iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 24/09/2026

Oregon is getting older. Its cities need to catch up. www.sightline.org/age-friendly... @andersem.bsky.social

Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 21/09/2026

Smaller elevators are legal already, but OR only allows them in buildings up to 3 stories, usually too short for an elevator to be considered in the first place. (And if cities stopped outlawing 3+ story buildings, more floors would be served, too.) More recs: www.sightline.org/age-friendly...

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 21/09/2026

Here’s what an accessible building looks like: single-level homes inside a neighborhood-scale condo or apartment. An example in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood:

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 21/09/2026

And when today’s seniors voluntarily downsize, other Oregonians move into the homes they depart. 🍾🎉 Downsizing options would help close an inefficiency during the statewide supply crunch: More than 600,000 existing bedrooms in Oregon are sitting empty each night.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 21/09/2026

Like everywhere in the world, Oregon’s senior population is growing. At all incomes, seniors prioritize living near friends, family, services, and good transportation options.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 01/09/2026

MDUs are WORKING in Portland! Since their legalization in 2020, mobile dwellings have increased by 80%. @citizen-cate.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/08/19/s...

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 12/08/2026

The lights come on when we flip the switch, but most of us rarely think about the electric grid or its role in cutting climate emissions. @trufahey.bsky.social sightline.org/MessagingNWEnergy

How to talk about the grid 🔌
Define the electric grid as essential and critical public infrastructure. The electric transmission system is largely out of sight, out of mind.
Underscore the age of the grid and the sluggish pace of upgrades. Start with a problem and then offer a meaningful way forward.
Bridge from basic upkeep to keeping up. Frame grid investments as “modernizing,” “improving safety,” “upgrading,” and “adding capacity,” not just “expansion.”
Connect on the price tag that comes with delay. “The longer we wait, the more we pay.”
Link grid modernization to climate change and and low-cost clean energy for solid Democrats and for persuadable voters.
sightline.org/ClearTheLines

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 30/07/2026

New Sightliner alert! She's not on Bsky (yet), but you'll see her elections research here soon. Off the clock, you can find Robyn backcountry snowboarding with her dog. 🏂

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 23/07/2026

Be part of building a more affordable and welcoming Eugene! Join Sightline + @1000oregon.bsky.social for a housing advocacy happy hour August 9. RSVP: forms.gle/rndM6TY6CaLD...

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 21/07/2026

390,000 Oregonians and counting live in wildfire-prone areas.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 09/07/2026

The Portland competition, hosted by @portlandneighborswelcome.org @strongtownspdx.bsky.social, tasked teams with designing a six-story building around a single stairway. pnwdreams.org/submissions

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 09/07/2026

Single-stair buildings—aka “point access blocks” or “sunlight suites”—are multifamily residences that have just one central stairwell (plus an elevator in some cases).

Comparison of two-stair and single stair buildings, and how the stairs can change unit composition

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 17/06/2026

When we’re building more apartments, we’re accidentally making climate progress.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 16/06/2026

They’re ramping up their prevention spending to the tune of ≈$700M of their customers’ dollars—just in 2026! This spending is pushing up ratepayers’ electricity bills, which could discourage people from switching to climate-friendly electric appliances.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 13/05/2026

#WALeg legalized scissor stairs this year! The efficient design conserves square footage and helps buildings fit onto smaller lots. @markusja.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/05/13/w...

Apartment buildings with scissor stairs have compact cores that leave more room for light-filled living space.
Graphic by BC Housing

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 08/05/2026

Meet a Board Member!🦎 Erim Gómez is a professor of wildlife biology at the University of Montana, where his research and teaching focus on wildlife habitat ecology and conservation management. www.sightline.org/gratitude-re...

“
In the classroom, I remind students that science does not tell us what to do; rather, it helps us make better-informed decisions. I ask them to wrestle with how values shape choices and how science, policy, and community voices can come together to build solutions that serve people and the ecosystems we love.
“
Erim Gómez
SIGHTLINE BOARD MEMBER

Photo of Erim holding a frog outdoors, illustration of a turtle

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 07/05/2026

Happy birthday to Washington’s parking reform!🎂 @governorferguson.bsky.social signed it into law a year ago today. And even though it won’t officially kick in until the end of 2026, it’s already laying the groundwork for more homes. By @citizen-cate.bsky.social: www.sightline.org/2026/05/07/w...

How WA’s parking reform
is playing out on the ground
The act goes into effect for most cities in December 2026.
Data centers are projected to make up less than half of Northwest electricity demand by 2050.
Three cities adopted parking reforms early
Lynnwood
Vancouver
Kirkland

Six cities are repealing mandates entirely
Bremerton
Bothell
Shoreline

Bellevue (In process)
Tacoma (In process)
Vancouver (In process)

Four states introduced similar 2026 legislation
Indiana (Failed)
Hawaii (Failed)
Illinois (Pending)
Rhode Island (Pending)

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 05/05/2026

Apartments are often more energy efficient and less reliant on polluting gas than single-detached houses. Every American who chooses an apartment over a house is 60% more likely to live in all-electric residence.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 29/04/2026

Join @1000oregon.bsky.social, @aarporegon.bsky.social & Community Vision on May 12 at noon PT for a webinar designed to break down the basics of accessible housing policy while tackling common myths about cost and need. Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Accessible Housing Policy
for Advocates
Tuesday, May 12 | 12-1:30p on Zoom
Join 1000 Friends of Oregon, AARP Oregon, Community Vision, and Sightline Institute for a webinar designed to break down accessible housing for advocates and policymakers.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 19/03/2026

Elevators are a key ingredient to homebuilding. How can we get more of them? On April 10, we’re hosting a webinar with @welcomingneighbors.us to get into it. Register: www.sightline.org/going-up-or-...

Going up!
How to get more elevators as we win more homes
Join us for a virtual conversation on Friday, April 10.
11a PT | 12p MT | 1p CT | 2p ET
Cassie Wilson
1000 Friends of Oregon
Shane Boland
Owen Gabbert LLC
Uytae Lee
About Here Videos

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 26/02/2026

Most in the NW (≈ 80%) do NOT live in high wildfire hazard zones. But everybody bears the consequences of continuing to build in risky areas. Safer communities pay for continued building in fire country, incl. through higher taxes for fire suppression and larger insurance premiums.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 26/02/2026

Affluent parts of fire country are growing fastest: 1/3 of NWers facing elevated fire hazard live in places like outskirts of Bend, OR (pictured); Boise, ID; and Missoula, MT; with relatively high incomes and other socioeconomic advantages. The more expensive the area, the costlier to rebuild.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 19/02/2026

“Why does Austin build so many houses and Los Angeles doesn’t?” –Abundance coauthor @dkthomp.bsky.social We cheer southern metros’ fast construction for good reason—Austin’s population DOUBLED since 2000. But Sun Belt cities have mostly grown in just one direction: out. LA should look to Seattle.

a chart of population growth in built-up census tracts (2000-2020). The seattle metro leads the US in urban population growth, followed by Washington DC, San Jose, and Portland. On the other end, Cleveland and Memphis have lost the most population in those tracts.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 13/02/2026

If Seattle had grown Texas-style, its residents would collectively emit about another million tons of greenhouse gases per year. That means that each year, the metro is saving more emissions than if the city of Seattle switched two out of every three cars from gas to electric.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 13/02/2026

So, in Seattle, what was the climate impact of all those new people living where they ended up? To know that, you’d have to imagine what would have happened if Seattle had sprawled more. We can look back to Dallas for the what-if.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 13/02/2026

We know that when people live close enough together, their climate footprint is smaller. This is primarily through less driving, more energy-efficient buildings, and *not* paving over carbon-sink ecosystems.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 13/02/2026

Let's compare Seattle to Dallas. The cities started at around the same population density distribution in 2000 but split by 2020: Dallas went out. Seattle went up.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 10/02/2026

Missoula — join us Feb. 19 at Free Cycles to talk transpo with @nondriver.bsky.social! 🚲🚌👩‍🦽More info: www.sightline.org/when-driving...

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 21/01/2026

"Washington has long enjoyed some of the most affordable and carbon-free electricity in the US. SB 5466 can continue that legacy." @emilymoore.bsky.social testified today in support of launching a state transmission authority. #WALeg More here: www.sightline.org/2025/12/18/h...

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 16/01/2026

HB 2210 in the #WALeg would establish standards for towns and counties opting into ranked choice voting. Here's our Democracy lead Shannon Grimes testifying in support during a committee hearing on Tuesday ⬇️ @wavotingjustice.bsky.social

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 13/01/2026

Inch by inch, elevators in North America have become 85% bigger than the global baseline to fit at least two people, w one in a wheelchair. It’s part of the reason why the US and Canada now represent less than 3% of new installations. @andersem.bsky.social www.sightline.org/2026/01/11/v...

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 05/01/2026

@emry-dinman.bsky.social includes this 1914 activist billboard from Rockford, Illinois that highlights ideas from the economist Henry George: "The profit is unearned increment made possible by the presence of this community and enterprise of its people." (photo via NY Public Library)

Rockford, IL sign reads: “EVERYBODY WORKS BUT THE VACANT LOT”

I paid $3600 for this lot and will hold till
I get $6000. The profit is unearned increment
made possible by the presence of this community
and enterprise of its people. I take the profit
without earning it. For the remedy read

“HENRY GEORGE”

Yours truly,
Fay Lewis

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 05/12/2025

This is why CA needs ranked top two. They're susceptible to the same misfire glitch as WA state: www.sightline.org/2025/11/11/w... From @politicalpolls.bsky.social⬇️

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 02/12/2025

Fall Fund Drive ends today! This #GivingTuesday, power work that will last for generations. Help us hit our goal: Sightline.org/Fall-Fund-Drive

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 25/11/2025

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:

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 24/11/2025

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

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 21/11/2025

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

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 12/11/2025

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.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 12/11/2025

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.

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 11/11/2025

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.

Democrats split the vote and almost got locked out by top two. Pie chart of vote shares - 57% democrat

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 10/11/2025

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

Cascadia won big
in housing this year.
Remember when we passed parking reform? (WA + MT)
And TOD with funded inclusionary zoning? (WA)
And lot-splitting? (WA + OR)
And six-story apartment buildings on commercial land? (MT)
And pre-approved zoning? (OR)

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 05/11/2025

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!!! ⚽🔋🌲

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 03/11/2025

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

Progress is not only possible —
it’s already happening.

alpine lake surrounded by larches

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 28/10/2025

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.

“Tall and sprawl” in microcosm on West 42nd Avenue in Vancouver (Daniel Oleksiuk, 2025).

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 28/10/2025

Neighborhood-scale apartment buildings like these in Fairview have been all but illegal to build in #VancouverBC for nearly a century.

Three-story red, yellow, and blue 1920s-vintage apartment buildings in Fairview (Daniel Oleksiuk, 2025).

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 03/10/2025

"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

A group of people in discussion, seated in a colorful classroom

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 01/10/2025

How should this fictional town elect its nine-person city council? www.sightline.org/2025/09/23/f...

A town outline with mixed color dots representing voter breakdown: 20% grey, 25% orange, 55% green

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 19/09/2025

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.

Chicken all cooped up on the side of the road during Parking Day 2010 in Seattle

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 04/09/2025

Next week: Catch @emilymoore.bsky.social chatting about the clean energy transition with Seattle CityClub!🔌🔋 seattlecityclub.org/event/civic-...

Power Shift: Climate Resilience, Energy Innovation & Infrastructure in Seattle

Wednesday, Sept 10

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Sightline Institute @sightline.org · 29/07/2025

Currently on our nightstands ⬇ ️What would you add? #booksky mailchi.mp/sightline.or...

Book covers:

Why Nothing Works, by Marc J. Dunkelman - Alan

Arbitrary Lines, by Nolan Gray - Catie

Wings of Fire series, by Tui Sutherland – Michael

The Serviceberry, by Robin Wall Kimmerer – Shannon

The Toynbee Convector, by Ray Bradbury – Al

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