Ryan Phillips
@oregonryan.bsky.social
Policy researcher turned policy doer // Senior Transit Policy Analyst @ ODOT // Currently a runner // Views expressed are my own
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
US could be rapidly electrifying its trucking system (China’s new heavy duty trucks are 30% electric www.ttnews.com/articles/car...) and its buses (EU’s new city buses were 60% electric in 2025 www.sustainable-bus.com/news/bloombe...), but it hasn’t & it isn’t. Now it’s suffering the consequences.
new all-time diesel price records today set in: Michigan ($6.27), Indiana ($6.22), Wisconsin ($6.11) and Illinois ($6.22), knocking out records set this spring.
September 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
US could be rapidly electrifying its trucking system (China’s new heavy duty trucks are 30% electric www.ttnews.com/articles/car...) and its buses (EU’s new city buses were 60% electric in 2025 www.sustainable-bus.com/news/bloombe...), but it hasn’t & it isn’t. Now it’s suffering the consequences.
Do US carmakers believe they will be able to sustain indefinitely a trade blockade against Chinese EVs that have 500 miles range, recharge in 5 minutes and cost $25k? That seems to me to be the bet.
March 21, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Do US carmakers believe they will be able to sustain indefinitely a trade blockade against Chinese EVs that have 500 miles range, recharge in 5 minutes and cost $25k? That seems to me to be the bet.
It would surely be one of the great ironies of political history if the antidemocratic goal of voter suppression is the reason for the end of the antidemocratic filibuster.
March 13, 2026 at 4:59 AM
It would surely be one of the great ironies of political history if the antidemocratic goal of voter suppression is the reason for the end of the antidemocratic filibuster.
$11.3 billion. 1 week.
March 12, 2026 at 2:28 AM
$11.3 billion. 1 week.
It really shows how bereft of expertise Oregon news organizations are that there are now 2 lawsuits against moving the transportation tax referendum and the best that can be done is to say “there’s a lawsuit” +/- 500 words. Not a single word about the merits. Anyone can file a lawsuit. Anyone.
March 7, 2026 at 4:07 AM
It really shows how bereft of expertise Oregon news organizations are that there are now 2 lawsuits against moving the transportation tax referendum and the best that can be done is to say “there’s a lawsuit” +/- 500 words. Not a single word about the merits. Anyone can file a lawsuit. Anyone.
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Aside from the tone-deafness of these priorities, the "business taxes have increased by an astonishing 81%" is a textbook case of lying with statistics. Let's look at the likely source for this claim: an EY report commisioned by Oregon Business & Industry: oregonbusinessindustry.com/wp-content/u...
January 28, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Aside from the tone-deafness of these priorities, the "business taxes have increased by an astonishing 81%" is a textbook case of lying with statistics. Let's look at the likely source for this claim: an EY report commisioned by Oregon Business & Industry: oregonbusinessindustry.com/wp-content/u...
Interested in how transportation decisions are made in Oregon? PSU is providing a course open to any Oregon resident free of charge, remote or in person, stipends available for childcare and transportation costs.
trec.pdx.edu/community-tr...
trec.pdx.edu/community-tr...
trec.pdx.edu
January 22, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Interested in how transportation decisions are made in Oregon? PSU is providing a course open to any Oregon resident free of charge, remote or in person, stipends available for childcare and transportation costs.
trec.pdx.edu/community-tr...
trec.pdx.edu/community-tr...
My daughter took her first trip on public transit today without adult supervision. She and her friends went to protest against ICE abductions.
Or as I am thinking about it: Using a public good for the public good.
Or as I am thinking about it: Using a public good for the public good.
January 21, 2026 at 12:48 AM
My daughter took her first trip on public transit today without adult supervision. She and her friends went to protest against ICE abductions.
Or as I am thinking about it: Using a public good for the public good.
Or as I am thinking about it: Using a public good for the public good.
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
January 9, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Got an e-bike. Been taking my kid to school on it. It’s the best.
January 8, 2026 at 5:22 AM
Got an e-bike. Been taking my kid to school on it. It’s the best.
Happy that intercity bus service is being restored on I-84 for the communities of NE Oregon in time for Christmas and New Years
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Northeast Oregon regains daily bus service to Portland and Boise after an 11-month gap
Nearly a year after Greyhound ended bus service, residents of northeast Oregon will again have a public transit option to reach Portland and Boise. The daily service will be operated by Northwestern S...
www.opb.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Happy that intercity bus service is being restored on I-84 for the communities of NE Oregon in time for Christmas and New Years
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Having solar installed on our house today and it’s very satisfying
November 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Having solar installed on our house today and it’s very satisfying
Won’t pretend to know much about VA politics, but this is how the peaceful transfer of power in a democracy is suppose to work.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Campaign jabs give way to ‘lovely’ lunch between Youngkin and Spanberger
Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) met for a traditional lunch Tuesday with outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) as she begins assembling her transition team.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Won’t pretend to know much about VA politics, but this is how the peaceful transfer of power in a democracy is suppose to work.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
“We are home now. We marched from the park to ICE, very peaceful crowd. We were standing around ICE pushed us down, sprayed us with chemical and I was hit in the head with a projectile. This was so unprovoked. People have to know that the Feds are attacking people with NO provocation whatsoever.”
October 6, 2025 at 11:19 PM
“We are home now. We marched from the park to ICE, very peaceful crowd. We were standing around ICE pushed us down, sprayed us with chemical and I was hit in the head with a projectile. This was so unprovoked. People have to know that the Feds are attacking people with NO provocation whatsoever.”
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Many Oregon voters are stuck using flawed, outdated winner-take-all voting methods — even though their constitution calls out a better option by name. www.sightline.org/2025/09/23/f...
For Oregonians, Better Elections Are Hidden in Plain Sight | Sightline Institute
The state’s constitution lets localities opt for methods that better reflect their mix of voters.
www.sightline.org
September 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Many Oregon voters are stuck using flawed, outdated winner-take-all voting methods — even though their constitution calls out a better option by name. www.sightline.org/2025/09/23/f...
I regularly wonder if Oregon would have a better Democratic Party if it had a better Republican Party.
September 17, 2025 at 4:49 AM
I regularly wonder if Oregon would have a better Democratic Party if it had a better Republican Party.
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
It’s so important to show people—esp public leaders—that e-bikes may look like traditional pedal bikes, but they’re used completely differently.
They’re like a miracle drug for replacing car trips.
They’re like a miracle drug for replacing car trips.
Interesting study from Germany on e-bikes and the modes they replace:
"43.1% of electric bicycle trips and 63.2% of electric bicycle mileage would have been undertaken using a car if no e-bike had been available, highlighting their substantial potential to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions"
"43.1% of electric bicycle trips and 63.2% of electric bicycle mileage would have been undertaken using a car if no e-bike had been available, highlighting their substantial potential to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions"
Further, steeper, greener: Implications from an electric bicycle mode choice model
Electric bicycles are transforming the active mobility landscape, potentially increasing active mode uptake and delivering environmental and health benefits. This study examines electric bicycle mo...
doi.org
July 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
It’s so important to show people—esp public leaders—that e-bikes may look like traditional pedal bikes, but they’re used completely differently.
They’re like a miracle drug for replacing car trips.
They’re like a miracle drug for replacing car trips.
483 employees and almost 1000 positions overall were eliminated at ODOT today. Even when the OR Leg acts the damage has been done.
Next time an elected suggests that public transportation isn’t a “core service,” ask them about the tens of millions of rides each year. Are those all luxury trips?
Next time an elected suggests that public transportation isn’t a “core service,” ask them about the tens of millions of rides each year. Are those all luxury trips?
July 8, 2025 at 1:23 AM
483 employees and almost 1000 positions overall were eliminated at ODOT today. Even when the OR Leg acts the damage has been done.
Next time an elected suggests that public transportation isn’t a “core service,” ask them about the tens of millions of rides each year. Are those all luxury trips?
Next time an elected suggests that public transportation isn’t a “core service,” ask them about the tens of millions of rides each year. Are those all luxury trips?
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
The bill picked up a Republican vote in the committee, which is a very positive sign as it heads to the House floor tomorrow.
bikeportland.org/2025/06/26/t...
bikeportland.org/2025/06/26/t...
Transportation bill passes committee (again), now heads to floor vote
Dems have navigated rough waters and are on course for full passage.
bikeportland.org
June 27, 2025 at 12:46 AM
The bill picked up a Republican vote in the committee, which is a very positive sign as it heads to the House floor tomorrow.
bikeportland.org/2025/06/26/t...
bikeportland.org/2025/06/26/t...
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Never forget that in US political discourse, the Pragmatic, Realistic position, the position that Understands Economics and puts away childish "luxury beliefs," is that US citizens cannot enjoy the public services & amenities enjoyed by citizens of virtually every other advanced democracy.
June 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Never forget that in US political discourse, the Pragmatic, Realistic position, the position that Understands Economics and puts away childish "luxury beliefs," is that US citizens cannot enjoy the public services & amenities enjoyed by citizens of virtually every other advanced democracy.
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
As my colleague and friend RJ's beautiful story conveys, transit's value is in providing you access to opportunities you would not have otherwise. Whether that's education, treatment, economic self-reliance, or something else, transit, when adequately funded, can get you there!
#orleg
#orleg
"Transit isn't just live changing. It's life saving."
Thank you so much to Cherriots Board Member RJ Navarro for sharing your story at our SMART Framework Press Conference this week.
We must ensure Oregon's transportation package avoids any cuts to transit service statewide. #orleg
Thank you so much to Cherriots Board Member RJ Navarro for sharing your story at our SMART Framework Press Conference this week.
We must ensure Oregon's transportation package avoids any cuts to transit service statewide. #orleg
June 7, 2025 at 4:43 AM
As my colleague and friend RJ's beautiful story conveys, transit's value is in providing you access to opportunities you would not have otherwise. Whether that's education, treatment, economic self-reliance, or something else, transit, when adequately funded, can get you there!
#orleg
#orleg
FTA $1.1 bn low-no emission grant program now requires applicant to agree to cooperate with ICE on immigration enforcement.
Congress passes laws, appropriates funds, Trump administration does whatever it wants.
If only the Supreme Court and the Constitution had something to say about this…
Congress passes laws, appropriates funds, Trump administration does whatever it wants.
If only the Supreme Court and the Constitution had something to say about this…
May 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
FTA $1.1 bn low-no emission grant program now requires applicant to agree to cooperate with ICE on immigration enforcement.
Congress passes laws, appropriates funds, Trump administration does whatever it wants.
If only the Supreme Court and the Constitution had something to say about this…
Congress passes laws, appropriates funds, Trump administration does whatever it wants.
If only the Supreme Court and the Constitution had something to say about this…
Reposted by Ryan Phillips
Couldn't have said it better myself. “We are grateful to share the vision for a better transit system for all Oregonians, but the money must match the mission,” Cassie Wilson, transportation policy manager at 1000 Friends of Oregon, said. #orleg #orpol
www.portlandmercury.com/news/2025/05...
www.portlandmercury.com/news/2025/05...
Advocates, Transit Agencies Say Oregon Legislators' Transportation Package Proposal Falls Short
Hilda Perez lives with her family in Forest Grove, where she relies on the bus to get around. While Perez said “public transportation has been a lifeline,” it’s not always easy or safe for her to use....
www.portlandmercury.com
May 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Couldn't have said it better myself. “We are grateful to share the vision for a better transit system for all Oregonians, but the money must match the mission,” Cassie Wilson, transportation policy manager at 1000 Friends of Oregon, said. #orleg #orpol
www.portlandmercury.com/news/2025/05...
www.portlandmercury.com/news/2025/05...