Sightline Institute

Think tank cooking up nonpartisan policy research on housing, energy, climate, and democracy in Cascadia. 🧠

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Sightline won't be posting as frequently here on X. Here's where you can find our latest, besides https://t.co/N20Ca2i9Wr ⬇️

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

A new report shows how shifting incentives through a land value tax in Spokane could encourage homebuilding and discourage in-city vacant land speculation. https://t.co/O4cfXjmwOO

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Mail-in voting is a big part of Cascadia’s democracy infrastructure. https://t.co/kLAMHYi4S8

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

A tweak to Montana’s filing laws would prevent incumbent politicians from gaming the system. https://t.co/nhLSFLJNKr

[California YIMBY @cayimby]

Housing policy may do more for the climate than climate policy itself.

A new report finds that apartment residents emit 1/3 to 1/2 as much climate pollution as suburban homeowners���and that most US land still bans apartment construction.

[Saad Asad @realsaadasad]

Washington unanimously legalized scissor stairs, a building code reform that frees up to 56% more living space per floor.

Less wasted space means cheaper homes on smaller lots.

Most US states banned this since the 1970s for no good reason.

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Our housing team is hiring another part time contributor—this one in British Columbia! Help us advance our housing policy work in the province: https://t.co/HElgCB2ZAC

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Our Housing and Cities team is hiring a part-time contributor who knows #Alaska's political and policy landscape. https://t.co/iq9ttPhN7O

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

#WALeg said yes to more light-filled apartment homes by legalizing scissor stairs statewide. https://t.co/0JBx65DbSS

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Alaska’s #RankedChoiceVoting system doesn’t help members of one party or another—it elevates candidates with broad popular support.
https://t.co/3asYY1cIOi

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

One year ago, the #WALeg Parking Reform and Modernization Act became law. Several cities are adopting reforms well before deadlines or removing costly mandates altogether. https://t.co/s35CaEBZrJ

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Housing—and apartment buildings specifically—may be the United States’ biggest climate opportunity of the Trump era. 
https://t.co/IQ200mbNSN

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Idaho leaders just opened up more housing options in a price-crunched state. https://t.co/MF0ztCrwi6

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Missoula’s new code legalized more homes of all shapes and sizes. https://t.co/QklSzgYPvr

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

What does it look like when voters get a fair share of the seats at the table? https://t.co/wYAdqLG29B

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

WA’s new transmission authority will help plan, build, and finance the power lines needed to meet the state’s climate goals. https://t.co/7BMQoIsamf

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

We’re hiring a housing and cities lead researcher!

Help develop and drive pro-housing policy with us: https://t.co/YkW28JN4lh

[Unite America @uniteamerica]

A new analysis from @Sightline finds that Alaska's election reforms, including open primaries, are still delivering benefits for voters and leaders alike.

1. Voters understand ranked choice voting and use it when it counts
2. Elections are more competitive
3. Popular moderates are winning legislative seats
4. Independents are breaking through
5. Lawmakers are working across the aisle on issues that matter to Alaskans

"A picture is coming into focus in Alaska: voters who can express nuanced opinions on their ballots, candidates with room to reach across party lines, and a legislature that is modestly more effective for having ideological diversity in its chambers."

Read more: https://t.co/p7UIqmtrEX

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

Open primaries and #RankedChoiceVoting are no longer new—but they’re still delivering for Alaskans. https://t.co/x1THYmVF4A

[Sightline Institute @Sightline]

The US and Canada have the fewest elevators among rich countries. That's a big barrier to building better cities.

Join @welcomingneighbors and an all-star slate of panelists on April 10 for a deep dive: https://t.co/CJVVFdKMvi

https://t.co/PYnwXObTWo

[More Equitable Democracy @equitabledemo]

In winner-take-all elections, millions of votes effectively don’t count.

Proportional representation offers a better way — where voters get a fair share of seats and more real choices.

Check out this quick explainer from @Sightline breaks it down:

https://t.co/Dps6R5wyMG