Josh Linden
@joshlinden.bsky.social
Is this the one? Spend a little too much time thinking about housing // transit // climate // cool maps. And not enough time learning how to garden properly. Member of the Montgomery County Planning Board, but all posts and opinions here are my own
Reposted by Josh Linden
🎉 It’s officially time for #TranspoBINGO 2026! Let's play our way through the city! 🎉
We’re playing from Feb 5–12, rewarding non-car travel—buses, Metro, biking, walking, and rolling. Take different kinds of trips, explore our city (and region!), and support public and active transportation.
We’re playing from Feb 5–12, rewarding non-car travel—buses, Metro, biking, walking, and rolling. Take different kinds of trips, explore our city (and region!), and support public and active transportation.
February 5, 2026 at 1:00 AM
🎉 It’s officially time for #TranspoBINGO 2026! Let's play our way through the city! 🎉
We’re playing from Feb 5–12, rewarding non-car travel—buses, Metro, biking, walking, and rolling. Take different kinds of trips, explore our city (and region!), and support public and active transportation.
We’re playing from Feb 5–12, rewarding non-car travel—buses, Metro, biking, walking, and rolling. Take different kinds of trips, explore our city (and region!), and support public and active transportation.
Let 1000 instances of variance denials and permitting delays bloom
Euclidean zoning, your moment of redemption has arrived.
Warehouse archipelago wapo.st/49ZKA7W
January 30, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Let 1000 instances of variance denials and permitting delays bloom
An incredible piece of writing from @adamserwer.bsky.social. Minnesota's "neighborism" tears down the admin's soulless lie that ppl love only those exactly like them
And reveals the emptiness and fundamental cowardice of the masked federal agents who wield guns to confront neighbors holding phones
And reveals the emptiness and fundamental cowardice of the masked federal agents who wield guns to confront neighbors holding phones
Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong
The pushback against ICE exposed a series of mistaken assumptions.
www.theatlantic.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:49 PM
An incredible piece of writing from @adamserwer.bsky.social. Minnesota's "neighborism" tears down the admin's soulless lie that ppl love only those exactly like them
And reveals the emptiness and fundamental cowardice of the masked federal agents who wield guns to confront neighbors holding phones
And reveals the emptiness and fundamental cowardice of the masked federal agents who wield guns to confront neighbors holding phones
Imagine your job being reduced to justifying murder and state terror on national television
And then doing it again and again, instead of quitting that job and attempting to recover your humanity
And then doing it again and again, instead of quitting that job and attempting to recover your humanity
KARL: He was an ICU use who worked for the VA and there's no evidence he brandished the gun whatsoever
BESSENT: But he brought a gun
KARL: I mean, we do have a Second Amendment
BESSENT: I've been to a protest -- guess what? I didn't bring a gun. I brought a billboard
BESSENT: But he brought a gun
KARL: I mean, we do have a Second Amendment
BESSENT: I've been to a protest -- guess what? I didn't bring a gun. I brought a billboard
January 25, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Imagine your job being reduced to justifying murder and state terror on national television
And then doing it again and again, instead of quitting that job and attempting to recover your humanity
And then doing it again and again, instead of quitting that job and attempting to recover your humanity
Reposted by Josh Linden
Every state official needs to be saying a version of this
Walz: Minnesotans are witnessing, and we're creating a log of evidence for the future prosecution of ice agents and officials responsible for this.
January 25, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Every state official needs to be saying a version of this
Reposted by Josh Linden
Job! We’re hiring entry level transit planners/analysts in Portland, OR or Arlington, VA. jarrettwalker.com/hiring/
Hiring — Jarrett Walker + Associates
Transit GIS analyst/planner
jarrettwalker.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Job! We’re hiring entry level transit planners/analysts in Portland, OR or Arlington, VA. jarrettwalker.com/hiring/
Going from a $1 fare to free fare makes transit more accessible for some folks, absolutely
But this also doesn't address the other side of the equation. 30-40 minute headways on many routes - which is not uncommon here - limits access and is a big time/money penalty for those that rely on transit
But this also doesn't address the other side of the equation. 30-40 minute headways on many routes - which is not uncommon here - limits access and is a big time/money penalty for those that rely on transit
No fares, no homeless encampments, high-quality service. One suburban county shows the way for NYC's new mayor.
Letter to Mamdani From Maryland: Free Buses Are Working Great - Streetsblog New York City
No fares, no homeless encampments, high-quality service. One suburban county shows the way for the new mayor.
buff.ly
January 23, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Going from a $1 fare to free fare makes transit more accessible for some folks, absolutely
But this also doesn't address the other side of the equation. 30-40 minute headways on many routes - which is not uncommon here - limits access and is a big time/money penalty for those that rely on transit
But this also doesn't address the other side of the equation. 30-40 minute headways on many routes - which is not uncommon here - limits access and is a big time/money penalty for those that rely on transit
Lesson #1 in dealing with kids:
Do not suddenly & traumatically separate them from their parent/guardian, and do not remove them to an unknown location without the knowledge of those ppl
TBH, that's not even a lesson. It's just saying, do not abuse kids. These guys can't even clear that low bar
Do not suddenly & traumatically separate them from their parent/guardian, and do not remove them to an unknown location without the knowledge of those ppl
TBH, that's not even a lesson. It's just saying, do not abuse kids. These guys can't even clear that low bar
Bovino: "Here in the US Border Patrol, I will say unequivocally that we are experts in dealing with children"
January 23, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Lesson #1 in dealing with kids:
Do not suddenly & traumatically separate them from their parent/guardian, and do not remove them to an unknown location without the knowledge of those ppl
TBH, that's not even a lesson. It's just saying, do not abuse kids. These guys can't even clear that low bar
Do not suddenly & traumatically separate them from their parent/guardian, and do not remove them to an unknown location without the knowledge of those ppl
TBH, that's not even a lesson. It's just saying, do not abuse kids. These guys can't even clear that low bar
Reposted by Josh Linden
Today’s Montgomery County Delegation meeting includes a presentation from Park & Planning and consideration of several bills. Watch along here:
www.youtube.com/live/XoeNkY9...
www.youtube.com/live/XoeNkY9...
1/23/26 Montgomery County House Delegation Meeting
YouTube video by Montgomery County Delegation
www.youtube.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Today’s Montgomery County Delegation meeting includes a presentation from Park & Planning and consideration of several bills. Watch along here:
www.youtube.com/live/XoeNkY9...
www.youtube.com/live/XoeNkY9...
Reposted by Josh Linden
From Charlottesville, VA, a useful finding for those trying to understand why US pedestrians deaths surge after dark:
"Night time speeding is 27 times more prevalent than day time."
arxiv.org/pdf/2601.10974
"Night time speeding is 27 times more prevalent than day time."
arxiv.org/pdf/2601.10974
January 22, 2026 at 7:16 PM
From Charlottesville, VA, a useful finding for those trying to understand why US pedestrians deaths surge after dark:
"Night time speeding is 27 times more prevalent than day time."
arxiv.org/pdf/2601.10974
"Night time speeding is 27 times more prevalent than day time."
arxiv.org/pdf/2601.10974
Far from a novel concept, but a key mechanism of authoritarian consolidation & insulation is to select mediocrities (at best) for cabinet-level positions -- people who would never ascend to such levels on their own b/c they're incompetent, and whose fate is therefore tied to that of the leader
All impeachable actions. But remember in Trump's first term, people would talk about the majority of the Cabinet invoking the 25th Amendment about presidential fitness.
The fact people no longer do so is not because Trump has become more fit, but because the Cabinet's first loyalty is to Trump.
The fact people no longer do so is not because Trump has become more fit, but because the Cabinet's first loyalty is to Trump.
The president
-Is occupying a major city with armed paramilitiaries
-Is blackmailing treaty allies to hand over their sovereign territory
-Is trying to set himself up as chairman for life of a UN rival with $1B fees for permanent membership
-Is talking about canceling elections
-Is occupying a major city with armed paramilitiaries
-Is blackmailing treaty allies to hand over their sovereign territory
-Is trying to set himself up as chairman for life of a UN rival with $1B fees for permanent membership
-Is talking about canceling elections
January 19, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Far from a novel concept, but a key mechanism of authoritarian consolidation & insulation is to select mediocrities (at best) for cabinet-level positions -- people who would never ascend to such levels on their own b/c they're incompetent, and whose fate is therefore tied to that of the leader
Last I checked, monitoring our gov't is good, actually
Some might even say that CNN does it. When they're not running pieces trying to excuse gov't murder
Some might even say that CNN does it. When they're not running pieces trying to excuse gov't murder
The woman killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week served on the board of her son’s school, which linked to documents encouraging parents to monitor ICE and directing them to training. https://cnn.it/49yoNEa
January 14, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Last I checked, monitoring our gov't is good, actually
Some might even say that CNN does it. When they're not running pieces trying to excuse gov't murder
Some might even say that CNN does it. When they're not running pieces trying to excuse gov't murder
Hell, let's do the whole week
Marg Mondays
Taco Tuesdays
Waffle Wednesdays
And my personal fave, Thimbleberry Thursdays
Marg Mondays
Taco Tuesdays
Waffle Wednesdays
And my personal fave, Thimbleberry Thursdays
New: CBS News seems to be preparing a new segment called "Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil," per sources.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
January 14, 2026 at 1:16 AM
Hell, let's do the whole week
Marg Mondays
Taco Tuesdays
Waffle Wednesdays
And my personal fave, Thimbleberry Thursdays
Marg Mondays
Taco Tuesdays
Waffle Wednesdays
And my personal fave, Thimbleberry Thursdays
Come on guys, all these convoluted bureacratic schemes...just say you hate poor people, sick people, people with disabilities, people with families abroad, and anyone who isn't white. This is taking forever
Bessent: "For individuals who want to wire money out of the country, they're gonna have to tick a box whether they are or are not on public assistance. Then we're going to start pushing over the coming days and weeks that if you're on public assistance, you cannot wire money out of the country."
January 12, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Come on guys, all these convoluted bureacratic schemes...just say you hate poor people, sick people, people with disabilities, people with families abroad, and anyone who isn't white. This is taking forever
Considering that this was a highway expansion masquerading as a bridge replacement, right-sizing seems like both a desirable and necessary change to the existing proposal
Counterpoint: Letting the Interstate Bridge fall into the river seems like not a great solution.
OR and WA are going to have some pretty serious considerations on a path forward this year.
OR and WA are going to have some pretty serious considerations on a path forward this year.
January 12, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Considering that this was a highway expansion masquerading as a bridge replacement, right-sizing seems like both a desirable and necessary change to the existing proposal
A politics of affordability AND joy is definitely one I can get behind
“When I speak about making our city more affordable, my vision is not limited to the homes that we live in or the child care that we’re making universal — it’s also a vision where we make it possible for working people to afford lives of joy, of art, of rest, of expression.”
Handing Out Free Tickets, Mamdani Says Theater Should Not Be ‘a Luxury’
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:56 PM
A politics of affordability AND joy is definitely one I can get behind
Hidden estimates. A doubling of expected costs. Limited alternatives analysis. Something about this feels strangely similar to another bridge we know and love
Cost of Interstate Bridge more than doubles to $13.6 billion, and could go as high as $17.7 billion, according to new estimates. IBR officials have delayed and hidden these new estimates for the past two years. www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Interstate Bridge Staff Hid Information About Ballooning Cost of Giant Highway Project
The estimated price tag more than doubled from $6 billion to $13.6 billion, but staff told a bistate panel Dec. 15 it didn’t have new numbers.
www.wweek.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Hidden estimates. A doubling of expected costs. Limited alternatives analysis. Something about this feels strangely similar to another bridge we know and love
Why are so many admin officials so eager to pursue Trump's autocratic policies that punish citizens and treat them as hostile combatants?
Like in conventional autocratic regimes, most of them were chosen because they are unremarkable mediocrities wholly dependent on Trump for positions of influence
Like in conventional autocratic regimes, most of them were chosen because they are unremarkable mediocrities wholly dependent on Trump for positions of influence
Dr Oz threatens to pull Medicaid support for Minnesota: "Sticking to the narrative that's cold in Minnesota -- this is the tip of the iceberg"
January 8, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Why are so many admin officials so eager to pursue Trump's autocratic policies that punish citizens and treat them as hostile combatants?
Like in conventional autocratic regimes, most of them were chosen because they are unremarkable mediocrities wholly dependent on Trump for positions of influence
Like in conventional autocratic regimes, most of them were chosen because they are unremarkable mediocrities wholly dependent on Trump for positions of influence
Fingers crossed, Purple Line will join this list next year (!)
But what I'm looking forward to almost as much...when MoCo's many planned BRT routes join the party. Though in the short term, I'd simply settle for better bus service
But what I'm looking forward to almost as much...when MoCo's many planned BRT routes join the party. Though in the short term, I'd simply settle for better bus service
What transit lines are opening in North America in 2026?
🚇 Metro in LA, Montréal, Monterrey
🚈 Light rail in Ottawa, St Louis, Seattle, Toronto
🚋 Streetcar in Kansas City, Orange County
🚌 Bus improvements in Atlanta, Salt Lake, San Bernardino
& more
It's on The Transport Politic's annual roundup ⏬
🚇 Metro in LA, Montréal, Monterrey
🚈 Light rail in Ottawa, St Louis, Seattle, Toronto
🚋 Streetcar in Kansas City, Orange County
🚌 Bus improvements in Atlanta, Salt Lake, San Bernardino
& more
It's on The Transport Politic's annual roundup ⏬
Transit Expansion in North America: A Look Ahead to 2026, and a 2025 Roundup
In 2026, new fixed-guideway transit lines are opening across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In this overview, I compile information about each of these projects, including: Metro and monora…
www.thetransportpolitic.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Fingers crossed, Purple Line will join this list next year (!)
But what I'm looking forward to almost as much...when MoCo's many planned BRT routes join the party. Though in the short term, I'd simply settle for better bus service
But what I'm looking forward to almost as much...when MoCo's many planned BRT routes join the party. Though in the short term, I'd simply settle for better bus service
Let's rebuild some state capacity
Mamdani’s vision: a rejection of neoliberalism & promotion of the public sector: “For too long, we have turned to the private sector for greatness, while accepting mediocrity from… the public… To those who insist that… the era of big govt is over… no longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power.”
New from @pamherd.bsky.social & I: Key takeaways from Mamdani's inauguration speech.
"Mamdani will force a conversation among the left about how it should govern." 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/understand...
"Mamdani will force a conversation among the left about how it should govern." 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/understand...
January 2, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Let's rebuild some state capacity
Considering a single-day stay-cation where I take the kiddos on a Purple Line scavenger hunt
The Purple Line is powered up! Trains can now be seen along parts of the alignment through neighborhoods, communities, and right outside your front door.
🎥 See train testing in action: https://ow.ly/5OnI50XNJL8. #PurpleLinePoweredUp
🎥 See train testing in action: https://ow.ly/5OnI50XNJL8. #PurpleLinePoweredUp
December 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Considering a single-day stay-cation where I take the kiddos on a Purple Line scavenger hunt
Incredible. The standard they used - that any foreseeable financial effect on a source of income is material if the decision will achieve/defeat/aid/hinder a purpose or goal of the source - is both absurd in this applied case, and could also apply to elected homeowners that oppose new housing
In Santa Monica, the FPPC has disqualified pro-housing Councilmember Jesse Zwick from all future housing votes. They said that because he works for a housing non-profit, he’s “conflicted” and must recuse.
Pretty absurd. The NIMBY deep state strikes again.
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
Pretty absurd. The NIMBY deep state strikes again.
www.smdp.com/state-regula...
State regulators say Councilman Zwick is conflicted on housing votes
The California Fair Political Practices Commission has ruled that Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick must recuse himself from housing production decisions
www.smdp.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Incredible. The standard they used - that any foreseeable financial effect on a source of income is material if the decision will achieve/defeat/aid/hinder a purpose or goal of the source - is both absurd in this applied case, and could also apply to elected homeowners that oppose new housing
Chag sameach and happy final night of Hanukkah! Happy my daughter chose the bicycle menorah for our last dance with these fast-burning (and incredibly melty) candles
To a year ahead filled with greater amounts of light, resilience, and joy
To a year ahead filled with greater amounts of light, resilience, and joy
December 22, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Chag sameach and happy final night of Hanukkah! Happy my daughter chose the bicycle menorah for our last dance with these fast-burning (and incredibly melty) candles
To a year ahead filled with greater amounts of light, resilience, and joy
To a year ahead filled with greater amounts of light, resilience, and joy
Reposted by Josh Linden
From the Metro Toronto Planning Board's 1959 draft Official Plan (voted down by Metro Council). You could not say something this obvious in Toronto's Official Plan anymore.
December 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
From the Metro Toronto Planning Board's 1959 draft Official Plan (voted down by Metro Council). You could not say something this obvious in Toronto's Official Plan anymore.