Sightline Institute

09/11/2026

The cost of wildfire goes far beyond direct firefighting. https://www.sightline.org/2026/07/08/the-rising-costs-of-oregons-sprawl-into-fire-country/

Oregon lawmakers approved nearly $123 million to help cover the costs of this year’s record-breaking wildfire season.

09/10/2026

Last month, Elon Musk donated $1.5M in support of Alaska's Ballot Measure 2—and his influence only came to light because of the law he is seeking to repeal.

Ballot Measure 2 would not only repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting and open primaries election system, but also its anti-dark money transparency laws.

Ballot Measure 2 Would Allow Dark Money Back into Alaska’s Elections

09/08/2026

When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers.

09/02/2026

OPB's Think Out Loud talked with Kol Peterson about Portland's fastest and most affordable housing option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl7cLvaAs9Q

"You might as well be building a spaceship to be building a house in America. It's so complicated—the amount of bureaucracy involved, the amount of regulations and codes involved—it's a three month process to go through design. Let's say three months for permitting, on average, for a detached ADU, and let's say six months for construction. If you're lucky: one year from start to finish. By contrast, an MDU is three months, max. Maybe two. "

Seven Lessons from Portland’s Mobile Dwelling Experiment

08/31/2026

Portland’s new system of government has been in place for nearly two years now.

It’s working, but it’s taken some adjustment: councilors have had to learn it, sometimes clumsily; they’ve been divided on numerous issues; and those divisions have been on full, awkward public display thanks to a new state law.

The first year-and-a-half of Portland, OR's new government has been a steep learning curve for councilors. As it finds its feet, the refreshed system is slowly delivering neighborhood and citywide wins. .org

08/26/2026

Thank you for your commitment to Cascadia this Make-A-Will month.💓Your planned gifts create a lasting foundation for the work that matters most to you.

Planned Giving

08/25/2026

SCOTUS ruled yesterday that USPS can issue rules in compliance with Trump's plan to restrict mail-in ballots in the 2026 election. For now, a separate case still blocks the postal service from rolling those rules out nationwide. https://www.sightline.org/2026/05/28/how-threats-to-voting-by-mail-could-affect-cascadia/

Breaking News: The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to proceed with plans to restrict mail-in voting. The decision clears, for now, an executive order that would create “citizenship lists” and directs the Postal Service to decide who gets a mail-in ballot. https://nyti.ms/4xiRoIa

08/25/2026

You don’t have to live in fire country to end up paying for growing wildfire risk. Everyone picks up the tab—even the 80% of Northwesterners who live in places least likely to burn.

Fire Hazard: The Mounting Costs of Northwest Sprawl

08/20/2026

The climate-friendly appliances are becoming the norm among American home builders. Here are the factors driving the shift.

08/20/2026

Mobile dwellings are not just rivaling traditional backyard cottages. Since Portland legalized living in tiny homes on wheels in 2021, Portlanders prefer them *two to one.*

Seven Lessons from Portland’s Mobile Dwelling Experiment