Digest: Thursday, February 24, 2022

Freezing temperatures endanger Portland residents Tonight will likely bring us the third night in a row of temperatures below freezing. Multnomah County, in partnership with the Joint Office of Homeless Services and the City of Portland, operated winter weather shelters on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The shelters are currently slated to reopen tonight (Thursday) at 8:00… Continue reading Digest: Thursday, February 24, 2022

Calendar: February 22 to March 1

Tuesday, February 22 6:00 p.m. — Portland Public Schools board meeting Portland Public Schools’ school board will hold a regularly scheduled meeting. An agenda for the meeting is online and includes comments from the Portland Association of Teachers on the reduced staffing plans for the 2022-2023 school year. PAT is requesting PPS families attend the meeting, as well as contact… Continue reading Calendar: February 22 to March 1

Digest: Monday, February 21, 2022

Quick updates HB 4002 — Provides overtime compensation for farmworkers: The bill passed a vote in the House Committee on Business and Labor and was referred to the House Committee on Revenue, which hasn’t yet scheduled a hearing. HB 4147 — Returns voting rights to people who are currently incarcerated: The bill is assigned to the House Committee on… Continue reading Digest: Monday, February 21, 2022

One protestor killed, at least five wounded

Content notes: First, this article discusses a mass shooting resulting in a death and injuries. Take care of yourself, especially if this material is triggering for you. Graphic videos and photos are not included in this article, but many of the links included may also link to such materials. Second, many details are not yet… Continue reading One protestor killed, at least five wounded

Digest: Friday, February 18, 2022

Nicholas Kristof officially out of the governor’s race The Oregon Supreme Court released their ruling on Nicholas Kristof’s eligibility to run for governor of Oregon yesterday: Kristof is ineligible because he has not been a resident of the state for the minimum three years required by the state constitution. One of the key factors in… Continue reading Digest: Friday, February 18, 2022

Digest: Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Wrongful death lawsuit filed against the City of Portland Portland Police Officer Curtis Brown shot and killed Michael Ray Townsend on June 24, 2021 after Townsend called 911 for mental health help. In September, a grand jury chose to not indict Brown. Townsend’s death is yet another example of the violence the Portland Police Bureau… Continue reading Digest: Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Calendar: February 15 to February 22

Tuesday, February 15 4:30 p.m. — Oregon Nurses Association Virtual Summit on Providence Health System ONA will host a summit covering the Providence Health System, which ranks near the bottom of Portland-area hospitals for staffing, as well as for pay and benefits for nurses. Multiple contracts between ONA, Oregon’s largest nursing union, and Providence facilities… Continue reading Calendar: February 15 to February 22

Digest: Monday, February 14, 2022

The Oregon State Legislature is moving quickly through its short session. This digest has some of the highlights from last week, as well as bills to keep an eye on this week. Upcoming bills are listed in order of their next scheduled hearing or work session. Last week’s highlights Multiple bills have passed through committee… Continue reading Digest: Monday, February 14, 2022

Digest: Friday, February 11, 2022

Campaign finance reform proposals disqualified from ballot Shemia Fagan, the Secretary of State of Oregon, may have ended this year’s push to put campaign finance reform on the ballot. She disqualified all three proposals (Initiatives 43, 44, and 45) sponsored by Honest Elections Oregon due to a technicality — they don’t include the full text… Continue reading Digest: Friday, February 11, 2022

Digest: Wednesday, February 9, 2022

A new contract with the Portland police union The City of Portland and the Portland Police Association announced yesterday that they’ve negotiated a new contract. Both parties seem pleased with their agreement, which means that the average Portland resident has cause for concern. City commissioners will hear public comment during three upcoming events: an information… Continue reading Digest: Wednesday, February 9, 2022