I can see why city managers align with city employers to want to solve the housing crisis by building more densely within the city, but I’d expect the governor of a whole state to be more interested in making more, smaller centers. Like see what it would take to get companies to look at Medford or Bend or get services in those areas good enough that people have choices other than Portland for whatever it is that brings them to Portland. The governor has a role in doing this responsibly so protections are in place before development. I just think part of what makes Portland liveable is it’s size, both area and population, compared with the beautiful rural and natural areas available within an hour or so. I wonder if others agree, but I think it would be better to have a handful of mid size cities with strict urban boundaries throughout the state than to create one giant Portland that’s constantly pressing outward. A governor should be thinking of the whole state.

I really hope Kotek is really gonna get results. I can’t stand our housing crisis here.