Michael Andersen
@andersem.bsky.social
Believer, skeptic, humanist, typist & dad. Trying to make places fairer as director of cities + towns for @Sightline.org, here in Portland OR. Views here: mine, all mine.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Our key finding is that remote critics and boosters both have a point. Remote work increases productivity for workers at *startups* while reducing it for incumbent firms
We instrument for remote work with pre-pandemic occupational suitability for identification
We instrument for remote work with pre-pandemic occupational suitability for identification
January 14, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Our key finding is that remote critics and boosters both have a point. Remote work increases productivity for workers at *startups* while reducing it for incumbent firms
We instrument for remote work with pre-pandemic occupational suitability for identification
We instrument for remote work with pre-pandemic occupational suitability for identification
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Congratulations to Brett Kavanaugh bsky.app/profile/ajco...
"“They specifically asked me if I knew where the Hmong families lived on my street & in the neighborhood.” Lugert-Thom responded, “I don’t know anything about that” & she said they then asked, “Well, what about the Asian families?”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
A St. Paul resident says federal officers knocked on her door and asked her to identify Hmong and Asian households in her North End neighborhood last week.
January 14, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Congratulations to Brett Kavanaugh bsky.app/profile/ajco...
I will join this terrible party! here is a photo of the text I myself sent a friend last week about what a dick Brian Owendoff seems to be www.apanoactionfund.org/blog/silence...
January 14, 2026 at 5:12 AM
I will join this terrible party! here is a photo of the text I myself sent a friend last week about what a dick Brian Owendoff seems to be www.apanoactionfund.org/blog/silence...
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Tuesday's Most Read # 3 - Video: Fixing North America’s Big Elevator Problem link.theoverheadwire.com/qwfv3 @andersem.bsky.social @sightline.org
Video: Fixing North America’s Big Elevator Problem | Sightline Institute
Our bans on smaller elevators block accessible homes, and our insistence on unique standards drives up prices.
link.theoverheadwire.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Tuesday's Most Read # 3 - Video: Fixing North America’s Big Elevator Problem link.theoverheadwire.com/qwfv3 @andersem.bsky.social @sightline.org
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Inch by inch, elevators in North America have become 85% bigger than the global baseline to fit at least two people, w one in a wheelchair.
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
January 13, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Inch by inch, elevators in North America have become 85% bigger than the global baseline to fit at least two people, w one in a wheelchair.
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...
Ever lived in a building with an elevator? I haven't. It wasn't until recently that I realized how unusual this is.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
Video: Fixing North America’s Big Elevator Problem | Sightline Institute
Our bans on smaller elevators block accessible homes, and our insistence on unique standards drives up prices.
www.sightline.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Ever lived in a building with an elevator? I haven't. It wasn't until recently that I realized how unusual this is.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
In most of the rich world, elevators aren't just for tall buildings in big cities. They're all over.
To be age-friendly & accessible, our society needs to change this. Here's how.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
some big news that understandably got buried by last week’s events
New cost estimates have revealed that the funding gap on Washington and Oregon's joint megaproject to widen I-5 between the two states has grown to anywhere from $5 billion to $13 billion. The project as we know it is likely doomed.
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/12/t...
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/12/t...
The Pacific Northwest’s Biggest Highway Project Could be Cooked » The Urbanist
# New cost estimates on the long-planned Interstate Bridge Replacement over the Columbia River reveal a funding gap that could range from $5 billion to a staggering $13 billion, an amount that neither...
www.theurbanist.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
some big news that understandably got buried by last week’s events
Reposted by Michael Andersen
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
This is insanity. Our bedrock American institutions are being torn apart. This will permanently harm all Conservative and Liberal Americans.
Our Congress has the power and duty to stop this. Now. Tonight.
Our Congress has the power and duty to stop this. Now. Tonight.
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:54 AM
This is insanity. Our bedrock American institutions are being torn apart. This will permanently harm all Conservative and Liberal Americans.
Our Congress has the power and duty to stop this. Now. Tonight.
Our Congress has the power and duty to stop this. Now. Tonight.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
This is the second time in three months a DHS agent called a US citizen a "bitch" as he shot her. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whos-threa...
January 10, 2026 at 7:32 PM
This is the second time in three months a DHS agent called a US citizen a "bitch" as he shot her. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whos-threa...
Reposted by Michael Andersen
This guy is in Minneapolis standing before an American citizen in an SUV.
The only reason he's brandishing an assault rifle is because he wants the people he's purportedly there protecting to feel terrorized by his presence.
This is not protection. This is occupation.
The only reason he's brandishing an assault rifle is because he wants the people he's purportedly there protecting to feel terrorized by his presence.
This is not protection. This is occupation.
January 10, 2026 at 7:23 PM
This guy is in Minneapolis standing before an American citizen in an SUV.
The only reason he's brandishing an assault rifle is because he wants the people he's purportedly there protecting to feel terrorized by his presence.
This is not protection. This is occupation.
The only reason he's brandishing an assault rifle is because he wants the people he's purportedly there protecting to feel terrorized by his presence.
This is not protection. This is occupation.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Videos Show How ICE Vehicle Stops Can Escalate to Shootings
A WSJ visual investigation found that the Minneapolis ICE killing is one of 13 incidents where federal immigration agents have used deadly force against civilians in vehicles since July.
www.wsj.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Extremely cool policy job opening for anyone interested in transportation. Can be fully remote (US only)! www.metroabundance.org/jobs/transpo...
Transportation Research Associate - Metropolitan Abundance Project
The Organization The Metropolitan Abundance Project (MAP) works to make American cities prosperous, affordable, sustainable, and joyous places to live and raise families. We help advocates and legisla...
www.metroabundance.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Extremely cool policy job opening for anyone interested in transportation. Can be fully remote (US only)! www.metroabundance.org/jobs/transpo...
Oregon's net population growth has slowed. But even if it stopped *completely*, state economists estimate we'd still need to add 50k more homes in the next 20 years.
That's because longer lives & smaller families mean we'll have many more small households. It's about 1/3 of all our future need.
That's because longer lives & smaller families mean we'll have many more small households. It's about 1/3 of all our future need.
January 9, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Oregon's net population growth has slowed. But even if it stopped *completely*, state economists estimate we'd still need to add 50k more homes in the next 20 years.
That's because longer lives & smaller families mean we'll have many more small households. It's about 1/3 of all our future need.
That's because longer lives & smaller families mean we'll have many more small households. It's about 1/3 of all our future need.
Reposted by Michael Andersen
AOC: “I understand that VP Vance believes shooting a young mother of three in the face three times is an acceptable America that he wants to live in, & I do not — That is a fundamental difference between VP Vance & I — I do not believe the American people should be assassinated in the street”
January 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
AOC: “I understand that VP Vance believes shooting a young mother of three in the face three times is an acceptable America that he wants to live in, & I do not — That is a fundamental difference between VP Vance & I — I do not believe the American people should be assassinated in the street”
NYC subway to be accessible by...2055.
@alonlevy.bsky.social calls the timeline "a disgrace" & the problem with relying on courts for civil rights. "The courts can compel the MTA to install elevators, but have no way of ensuring the MTA do so efficiently."
pedestrianobservations.com/2022/06/22/a...
@alonlevy.bsky.social calls the timeline "a disgrace" & the problem with relying on courts for civil rights. "The courts can compel the MTA to install elevators, but have no way of ensuring the MTA do so efficiently."
pedestrianobservations.com/2022/06/22/a...
Adversarial Legalism and Accessibility
New York State just announced that per the result of a legal settlement, it is committing to make 95% of the subway accessible… by 2055. Every decade, 80-90 stations will be made accessible, …
pedestrianobservations.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:31 PM
NYC subway to be accessible by...2055.
@alonlevy.bsky.social calls the timeline "a disgrace" & the problem with relying on courts for civil rights. "The courts can compel the MTA to install elevators, but have no way of ensuring the MTA do so efficiently."
pedestrianobservations.com/2022/06/22/a...
@alonlevy.bsky.social calls the timeline "a disgrace" & the problem with relying on courts for civil rights. "The courts can compel the MTA to install elevators, but have no way of ensuring the MTA do so efficiently."
pedestrianobservations.com/2022/06/22/a...
Feel like UBI might have a better reputation if it weren’t the last refuge of scoundrels
Rubio told lawmakers that Trump wants to buy Greenland. How? @nytimes.com reported in April that the US could offer $10,000 annually to each resident. Or Trump could make an offer to Denmark, as Truman did in 1946. Earlier story: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
Inside Trump’s Plan to ‘Get’ Greenland: Persuasion, Not Invasion
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Feel like UBI might have a better reputation if it weren’t the last refuge of scoundrels
Reposted by Michael Andersen
The US is losing blue-collar jobs for the first time since the early pandemic—year-on-year job losses have hit 145k as manufacturing, transportation, & mining industries lose jobs at a rapid pace while growth in construction has nearly zeroed out
January 9, 2026 at 1:58 PM
The US is losing blue-collar jobs for the first time since the early pandemic—year-on-year job losses have hit 145k as manufacturing, transportation, & mining industries lose jobs at a rapid pace while growth in construction has nearly zeroed out
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Thanks @theurbanist.org for sharing.
👇 My ideas for Seattle's new mayor @mayorofseattle.bsky.social (a real renter, just like us!) to get renters in on the clean energy action.
👇 My ideas for Seattle's new mayor @mayorofseattle.bsky.social (a real renter, just like us!) to get renters in on the clean energy action.
NEW // Op-Ed: Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters
Op-ed by Emily Moore via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/08/o...
Op-ed by Emily Moore via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/08/o...
Op-Ed: Katie Wilson Can Be Seattle’s Climate Mayor for Renters » The Urbanist
# Seattle renters are largely locked out of the cost-saving and comfort-improving clean energy appliances, like heat pumps, induction stoves, and solar panels. Newly inaugurated Seattle Mayor Katie Wi...
www.theurbanist.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Thanks @theurbanist.org for sharing.
👇 My ideas for Seattle's new mayor @mayorofseattle.bsky.social (a real renter, just like us!) to get renters in on the clean energy action.
👇 My ideas for Seattle's new mayor @mayorofseattle.bsky.social (a real renter, just like us!) to get renters in on the clean energy action.
evergreen quote unfortunately
“Austria-Hungary, with the bellicose frivolity of senile empires, determined to use the occasion to absorb Serbia” Barbara Tuchman, The Guns of August www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...
Quebec mayor, library denounce Noem calling Canada ’51st state' during border visit
Weeks before the United States ignited a trade war with its northern neighbour, Donald Trump’s head of Homeland Security parroted the president’s inflammatory remarks about Canada becoming a “51st sta...
www.ctvnews.ca
January 9, 2026 at 1:40 AM
evergreen quote unfortunately
Reposted by Michael Andersen
Is there a #WaLeg bill to do this?
As of Jan. 1, it's a misdemeanor offense in California for law enforcement to wear a mask while on duty. State and local police have the authority to issue citations, which creates a public record of DHS officer names.
This is happening right now in the city of Pomona, a city run by 7 Democrats.
This is happening right now in the city of Pomona, a city run by 7 Democrats.
January 9, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Is there a #WaLeg bill to do this?
Reposted by Michael Andersen
ICE and CBP out of portland. I want national guard and cops following every one of these thugs around the city until they leave and never return
January 8, 2026 at 11:41 PM
ICE and CBP out of portland. I want national guard and cops following every one of these thugs around the city until they leave and never return
Totally agreed. A recipe for stupider, angrier, less responsive & more elite-captured local government. I wish the legislature would fix this mistake
This is a perfect example of why the public meetings law is so stupid. Serial communications among a quorum of councilors are illegal. But lobbyists can talk to as many councilors as they want about whatever they they want.
January 9, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Totally agreed. A recipe for stupider, angrier, less responsive & more elite-captured local government. I wish the legislature would fix this mistake
Reposted by Michael Andersen
lol this project is dead. Again. What a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars planning this thing. Same mistakes as the CRC. Just gobsmacking hubris and incompetent leadership.
Willamette Week reports the price estimate for the Interstate Bridge Replacement has more than doubled to $13.6 billion. www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Interstate Bridge Staff Hid Information About Ballooning Cost of Giant Highway Project
The estimated price tag more than doubled from $6 billion to $13.6 billion, but staff told a bistate panel Dec. 15 it didn’t have new numbers.
www.wweek.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:53 AM
lol this project is dead. Again. What a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars planning this thing. Same mistakes as the CRC. Just gobsmacking hubris and incompetent leadership.