At this point in fiscal year 2023, 497 new dwelling units had been permitted for construction in city limits of Missoula. So far in FY ‘24, only 63:

Missoula sees $233M worth of new development in '23, housing construction slows missoulian.com/news/local/mis…

Spin: “‘I’m confident in our redetermination process,’ Brereton told lawmakers.”

Reality: “Two-thirds of those who were kicked off state Medicaid rolls lost coverage for technical reasons…one of the highest procedural disenrollment rates in the US.”
missoulian.com/news/state-reg…

“Zoning is now the most important mechanism promoting class and racial segregation in the United States. The effect is not just associational; it is causal.” pg. 73 amazon.com/Excluded-Zonin…

I don’t think the lands were unassigned!!

Something like this is why I think the public vs. private school distinction isn't as significant as it's often made out to be. Public schools aren't public in the sense that, say, a public park is. It's not like anyone can just go. Lots of them, you get in because you have money

In 2022 Missoula had a higher rate of fatal car wrecks than Montana and the U.S. overall. Local traffic managers say data shows that busy, state-managed roads through town are the culprit: missoulian.com/news/local/car…

MT FWP opted out of sharing data on ungulate migration patterns with this sprawling USGS west-wide study bc the data publication might 'strain private landowner relations'. #montana #mtpol 👀

#mtpol The Hospital in Warm Springs is a short staffed shit show. 'We are never going to get down to zero (travelling staff).' Changing workplace culture is VERY difficult. I still believe best long term solution for dealing with increasing population of patients is relocation.

Broadway, Brooks, Russell, Reserve: all poorly-designed, state-owned stroads lined with little white crosses. It’s time for MDT to work with cities and prioritize safety over speed in urban areas. #mtpol missoulian.com/news/local/car…

'Bodies Beneath Us'—a new documentary made in Missoula—details the history of Chinese communities who once called Montana home. I encourage folks to go see it!

It is a reckoning for how our homes, schools, & lives are built atop communities that our cities have chosen to forget.

For a culture that waxes poetic about the power of homeownership & starter homes, we do everything in our power to make it nearly impossible to develop them. How can something be the pillar of our community & yet be treated & discussed as a burden every step of regulatory path?

Federal funding to complete the Milwaukee trail extension would be huge for the fast growing # of Mullan Rd area residents. Currently they pay for, but cannot easily access, Missoula’s extensive system of bike/ped paths.

Good bipartisan bill from last year– Rep. Bedey’s HB 203 making it easier for families to move their kid into a different school district #mtpol apps.montanafreepress.org/capitol-tracke…

The average Montana home is among the largest in the US. The average household is among the smallest. #emptybedrooms #mtpol

Huge permitting reform news:

The Bureau of Land Management is giving geothermal energy exploration a categorical exclusion from environmental review under NEPA.

If you care about clean energy abundance, this is a massive win.

People need to broaden their imagination of what a good housing market looks like. It’s one where there’s abundant affordable options for whatever you need at any point in life, not where you manage to lock in affordability if you’re willing to not move for decades.

Hellgate Osprey 4-15
Iris and her 'Fishermen's Envy' size trout

The broke city's guide to traffic calming: old concrete pipe filled with dirt are one the cheapest yet most effective ways to turn any resident intersection into a mini roundabout!

Near impossible to speed through the intersection, and doesn't negatively impact pedestrians!

Respectfully disagree. No industrialized country that’s serious about emissions reduction requires a statewide vote for every new nuclear plant. The law was a relic from the 70s. The scientific consensus has shifted—even Mother Jones has pivoted: motherjones.com/politics/2023/…