Pragmatic urbanist
@pragmaticurbanist.bsky.social
My unorthodoxy will inevitably disappoint you.
X refugee.
Banner photo credit to CC BY-SA 2.0 archer10 (Dennis).
X refugee.
Banner photo credit to CC BY-SA 2.0 archer10 (Dennis).
Good to hear this from SKSD chair: "[W]e publicly committed to prioritizing the length of our school year .... Oregon’s school year is one of the shortest in the nation – 45th, according to the National Center on Education Statistics." www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025... I hope WLWV does the same.
Opinion: Student-centered principles must guide our path through fiscal uncertainty
Amid a weakening economy and financial uncertainty, Oregon's public schools may soon face some urgent challenges deserving of a statewide conversation, writes Cynthia Richardson, chair of the Salem-Ke...
www.oregonlive.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Good to hear this from SKSD chair: "[W]e publicly committed to prioritizing the length of our school year .... Oregon’s school year is one of the shortest in the nation – 45th, according to the National Center on Education Statistics." www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025... I hope WLWV does the same.
I'm old enough to remember when the Western States formed their own review group because they were skeptical that the first Covid vaccines (released under Trump) wouldn't be *safe enough.* www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/...
West Coast governors say states will establish their own vaccine guidelines
Oregon, Washington and California’s governors said the Trump administration has “dismantled” the credibility of agencies states historically deferred to on vaccine oversight.
www.oregonlive.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I'm old enough to remember when the Western States formed their own review group because they were skeptical that the first Covid vaccines (released under Trump) wouldn't be *safe enough.* www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/...
Thoughts on the regressive #orleg transportation package that is rumblin', bumblin', stumblin' (?) toward passage on Friday: dilleradollar.substack.com/p/the-bell-t...
The Bell Tolls for Oregon Tolling
State moves to swap out dynamic, variable fees for "dumb" flat fees
dilleradollar.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Thoughts on the regressive #orleg transportation package that is rumblin', bumblin', stumblin' (?) toward passage on Friday: dilleradollar.substack.com/p/the-bell-t...
Important and interesting to see Courtney's legacy live on... #Cherriots www.salemreporter.com/2025/07/30/c...
Cherriots plans for business tax to increase bus service, build transit stations - Salem Reporter
Cherriots is proposing a new payroll tax for Salem and Keizer employers that would raise funding to expand bus service hours, build two new transit centers and buy new buses. The tax would not affect ...
www.salemreporter.com
July 31, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Important and interesting to see Courtney's legacy live on... #Cherriots www.salemreporter.com/2025/07/30/c...
Good piece on local power in the economic realm... www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/o...
Opinion | New York City Has the Power to Bring Down Grocery Prices. All Cities Do.
www.nytimes.com
July 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Good piece on local power in the economic realm... www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/o...
One more layer of bureaucracy should do the trick! www.salemreporter.com/2025/07/02/g...
Gov. Kotek launches new agency to fast-track housing construction - Salem Reporter
Oregon remains far short of the governor's goal of building 36,000 new homes per year.
www.salemreporter.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:48 AM
One more layer of bureaucracy should do the trick! www.salemreporter.com/2025/07/02/g...
If you can't get your policy through the legislature, just do it by exec order. 😏 www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
Gov. Tina Kotek issues executive order mandating ‘bell-to-bell’ ban on student cellphones in Oregon schools
The order gives public school districts until October 31 to come up with a policy that prohibits cellphone use for the entire school day.
www.oregonlive.com
July 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
If you can't get your policy through the legislature, just do it by exec order. 😏 www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
Awful... www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of Oregon Department of Transportation workers will receive layoff notices next week
“I know this is shocking, scary and frustrating for every single one of you,” ODOT Director Kris Strickler told agency employees in an email.
www.oregonlive.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Awful... www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Despicable; going backwards... wapo.st/44yyXlN
At least 17 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump plan
GOP legislation would set back years of progress in expanding health care coverage, unwinding key parts of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
wapo.st
July 1, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Despicable; going backwards... wapo.st/44yyXlN
@tinakotek.bsky.social focusing her energy here at end of #orleg session rather than (just) on getting a transpo package passed. Boggles the mind. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Gov. Tina Kotek digs in heels on criticism of universal preschool program: ‘The program as it stands cannot keep its promise’
Her statement comes after days of attacks on Multnomah County’s controversial initiative to offer universal, tuition-free preschool.
www.oregonlive.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
@tinakotek.bsky.social focusing her energy here at end of #orleg session rather than (just) on getting a transpo package passed. Boggles the mind. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Band-aid re chronic absenteeism in #Oregon. An actual 180 days of school (rather than the current 170-72) might help more, without the frequent & random breaks. #orleg www.oregonlegislature.gov/housedemocra...
www.oregonlegislature.gov
June 26, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Band-aid re chronic absenteeism in #Oregon. An actual 180 days of school (rather than the current 170-72) might help more, without the frequent & random breaks. #orleg www.oregonlegislature.gov/housedemocra...
They put on some good shows... www.wweek.com/culture/2025...
Portland Center Stage Poised to Receive $1.5 Million of State Funds
The bill awaits final passage but would be huge for the struggling theater.
www.wweek.com
June 25, 2025 at 4:01 AM
They put on some good shows... www.wweek.com/culture/2025...
Maybe @oregonian.com could mention the potential benefits in headline rather than just costs? www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Lawmakers advance transportation package that could cost Oregonians more than $14 billion
Finding consensus on a funding strategy wasn’t easy.
www.oregonlive.com
June 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Maybe @oregonian.com could mention the potential benefits in headline rather than just costs? www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
This is not getting any better. What will Tina Kotek & Keith Wilson do about it, if anything? www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Portland residents are caught in crossfire as ICE protests intensify
Noise, trash, vandalism and noxious gases accompany the clashes between protesters and federal agents. Residents bear some of the consequences.
www.oregonlive.com
June 19, 2025 at 11:51 PM
This is not getting any better. What will Tina Kotek & Keith Wilson do about it, if anything? www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
The gov't agents masking themselves is appalling. www.oregonlive.com/pacific-nort...
Witness video shows immigration arrest of man in downtown Portland: ‘Like he was just snatched off the street’
An immigration attorney for the man said she believes arrests like this one are happening daily in the area, but most aren’t caught on video.
www.oregonlive.com
June 19, 2025 at 11:49 PM
The gov't agents masking themselves is appalling. www.oregonlive.com/pacific-nort...
As #Oregon ponders a new transportation bill, what ever happened to tolling? dilleradollar.substack.com/p/what-ever-...
What ever happened to tolling in Oregon?
Will Kotek's unilateral "pause" continue even after a new transpo package passes?
dilleradollar.substack.com
June 16, 2025 at 6:02 PM
As #Oregon ponders a new transportation bill, what ever happened to tolling? dilleradollar.substack.com/p/what-ever-...
"Everything must go! Please, please build in Portland!" www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
Portland could forgo $63M for parks, other capital projects to spur homebuilding
The mayor’s proposal is designed “to unlock units in our pipeline and attract investment for new projects," a city report noted.
www.oregonlive.com
June 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"Everything must go! Please, please build in Portland!" www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
This is getting bad. Portland cannot afford another 2020-21 given the lasting damage those riots, looting & sustained public & private prop destruction caused... www.kgw.com/article/news...
1 arrested after riot declared at Portland ICE facility; no ongoing criminal activity
One person was arrested for assaulting a peace officer. Police say the ICE facility protest has calmed and there is currently no riot or unlawful activity.
www.kgw.com
June 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM
This is getting bad. Portland cannot afford another 2020-21 given the lasting damage those riots, looting & sustained public & private prop destruction caused... www.kgw.com/article/news...
#Wilsonville Spokesman published my LTE supporting new 🚍service to Clackamas Twn Ctr.: wilsonvillespokesman.com/2025/06/12/o...
OPINION: Bus service to Clackamas Town Center is a great opportunity - Wilsonville Spokesman
I am confident that SMART and our public safety officers will handle the new bus route in the most professional manner.
wilsonvillespokesman.com
June 13, 2025 at 4:32 AM
#Wilsonville Spokesman published my LTE supporting new 🚍service to Clackamas Twn Ctr.: wilsonvillespokesman.com/2025/06/12/o...
More good press coverage for Portland 😆: www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
A Fire Sale of Portland’s Largest Office Tower Shows How Far the City Has Fallen
The once-premier building is now over half empty, reflecting how the Oregon city’s downtown is struggling with crime and other quality-of-life issues.
www.wsj.com
May 20, 2025 at 5:25 AM
More good press coverage for Portland 😆: www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Mayor of a defunct city is our new county commish. 😏 #Clackamas www.oregonlive.com/clackamascou...
Former Damascus mayor appointed to fill Clackamas County board seat
Commissioners Ben West, Paul Savas and Martha Schrader voted for Diana Helm to take over the $130,213-a-year post. Roberts was the lone no vote.
www.oregonlive.com
May 20, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Mayor of a defunct city is our new county commish. 😏 #Clackamas www.oregonlive.com/clackamascou...
Since when does a faculty lounge need ☕? I'll take decent metal cutlery in the faculty kitchen over that any day of the week. 😊 www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Financial Reckoning Hits Universities: Pay Cuts, Layoffs and No Coffee
With Trump pulling funds, schools are eliminating everything from desk phones to coffee in the faculty lounge.
www.wsj.com
May 17, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Since when does a faculty lounge need ☕? I'll take decent metal cutlery in the faculty kitchen over that any day of the week. 😊 www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Bad news... federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce-ri...
In reversal, OSC now says agencies can fire probationary feds for almost any reason
Reversing its prior decision, OSC said in a new brief that regulations give agencies broad discretion to fire probationers “with very limited restrictions."
federalnewsnetwork.com
May 17, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Bad news... federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce-ri...
How is the "mask ban" going? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/n...
Police Remove Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Occupying Columbia Library
www.nytimes.com
May 8, 2025 at 5:12 AM
How is the "mask ban" going? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/n...
Good stuff here. www.archpaper.com/2025/05/alex... Lots my town (#wilsonville) could learn; some we're doing already.
Alexandra Lange wins 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism
Alexandra Lange has won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. She joins an elite cadre of past architecture critics to have done so, including Ada Louis Huxtable, Robert Campbell, Inga Saffron, Blair...
www.archpaper.com
May 8, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Good stuff here. www.archpaper.com/2025/05/alex... Lots my town (#wilsonville) could learn; some we're doing already.