Allan
@arudwick.bsky.social
Dad on a bike,
Strong Towns PDX
Eliot, Portland, Oregon
Strong Towns PDX
Eliot, Portland, Oregon
Reposted by Allan
The bike lane there is already the dumbest thing in the world and it’s much worse now
November 18, 2025 at 11:38 PM
The bike lane there is already the dumbest thing in the world and it’s much worse now
Reposted by Allan
I have written a lot about the perils of poorly maintained (and leaf-filled) bike lanes. That didn’t stop me from wiping out in one just now, falling on my face and scraping up my knee pretty badly. This is a truly hazardous situation, @pbotinfo.bsky.social. When are you going to do something?
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I have written a lot about the perils of poorly maintained (and leaf-filled) bike lanes. That didn’t stop me from wiping out in one just now, falling on my face and scraping up my knee pretty badly. This is a truly hazardous situation, @pbotinfo.bsky.social. When are you going to do something?
Beautiful fall day in Portland
November 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Beautiful fall day in Portland
www.opb.org/article/2025...
“If we didn’t do this, we would need to spend far more money on a bridge that I don’t think there’s a lot of support for,” Green said.
some of us aren't sure there is support for the project anyhow
“If we didn’t do this, we would need to spend far more money on a bridge that I don’t think there’s a lot of support for,” Green said.
some of us aren't sure there is support for the project anyhow
Interstate Bridge Replacement announces plan for $140 million payout to 4 Columbia River users
The deal was struck to compensate companies upriver of the I-5 bridge whose businesses could be affected by a 116-foot, fixed-span bridge.
www.opb.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
www.opb.org/article/2025...
“If we didn’t do this, we would need to spend far more money on a bridge that I don’t think there’s a lot of support for,” Green said.
some of us aren't sure there is support for the project anyhow
“If we didn’t do this, we would need to spend far more money on a bridge that I don’t think there’s a lot of support for,” Green said.
some of us aren't sure there is support for the project anyhow
Reposted by Allan
What amazing timing for this news story, leading into tonight's vote on banning algorithmic price fixing tools for Portland rentals.
BREAKING NEWS: We’ve secured a $7 million settlement holding the largest U.S. landlord accountable for a price fixing scheme – and putting a check on the rising cost of rentals.
#consumerprotection #orpol
#consumerprotection #orpol
November 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
What amazing timing for this news story, leading into tonight's vote on banning algorithmic price fixing tools for Portland rentals.
Reposted by Allan
I often bemoan that Portland's "aggressive humility" causes us to consistently abdicate our narrative to others — from the NYT food section to sketch comedy. But once in a while, we do step up to tell our own story. And I am absolutely here for it. #pdx #portland www.bizjournals.com/portland/new...
Opinion: The Frog that saved Portland - Portland Business Journal
Authors Leslie Carlson and Joe Cortright write that the frog is a symbol of resistance. It may also be a symbol of a city reborn.
www.bizjournals.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I often bemoan that Portland's "aggressive humility" causes us to consistently abdicate our narrative to others — from the NYT food section to sketch comedy. But once in a while, we do step up to tell our own story. And I am absolutely here for it. #pdx #portland www.bizjournals.com/portland/new...
As my brother who lived in Singapore for a few years would say, people can be trained to want tower life.
However the version of it most Americans see is density without proximity. Apartments/towers without urbanism is not that nice to live in
However the version of it most Americans see is density without proximity. Apartments/towers without urbanism is not that nice to live in
Right, this is true, but the OVERWHELMING evidence of the past 100 years of American life is that vastly more people want space and a car than a smaller unit and a car-free lifestyle. This is mostly why the suburban share of US population has grown relentlessly for the entire 20th and 21st century
Some people put a premium on space in my experience, others put a premium on not having to have a car and not being isolated out in the suburbs
November 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
As my brother who lived in Singapore for a few years would say, people can be trained to want tower life.
However the version of it most Americans see is density without proximity. Apartments/towers without urbanism is not that nice to live in
However the version of it most Americans see is density without proximity. Apartments/towers without urbanism is not that nice to live in
Reposted by Allan
people want these things, they are also horrendously oversubsidized. people also want transit and sidewalks and walkable communities, but they are horrendously underfunded.
not denying preferences exist, but it's not like public policy hasn't put a thumb on the scale
not denying preferences exist, but it's not like public policy hasn't put a thumb on the scale
November 19, 2025 at 2:14 AM
people want these things, they are also horrendously oversubsidized. people also want transit and sidewalks and walkable communities, but they are horrendously underfunded.
not denying preferences exist, but it's not like public policy hasn't put a thumb on the scale
not denying preferences exist, but it's not like public policy hasn't put a thumb on the scale
Reposted by Allan
BREAKING NEWS: We’ve secured a $7 million settlement holding the largest U.S. landlord accountable for a price fixing scheme – and putting a check on the rising cost of rentals.
#consumerprotection #orpol
#consumerprotection #orpol
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
BREAKING NEWS: We’ve secured a $7 million settlement holding the largest U.S. landlord accountable for a price fixing scheme – and putting a check on the rising cost of rentals.
#consumerprotection #orpol
#consumerprotection #orpol
Is this settlement anywhere close to the harm caused?
BREAKING NEWS: We’ve secured a $7 million settlement holding the largest U.S. landlord accountable for a price fixing scheme – and putting a check on the rising cost of rentals.
#consumerprotection #orpol
#consumerprotection #orpol
November 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Is this settlement anywhere close to the harm caused?
Reposted by Allan
"'It’s disguised as work requirements and term limits, but in reality it’s a way to strip families of their benefits,' said Deborah Thrope, deputy director of the @nhlp.bsky.social"
Millions Could Lose Housing Aid Under Trump Plan
Drafts of unpublished rules obtained by ProPublica detail plans that would open the door to full-time work requirements, two-year limits on living in federally supported housing and stripping aid from...
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 AM
"'It’s disguised as work requirements and term limits, but in reality it’s a way to strip families of their benefits,' said Deborah Thrope, deputy director of the @nhlp.bsky.social"
It looks like the City is seeking community input for the next Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) program manager if anyone is interested in attending this feedback session on the 20th (this Thursday)
Building Safety Together: Meet the Candidates | Portland.gov www.portland.gov/community-sa...
Building Safety Together: Meet the Candidates | Portland.gov www.portland.gov/community-sa...
City of Portland, Oregon | Portland.gov
The official website of the City of Portland, Oregon.
Portland.gov
November 17, 2025 at 10:13 PM
It looks like the City is seeking community input for the next Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) program manager if anyone is interested in attending this feedback session on the 20th (this Thursday)
Building Safety Together: Meet the Candidates | Portland.gov www.portland.gov/community-sa...
Building Safety Together: Meet the Candidates | Portland.gov www.portland.gov/community-sa...
Reposted by Allan
Ditto the auto industry.
Your daily reminder that the fossil fuel industry is propped up by billions of dollars in U.S. government subsidies and a multimillion dollar campaign to spread climate disinformation. 💵
November 17, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Ditto the auto industry.
Reposted by Allan
OREGON - "The property tax program is open to people who are disabled or are at least 62 years old. Participants must have annual incomes below $60,000 and a net worth below $500,000, among other qualifications."
www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
November 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
OREGON - "The property tax program is open to people who are disabled or are at least 62 years old. Participants must have annual incomes below $60,000 and a net worth below $500,000, among other qualifications."
www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
angieschmitt.substack.com/p/modern-par...
Interesting read about a safe routes to school issue in another place. Seeing agencies act as immovable objects is not at all shocking but still frustrating to read
Interesting read about a safe routes to school issue in another place. Seeing agencies act as immovable objects is not at all shocking but still frustrating to read
Modern Parents Lack Political Clout
Government agencies just aren't responsive to our concerns; an anecdote
angieschmitt.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
angieschmitt.substack.com/p/modern-par...
Interesting read about a safe routes to school issue in another place. Seeing agencies act as immovable objects is not at all shocking but still frustrating to read
Interesting read about a safe routes to school issue in another place. Seeing agencies act as immovable objects is not at all shocking but still frustrating to read
Interesting to read about how this program that is designed to help keep people in their houses isn't being used. People don't even know about it
November 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Interesting to read about how this program that is designed to help keep people in their houses isn't being used. People don't even know about it
Reposted by Allan
Well, PBOT got what they wanted and the street seating at Taqueria Los Puñales has been removed. But at least we have two extra parking spaces on Belmont.
November 16, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Well, PBOT got what they wanted and the street seating at Taqueria Los Puñales has been removed. But at least we have two extra parking spaces on Belmont.
Reposted by Allan
it's cool that we adopted a street plaza program earlier this fall. have we opened any new street plazas since? not yet. are we at least keeping the existing street amenities we have? of course not!
Well, PBOT got what they wanted and the street seating at Taqueria Los Puñales has been removed. But at least we have two extra parking spaces on Belmont.
November 16, 2025 at 12:42 AM
it's cool that we adopted a street plaza program earlier this fall. have we opened any new street plazas since? not yet. are we at least keeping the existing street amenities we have? of course not!
Reposted by Allan
Title text: "'They really shouldn't let those small cars drive in traffic. I worry I'm going to kill someone if I hit one! They should have to drive on the sidewalk, safely out of the way.'"
Alt text: https://explainxkcd.com/3167#Transcript
Alt text: https://explainxkcd.com/3167#Transcript
November 14, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Title text: "'They really shouldn't let those small cars drive in traffic. I worry I'm going to kill someone if I hit one! They should have to drive on the sidewalk, safely out of the way.'"
Alt text: https://explainxkcd.com/3167#Transcript
Alt text: https://explainxkcd.com/3167#Transcript
Reposted by Allan
Remember: The richest 1% evade over $160 billion in taxes every year.
That amount would fund SNAP for a year with money to spare.
Ask yourself who the real freeloaders are.
That amount would fund SNAP for a year with money to spare.
Ask yourself who the real freeloaders are.
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Remember: The richest 1% evade over $160 billion in taxes every year.
That amount would fund SNAP for a year with money to spare.
Ask yourself who the real freeloaders are.
That amount would fund SNAP for a year with money to spare.
Ask yourself who the real freeloaders are.
Reposted by Allan
A federal program that deported 400,000 immigrants from 2008-2014 increased new-construction home prices by 16%, or $50k. This is net of reduced demand effects.
2023 paper
haas.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...
2023 paper
haas.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...
November 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A federal program that deported 400,000 immigrants from 2008-2014 increased new-construction home prices by 16%, or $50k. This is net of reduced demand effects.
2023 paper
haas.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...
2023 paper
haas.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Allan
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Reposted by Allan
PDX sadly awaits a similar fate.
It’s as if the people who’ve been blessed with the money to transform our transportation systems can only toss more into the deep well of sunk costs of a fossil fuel future that will soon be irrelevant.
Invest in trains, transit, bike lanes, housing, local economy.
It’s as if the people who’ve been blessed with the money to transform our transportation systems can only toss more into the deep well of sunk costs of a fossil fuel future that will soon be irrelevant.
Invest in trains, transit, bike lanes, housing, local economy.
November 14, 2025 at 1:12 PM
PDX sadly awaits a similar fate.
It’s as if the people who’ve been blessed with the money to transform our transportation systems can only toss more into the deep well of sunk costs of a fossil fuel future that will soon be irrelevant.
Invest in trains, transit, bike lanes, housing, local economy.
It’s as if the people who’ve been blessed with the money to transform our transportation systems can only toss more into the deep well of sunk costs of a fossil fuel future that will soon be irrelevant.
Invest in trains, transit, bike lanes, housing, local economy.