Oregon

Ideally, the best way to encourage sales of non-polluting electric vehicles would be to price carbon emissions. But if that isn't possible, why not reward EV owners with perks such as free parking; or would that be a distortionary incentive?

July 24, 2013 - UC Berkeley: Energy Economics Exchange

Efforts by local leaders to revive a $3.4 billion plan to replace the bridge linking Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, Washington is just the latest example of a trend in metropolitan innovation in the face of federal and state gridlock.

July 17, 2013 - The New York Times

If Gov. John Kitzhaber signs SB 810, as expected, Oregon will create a voluntary program for up to 5,000 motorists who will pay 1.5-cents for every mile they drive instead of the 30-cent state fuel excise tax.

July 10, 2013 - Statesman Journal

In retrospect, it may seem like Portland’s biking boom was inevitable. But not too long ago the city was eclipsed by other Pac NW cities for share of bicycle commuters. What happened between 2002-2008 to kick-start the city’s bike craze?

July 9, 2013 - BikePortland

Wash. state senate Republicans dealt a crushing blow to governors of both Wash. and Ore. by killing a 10.5-cent gas tax bill needed to tap $850 million in federal funds to finance rebuilding of two, obsolete I-5 spans over the Columbia River.

July 8, 2013 - The Columbian

Tax attorney Kelly Phillips Erb pens a colorful narrative upon the 81st birthday of the federal gas tax, showing the interesting history of this now controversial tax. It began on June 6, 1932 to close general budget gaps, not build roads.

June 16, 2013 - Forbes

In Portland, Oregon an unlikely partnership of environmental and business interests is supporting a plan to rezone an 84-year-old golf course to allow industrial development, bringing a new slant to the term 'greenfield development'.

June 11, 2013 - The Oregonian

State departments of transportation aren't known for being the most progressive public agencies. But, in response to economic and demographic changes, Oregon's DOT (ODOT) is breaking the mold by embracing a multimodal transformation.

May 24, 2013 - Bike Portland

Although a growing list of communities (of which Portland is the largest) have banned the addition of fluoride to tap water, such places are doing so against the recommendations of the medical establishment. What's driving the backlash?

May 23, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

NJ legislation highlights the need to ensure that those who drive EVs pay their fair share of taxes to keep roads in good repair. A bill that would have charged a mileage fee for all vehicles was scrapped for a $50 flat registration fee for EVs.

May 22, 2013 - Green Car Reports

The USA Today editorial board argues that increasing the gas tax is the best way for states to fund transportation while Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) extolls Oregon's VMT fee pilot project, which the editors calls complex and bureaucratic.

May 16, 2013 - USA Today

House Republicans object to further funding of the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program - largely due to California's expectation to receive $42 billion in federal funding - yet less ambitious projects have shown much promise.

May 8, 2013 - Governing Magazine

A proposal in President Obama's fiscal year 2014 budget would reduce the deficit and place a government-owned utility in private hands - ostensibly Republican goals - but it is being opposed by Tennessee's senior Republican Senator, Lamar Alexander.

April 18, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

A pilot program introduced parklets to Portland last summer to seemingly widespread applause. Fearing the loss of parking, a group representing downtown business owners has successfully lobbied the city to cancel the program in the downtown core.

April 17, 2013 - BikePortland.org

With the traditional metrics of retail economics and geography being undermined by the Internet, businesses are searching for new ways to reach potential customers. Astute business owners in Portland are recognizing the value in good bike exposure.

March 6, 2013 - Green Lane Project

What is the future of the "deeply flawed" state gas tax? Lemov Penelope compares the approaches taken by VA and OR - both plan to eliminate it and replace it with alternatives - a state sales tax and a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) fee, respectively.

January 21, 2013 - Governing Magazine

Brian Libby examines the plans for Zidell Yards, downtown Portland's last major real estate opportunity, which "seeks to be a macro development comprised of many different micro-sized parts."

January 7, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

With bicycling growing in popularity while driving decreases, should a city install "bicycle-specific traffic signals"? Mary Ebeling of State Smart Transportation Initiatives provides guidance and helpful designs from city transportation officials.

January 6, 2013 - The State Smart Transportation Initiative

In a photo essay on small homes and the people who love them, Sightline Fellow Alyse Nelson explains the attraction of compact living and the ways in which small homeowners are living it up by scaling down.

January 3, 2013 - Sightline Daily

Notoriously bike-friendly city; home to country's leading bike-share operator; a latecomer to the bike-share bandwagon. What's working with this picture of Portland, Oregon?

December 16, 2012 - Oregon Public Broadcasting