Love it. Here’s my contribution to the study of the European Union: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Solid strategy

Also, because the common wisdom is the referendum will pass and the taxes repealed there is no journalist actually discussing the merits/demerits of the repeal beyond vague references to “reduced service levels.” Effect on the economy? Access to jobs? Healthcare? Education? Crickets.

There are capital grant opportunities opening in the next month through ODOT. Hope that is in TriMet’s and other transit agencies’ plans. Will be looking for projects that improve access, climate and safety.

Options: 1) very large amount of one time funding that can be used over many years, 2) smaller, but significant amounts of funding on ongoing basis. 3) smaller, one time funding that staves off some immediate cuts but only temporarily.

2/3 of the cost of running transit is operating expenses, mostly labor. One time funding will only make significant impact if a) it replaces large amounts of planned future capex and 2) supplanted and saved $ can be redirected to opex.

100%. I believe a valuable role state DOTs could play, assuming they have some funding to put to this use, is to be “public consultancy agencies”. It’s incredibly inefficient for small and medium sized agencies to staff or rely on consultants for many of their planning needs.

I agree Sunday Parkways aren’t good enough. Let’s do Everyday Parkways for bicyclists and pedestrians! Save on the need to set them up and break them down periodically!

Less importantly, I’d be surprised if ODOT figures showed that, but I’d be willing to look at those figures and figure out where the misinterpretation arises.

“In the past, Oregon Department of Transportation figures show, TriMet received more than half of its total revenue from the payroll tax. “

The .1% Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund payroll tax is not 50% of TriMet’s budget. It’s more like 3% of the budget. trimet.org/budget/pdf/2...

Definitely the aim. Priority Intercity Bus Network study will be out this month or next. ODOT will be assessing this investment alongside other priorities in the coming months.

This is accurate although a little nuanced. ODOT administers 5311(f) funding as a federal-state partnership. 5311(f) comprises 15% of OR’s annual federal apportionment of 5311 funding. In short, its federal funds that ODOT administers.

NWSL is also providing the non-federal match

Roughly 2/3 of cost is being covered by NWSL service revenues - fares, etc. 1/3 is a 5311(f) grant of up to $600,000. No state funds are paying for the service.