Sightline Institute
@sightline.org
Think tank cooking up nonpartisan policy research on housing, energy, climate, and democracy in Cascadia. 🧠🍳 Likes/follows ≠ endorsements.
Newsletters: sightline.org/signup
Newsletters: sightline.org/signup
After Portland made improvements in 2024 (FUNDED, finally www.sightline.org/2024/10/28/t...), the program is starting to work as intended. New data shows projects are no longer underbuilding to avoid the mandate:
November 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
After Portland made improvements in 2024 (FUNDED, finally www.sightline.org/2024/10/28/t...), the program is starting to work as intended. New data shows projects are no longer underbuilding to avoid the mandate:
This year, Shannon helped renew Seattle's pioneering Democracy Voucher Program, which will continue to curb the electoral influence of big money for the next 10 years. That's good news for our mission — and for Seattle. ☝️ Join us: sightline.org/fall-fund-drive
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
This year, Shannon helped renew Seattle's pioneering Democracy Voucher Program, which will continue to curb the electoral influence of big money for the next 10 years. That's good news for our mission — and for Seattle. ☝️ Join us: sightline.org/fall-fund-drive
Let’s email 🤓 Want to be first to view our latest research, hear directly from our program leads, or stay informed with our hand-picked news service? We’ve got you: sightline.org/newsletters
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Let’s email 🤓 Want to be first to view our latest research, hear directly from our program leads, or stay informed with our hand-picked news service? We’ve got you: sightline.org/newsletters
It happened in the state treasurer race in 2016, as outlined in the article. Two Rs advanced to the general, and the candidate who won (Duane Davidson) was the only Republican to hold the seat in 60yrs.
November 12, 2025 at 10:24 PM
It happened in the state treasurer race in 2016, as outlined in the article. Two Rs advanced to the general, and the candidate who won (Duane Davidson) was the only Republican to hold the seat in 60yrs.
Filing to run for city council in #PortlandOR costs only $75, compared to $1446 in Seattle. No wonder Portland’s recent campaign season was like a weekend queue at Voodoo Donuts.
November 12, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Filing to run for city council in #PortlandOR costs only $75, compared to $1446 in Seattle. No wonder Portland’s recent campaign season was like a weekend queue at Voodoo Donuts.
A near-miss example: The 2024 race for WA Public Lands Commissioner. Last fall, Democrat Dave Upthegrove almost lost the primary (by only 49 votes). Had he fallen short, the general election would have been between two Republicans.
November 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM
A near-miss example: The 2024 race for WA Public Lands Commissioner. Last fall, Democrat Dave Upthegrove almost lost the primary (by only 49 votes). Had he fallen short, the general election would have been between two Republicans.
In 2026, we’ll focus on turning these statewide policy victories into real homes on the ground—helping cities implement the new laws, removing remaining barriers to middle housing, and accelerating housing production across the region. Join us at sightline.org/fall-fund-drive
November 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
In 2026, we’ll focus on turning these statewide policy victories into real homes on the ground—helping cities implement the new laws, removing remaining barriers to middle housing, and accelerating housing production across the region. Join us at sightline.org/fall-fund-drive
New Sightliner alert! @ktrumbull.bsky.social previously worked with The Nature Conservancy and conducted policy research at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. She's a fan of hiking, skiing, and soccer (go Thorns). Welcome, Kelly!!! ⚽🔋🌲
November 5, 2025 at 7:50 PM
New Sightliner alert! @ktrumbull.bsky.social previously worked with The Nature Conservancy and conducted policy research at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. She's a fan of hiking, skiing, and soccer (go Thorns). Welcome, Kelly!!! ⚽🔋🌲
Together, we've secured more than two dozen state and local policy wins this year, steadily reshaping daily life for the better.
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
November 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Together, we've secured more than two dozen state and local policy wins this year, steadily reshaping daily life for the better.
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
Sightline's Fall Fund Drive kicks off today, and your support can fuel the research, strategy, and case-making that turn ideas into action: sightline.org/donate
That's led to “tall and sprawl” development: high rises maximizing the tiny slivers of the city’s land where apartments are allowed, surrounded by a sea of increasingly expensive detached houses. Large apartments are great, but they are slooowwww – years upon years – to design and build.
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
That's led to “tall and sprawl” development: high rises maximizing the tiny slivers of the city’s land where apartments are allowed, surrounded by a sea of increasingly expensive detached houses. Large apartments are great, but they are slooowwww – years upon years – to design and build.
Neighborhood-scale apartment buildings like these in Fairview have been all but illegal to build in #VancouverBC for nearly a century.
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Neighborhood-scale apartment buildings like these in Fairview have been all but illegal to build in #VancouverBC for nearly a century.
"If you set different rules, people will change how they play the game."
Thanks to those who made it to yesterday's *Hot Seat* w researcher Shannon Grimes! Our latest democracy and elections work/quips/analysis are always available via newsletter: sightline.org/newsletters
Thanks to those who made it to yesterday's *Hot Seat* w researcher Shannon Grimes! Our latest democracy and elections work/quips/analysis are always available via newsletter: sightline.org/newsletters
October 3, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"If you set different rules, people will change how they play the game."
Thanks to those who made it to yesterday's *Hot Seat* w researcher Shannon Grimes! Our latest democracy and elections work/quips/analysis are always available via newsletter: sightline.org/newsletters
Thanks to those who made it to yesterday's *Hot Seat* w researcher Shannon Grimes! Our latest democracy and elections work/quips/analysis are always available via newsletter: sightline.org/newsletters
October 1, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Today is #ParkingDay! Advocates worldwide are joyfully reimagining what can become of the SO MUCH SPACE we devote to car storage on our public streets. Throwback to Park(ing) Day 2010, when this little clucker featured in Seattle.
Photo by Seattle Dept. of Transportation, cc.
Photo by Seattle Dept. of Transportation, cc.
September 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Today is #ParkingDay! Advocates worldwide are joyfully reimagining what can become of the SO MUCH SPACE we devote to car storage on our public streets. Throwback to Park(ing) Day 2010, when this little clucker featured in Seattle.
Photo by Seattle Dept. of Transportation, cc.
Photo by Seattle Dept. of Transportation, cc.
Next week: Catch @emilymoore.bsky.social chatting about the clean energy transition with Seattle CityClub!🔌🔋
seattlecityclub.org/event/civic-...
seattlecityclub.org/event/civic-...
September 3, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Next week: Catch @emilymoore.bsky.social chatting about the clean energy transition with Seattle CityClub!🔌🔋
seattlecityclub.org/event/civic-...
seattlecityclub.org/event/civic-...
Currently on our nightstands ⬇ ️What would you add? #booksky mailchi.mp/sightline.or...
July 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Currently on our nightstands ⬇ ️What would you add? #booksky mailchi.mp/sightline.or...
Bloc voting – aka plurality at-large voting, most common in BC right now – often means the most popular party will win outsized representation on the council, like the Vancouver City Council election of 1996 (below).
July 16, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Bloc voting – aka plurality at-large voting, most common in BC right now – often means the most popular party will win outsized representation on the council, like the Vancouver City Council election of 1996 (below).
Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program is “budget dust:” half of one-tenth of a percent of the city budget. Its outsized bang for the buck – greater democratic participation and more equitable elections – makes it a bargain.
www.sightline.org/2025/06/25/d...
www.sightline.org/2025/06/25/d...
June 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program is “budget dust:” half of one-tenth of a percent of the city budget. Its outsized bang for the buck – greater democratic participation and more equitable elections – makes it a bargain.
www.sightline.org/2025/06/25/d...
www.sightline.org/2025/06/25/d...
New short doc "The Choice" tells the story of Portland’s groundbreaking shift to #RankedChoiceVoting and proportional representation for its 2024 City Council election.
Film and Q+A at @cinema21-portland.bsky.social on Tues June 24 @7:30p or at @townhallseattle.bsky.social on Wed June 25 @7:30p.
Film and Q+A at @cinema21-portland.bsky.social on Tues June 24 @7:30p or at @townhallseattle.bsky.social on Wed June 25 @7:30p.
June 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
New short doc "The Choice" tells the story of Portland’s groundbreaking shift to #RankedChoiceVoting and proportional representation for its 2024 City Council election.
Film and Q+A at @cinema21-portland.bsky.social on Tues June 24 @7:30p or at @townhallseattle.bsky.social on Wed June 25 @7:30p.
Film and Q+A at @cinema21-portland.bsky.social on Tues June 24 @7:30p or at @townhallseattle.bsky.social on Wed June 25 @7:30p.
The PNW is facing a big climate test. 🤖
Full report from @emilymoore.bsky.social here: www.sightline.org/2025/05/14/n...
Full report from @emilymoore.bsky.social here: www.sightline.org/2025/05/14/n...
June 3, 2025 at 6:41 PM
The PNW is facing a big climate test. 🤖
Full report from @emilymoore.bsky.social here: www.sightline.org/2025/05/14/n...
Full report from @emilymoore.bsky.social here: www.sightline.org/2025/05/14/n...
Once you get parking pilled, you never go back. @trufahey.bsky.social and partners tested the most effective messaging to unlock housing, support great neighborhoods, and ditch empty asphalt. www.sightline.org/2025/05/28/h...
May 28, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Once you get parking pilled, you never go back. @trufahey.bsky.social and partners tested the most effective messaging to unlock housing, support great neighborhoods, and ditch empty asphalt. www.sightline.org/2025/05/28/h...
Still, if decarbonization goes according to plan, electricity demand from other sectors (cars, buildings) will surpass that of data centers.
May 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Still, if decarbonization goes according to plan, electricity demand from other sectors (cars, buildings) will surpass that of data centers.
What’s often left out of the narrative is that, despite data centers’ growth, electricity emissions in both states have dropped in the past decade – and power demand hasn’t even risen yet in WA.
May 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
What’s often left out of the narrative is that, despite data centers’ growth, electricity emissions in both states have dropped in the past decade – and power demand hasn’t even risen yet in WA.
We're jazzed to be partnering with Pattie Gonia for their enviro drag show coming to #PortlandOR in July!
If you support Sightline in May you could win two VIP tix - reply SAVEHER to the email confirmation of your donation of any amount and email [email protected] with qs. sightline.org/donate
If you support Sightline in May you could win two VIP tix - reply SAVEHER to the email confirmation of your donation of any amount and email [email protected] with qs. sightline.org/donate
May 8, 2025 at 6:54 PM
We're jazzed to be partnering with Pattie Gonia for their enviro drag show coming to #PortlandOR in July!
If you support Sightline in May you could win two VIP tix - reply SAVEHER to the email confirmation of your donation of any amount and email [email protected] with qs. sightline.org/donate
If you support Sightline in May you could win two VIP tix - reply SAVEHER to the email confirmation of your donation of any amount and email [email protected] with qs. sightline.org/donate
No one else is coming to do this work for us. But together, we’re exactly who we need. Support our work and help Cascadia lead with good ideas: sightline.org/donate
May 5, 2025 at 4:54 PM
No one else is coming to do this work for us. But together, we’re exactly who we need. Support our work and help Cascadia lead with good ideas: sightline.org/donate