This Old house

eric — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:53:33 -0800

This Old House

David Brooks
New York Times columnist
December 9, 2008

The 1980s and 1990s made up the era of the great dispersal. Forty-three million people moved every year, and basically they moved outward — from inner-ring suburbs to far-flung exurbs on the metro fringe. For example, the population of metropolitan Pittsburgh declined by 8 percent in those years, but the developed land area of the Pittsburgh area sprawled outward by 43 percent.

New Ridership Record Shows U.S. Still Lured to Mass Transit

eric — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:46:18 -0800

New Ridership Record Shows U.S. Still Lured to Mass Transit

Lena H. Sun
Washington Post Staff Writer
December 8, 2008

Americans rode subways, buses and commuter railroads in record numbers in the third quarter of this year, even as gas prices dropped and unemployment rose. The 6.5 percent jump in transit ridership over the same period last year marks the largest quarterly increase in public transportation ridership in 25 years, according to a survey to be released today by the American Public Transportation Association.

Citizen Advocacy Training in Hood River on December 11th

gerik — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:48:49 -0800

Citizen Advocacy Training in Hood River on December 11th

You've watched over the past months, even years, as politicians have bombarded the airwaves and pounded the pavement for your vote. Now that the election is over it is time to start making tough policy decisions about how we should spend limited money on our highest priorities. Will you be involved?

Elected leaders will be in Salem every day creating new policies and new directions for Oregon. And your involvement can have a huge impact on the decisions they make.

Fall 2008 Landmark now online

eric — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:33:00 -0800

Fall Landmark now available online

The latest edition of Landmark, the journal of 1000 Friends of Oregon, is now available on our web site.

This edition includes several excellent articles from guest authors, including:

- How to design a cap and trade system to reduce global warming in a way that doesn't unfairly burden working families. Authored by Chuck Sheketoff, Executive Director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy.

A huge win -- for lawyers

eric — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:51:05 -0800

A huge win -- for lawyers

The Oregonian Editorial
November 24, 2008

Sometimes a judicial opinion, for all its repercussions on the ground, seems to float on another plane entirely. It cruises almost at an altitude of its own making.

So it is with U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner's recent revival of property-rights monster Measure 37. Also known as The Bad Neighbor Law or the Bulldozer's Best Friend, the law was scaled back in 2007.

Seizing our chance in the midst of crisis

eric — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:12:17 -0800

Seizing our chance in the midst of crisis

Angus Duncan
Guest opinion, The Oregonian
November 24, 2008

The country's ongoing financial meltdown is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We shouldn't waste it.

Begin with the emerging recognition that federal stimulus strategies under discussion are focusing on infrastructure investment, not just sending cash to consumers. That's good news.

President-elect Obama Shows Support for Sustainable Transportation Investments

eric — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:41:32 -0800

President-elect Obama responds to Transportation For America

Before the last presidential debate Oct. 15, Transportation For America asked our supporters to sign a petition urging Sen. McCain and then Sen. Obama to tell us their plans for keeping America moving and creating new jobs by investing in our critical transportation system and infrastructure.

Americans, Oregonians continued to drive less in September

eric — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:48:44 -0800

Americans, Oregonians continued to drive less in September

Dylan Rivera
The Oregonian
November 19, 2008

Even as gas prices declined from record highs in July, motorists in September continued to drive less than they did a year ago, a report by the Federal Highway Administration said today.

Americans drove 4.4 percent less, or 10.7 billion fewer vehicle miles traveled (VMT), in September 2008 than September 2007, the eleventh-straight month of declining driving.

Governor Kulongoski Announces Jobs & Transportation Act of 2009

eric — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:50:27 -0800

Governor Kulongoski Announces Jobs & Transportation Act of 2009

(Salem) – Governor Ted Kulongoski today presented his transportation plan called “The Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009” to the Oregon House and Senate Transportation Committees. The Governor’s comprehensive transportation plan will create thousands of jobs, establish sustainable long-term funding for Oregon’s statewide transportation system and address greenhouse gas emissions in transportation construction and planning.

Oregon's 'Big Look' task force finds need for land-use reform

eric — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:38:35 -0800

Oregon's 'Big Look' task force finds need for land-use reform

Eric Mortenson
The Oregonian

November 03, 2008

After two years of study, a high-profile group of land-use advisers believes there should be more local control over how Oregon shelters farms, timber and wildlife habitat from the advance of houses, malls and factories.