John Tapogna
@tapogna.bsky.social
📍 Portland, Oregon
💡 Economic Strategist | Policy Analyst | Civic Innovator
📊 Focused on creating shared prosperity in the Northwest
📝 President Emeritus ECOnorthwest
⚾ Go Dodgers! 🦆 Go Ducks! 🌲 Forever Oregon
💡 Economic Strategist | Policy Analyst | Civic Innovator
📊 Focused on creating shared prosperity in the Northwest
📝 President Emeritus ECOnorthwest
⚾ Go Dodgers! 🦆 Go Ducks! 🌲 Forever Oregon
Reposted by John Tapogna
Yesterday, the "All In on Portland's Central City" report was released. www.portlandcentralcitytaskforce.com/all-in
I had a small part in shaping this report; late last year I met with Emily from ECONorthwest for coffee to discuss projects in the Central City that were each of us were tracking. 1/4
I had a small part in shaping this report; late last year I met with Emily from ECONorthwest for coffee to discuss projects in the Central City that were each of us were tracking. 1/4
June 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Yesterday, the "All In on Portland's Central City" report was released. www.portlandcentralcitytaskforce.com/all-in
I had a small part in shaping this report; late last year I met with Emily from ECONorthwest for coffee to discuss projects in the Central City that were each of us were tracking. 1/4
I had a small part in shaping this report; late last year I met with Emily from ECONorthwest for coffee to discuss projects in the Central City that were each of us were tracking. 1/4
With the tax-service proposition so out of balance, it’s fair to ask: is this city working for anyone? It is. But for an increasingly narrow group—post-college, young adults.
Portland has become the 28-year-old city.
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Portland has become the 28-year-old city.
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Opinion: Portland, the city that works for 28-year-olds
Portland continues to attract post-college, young adults, a critical group for bringing fresh ideas and signaling to the rest of the country that Portland still has a future, writes economist John Tap...
www.oregonlive.com
May 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
With the tax-service proposition so out of balance, it’s fair to ask: is this city working for anyone? It is. But for an increasingly narrow group—post-college, young adults.
Portland has become the 28-year-old city.
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Portland has become the 28-year-old city.
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
A great week in Puglia exploring my Castellana ancestry. Thank you to @pugliaguys.bsky.social for many great recommendations!
May 12, 2025 at 10:19 AM
A great week in Puglia exploring my Castellana ancestry. Thank you to @pugliaguys.bsky.social for many great recommendations!
@pugliaguys.bsky.social We’re headed to Bari Vecchia today. Where’s the best spot for focaccia and spaghetti assassina on a Monday? And how about an obscure recommendation we wouldn’t have heard of? Thanks for all your suggestions!
May 5, 2025 at 7:22 AM
@pugliaguys.bsky.social We’re headed to Bari Vecchia today. Where’s the best spot for focaccia and spaghetti assassina on a Monday? And how about an obscure recommendation we wouldn’t have heard of? Thanks for all your suggestions!
Reposted by John Tapogna
OregonLive: “It’s Portland metro…Using seven factors – population density, rodent and cockroach prevalence, vandalism, litter, air quality, and tap water quality – each metro was assigned a letter grade.”
www.oregonlive.com/trending/202...
www.oregonlive.com/trending/202...
Complain all you want, but a new report calls this Oregon city the ‘cleanest metro’ in the country
Great water and very few cockroaches!
www.oregonlive.com
April 29, 2025 at 9:27 PM
OregonLive: “It’s Portland metro…Using seven factors – population density, rodent and cockroach prevalence, vandalism, litter, air quality, and tap water quality – each metro was assigned a letter grade.”
www.oregonlive.com/trending/202...
www.oregonlive.com/trending/202...
Reposted by John Tapogna
New tariffs' effects on Oregon electronics firms is quite variable, depending on their global factory and supply networks and end markets.
* Analog Devices: ↓ 8.9% this morning
* HP Inc: ↓ 15.4%
* Intel: ↓ 2%
* Lattice Semi: ↓ 9.3%
* Microchip: ↓ 9%
* Onsemi: ↓ 6.3%
* Qorvo: ↓ 6.8%
* Analog Devices: ↓ 8.9% this morning
* HP Inc: ↓ 15.4%
* Intel: ↓ 2%
* Lattice Semi: ↓ 9.3%
* Microchip: ↓ 9%
* Onsemi: ↓ 6.3%
* Qorvo: ↓ 6.8%
April 3, 2025 at 1:50 PM
New tariffs' effects on Oregon electronics firms is quite variable, depending on their global factory and supply networks and end markets.
* Analog Devices: ↓ 8.9% this morning
* HP Inc: ↓ 15.4%
* Intel: ↓ 2%
* Lattice Semi: ↓ 9.3%
* Microchip: ↓ 9%
* Onsemi: ↓ 6.3%
* Qorvo: ↓ 6.8%
* Analog Devices: ↓ 8.9% this morning
* HP Inc: ↓ 15.4%
* Intel: ↓ 2%
* Lattice Semi: ↓ 9.3%
* Microchip: ↓ 9%
* Onsemi: ↓ 6.3%
* Qorvo: ↓ 6.8%
Reposted by John Tapogna
A theme of @ezraklein.bsky.social's excellent book "Abundance" is the way blue states suppress housing and thus increase homelessness. An example from Portland: "inclusionary zoning" rules that are well-meant but have almost halted apartment construction: www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
Portland Apartment Construction Falls to Lowest Level in More Than a Decade
www.wweek.com
March 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
A theme of @ezraklein.bsky.social's excellent book "Abundance" is the way blue states suppress housing and thus increase homelessness. An example from Portland: "inclusionary zoning" rules that are well-meant but have almost halted apartment construction: www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
The Governor’s top priority is the right one 👇
We’re cutting red tape and making it easier to build more duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes. Oregon needs more affordable housing options.
March 14, 2025 at 11:50 PM
The Governor’s top priority is the right one 👇
Reposted by John Tapogna
Beautiful day in Portland today
March 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Beautiful day in Portland today
Mike Thelin on mental doom loops: “When respected economists repeatedly issue warning signs, only to be met with indifference or outright denial, it starts to resemble anti-science rhetoric or other forms of conspiracy thinking.”
foodcities.substack.com/p/beware-of-...
foodcities.substack.com/p/beware-of-...
Beware of The Mental Doom Loop
Don't get mad at the data--use it to find solutions.
foodcities.substack.com
March 5, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Mike Thelin on mental doom loops: “When respected economists repeatedly issue warning signs, only to be met with indifference or outright denial, it starts to resemble anti-science rhetoric or other forms of conspiracy thinking.”
foodcities.substack.com/p/beware-of-...
foodcities.substack.com/p/beware-of-...
Reposted by John Tapogna
Portland, OR and peak NIMBYism, h/t @holz-bau.bsky.social
Sabin Elementary was granted a noise variance to allow music and dancing during once a week during recess—and a neighbor has chosen to appeal that decision to City Council www.portland.gov/council/docu...
February 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Portland, OR and peak NIMBYism, h/t @holz-bau.bsky.social
Oregon schools would be in a better position if they weren't saddled with legacy pension costs. That said, PERS shouldn't be blamed for the recent, sharp reductions in achievement. More from Joanna Hou @willametteweek.bsky.social
www.wweek.com/news/schools...
www.wweek.com/news/schools...
Are Teacher Pensions to Blame for Poor Student Performance? Probably Not
www.wweek.com
February 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Oregon schools would be in a better position if they weren't saddled with legacy pension costs. That said, PERS shouldn't be blamed for the recent, sharp reductions in achievement. More from Joanna Hou @willametteweek.bsky.social
www.wweek.com/news/schools...
www.wweek.com/news/schools...
Glass half full. We took one for the team: “Oregon’s experiment with decriminalizing drugs didn’t work, but state governments are really the laboratories for American democracy. So, to the degree that we learned something, it was actually a success.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/o...
Opinion | Trump’s First Four Weeks Felt Like Four Years
The problem is that if we have another three years and 11 months of this, there won’t be a rule of law left in the United States.
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Glass half full. We took one for the team: “Oregon’s experiment with decriminalizing drugs didn’t work, but state governments are really the laboratories for American democracy. So, to the degree that we learned something, it was actually a success.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/o...
Reposted by John Tapogna
It's time to reimagine Waterfront Park and create more access to the Willamette from the park. www.opb.org/article/2025...
Portland celebrates a year of not polluting the Willamette River with sewage
Portland's sewer system combines sewage and runoff into the same pipes. Sometimes heavy rains cause those pipes to overflow. But a sewer overhaul 14 years ago has drastically reduced this pollution.
www.opb.org
January 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
It's time to reimagine Waterfront Park and create more access to the Willamette from the park. www.opb.org/article/2025...
If this isn't a wake up call for Oregon education, I don't know what would be. When adjusting for demography, Oregon ranks last on the two 4th grade tests, and bottom five on the 8th grade tests. Highly concerning news for students, their parents, and their communities.
January 31, 2025 at 11:21 PM
If this isn't a wake up call for Oregon education, I don't know what would be. When adjusting for demography, Oregon ranks last on the two 4th grade tests, and bottom five on the 8th grade tests. Highly concerning news for students, their parents, and their communities.
Reposted by John Tapogna
Portland folks, check out City of Possibility, an exhibit of new and historical architectural models opening downtown on Friday night. UO’s Portland Architecture Program is a proud partner of the show, and we’ll be hosting a wide range of public programming.
www.archpaper.com/2025/01/pdx-...
www.archpaper.com/2025/01/pdx-...
PDX Design Collaborative curates exhibition about Portland’s architectural past, present, and future
City of Possibility opens January 31. The exhibition in Portland is curated by PDX Design Collaborative, a group helmed by local architects, artists, and educators.
www.archpaper.com
January 31, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Portland folks, check out City of Possibility, an exhibit of new and historical architectural models opening downtown on Friday night. UO’s Portland Architecture Program is a proud partner of the show, and we’ll be hosting a wide range of public programming.
www.archpaper.com/2025/01/pdx-...
www.archpaper.com/2025/01/pdx-...
Keep building!
Denver: “The average rent of an apartment in the 4th quarter was nearly $1850—about $70 less than…the same period in 2023. For apartment owners, however, vacancies climbed as developers delivered some 20,000 units last year leading to more competition which means dropping prices to attract renters.”
Denver metro apartment rents fell $70, largest recorded drop ‘ever’ for region
Good news, renters.
denvergazette.com
January 25, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Keep building!
Agree. Portland will have to get dozens of things right to piece together a downtown recovery. This is one of them.
The health of downtown matters for the health of the city, both in indirect ways (perception of Portland as a whole) and very direct ways (tax revenues). Getting more city employees to work in downtown is one small thing the mayor can do, and he’s right to do so.
News: Portland Mayor Keith Wilson told 700 city managers and supervisors this morning that they must return to in-person work full-time starting in April.
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
January 14, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Agree. Portland will have to get dozens of things right to piece together a downtown recovery. This is one of them.
Reposted by John Tapogna
Dawn over Mt. Hood
January 14, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Dawn over Mt. Hood
Don’t bet against Portland
January 7, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Don’t bet against Portland
Reposted by John Tapogna
The increase in homelessness is tragic, particularly the surge in homeless children. As I see it, this reflects in part America's failure to build enough inexpensive housing (because of zoning, regulations and other restrictions). www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/u...
Migrants and End of Covid Restrictions Fuel Jump in Homelessness
The number of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. topped 770,000, an increase of more than 18 percent over last year.
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2024 at 3:42 PM
The increase in homelessness is tragic, particularly the surge in homeless children. As I see it, this reflects in part America's failure to build enough inexpensive housing (because of zoning, regulations and other restrictions). www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/u...