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
Getting very tired of the tech bros making their inability to grapple with mortality everyone else's problem.
November 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Getting very tired of the tech bros making their inability to grapple with mortality everyone else's problem.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Wild graphic on front page of WSJ.
November 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Wild graphic on front page of WSJ.
"Wiener’s more than just an interesting lawmaker from America’s third-weirdest city" www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Scott Wiener defeated California’s NIMBYs. Can he fix America’s housing crisis?
By running for Nancy Pelosi's House seat, he's putting the abundance theory to the test.
www.motherjones.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"Wiener’s more than just an interesting lawmaker from America’s third-weirdest city" www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
'We talk endlessly about the “missing middle.” But the real catastrophe was the “banished bottom”'
Good piece! I wish it mentioned that SROs are re-legalized in all multifamily zones in OR & WA
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Good piece! I wish it mentioned that SROs are re-legalized in all multifamily zones in OR & WA
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The Banished Bottom of the Housing Market
How America Destroyed Its Cheapest Homes
substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
'We talk endlessly about the “missing middle.” But the real catastrophe was the “banished bottom”'
Good piece! I wish it mentioned that SROs are re-legalized in all multifamily zones in OR & WA
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Good piece! I wish it mentioned that SROs are re-legalized in all multifamily zones in OR & WA
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The future is already here, it’s just unevenly distributed. and people are generally trying to flee it
Most counties in the US are losing people. While out-migration is a factor, new research suggests that falling birth rates are a major part of this phenomenon. Once people move out, they aren't being replaced.
Read more: www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
#Econsky
Read more: www.upjohn.org/research-hig...
#Econsky
Facing declining birth rates and out-migration, a majority of U.S. counties are losing population
www.upjohn.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The future is already here, it’s just unevenly distributed. and people are generally trying to flee it
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Reposted by Michael Andersen
legitimately wild congestion pricing wasn’t an issue in New York’s mayoral election
November 13, 2025 at 9:04 AM
legitimately wild congestion pricing wasn’t an issue in New York’s mayoral election
Millennials in control
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Millennials in control
hard to argue with www.slowboring.com/p/did-prison...
November 12, 2025 at 6:01 PM
hard to argue with www.slowboring.com/p/did-prison...
Some first responders claim that allowing smaller, less expensive elevators in the US would harm public safety. This misses that one of the best ways to boost safety for 74-year-olds etc is to have more alternatives to stairs www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-...
Kiss Guitarist Ace Frehley Died From Injuries Suffered in Fall
An autopsy determined the founding band member's death was an accident.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Some first responders claim that allowing smaller, less expensive elevators in the US would harm public safety. This misses that one of the best ways to boost safety for 74-year-olds etc is to have more alternatives to stairs www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-...
Reposted by Michael Andersen
A real president does this.
Thank you to every veteran who’s worn the uniform and carried the weight for the rest of us — just respect 🇺🇸
Thank you to every veteran who’s worn the uniform and carried the weight for the rest of us — just respect 🇺🇸
November 11, 2025 at 7:26 PM
A real president does this.
Thank you to every veteran who’s worn the uniform and carried the weight for the rest of us — just respect 🇺🇸
Thank you to every veteran who’s worn the uniform and carried the weight for the rest of us — just respect 🇺🇸
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Lower rents are the result of electing people who tenaciously work to provide a solid supply of new homes
When we build enough supply of homes so that landlords must compete, renters win.
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
Bend's surge of apartment construction flattens rent hikes - The Bulletin
When Ian Gray looked for an apartment to rent in Bend earlier this year, he had something not available only a few years ago: a choice. Gray, who moved to Bend for a job as the city’s first-ever urban...
bendbulletin.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Lower rents are the result of electing people who tenaciously work to provide a solid supply of new homes
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
hey, PDX, if you’re struggling because the administration is illegally refusing to issue your SNAP distribution, my local is here to help you out. if you’re *not* maybe go get a drink or a meal and help *them* out.
Meal Sign-Up
Please complete the info below, and we will add you to our meal list.
This week (Week of November 3rd - 9th), we are offering Chili and Cornbread as our meal.
Meals can be picked up Sunday, Novemb...
docs.google.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:11 PM
hey, PDX, if you’re struggling because the administration is illegally refusing to issue your SNAP distribution, my local is here to help you out. if you’re *not* maybe go get a drink or a meal and help *them* out.