Can we get back to making things better? Pro: science, immigration, urbanism, housing abundance, walkable/bikeable cities, public transit, travel. CHI-ATL-SFBA
Chicago
Joined October 2009
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Another reminder that what you see in social media or on the news is far, far, far from representative.
Danny White retweeted
If Democrats are going to be serious at all about addressing affordability, it starts with helping to pass BAAJA. This is a very good pro-environment and pro-affordability bill.
Danny White retweeted
Democrats have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build out passenger rail service and transform the economy and lifestyle of the Midwest forever. Omaha, Nebraska should be connected to Chicago by High Speed Rail AND multiple intercity trains on different routes across Iowa!
Danny White retweeted
NYC is putting the design of their streets back into the hands of actual engineers to build safer, better streets - instead of the city being designed around the personal preferences of firefighters.
More cities need to do this.
Danny White retweeted
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build Midwest High Speed Rail.
In one possible right of way, Democrats will hold:
32 of 47 Congressional Districts
8 of 14 US Senators
4 of 7 State Trifectas
5 of 7 Governors
195ish of 301 State Legislative Districts
claude.ai/artifact/7375qGk6r…
Danny White retweeted
The best way to celebrate is by governing well, and that starts with making energy cheaper. Pass BAAJA now!
Danny White retweeted
The stars have aligned for midwest high speed rail.
Once in a generation opportunity at our doorstep! Get plugged in with the High Speed Rail Alliance @HSRail.
Become a member!
Danny White retweeted
Need some guidance voting in tomorrow’s midterm elections? Check out our voter guide, and make sure you have a plan to vote!
citythatworks.substack.com/p…
Danny White retweeted
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that there are still pizza places that manage their own delivery and if you find them and call them direct you’re saving them some money and usually going to get better service.
Yes, call them. On a phone. You’ll live.
Dear @DoorDash seriously. go fuck yourself. I went to an event last night so I can give out candy at a friends house and my mate gave out candy at the house. So he orders a pizza early like around 3 or 4 and gets updates its been pushed back and pushed back. And then eventually
Danny White retweeted
The reason Italy and France build infrastructure so cheaply is that 80% of the planning, design and project management is done in house. When I was a consultant, my company was charging more than 3x my salary for my work. Can we please get serious about project delivery as a country?
Breaking News: The chief executive of California’s High-Speed Rail Authority has abruptly resigned after a recent state report that found that the agency had misused nearly $600,000 to pay for the travel of consultants. This is a developing story. nyti.ms/4zoacHi
Danny White retweeted
It’s easy to hate cops. But do you have the courage to hate firefighters?
In 2005 San Francisco firefighter unions successfully pushed a proposition making it illegal to close or consolidate existing firehouses. It even prevents any apparatus from being changed. Despite some firehouses receiving < 3 calls a day. (not a typo)
Since then working fires have fallen 36% (309 to 197) as medical calls increased by far more.
More than a third fewer working fires. But each engine and tiller is a protected species (plus crew & exact role) and cannot ever be replaced with say, 3 ambulances and crews at ~same cost.
Meanwhile you still need an ambulance for transport. Which is going to be a while because as noted in an audit they cannot “add additional ambulance shifts by re-assigning existing resources from fire”.
But at least 5 guys in turnout gear can babysit with the $2.5M truck their medical kits are in.
Danny White retweeted
strong good governance take of mine is that congressmen should make literally 10x their current salary and in exchange be completely barred from earning any income (even on investments or rental properties) from any other sources
Danny White retweeted
Less than 5% of fire department calls are for fires and yet, the FDs insist on an 18-ton truck and four person crew to attend a 78 y/o woman with chest pain. At this point, fire trucks are mostly branding. FDs have become a spectacularly expensive EMS service. Time for reform
Danny White retweeted
the sun belt's entire pitch is "we let you build a house." that's the amenity. it's 104 degrees, there's no sidewalk, and people are moving there by the hundred thousand because california wouldn't legalize a fourplex.
Danny White retweeted
Yes, and the recent US manufacturing expansion is happening in the industries LEAST protected by tariffs (computers/electronics, pharma, chemicals, & aerospace), while the highest-tariff industries keep shrinking (textiles/apparel & furniture).
That the New Right is claiming any form of "victory" in 2026 is wild to me.
My latest at @aier in @thedailyeconomy
Danny White retweeted
Seems like as good a time as ever to share my second year paper on aldermanic privilege in Chicago! I show that individual politicians effect permitting and density outcomes. Even within similar formal regulatory environments, individual discretion seems to matter
A short timeline of the 26th Ward Housing Debacle:
Feb 12 - New housing opens with 40 affordable units against 400 applicants
Aug 20 - Community meeting, residents and aldermen support developing vacant and underutilized lots. 20% Affordable housing proposed
Sep 7 - Ald Fuentes rejects all 3 proposals on the grounds the housing is not affordable enough
???
Danny White retweeted
Jacob's work is great and important: The first I've seen to rigorously quantify the costs of aldermanic prerogative in Chicago.
More stringent alders mean reduced permit activity and lower density, which means Chicago will have less housing supply and higher housing costs.
Danny White retweeted
NextGen fare gates:
1) prevent fare evasion
2) allow you to walk thru without tapping
Why aren’t we adding these in Chicago?!? They literally pay for themselves
Danny White retweeted
seriously, take a second and just imagine: if a Democrat ever said anything like this it would end their presidency overnight.
they would be forced to resign. the media wouldn’t stop talking about it.
fucking insane
