If you live in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties, you have something on your ballot that no one else in the U.S. has — a directly elected regional government in the form of Metro. Metro is also the only directly elected metropolitan planning organization in the U.S. While knowing our local government is unique can make… Continue reading Primary Ballot Review: How Metro fits into Portland politics
Tag: City of Portland
Primary Ballot Review: Why do auditors matter?
There are a ton of candidates for various auditor positions on the primary ballot: Metro Brian Evans — Brian Evans has served as Metro Auditor since his election in 2014. He joined the Metro Auditor’s office as an employee in 2008. Evans is running unopposed and does not appear to have a campaign website. Multnomah County Jennifer McGuirk — Jennifer… Continue reading Primary Ballot Review: Why do auditors matter?
Voters’ Guide — May 2022 Election
If you’re a voter in or around Portland, you may have already received your ballot for the May election. If you’re ready to sit down and vote, here are some recommendations on candidates and ballot measures. This guide is intentionally surface-level: over the election period, I’ll be publishing articles on specific races and issues that… Continue reading Voters’ Guide — May 2022 Election
Calendar: April 20 to April 27
In last week’s calendar, I noted that the mask mandate for TriMet (along with all other public transportation) was expected to end on April 18, but had been extended until May. However, a federal district judge ruled that the mandate was not necessary on Tuesday, effectively ending it immediately. TriMet has dropped its requirement that riders wear… Continue reading Calendar: April 20 to April 27
Digest: Thursday, April 14, 2022
Youth camp swept; threatened with further sweeps The City of Portland used police officers and Rapid Response Bio Clean to sweep an encampment of homeless youth on Tuesday and, after the campers relocated to another location, posted a sweep notice at their new site. Confirmed reports from anonymous sources say the sweep started around 7:00… Continue reading Digest: Thursday, April 14, 2022
Calendar: April 13 to April 20
Wednesday, April 13 9:30 a.m. — City of Portland council meeting Portland’s city council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda for this meeting is online and includes a settlement for property damage due to a motor vehicle collision involving the Portland Police Bureau, approving a request to the U.S. Department of Justice for $2 million to outfit PPB… Continue reading Calendar: April 13 to April 20
Digest: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Surprise snow: the details On Monday night, snow fell on Portland — more snow than has ever fallen on the city in April, according to the National Weather Service. Exactly how much fell depended on location, but many folks shared social media updates noting two to three inches of snow, with up to five inches in some… Continue reading Digest: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Calendar: April 6 to April 13
Wednesday, April 6 9:30 a.m. — City of Portland council meeting Portland’s city council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda for this meeting is online and includes a proclamation by Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Commissioner Dan Ryan that April is Fair Housing Month. Wheeler will also proclaim April as Food Cart Month. The agenda also includes… Continue reading Calendar: April 6 to April 13
Digest: Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Portland city charter commission proposes new government structures The commissioners responsible for updating Portland’s city charter held a preliminary vote on March 31 on changes to city government. All twenty members of the Portland City Charter Review Commission voted in favor of the moderate changes, including: Using ranked choice voting in city elections, which will allow voters to rank candidates in… Continue reading Digest: Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Calendar: March 30 to April 6
Wednesday, March 30 9:30 a.m. — City of Portland council meeting Portland’s city council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda for this meeting is online and includes authorizing a new agreement with Clean and Safe Inc and a proposal to extend the housing emergency declaration by City Commissioner Dan Ryan. 6:00 p.m. — City of Portland Noise Review Board Special Session The… Continue reading Calendar: March 30 to April 6