The Oregon State Legislature will start this year’s legislative session tomorrow (Tuesday, February 1). The session will last 35 days: In even years (which happen to coincide with elections at most levels of federal, state, and local government in Oregon), the state legislature has a ‘short session.’ In odd years, Oregon’s legislative sessions last 160… Continue reading Get ready for the 2022 legislative session
Month: January 2022
Public election finance, political contributions, and other money mechanics in the state of Oregon
Money matters in elections. Even if a candidate has significant community support, they need a serious amount of money to run a successful campaign. But the amount of money necessary to participate in Oregon’s political processes is unusually high — and rising. The 2018 gubernatorial race between Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Knute Buehler set… Continue reading Public election finance, political contributions, and other money mechanics in the state of Oregon
Digest: Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program applications reopen today at 10:00 a.m. The Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program portal will resume accepting applications for rent relief. The program will likely only be available for a limited time, due to availability of funds. Oregon Housing and Community Services, the agency responsible for the program, expects to keep… Continue reading Digest: Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Calendar: January 25 to January 31
Tuesday, January 25 DEADLINE — “Let’s Talk” Listening Sessions Sign Up A partnership of multiple news organizations and non-profits are organizing virtual listening sessions with Oregon voters to learn about voters’ impressions of the gubernatorial election, as well as what topics voters would like to hear about from candidates. To join a listening session, voters… Continue reading Calendar: January 25 to January 31
Digest: Monday, January 24, 2022
Small Donor Elections deadline approaching Portland’s Small Donor Elections (formerly Open and Accountable Elections) program provides candidates with public funds — provided they qualify. The deadline for qualification is at the end of the week, on Friday, January 28th. In order to receive funds, candidates must collect at least 250 small donations from Portland residents.… Continue reading Digest: Monday, January 24, 2022
Digest: Friday, January 21, 2022
Portland Street Response set for expansion as People for Portland attempts to take advantage Portland Street Response is only a year old and is already slated for expansion across the entire city in March. The emergency responders, who focus on building trust with community members and providing unarmed support during crises, will start responding to… Continue reading Digest: Friday, January 21, 2022
A more official launch for PDX.Vote
I’ve been posting to this site for a little over a month as a sort of soft launch. I’ve tested out a few ideas I had to see what other folks in Portland may be interested in reading and I’m feeling ready for a more official launch. PDX.Vote is in a shape where I’m comfortable… Continue reading A more official launch for PDX.Vote
Digest: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
City employees may strike as soon as Thursday Union members working for the City of Portland are voting on whether to strike and results are expected late today. The District Council of Trade Unions, which represents most of the unions contracting with the City, reports that the City has violated state laws governing collective bargaining… Continue reading Digest: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Calendar: January 18 to January 25
Tuesday, January 18 10:00 a.m. — Multnomah County Board Briefing Multnomah County’s board of commissioners’ briefing are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda is online and includes two briefings. One covers planning by TriMet and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office for a transit crisis response team, while the other is an update from the Joint… Continue reading Calendar: January 18 to January 25
Digest: Monday, January 17, 2022
Rachel Armitage appointed to fill remainder of Betsy Johnson’s term as state senator County commissioners representing the six counties in State Senate District 16 selected Rachel Armitage to represent the district until the beginning of 2023. Armitage’s selection was likely helped by her lack of plans to run for the seat during the 2022 election… Continue reading Digest: Monday, January 17, 2022