David Binnig
@binnig.bsky.social
Portlander. Transportation & housing hobbyist.
James Madison on housing policy.
December 19, 2025 at 11:23 PM
James Madison on housing policy.
Interesting conversation in the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee meeting this morning about balancing the ways that PBOT’s public engagement processes can sometimes make it hard to act on changes from the status quo.
m.youtube.com/live/0FFzlXG...
m.youtube.com/live/0FFzlXG...
Portland City Council Transportation & Infrastructure Committee 12/15/25
YouTube video by eGov PDX
m.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Interesting conversation in the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee meeting this morning about balancing the ways that PBOT’s public engagement processes can sometimes make it hard to act on changes from the status quo.
m.youtube.com/live/0FFzlXG...
m.youtube.com/live/0FFzlXG...
A car is a calzone; a horse is toast.
December 13, 2025 at 5:09 AM
A car is a calzone; a horse is toast.
This county has a better vaccination rate than Sunnyside Environmental School.
More than 250 people who were exposed to measles, including dozens of unvaccinated school-aged children, are quarantining in South Carolina as the state wrestles to contain an outbreak that has sickened more than 110 people.
Hundreds Quarantined in South Carolina as Measles Outbreak Shows No Sign of Slowing
The outbreak shows no signs of slowing, likely because of the affected area’s “lower-than-hoped-for vaccination coverage,” a state health official said.
nyti.ms
December 12, 2025 at 4:26 PM
This county has a better vaccination rate than Sunnyside Environmental School.
Reposted by David Binnig
Look at the central city riverfront of Portland. It's just so shocking and embarrassing that we tolerate this.
December 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Look at the central city riverfront of Portland. It's just so shocking and embarrassing that we tolerate this.
Federalist 29 is interesting because Hamilton’s argument is that no would-be despot could be so stupid as to piss everyone off by sending the militia of one state to oppress another.
December 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Federalist 29 is interesting because Hamilton’s argument is that no would-be despot could be so stupid as to piss everyone off by sending the militia of one state to oppress another.
Reposted by David Binnig
raymond lee, our new city administrator, seems like about as good a pick as anyone could have expected: detail oriented, and with experience working in other cities that have more history with the city administrator position
novick coming in hot in the city administrator hearing asking about city employees feeling like they’re not allowed to communicate with city councilors
December 10, 2025 at 8:52 PM
raymond lee, our new city administrator, seems like about as good a pick as anyone could have expected: detail oriented, and with experience working in other cities that have more history with the city administrator position
Reposted by David Binnig
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
December 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
Reposted by David Binnig
it passed unanimously last night! 🎊
- 3-4 story apartments will be more widely legal, esp. on smaller lots in neighborhoods already served by roads/pipes
- builders will have new incentives for accessible & affordable homes
- OR will have the first statewide model zoning code in the nation
- 3-4 story apartments will be more widely legal, esp. on smaller lots in neighborhoods already served by roads/pipes
- builders will have new incentives for accessible & affordable homes
- OR will have the first statewide model zoning code in the nation
Today, 2.5 years after an OR bill promised “transformational” changes to state housing policy, the new OHNA rules get a vote.
@andersem.bsky.social breaks down what’s inside the blueprint: www.sightline.org/2025/12/03/n...
@andersem.bsky.social breaks down what’s inside the blueprint: www.sightline.org/2025/12/03/n...
New Oregon Rules Will Re-Legalize Neighborhood Apartments | Sightline Institute
Over time, the state zoning standards make space for tens of thousands more homes in Oregon cities.
www.sightline.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
it passed unanimously last night! 🎊
- 3-4 story apartments will be more widely legal, esp. on smaller lots in neighborhoods already served by roads/pipes
- builders will have new incentives for accessible & affordable homes
- OR will have the first statewide model zoning code in the nation
- 3-4 story apartments will be more widely legal, esp. on smaller lots in neighborhoods already served by roads/pipes
- builders will have new incentives for accessible & affordable homes
- OR will have the first statewide model zoning code in the nation
Reposted by David Binnig
If we had invested in Section 8 vouchers instead of 100% affordable buildings, flat market rents wouldn't lead to the inefficiency (empty homes) @jonathanmbach.bsky.social flags here.
Instead, when subsidies required per household fell, we'd automatically shift to subsidizing more households.
Instead, when subsidies required per household fell, we'd automatically shift to subsidizing more households.
December 2, 2025 at 4:43 PM
If we had invested in Section 8 vouchers instead of 100% affordable buildings, flat market rents wouldn't lead to the inefficiency (empty homes) @jonathanmbach.bsky.social flags here.
Instead, when subsidies required per household fell, we'd automatically shift to subsidizing more households.
Instead, when subsidies required per household fell, we'd automatically shift to subsidizing more households.
Reposted by David Binnig
- why are we charging per parking spots for patios outside of parking meter districts?
- why are the code requirements for patios so extreme so that so few existing patios can meet them without expensive upgrades?
- why are the code requirements for patios so extreme so that so few existing patios can meet them without expensive upgrades?
December 2, 2025 at 4:03 PM
- why are we charging per parking spots for patios outside of parking meter districts?
- why are the code requirements for patios so extreme so that so few existing patios can meet them without expensive upgrades?
- why are the code requirements for patios so extreme so that so few existing patios can meet them without expensive upgrades?
Reposted by David Binnig
"Grey was a therapist, an activist, and an inspiration and support to many Portlanders over the decades. She would post activist posters on fence outside her office so people passing by on the sidewalk could learn from their messages." - Lois Leveen
bikeportland.org/2025/12/01/w...
bikeportland.org/2025/12/01/w...
Woman killed on Cesar Chavez was on daily walk, just two blocks from her home
Grey Wolfe is remembered as a mother, counselor, and activist.
bikeportland.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
"Grey was a therapist, an activist, and an inspiration and support to many Portlanders over the decades. She would post activist posters on fence outside her office so people passing by on the sidewalk could learn from their messages." - Lois Leveen
bikeportland.org/2025/12/01/w...
bikeportland.org/2025/12/01/w...
Reposted by David Binnig
For the love of God, please read and share this FAQ on what powers local government has over the ICE permit
Here is a FAQ sheet that will clarify what Portland City Council does and doesn't have power to do in relation to revoking the Macadam ICE permit.
TL;DR:
(1) CC cannot unilaterally revoke the ICE permit;
(2) CC cannot lean on PP&D to do it;
(3) the CC is exercising its authority in other ways.
TL;DR:
(1) CC cannot unilaterally revoke the ICE permit;
(2) CC cannot lean on PP&D to do it;
(3) the CC is exercising its authority in other ways.
November 29, 2025 at 11:48 PM
For the love of God, please read and share this FAQ on what powers local government has over the ICE permit
First impression of the Portland Art Museum reopening is that it needs more bike parking.
November 20, 2025 at 6:42 PM
First impression of the Portland Art Museum reopening is that it needs more bike parking.
A lot going on in city council tonight but I appreciated Councilor Kanal saying “we can’t say nothing is worth doing unless it solves the problem entirely.”
November 20, 2025 at 5:13 AM
A lot going on in city council tonight but I appreciated Councilor Kanal saying “we can’t say nothing is worth doing unless it solves the problem entirely.”
Reposted by David Binnig
November 14, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I worry a bit that stuff like this and last summer's Tax Advisory Group recommendations will negatively polarize progressive Portlanders into defending the current structure of Portland-area taxes against any changes.
The latest attempt to use climate tax dollars for something... else.
Portland ballot proposal would divert climate tax funds to hire police
The idea is the latest suggestion involving the Portland Clean Energy Fund, which has raked in more money than expected.
www.opb.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:34 PM
I worry a bit that stuff like this and last summer's Tax Advisory Group recommendations will negatively polarize progressive Portlanders into defending the current structure of Portland-area taxes against any changes.
Tried asking my 5-year-old classic philosophy thought-experiments at bedtime and I was unprepared for the confidence of her answers:
“How many grains of sand do you think make it a heap?”
“A hundred.”
“How many grains of sand do you think make it a heap?”
“A hundred.”
November 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Tried asking my 5-year-old classic philosophy thought-experiments at bedtime and I was unprepared for the confidence of her answers:
“How many grains of sand do you think make it a heap?”
“A hundred.”
“How many grains of sand do you think make it a heap?”
“A hundred.”
Councilor Morillo is right on all counts here.
![From Politico: “There is very little to win in attacking a federal building and getting gassed and beaten every night," [Morillo] told POLITICO over the phone in early October, and said she's proposed a neighborhood ICE watch that can be more effective and help more of the immigrant community.
"This is also a propaganda war," Morillo added. "We have to show that our city is not what they're painting it to be.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/24/trump-paints-chaos-portland-stages-comedy-the-courts-get-to-decide-whos-right-00620058](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:t23hzc3tqzjcimwzdcn5baxr/bafkreidcu7deirb7gzz7ohikglhgyw5qsyabafy63j5wkssf7bn6etzz4a@jpeg)
October 29, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Councilor Morillo is right on all counts here.
Reposted by David Binnig
happening tonight, 6pm at PCC southeast on 82nd and division. come join portland DSA along with BikeLoud and other advocates to testify in support of BAT lanes on 82nd. wondering what to say? reply here and I’ll DM you our testimony guide
super important for people to turn out as much as possible in support of BAT lanes in the coming weeks because this is not settled yet. if you want to join the DSA in testifying, wear red to the 82nd ave CAC meeting at 6pm on wednesday at PCC southeast trimet.org/82nd/cac.htm
Community Advisory Committee
The CAC serves an important role in representing our community and will provide feedback to the project’s decision makers.
trimet.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
happening tonight, 6pm at PCC southeast on 82nd and division. come join portland DSA along with BikeLoud and other advocates to testify in support of BAT lanes on 82nd. wondering what to say? reply here and I’ll DM you our testimony guide
Reposted by David Binnig
“Whose streets?”
Me: PBOT’s
“Whose streets?”
Me: well now this is Multnomah County’s bridge
Me: PBOT’s
“Whose streets?”
Me: well now this is Multnomah County’s bridge
October 19, 2025 at 1:17 AM
“Whose streets?”
Me: PBOT’s
“Whose streets?”
Me: well now this is Multnomah County’s bridge
Me: PBOT’s
“Whose streets?”
Me: well now this is Multnomah County’s bridge
Reposted by David Binnig
Cities used to be full of co-living spaces. But Seattle demolished almost half of its downtown SROs in the 60s and spent the 00s layering building restrictions.
Luckily WA re-legalized SROs in 2024 (kicking in now-ish), building on a similar OR win in 2023.
Luckily WA re-legalized SROs in 2024 (kicking in now-ish), building on a similar OR win in 2023.
Washington Bill Would Legalize Low-cost “Co-living” Homes | Sightline Institute
Find audio versions of Sightline articles on any of your favorite podcast platforms, including Spotify, Google, and Apple. UPDATESMarch 19: Governor Inslee signed HB 1998.Feb. 22: HB 1998 passed the S...
www.sightline.org
October 17, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Cities used to be full of co-living spaces. But Seattle demolished almost half of its downtown SROs in the 60s and spent the 00s layering building restrictions.
Luckily WA re-legalized SROs in 2024 (kicking in now-ish), building on a similar OR win in 2023.
Luckily WA re-legalized SROs in 2024 (kicking in now-ish), building on a similar OR win in 2023.
My father-in-law gave me “Rules for Radicals” for Christmas a couple years ago and the biggest surprise to me was how much Alinsky’s advice to radicals was “don’t scare the normies because you will need them.”
In fairness I think people forget that the last chapter of “Rules for Radicals” is all about the need to appeal to the conventionally-minded white middle class.
October 16, 2025 at 5:11 PM
My father-in-law gave me “Rules for Radicals” for Christmas a couple years ago and the biggest surprise to me was how much Alinsky’s advice to radicals was “don’t scare the normies because you will need them.”
Reposted by David Binnig
October 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by David Binnig
one response to this (correct) observation is to say “well, the cops will attack you no matter how you dress and behave.” that’s right. images of cops and ICE beating grandmas and kids in inflatable frog costumes is a win for the opposition.
one of the reasons they're so mad at "no kings" is that they thought they were going to get a different kind of protest. they *want* the black bloc to be out there fighting with the cops. those are the images they've been trying to generate from "go." instead--
newrepublic.com/article/2016...
newrepublic.com/article/2016...
MAGA Rage at “No Kings” Boils Over—and It Quickly Backfires on Trump
As Trump allies smear the coming protests, a good writer on MAGA skewers the absurdity of these attacks on large swaths of Americans—and explains why our best recourse will be to turn out in force.
newrepublic.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
one response to this (correct) observation is to say “well, the cops will attack you no matter how you dress and behave.” that’s right. images of cops and ICE beating grandmas and kids in inflatable frog costumes is a win for the opposition.