We are plagued by the combination of hostile legislature and an at-large system city council system that requires successful candidates to campaign to the muddled middle on everything and raise lots of money from developers. Until that changes, it is going to be a real struggle to achieve real progress.

So much transit infrastructure focuses on downtown because that’s where so many people work, and that infrastructure will soon make it possible for thousands more portlanders to work and shop and study downtown without using cars, and for others to reach far-flung residential neighborhoods in southeast.

The homelessness issue is real and most noticeable during the summer, but I have to give the city credit for finally taking it on. Within a year, a new center for helping homeless folks will open in old town Portland, next to several new developments. We had a city commissioner who made homelessness his major issue and this looks to be an important step in addressing it.

There’s a reason why a million more people will be trying to move here in the next few years. We’re hoping that the urban growth boundary and other policies will encourage them to settle in the central city or near-in neighborhoods. Thanks to tough political decisions and decades of effective citizen organizing, Portland is better equipped than any city in the US to accommodate smart, efficient, green growth. I expect some of Austin’s political candidates will adopt that platform soon.

BTW — I proudly wear my Keep Austin Weird cap and am forever explaining to Portlanders that we stole that slogan from Austin!
Thanks again for visiting — give a holler next time you’re in town.

;-D

on my short trip to portland i noticed a ton of churches and a ton of strip clubs. i thought both were weird.

but i also heard the most politically radical radio programming i’ve ever heard anywhere – bar none. sf, berkeley, santa cruz, new york – nothing comes close.