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).
It's not just the short year; it's also all the relentless random days off (i.e., not holidays or breaks around holidays)... www.opb.org/article/2026...
Low attendance and a short school year undermine success of Oregon students, according to new analysis
A new analysis finds Oregon's short school year and low attendance prevent the state from improving academic outcomes.
www.opb.org
February 1, 2026 at 4:54 AM
It's not just the short year; it's also all the relentless random days off (i.e., not holidays or breaks around holidays)... www.opb.org/article/2026...
Maybe it's time for "young people" discounts, rather than senior discounts... www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
Voters See a Middle-Class Lifestyle as Drifting Out of Reach, Poll Finds
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:09 AM
Maybe it's time for "young people" discounts, rather than senior discounts... www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
No masks is the key condition. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
January 29, 2026 at 6:08 AM
No masks is the key condition. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Kids just had 2+ weeks off for winter break & now, a few weeks later, 3 random "business days" off for teacher training. I can't figure out why state population & pub school enrollment are going down, and #Oregon ed results so bad. 🤔 @salemreporter.bsky.social www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/27/e...
Elementary schools to close as teachers get 3 days of reading training - Salem Reporter
More than 1,000 educators in Salem and Keizer will get intensive training this week on topics including phonics instruction and the science behind how students learn to read. To comment on this story,...
www.salemreporter.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Kids just had 2+ weeks off for winter break & now, a few weeks later, 3 random "business days" off for teacher training. I can't figure out why state population & pub school enrollment are going down, and #Oregon ed results so bad. 🤔 @salemreporter.bsky.social www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/27/e...
What a surprise 🤔 www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
Oregon population growth among slowest in the nation
The Beaver State has been trudging along for population growth since the COVID-19 pandemic. A broader slowdown now grips the U.S.
www.oregonlive.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:26 AM
What a surprise 🤔 www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
52 Places to Go in 2026: Portland, Ore.
Enjoy a new market, museum and W.N.B.A. team
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:03 AM
@nytimes.com still shilling for "remote learning" hook, line, & sinker.
January 25, 2026 at 10:19 PM
@nytimes.com still shilling for "remote learning" hook, line, & sinker.
Not surprised. PDX metro ranks 16th on this index among US metros, but ranks just 26th in terms of population. We punch above our weight when it comes to traffic congestion! www.koin.com/news/hate-si...
Portland drivers among those who lose most time in traffic: Report
A new study from TomTom has revealed the cities where drivers are losing the most time stuck in rush-hour traffic.
www.koin.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:33 AM
Not surprised. PDX metro ranks 16th on this index among US metros, but ranks just 26th in terms of population. We punch above our weight when it comes to traffic congestion! www.koin.com/news/hate-si...
@trimet.org wants to move the Portland area backwards w/proposed service cuts, particularly to one essential bus line to south suburbs: open.substack.com/pub/dillerad...
Portland Region Poised to Move Backwards Again
While Seattle builds light rail to its southern suburbs, Portland can't even maintain one express bus line.
open.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:19 AM
@trimet.org wants to move the Portland area backwards w/proposed service cuts, particularly to one essential bus line to south suburbs: open.substack.com/pub/dillerad...
#pdx traffic is horrendous; I wish our leaders would notice:
portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/20...
portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/20...
January 16, 2026 at 4:37 AM
#pdx traffic is horrendous; I wish our leaders would notice:
portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/20...
portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/20...
No mention of @tinakotek.bsky.social's capitulation on tolling... www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2026...
Editorial: Lessons from a transportation tax disaster
Gov. Tina Kotek’s call to repeal the transportation funding bill caps a year-long process of bad policymaking by the governor and legislative leaders, the editorial board writes. In moving forward, th...
www.oregonlive.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:00 AM
No mention of @tinakotek.bsky.social's capitulation on tolling... www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2026...
So much for a region committed to public transit and fighting climate change... reader.theoregonian.com/trimet-to-el...
TriMet to eliminate Portland-area bus routes, shorten MAX Green Line amid budget crisis
The proposed cuts come as the beleaguered mass transit agency attempts to close a punishing fiscal gap.
reader.theoregonian.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:25 PM
So much for a region committed to public transit and fighting climate change... reader.theoregonian.com/trimet-to-el...
Just posted a new paper to #ssrn, forthcoming in Tenn. L. Rev.: "Gubernatorial Decreemaking versus Emergency Administrative Rulemaking: Lessons from the Covid Pandemic" papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Gubernatorial Decreemaking versus Emergency Administrative Rulemaking: Lessons from the Covid Pandemic
Governors’ broad exercise of emergency power for an extended period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented in United States history. Looki
papers.ssrn.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Just posted a new paper to #ssrn, forthcoming in Tenn. L. Rev.: "Gubernatorial Decreemaking versus Emergency Administrative Rulemaking: Lessons from the Covid Pandemic" papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Thoughts on connections between #Slaughter (SCOTUS case), the unitary executive, and faculty governance: dilleradollar.substack.com/p/the-impend...
The (Impending) Tragedy of Slaughter and Its Connection to Faculty Governance
This SCOTUS is on a path to issue one of its worst decisions yet.
dilleradollar.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Thoughts on connections between #Slaughter (SCOTUS case), the unitary executive, and faculty governance: dilleradollar.substack.com/p/the-impend...
Just can't figure out why. 🤔 www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
December 30, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Just can't figure out why. 🤔 www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
Quite the local gov dysfunction... www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/23/h...
Harvey approaches 2 months with no City Council meetings, despite mass layoffs and financial crisis
The Harvey City Council meeting last met in October, when residents criticized the administration in the midst of a financial crisis.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Quite the local gov dysfunction... www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/23/h...
Great to see #Wilsonville's mayor Shawn O'Neil at the 🕎 lighting in Memorial Park last night. The support of elected officials for the 🔯 community at times like these means a lot.
December 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Great to see #Wilsonville's mayor Shawn O'Neil at the 🕎 lighting in Memorial Park last night. The support of elected officials for the 🔯 community at times like these means a lot.
I've heard it mentioned as a possibility but I have never once seen a WLWV makeup day on Presidents' Day, which would be a ridiculous day to use given all the other random days off from school. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
December 18, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I've heard it mentioned as a possibility but I have never once seen a WLWV makeup day on Presidents' Day, which would be a ridiculous day to use given all the other random days off from school. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Pragmatic urbanist
Declining enrollment and budget woes vex colleges across the country these days, but leaders at Pacific and Willamette say they’re not pursuing the partnership due to financial challenges. They say the partnership will lead to better services and expanded career pathways for students.
Willamette, Pacific universities announce plan to merge
Oregon’s two oldest private universities say their plan to consolidate will benefit students, the state’s workforce and help future-proof the institutions.
www.opb.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Declining enrollment and budget woes vex colleges across the country these days, but leaders at Pacific and Willamette say they’re not pursuing the partnership due to financial challenges. They say the partnership will lead to better services and expanded career pathways for students.
Reposted by Pragmatic urbanist
If a merger is approved, Willamette University and Pacific University would become the University of the Northwest
Facing an enrollment cliff, two of Oregon’s oldest colleges may join forces
If a merger is approved, Willamette University and Pacific University would become the University of the Northwest
www.oregonlive.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
If a merger is approved, Willamette University and Pacific University would become the University of the Northwest
It's a shame to see the prez defame a whole group of ppl. Many Somali immigrants achieving great things...
Kayse Jama arrived in Oregon in 1998 as a Somali refugee a with little to his name. Today, about a quarter of a century later, he's one of the most influential men in Oregon politics. This is a must read story by @jmshumway.bsky.social oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/04/f...
From refugee to Oregon Senate majority leader, Kayse Jama focuses on finding common ground • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Kayse Jama is the Oregon Senate's new majority leader 26 years after arriving in Portland as a refugee from Somalia.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:20 AM
It's a shame to see the prez defame a whole group of ppl. Many Somali immigrants achieving great things...
Quite the turn of events... ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...
City to offer jobs back to workers fired over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Former employees interested must contact human resources by Dec. 5.
ny1.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Quite the turn of events... ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...
@tinakotek.bsky.social "Prosperity Roadmap." Some ok ideas, but nothing on graffiti/protecting private property, and just one mention of transportation when traffic is one of the biggest barriers to econ growth in PDX metro area and Willamette Valley generally. www.oregon.gov/gov/Document...
www.oregon.gov
December 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM
@tinakotek.bsky.social "Prosperity Roadmap." Some ok ideas, but nothing on graffiti/protecting private property, and just one mention of transportation when traffic is one of the biggest barriers to econ growth in PDX metro area and Willamette Valley generally. www.oregon.gov/gov/Document...
Not surprised; the pay here does not seem to match the cost of living. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
Oregon income growth slows, falling behind the nation — and inflation
The state's economy downshifted during the pandemic and is now spinning its wheels.
www.oregonlive.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Not surprised; the pay here does not seem to match the cost of living. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
No surprise given the short school year chopped up with random days off and too many breaks, some of which are too long (whole wk for Tgiving; 2+ wks for Xmas/New Years). www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
Oregon chronic absenteeism rate remains among highest in US at 33%
Oregon’s high rate of student absenteeism barely budged since the previous year, new state data shows.
www.oregonlive.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
No surprise given the short school year chopped up with random days off and too many breaks, some of which are too long (whole wk for Tgiving; 2+ wks for Xmas/New Years). www.oregonlive.com/education/20...