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...
I think the anti-sprawl argument makes sense when thinking of growth like tree-rings from a single metro surrounded by suburbs.
What if we think about sprawl like bacteria growth? Allow "sprawl" in small (20k pop) independent exurbs until they can hit a critical mass where density becomes feasible.
What if we think about sprawl like bacteria growth? Allow "sprawl" in small (20k pop) independent exurbs until they can hit a critical mass where density becomes feasible.
May 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I think the anti-sprawl argument makes sense when thinking of growth like tree-rings from a single metro surrounded by suburbs.
What if we think about sprawl like bacteria growth? Allow "sprawl" in small (20k pop) independent exurbs until they can hit a critical mass where density becomes feasible.
What if we think about sprawl like bacteria growth? Allow "sprawl" in small (20k pop) independent exurbs until they can hit a critical mass where density becomes feasible.
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?
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
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).
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...
"Latinx" probably should be removed. Linguistic Imperialism.
February 4, 2025 at 3:26 AM
"Latinx" probably should be removed. Linguistic Imperialism.
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...
Not if you can get people to pay your spouse for "consulting."
February 4, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Not if you can get people to pay your spouse for "consulting."
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...
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...
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.
89% of solar production acres approved in Oregon are located in counties which voted a combined Trump 70%.
Urban voters love renewables...on rural farmland, not their backyard.
"Solar boom in Oregon could reshape rural landscapes, agriculture" - oregonlive.com search.app/zhizVDxYBXeB...
Urban voters love renewables...on rural farmland, not their backyard.
"Solar boom in Oregon could reshape rural landscapes, agriculture" - oregonlive.com search.app/zhizVDxYBXeB...
January 21, 2025 at 3:07 AM
89% of solar production acres approved in Oregon are located in counties which voted a combined Trump 70%.
Urban voters love renewables...on rural farmland, not their backyard.
"Solar boom in Oregon could reshape rural landscapes, agriculture" - oregonlive.com search.app/zhizVDxYBXeB...
Urban voters love renewables...on rural farmland, not their backyard.
"Solar boom in Oregon could reshape rural landscapes, agriculture" - oregonlive.com search.app/zhizVDxYBXeB...
Elimination of Parking minimums absolutely requires that a city already has the systems in place for residents to live without a car.
Applying a concept that works in Seattle to Gillette, Wy, or Mountain Home, ID is a recipe for disaster.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/b...
Applying a concept that works in Seattle to Gillette, Wy, or Mountain Home, ID is a recipe for disaster.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/b...
January 16, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Elimination of Parking minimums absolutely requires that a city already has the systems in place for residents to live without a car.
Applying a concept that works in Seattle to Gillette, Wy, or Mountain Home, ID is a recipe for disaster.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/b...
Applying a concept that works in Seattle to Gillette, Wy, or Mountain Home, ID is a recipe for disaster.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/b...
The crowd opposed to permanent DST who references the dangers of kids walking to school in the dark is maybe not realizing that less than 1:6 kids walk to school anymore. Down from 1:2 in the 1970s. Find another emotional trick.
January 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The crowd opposed to permanent DST who references the dangers of kids walking to school in the dark is maybe not realizing that less than 1:6 kids walk to school anymore. Down from 1:2 in the 1970s. Find another emotional trick.
Excellent piece. No notes.
I will say that the quote below 100% translates here in rural Oregon with regard to Portland. Many of our truly rural communities are seeing strong growth while the urban Portlanders are flabbergasted that they're seeing population decline from decades of economic hubris.
I will say that the quote below 100% translates here in rural Oregon with regard to Portland. Many of our truly rural communities are seeing strong growth while the urban Portlanders are flabbergasted that they're seeing population decline from decades of economic hubris.
January 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Excellent piece. No notes.
I will say that the quote below 100% translates here in rural Oregon with regard to Portland. Many of our truly rural communities are seeing strong growth while the urban Portlanders are flabbergasted that they're seeing population decline from decades of economic hubris.
I will say that the quote below 100% translates here in rural Oregon with regard to Portland. Many of our truly rural communities are seeing strong growth while the urban Portlanders are flabbergasted that they're seeing population decline from decades of economic hubris.
Anyone who calls themselves a YIMBY but attacked this amazingly entrepreneurial couple should immediately be banned from self-identifying as a YIMBY, and should receive 10 lashings with a soggy copy of their County's zoning code.
January 7, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Anyone who calls themselves a YIMBY but attacked this amazingly entrepreneurial couple should immediately be banned from self-identifying as a YIMBY, and should receive 10 lashings with a soggy copy of their County's zoning code.
Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that this discourse is pitting online CAVE People against these poor literal cave people?
January 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that this discourse is pitting online CAVE People against these poor literal cave people?