/...
This newly built triplex at SE 16th & Morrison is a good example of how eliminating parking requirements allowed a mature tree to be saved. www.redfin.com/OR/Portland/...
Reposted by Michael Andersen
"Zohran Mamdani will be the first mayor of New York City in decades not to own a car"
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
How Mamdani could push a bold redesign of New York's streets
The mayor-elect has articulated a vision for reshaping the city streets. Janette Sadik-Khan, the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation under the Bloomberg Administratio...
www.fastcompany.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"Zohran Mamdani will be the first mayor of New York City in decades not to own a car"
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
“Doug Springsteen’s story, and that of the many other men who suffered as he did, shows what is obscured by the nostalgic narrative about a lost golden age of American manhood: Today’s crisis didn’t begin with the loss of manufacturing jobs, and simply bringing those jobs back won’t solve it.”
Great read. There isn’t nearly enough political, philanthropic, or civic attention on building social capital and increasing access to mental health treatment and gender norms are a big part of the explanation why.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Opinion | Bruce Springsteen’s Father Complicates a Powerful American Narrative
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
“Doug Springsteen’s story, and that of the many other men who suffered as he did, shows what is obscured by the nostalgic narrative about a lost golden age of American manhood: Today’s crisis didn’t begin with the loss of manufacturing jobs, and simply bringing those jobs back won’t solve it.”
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Through the IRS, the Trump administration is giving huge tax breaks to large companies, allowing them to avoid the alternative minimum tax. These are on top of the huge tax breaks in OBBBA. The changes will increase the federal deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars.
How the Trump Administration Is Giving Even More Tax Breaks to the Wealthy
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Through the IRS, the Trump administration is giving huge tax breaks to large companies, allowing them to avoid the alternative minimum tax. These are on top of the huge tax breaks in OBBBA. The changes will increase the federal deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
virtue signalling is good actually
Performative decency is actually *so* important for this reason.
It tricks the 10% of ghouls into thinking that there are only 1% of ghouls.
And it makes the 30% of people that don't care one way or another follow the mostly decent crowd
It tricks the 10% of ghouls into thinking that there are only 1% of ghouls.
And it makes the 30% of people that don't care one way or another follow the mostly decent crowd
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
virtue signalling is good actually
Erica is always my go to source on the math of Seattle ballot drops
Friday Fizz: Latest Ballots Trend Toward Wilson, Barnes Moves Controversial Cop Out of East Precinct, Harrell Says Shaming Sex Buyers Works
Today's Afternoon Fizz.
publicola.com/2025/11/07/f...
Today's Afternoon Fizz.
publicola.com/2025/11/07/f...
Friday Fizz: Latest Ballots Trend Toward Wilson, Barnes Moves Controversial Cop Out of East Precinct, Harrell Says Shaming Sex Buyers Works - PubliCola
1. Some quick math on the latest ballot drop from King County Elections, which included another 56,118 votes in the Seattle…
publicola.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Erica is always my go to source on the math of Seattle ballot drops
Reposted by Michael Andersen
💁🏾♀️
Judge permanently bars Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Portland in response to immigration protests
Oregon officials have been embroiled in a complicated legal battle with the administration since late September, when the Trump administration mobilized hundreds of troops.
www.nbcnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:24 AM
💁🏾♀️
Reposted by Michael Andersen
did you know the Mountain Goats have a new album out today and you can buy it or stream it and dance to it in your living room or while driving or on the subway and it's a whole vibe? well now you know that 30tgrs.ffm.to/ttfafpb
The Mountain Goats - Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan
Choose your preferred music service
30tgrs.ffm.to
November 7, 2025 at 1:28 PM
did you know the Mountain Goats have a new album out today and you can buy it or stream it and dance to it in your living room or while driving or on the subway and it's a whole vibe? well now you know that 30tgrs.ffm.to/ttfafpb
Wow
Thanks to the Illinois’ massive investment in transit, Chicago has a bright transit future, with the dawn coming next year:
—50% increase in every-10-min bus routes to 30 citywide
—8-minute midday headways on rail lines
—24-hour Orange Line service (Red & Blue already have it)
—50% increase in every-10-min bus routes to 30 citywide
—8-minute midday headways on rail lines
—24-hour Orange Line service (Red & Blue already have it)
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen’s ambitious plan would also expand — from 20 to 30 routes — the so-called “Frequent Bus Network” that provides service “every ten minutes or better” between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
trib.al/Va4Ri0r
trib.al/Va4Ri0r
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Wow
Reposted by Michael Andersen
These are men who have to prove their machismo by arresting daycare workers and tear gassing toddlers
“Mommy! Mommy! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!”
— Leia Kahl, as she was overwhelmed by immigration agents’ tear gas.
Leia’s age: 2.
Via @natashakorecki.bsky.social
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
— Leia Kahl, as she was overwhelmed by immigration agents’ tear gas.
Leia’s age: 2.
Via @natashakorecki.bsky.social
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Chicago residents say kids tear-gassed due to nearby immigration enforcement
A Chicago mother tells NBC News she and her 2-year-old were hit with a chemical agent. Many residents say the city wasn’t a “war zone”— until immigration agents swept through.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:48 PM
These are men who have to prove their machismo by arresting daycare workers and tear gassing toddlers
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Single-stair plus multifam zoning on single-fam lots might be what prefab needs to take off. Manufacturing processes require scale and repeatability; only single-family lots deliver those. Homeowners want too much customization in ADUs, but developers might be profit-minded enough to see the vision.
We could panelize it and assemble the whole thing with mass timber
November 6, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Single-stair plus multifam zoning on single-fam lots might be what prefab needs to take off. Manufacturing processes require scale and repeatability; only single-family lots deliver those. Homeowners want too much customization in ADUs, but developers might be profit-minded enough to see the vision.
Nice: Lake Oswego, Oregon now allows 4-story sunlight suite buildings
@andersem.bsky.social I emailed Lake O's building code official and he said "I have always required Lake Oswego to adopt the entire code including all of the appendixes. ... you can use the appendixes that are needed for your design". They are open for 4 floors of single stair! ䷖
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Nice: Lake Oswego, Oregon now allows 4-story sunlight suite buildings
33 is a terrific age to do unbelievably difficult things as well as you can. I dig this guy and I’m rooting for him
November 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
33 is a terrific age to do unbelievably difficult things as well as you can. I dig this guy and I’m rooting for him
Reposted by Michael Andersen
SNAP ended hunger in America.
That’s a thing we did as a society - we ended hunger. We decided that nobody should starve, and created a system to all but ensure that was true.
That’s a thing we did as a society - we ended hunger. We decided that nobody should starve, and created a system to all but ensure that was true.
November 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
SNAP ended hunger in America.
That’s a thing we did as a society - we ended hunger. We decided that nobody should starve, and created a system to all but ensure that was true.
That’s a thing we did as a society - we ended hunger. We decided that nobody should starve, and created a system to all but ensure that was true.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
The Pro-MHA Seattle Times Editorial board acknowledges that MHA fees get passed onto renters, and supports it because of that, lol.
November 4, 2025 at 6:20 AM
The Pro-MHA Seattle Times Editorial board acknowledges that MHA fees get passed onto renters, and supports it because of that, lol.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Multnomah County’s Preschool for All is enrolling 240 new kids while the federal government shutdown is suspending Head Start spots.
Unlike Head Start, there are no income limits to apply for Preschool for All. Learn more at pfa.multco.us.
Unlike Head Start, there are no income limits to apply for Preschool for All. Learn more at pfa.multco.us.
November 4, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Multnomah County’s Preschool for All is enrolling 240 new kids while the federal government shutdown is suspending Head Start spots.
Unlike Head Start, there are no income limits to apply for Preschool for All. Learn more at pfa.multco.us.
Unlike Head Start, there are no income limits to apply for Preschool for All. Learn more at pfa.multco.us.
Economic growth is when you don’t have to turn rooks upside down at a chess tournament
November 2, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Economic growth is when you don’t have to turn rooks upside down at a chess tournament
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Hello welcome to bluesky. We have every kind of anti-government radical left of center, and also, baseball
November 2, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Hello welcome to bluesky. We have every kind of anti-government radical left of center, and also, baseball
Reposted by Michael Andersen
“The era of shoebox condos is over” in the Globe and Mail today - a feature on single stair: ”Yet with features such as sprinklers, smoke-sealed doors and more reliable fire alarm systems, mid-size apartment buildings can be just as safe...”
www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
The era of the shoebox condo is over. Here’s how Canada can build livable apartments
Canada needs livable apartments to help fix the housing crisis. To do that, it must change the rulebook for both condos and rentals
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:52 PM
“The era of shoebox condos is over” in the Globe and Mail today - a feature on single stair: ”Yet with features such as sprinklers, smoke-sealed doors and more reliable fire alarm systems, mid-size apartment buildings can be just as safe...”
www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Pro-housing voices from the right of center are increasingly focused on a "we need housing For Families" framing.
In a new column I explain why broad-based liberalization, especially for inexpensive types of housing, is important for helping people start families: www.governing.com/urban/to-sup...
In a new column I explain why broad-based liberalization, especially for inexpensive types of housing, is important for helping people start families: www.governing.com/urban/to-sup...
To Support Families, Repair the Housing Ladder
The cost of housing is one big barrier to family formation. But simply building more single family homes isn't the answer.
www.governing.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Pro-housing voices from the right of center are increasingly focused on a "we need housing For Families" framing.
In a new column I explain why broad-based liberalization, especially for inexpensive types of housing, is important for helping people start families: www.governing.com/urban/to-sup...
In a new column I explain why broad-based liberalization, especially for inexpensive types of housing, is important for helping people start families: www.governing.com/urban/to-sup...
I can accept that Mayor Wilson feels he has a public mandate to enforce a camping ban, even if I think it’s a waste of money.
But it’d just be madness for the city to lose sight of a long-term vision for housing everyone, which has been Hisserich’s main focus
But it’d just be madness for the city to lose sight of a long-term vision for housing everyone, which has been Hisserich’s main focus
Shake-up at the Portland Housing Bureau: Mayor Wilson put director Helmi Hisserich, an "unparalleled expert" on social housing, on leave with little explanation Thursday. She has been in the role since early 2024.
Mayor Wilson Puts Portland Housing Bureau Director On Leave
Mayor Keith Wilson has put Portland Housing Bureau Director Helmi Hisserich on leave, effective immediately. City Administrator Michael Jordan sent an email to city councilors and city leadership on O...
www.portlandmercury.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I can accept that Mayor Wilson feels he has a public mandate to enforce a camping ban, even if I think it’s a waste of money.
But it’d just be madness for the city to lose sight of a long-term vision for housing everyone, which has been Hisserich’s main focus
But it’d just be madness for the city to lose sight of a long-term vision for housing everyone, which has been Hisserich’s main focus