On July 24th, the New York Times ran a 2,300-word piece describing the challenges owners of vacation homes have faced in converting their second homes into their primary residences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges included the inability to get a Starbucks vanilla latte or find a bagel shop. Readers overwhelming responded: “Read the room, New York Times!” […]
While much of the region is stuck at home under the governor’s “stay home, stay safe” order, the Metro regional government is charging ahead with a $7 billion “T2020” transportation package focused on an expensive and unneeded light rail line. Unlike Metro’s recently passed taxes for housing services, T2020 will impose hundreds of dollars in […]
Most of us are very, very tired of the constant barrage of negative news. We realize that it may have some tenuous connection to reality, but is mostly manufactured nonsense, designed to keep us upset until at least the Presidential Election in November. But will it even end then? That is unlikely, because too many […]
The 2020 we’re living in is very different from the 2020 we rang in at the beginning of the year. In January, there were about a dozen Democrats seeking the nomination for President. Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, free college tuition, and universal basic income were seriously debated as potential policies for a […]
With the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic waning somewhat in the USA and locally here in Oregon, as people become more careful about spreading it, we are close to the point where we should talk about ‘lessons learned.’ That is the process of 20/20 hindsight, where we look back at what was done and not done that […]
Many Oregon businesses are looking forward toward May 15. That’s the day the state expects to ease some of Governor Kate Brown’s COVID-19 “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. But, many businesses are considering whether they should re-open at all. And coronavirus is only one of many new challenges facing Oregon businesses. Leading up to the […]
Does Metro’s appetite for more money ever end? Last November, Metro raised property taxes by $475 million for parks and nature. Now, with Measure 26-210, Metro wants another $2.5 billion for housing services. In November, Metro will have a third ballot measure, asking for an additional $3.8 billion to expand light rail. That’s nearly $6.8 […]
Oregon is nearing the end of the first month of Governor Kate Brown’s state-at-home order. The order is just one of many ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way consumers shop and the way businesses sell. These shifts in behavior, designed to “flatten the curve” of infection through social distancing, are happening […]
When Governor Brown is talking about the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, she is likely correct, although a bit melodramatic. When she is talking about Global Warming, she has no idea about the science. NONE. Such is the credibility issue that the nation’s Democratic Governors face in addressing the virus. Although they have primary responsibility for the […]
The system is facing a $30 billion shortfall—radical reform is needed Coronavirus has hit the economy hard. Nearly all the stock market gains from the past two or three years have been wiped out. While it’s painful for investors and retirees, it’s likely to fuel the third major PERS crisis since the dot-com bust. PERS, […]