Owen
@owenpick.bsky.social
Seattle based, (mostly) earnest poster.
Relatedly, it would be really interesting to see a Mod run who actually wants to do things.
I'm having a tough time thinking of anyone like that the entire time I've lived in Seattle. Maybe Nickels before I moved here?
I'm having a tough time thinking of anyone like that the entire time I've lived in Seattle. Maybe Nickels before I moved here?
November 30, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Relatedly, it would be really interesting to see a Mod run who actually wants to do things.
I'm having a tough time thinking of anyone like that the entire time I've lived in Seattle. Maybe Nickels before I moved here?
I'm having a tough time thinking of anyone like that the entire time I've lived in Seattle. Maybe Nickels before I moved here?
I don't feel like I understand the specifics here well enough. That looks like a really interesting paper though.
November 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I don't feel like I understand the specifics here well enough. That looks like a really interesting paper though.
Oh yeah, completely tracks the dominant pattern.
I just think the pattern is confounding
At a glance, it really doesn't seem like it should be so different than the 37th.
I just think the pattern is confounding
At a glance, it really doesn't seem like it should be so different than the 37th.
November 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Oh yeah, completely tracks the dominant pattern.
I just think the pattern is confounding
At a glance, it really doesn't seem like it should be so different than the 37th.
I just think the pattern is confounding
At a glance, it really doesn't seem like it should be so different than the 37th.
An additional interesting detail in this paper is the implication that older folks *want* to downsize.
However this appears virtually impossible in most urban housing markets today and has knock-on effects of blocking younger folks with children from accessing housing.
However this appears virtually impossible in most urban housing markets today and has knock-on effects of blocking younger folks with children from accessing housing.
November 28, 2025 at 3:42 PM
An additional interesting detail in this paper is the implication that older folks *want* to downsize.
However this appears virtually impossible in most urban housing markets today and has knock-on effects of blocking younger folks with children from accessing housing.
However this appears virtually impossible in most urban housing markets today and has knock-on effects of blocking younger folks with children from accessing housing.
B&O taxes also just suck.
If we had a collaborative business community they'd help repeal the income tax limits as a replacement for B&O taxes.
If we had a collaborative business community they'd help repeal the income tax limits as a replacement for B&O taxes.
November 28, 2025 at 3:31 PM
B&O taxes also just suck.
If we had a collaborative business community they'd help repeal the income tax limits as a replacement for B&O taxes.
If we had a collaborative business community they'd help repeal the income tax limits as a replacement for B&O taxes.
The state has a clear interest in preventing a race to the bottom with taxation while municipalities simultaneously have some need for variation.
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The state has a clear interest in preventing a race to the bottom with taxation while municipalities simultaneously have some need for variation.
Companies realized this in the early 2010s, especially companies recruiting college-credentialed labor.
Kind of seems like they're gonna have to relearn this. But the pressure on companies would also be a lot greater if our cities would build housing.
Kind of seems like they're gonna have to relearn this. But the pressure on companies would also be a lot greater if our cities would build housing.
November 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Companies realized this in the early 2010s, especially companies recruiting college-credentialed labor.
Kind of seems like they're gonna have to relearn this. But the pressure on companies would also be a lot greater if our cities would build housing.
Kind of seems like they're gonna have to relearn this. But the pressure on companies would also be a lot greater if our cities would build housing.
Best outcome IMO would be local pressure leading to a compromise at the state or regional level.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Best outcome IMO would be local pressure leading to a compromise at the state or regional level.
I'll say though that it seems inevitable anyone who is focused on raising revenue to fund more services will have an adversarial relationship with the chamber interests. They're single issue voters and already demonstrated the absurd lengths they'll go to prevent taxes.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I'll say though that it seems inevitable anyone who is focused on raising revenue to fund more services will have an adversarial relationship with the chamber interests. They're single issue voters and already demonstrated the absurd lengths they'll go to prevent taxes.
As someone from the rust belt... This is undeniably obvious and true.
However, it's also true that we need to pivot from an industry town to something else and that's a really hard needle to thread.
However, it's also true that we need to pivot from an industry town to something else and that's a really hard needle to thread.
November 28, 2025 at 2:57 PM
As someone from the rust belt... This is undeniably obvious and true.
However, it's also true that we need to pivot from an industry town to something else and that's a really hard needle to thread.
However, it's also true that we need to pivot from an industry town to something else and that's a really hard needle to thread.
You want nice, aesthetically pleasing housing?
Make a competitive market so exterior aesthetics are actually a compelling differentiator.
Make a competitive market so exterior aesthetics are actually a compelling differentiator.
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 AM
You want nice, aesthetically pleasing housing?
Make a competitive market so exterior aesthetics are actually a compelling differentiator.
Make a competitive market so exterior aesthetics are actually a compelling differentiator.
November 26, 2025 at 3:54 AM