City-Splainer
@citysplain.bsky.social
Enthusiast of municipal corporations. Reformed journalist, turned government lackey.
New to bsky.
New to bsky.
Anyone upset about partisan gerrymandering should be appalled at Oregon's U.S. House Districts...but alas, Oregon's a small west coast state, so nobody noticed/cared when it was contrived in 2021... • Oregon Capital Chronicle share.google/7cUQ5vhomXqF...
August 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Anyone upset about partisan gerrymandering should be appalled at Oregon's U.S. House Districts...but alas, Oregon's a small west coast state, so nobody noticed/cared when it was contrived in 2021... • Oregon Capital Chronicle share.google/7cUQ5vhomXqF...
High-speed rail advocates always seem to forget that there are other competitive modes of transportation in the people-moving game.
asiatimes.com/2025/06/chin...
asiatimes.com/2025/06/chin...
China's fast-growing high-speed railway network faces reality - Asia Times
Financial situation of China’s high-speed railway network has raised concerns due to growing debt and weakening passenger demand
asiatimes.com
June 17, 2025 at 12:57 PM
High-speed rail advocates always seem to forget that there are other competitive modes of transportation in the people-moving game.
asiatimes.com/2025/06/chin...
asiatimes.com/2025/06/chin...
The amount of comments about High Speed Rail reminds me why the "clueless big city person" shtick plays so well in Hallmark movies.
Urbanites fetishize HSR beyond the point of comedy. What is the rural corollary that small town people naively think will work in big cities?
Urbanites fetishize HSR beyond the point of comedy. What is the rural corollary that small town people naively think will work in big cities?
May 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM
The amount of comments about High Speed Rail reminds me why the "clueless big city person" shtick plays so well in Hallmark movies.
Urbanites fetishize HSR beyond the point of comedy. What is the rural corollary that small town people naively think will work in big cities?
Urbanites fetishize HSR beyond the point of comedy. What is the rural corollary that small town people naively think will work in big cities?
I've decided individual support for Local Control has no philosophical basis & is driven more by whether their "tribe" controls the state.
D's in Arizona don't want the state telling cities what they can do, but in Oregon, they love it.
Positions are swapped for R's
azmirror.com/2025/04/18/h...
D's in Arizona don't want the state telling cities what they can do, but in Oregon, they love it.
Positions are swapped for R's
azmirror.com/2025/04/18/h...
Hobbs vetoes Republican bill that would have brought ICE agents into Arizona schools
Katie Hobbs vetoes Arizona ICE Act immigration bill that would have forced schools and police to cooperate with federal deportation efforts
azmirror.com
May 4, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I've decided individual support for Local Control has no philosophical basis & is driven more by whether their "tribe" controls the state.
D's in Arizona don't want the state telling cities what they can do, but in Oregon, they love it.
Positions are swapped for R's
azmirror.com/2025/04/18/h...
D's in Arizona don't want the state telling cities what they can do, but in Oregon, they love it.
Positions are swapped for R's
azmirror.com/2025/04/18/h...
Churchill Downs, with 170,000 spectator capacity, located within Loisville, KY was opened in 1875, but is now owned by the publicly traded Churchill Downs, Inc. Which boasts $1.05B/y in annual revenue.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchi...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchi...
May 4, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Churchill Downs, with 170,000 spectator capacity, located within Loisville, KY was opened in 1875, but is now owned by the publicly traded Churchill Downs, Inc. Which boasts $1.05B/y in annual revenue.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchi...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchi...
Waiving SDC's is probably the purest form of stealing from future generations to finance your own political capital.
The hens will eventually come home to roost, but who cares? You'll be out of Office by then.
portlandtribune.com/2025/05/01/k...
The hens will eventually come home to roost, but who cares? You'll be out of Office by then.
portlandtribune.com/2025/05/01/k...
May 4, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Waiving SDC's is probably the purest form of stealing from future generations to finance your own political capital.
The hens will eventually come home to roost, but who cares? You'll be out of Office by then.
portlandtribune.com/2025/05/01/k...
The hens will eventually come home to roost, but who cares? You'll be out of Office by then.
portlandtribune.com/2025/05/01/k...
The #Master's, played in Augusta, Georgia, the 3rd largest city in Georgia.
Augusta operates a joint City-County government approved in 1995, and includes two independent cities within it.
Anyone know how that's working out?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta...
Augusta operates a joint City-County government approved in 1995, and includes two independent cities within it.
Anyone know how that's working out?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta...
April 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The #Master's, played in Augusta, Georgia, the 3rd largest city in Georgia.
Augusta operates a joint City-County government approved in 1995, and includes two independent cities within it.
Anyone know how that's working out?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta...
Augusta operates a joint City-County government approved in 1995, and includes two independent cities within it.
Anyone know how that's working out?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta...
Lots of peaceful Bluesky where the Columbia River turns south to form the Washington(L) and Oregon(R) border.
Woulda thought 'The Evergreen State' would be a lot...greener. those license plates are full of sh*t.
#BlueSkyArtShow #Peaceful
@blueskyartshow.bsky.social
Woulda thought 'The Evergreen State' would be a lot...greener. those license plates are full of sh*t.
#BlueSkyArtShow #Peaceful
@blueskyartshow.bsky.social
April 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Lots of peaceful Bluesky where the Columbia River turns south to form the Washington(L) and Oregon(R) border.
Woulda thought 'The Evergreen State' would be a lot...greener. those license plates are full of sh*t.
#BlueSkyArtShow #Peaceful
@blueskyartshow.bsky.social
Woulda thought 'The Evergreen State' would be a lot...greener. those license plates are full of sh*t.
#BlueSkyArtShow #Peaceful
@blueskyartshow.bsky.social
There seems to be a rise in Mayors clashing with the concept of the Council-Manager form. It seems to be buttressed by "drain the swamp" populist angst against bureaucrats.
www.kgw.com/article/news...
www.kgw.com/article/news...
Waldport mayor removed from office, then arrested after trying to lead next council meeting
The city council voted 6-0 to remove the mayor from office on April 3 for violating the city charter by going around the city manager to give staff direct orders.
www.kgw.com
April 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
There seems to be a rise in Mayors clashing with the concept of the Council-Manager form. It seems to be buttressed by "drain the swamp" populist angst against bureaucrats.
www.kgw.com/article/news...
www.kgw.com/article/news...
People love the *idea* of "non-profits," delivering local government services. In reality, the non-profit industrial complex is more rife with waste, fraud, & cronyism than most 1900-era cities.
But people think it's cheaper, so...?
www.kgns.tv/2025/04/09/l...
But people think it's cheaper, so...?
www.kgns.tv/2025/04/09/l...
April 13, 2025 at 3:06 AM
People love the *idea* of "non-profits," delivering local government services. In reality, the non-profit industrial complex is more rife with waste, fraud, & cronyism than most 1900-era cities.
But people think it's cheaper, so...?
www.kgns.tv/2025/04/09/l...
But people think it's cheaper, so...?
www.kgns.tv/2025/04/09/l...
These are the same people who think renters aren't "taxpayers" just because their landlord is the one who actually cuts the check (after having collected enough to cover the cost all year).
March 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
These are the same people who think renters aren't "taxpayers" just because their landlord is the one who actually cuts the check (after having collected enough to cover the cost all year).
Those of us who operate utilities know:
Electricians, Linemen, Engineers, etc. can get a private sector job for a 50% raise tomorrow. They'd be crazy not to take 10 months salary.
Unfortunately for Elon, it will be the social studies majors who hang on for dear life.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Electricians, Linemen, Engineers, etc. can get a private sector job for a 50% raise tomorrow. They'd be crazy not to take 10 months salary.
Unfortunately for Elon, it will be the social studies majors who hang on for dear life.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Bonneville Power staff departures under President Trump raise concerns about Northwest electrical grid
The Bonneville Power Administration could lose nearly 20% of its workforce because of President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal government, raising concerns about the agency’s ability to ...
www.opb.org
February 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Those of us who operate utilities know:
Electricians, Linemen, Engineers, etc. can get a private sector job for a 50% raise tomorrow. They'd be crazy not to take 10 months salary.
Unfortunately for Elon, it will be the social studies majors who hang on for dear life.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Electricians, Linemen, Engineers, etc. can get a private sector job for a 50% raise tomorrow. They'd be crazy not to take 10 months salary.
Unfortunately for Elon, it will be the social studies majors who hang on for dear life.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Local City Clerks getting "Ambushed" by Live-Streamed MAGA folks hoping to trigger a reaction with a public records requests for "wasteful spending."
Clerks who've seen this one before by the other team looking for "police corruption."
Clerks who've seen this one before by the other team looking for "police corruption."
February 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Local City Clerks getting "Ambushed" by Live-Streamed MAGA folks hoping to trigger a reaction with a public records requests for "wasteful spending."
Clerks who've seen this one before by the other team looking for "police corruption."
Clerks who've seen this one before by the other team looking for "police corruption."
The U.S. Energy Information Admin (EIA) doesn't share very detailed maps of high capacity trans-continental natural gas pipelines (in case we were terrorists).
But...there are signs if you know what you're looking for...
But...there are signs if you know what you're looking for...
February 4, 2025 at 11:53 PM
The U.S. Energy Information Admin (EIA) doesn't share very detailed maps of high capacity trans-continental natural gas pipelines (in case we were terrorists).
But...there are signs if you know what you're looking for...
But...there are signs if you know what you're looking for...
As a city with over 50% Latino residents, & an active advisory group; it has been our policy since 2019 to *not* use "Latinx" in any official communication.
I cringe every time I hear some lilly-white academic use it.
Linguistic Imperialism.
Pew Research Center search.app/4gqusEeq6toT...
I cringe every time I hear some lilly-white academic use it.
Linguistic Imperialism.
Pew Research Center search.app/4gqusEeq6toT...
February 4, 2025 at 3:21 AM
As a city with over 50% Latino residents, & an active advisory group; it has been our policy since 2019 to *not* use "Latinx" in any official communication.
I cringe every time I hear some lilly-white academic use it.
Linguistic Imperialism.
Pew Research Center search.app/4gqusEeq6toT...
I cringe every time I hear some lilly-white academic use it.
Linguistic Imperialism.
Pew Research Center search.app/4gqusEeq6toT...
25% Tariffs on Canadian Lumber *will* drive up new housing costs.
Assuming an avg $8/SF, on a 2KSF home = $16,000 just in lumber.
Figure Lumber Markets rise just 20%, then that adds $3,200 to the cost.
Meanwhile, local MAGA claim our $2K System Development Charges were killing housing...
Assuming an avg $8/SF, on a 2KSF home = $16,000 just in lumber.
Figure Lumber Markets rise just 20%, then that adds $3,200 to the cost.
Meanwhile, local MAGA claim our $2K System Development Charges were killing housing...
February 3, 2025 at 4:49 AM
25% Tariffs on Canadian Lumber *will* drive up new housing costs.
Assuming an avg $8/SF, on a 2KSF home = $16,000 just in lumber.
Figure Lumber Markets rise just 20%, then that adds $3,200 to the cost.
Meanwhile, local MAGA claim our $2K System Development Charges were killing housing...
Assuming an avg $8/SF, on a 2KSF home = $16,000 just in lumber.
Figure Lumber Markets rise just 20%, then that adds $3,200 to the cost.
Meanwhile, local MAGA claim our $2K System Development Charges were killing housing...
"Second-Tightest Housing Market,"...& tightest Land Use restrictions on Urban Growth Boundaries...hmmm.
Pure supply. Don't get cute with affordability stuff. Supply always wins.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/01...
Pure supply. Don't get cute with affordability stuff. Supply always wins.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/01...
Oregon Has the Nation’s Second-Tightest Housing Market
www.wweek.com
February 3, 2025 at 4:39 AM
"Second-Tightest Housing Market,"...& tightest Land Use restrictions on Urban Growth Boundaries...hmmm.
Pure supply. Don't get cute with affordability stuff. Supply always wins.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/01...
Pure supply. Don't get cute with affordability stuff. Supply always wins.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/01...
Limiting potential bidders (competition) directly drives up cost. This is an undisputed fact (unless you're a politician who is owned by unions).
Kotek’s Gift to Trade Unions Contradicts Her Own Agency’s Analysis search.app/TydSmLDS7CZA...
Kotek’s Gift to Trade Unions Contradicts Her Own Agency’s Analysis search.app/TydSmLDS7CZA...
Kotek’s Gift to Trade Unions Contradicts Her Own Agency’s Analysis
search.app
February 1, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Limiting potential bidders (competition) directly drives up cost. This is an undisputed fact (unless you're a politician who is owned by unions).
Kotek’s Gift to Trade Unions Contradicts Her Own Agency’s Analysis search.app/TydSmLDS7CZA...
Kotek’s Gift to Trade Unions Contradicts Her Own Agency’s Analysis search.app/TydSmLDS7CZA...
Almost $4M in Auditing, Admin, & Enforcement to collect $5.4M in Cannabis Tax...
Either they're playing the "everything counts as 'Cannabis Overhead'" game, or this is an insanely inefficient tax structure.
santamariatimes.com/news/local/s...
Either they're playing the "everything counts as 'Cannabis Overhead'" game, or this is an insanely inefficient tax structure.
santamariatimes.com/news/local/s...
January 30, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Almost $4M in Auditing, Admin, & Enforcement to collect $5.4M in Cannabis Tax...
Either they're playing the "everything counts as 'Cannabis Overhead'" game, or this is an insanely inefficient tax structure.
santamariatimes.com/news/local/s...
Either they're playing the "everything counts as 'Cannabis Overhead'" game, or this is an insanely inefficient tax structure.
santamariatimes.com/news/local/s...
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program requires airports to develop a goal to award contracts to DBE's.
Since 2014, I made ours, "at least 0%."
This has been accepted multiple times.
I'm not saying it's make-work for Liberal-Arts majors, but...
www.constructiondive.com/news/trump-i...
Since 2014, I made ours, "at least 0%."
This has been accepted multiple times.
I'm not saying it's make-work for Liberal-Arts majors, but...
www.constructiondive.com/news/trump-i...
Despite Trump’s orders, DBE not dead yet
The president’s move to revoke a ban on discrimination in federal contracting could have a chilling effect, but it will take an act of Congress to dismantle current programs, an attorney told Construc...
www.constructiondive.com
January 28, 2025 at 4:26 AM
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program requires airports to develop a goal to award contracts to DBE's.
Since 2014, I made ours, "at least 0%."
This has been accepted multiple times.
I'm not saying it's make-work for Liberal-Arts majors, but...
www.constructiondive.com/news/trump-i...
Since 2014, I made ours, "at least 0%."
This has been accepted multiple times.
I'm not saying it's make-work for Liberal-Arts majors, but...
www.constructiondive.com/news/trump-i...
Apparently in Alabama, to do a local lodging tax, they have to approve it, get the state Legislature to approve it, just to then have a public vote?
I understand taxpayer protections, but at what point does the bureaucracy inhibit creative local solutions?
abc3340.com/news/local/w...
I understand taxpayer protections, but at what point does the bureaucracy inhibit creative local solutions?
abc3340.com/news/local/w...
January 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Apparently in Alabama, to do a local lodging tax, they have to approve it, get the state Legislature to approve it, just to then have a public vote?
I understand taxpayer protections, but at what point does the bureaucracy inhibit creative local solutions?
abc3340.com/news/local/w...
I understand taxpayer protections, but at what point does the bureaucracy inhibit creative local solutions?
abc3340.com/news/local/w...
Pure supply for the win. STOP requiring stupid stuff like "inclusive" quotas & other stuff that only serves to discourage private supply.
Pretty basic.
Pretty basic.
January 25, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Pure supply for the win. STOP requiring stupid stuff like "inclusive" quotas & other stuff that only serves to discourage private supply.
Pretty basic.
Pretty basic.
Love the temporary provision. Allows residents to experience the effects of spillover parking, but 12 months is too short for that. Likely too short to have any meaningful impact on stimulating any development that's not already in the pipeline.
www.thecentersquare.com/washington/a...
www.thecentersquare.com/washington/a...
Bellingham City Council passes measure to boost housing by ending parking minimums
(The Center Square) – The Bellingham City Council has approved an interim ordinance that eliminates Bellingham's minimum parking requirements. The new ordinance will allow developers to build more res...
www.thecentersquare.com
January 22, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Love the temporary provision. Allows residents to experience the effects of spillover parking, but 12 months is too short for that. Likely too short to have any meaningful impact on stimulating any development that's not already in the pipeline.
www.thecentersquare.com/washington/a...
www.thecentersquare.com/washington/a...
Rather than allow private development help build more housing capacity, this is sure to drive up home-prices nearby.
They should have set up an impact zone surrounding the park & borrowed against that to pay for this. Want a park nearby? Then pay for it.
www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
They should have set up an impact zone surrounding the park & borrowed against that to pay for this. Want a park nearby? Then pay for it.
www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
Park Hill Golf Course in Denver set to become a public park this summer, community celebrates
It's official, Denver is getting it's next major public park.
www.cbsnews.com
January 22, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Rather than allow private development help build more housing capacity, this is sure to drive up home-prices nearby.
They should have set up an impact zone surrounding the park & borrowed against that to pay for this. Want a park nearby? Then pay for it.
www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
They should have set up an impact zone surrounding the park & borrowed against that to pay for this. Want a park nearby? Then pay for it.
www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...