Ryan Phillips

@oregonryan.bsky.social

Policy researcher turned policy doer // Senior Transit Policy Analyst @ ODOT // Currently a runner // Views expressed are my own

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 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.

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.

“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.”

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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?

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.

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

Khanh Pham for Oregon@khanhphamfororegon.com · last yr.

"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

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…

New research provides conclusive proof that 20mph in London is saving lives 🚶🚲🚌🚗 14 yrs of analysis at 150+ sites - reviewed by experts - shows: ❤️40% fewer deaths (vs 7% drop on roads where no changes were made) ❤️75% fewer children killed & 50% fewer kids hurt.

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For one of my first jobs, I commuted from SF to downtown Oakland by BART. Staff who drove got free parking in a gated parking lot. I asked if my BART fare could be subsidized since I didn’t drive. No, was the answer. Took me a long time to figure out all the layers of dumb in that policy.