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

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: 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

Calendar: January 11 to January 18

Tuesday, January 11 10:30 a.m. — Metro Council District 6 Vacancy Public Hearing Metro’s public hearings are conducted on Zoom. This hearing will include interviews of candidates to fill the District 6 vacancy through the beginning of 2023. The Metro Council is expected to vote on candidates during the meeting. Members of the public can… Continue reading Calendar: January 11 to January 18

Primary Ballot Review: Circuit Judges

There are several different courts in Oregon that hear different types of cases. The circuit courts hear civil and criminal cases, as well as handle probate matters, adoptions, guardianships, and conservatorships in most counties. Circuit courts are operated by the Oregon Judicial Department and are divided into 27 districts, which mostly correspond to county borders.… Continue reading Primary Ballot Review: Circuit Judges

Calendar: January 4 to January 11, 2022

Wednesday, January 5 9:30 a.m. — Portland City Council Meeting Portland City Council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda for Wednesday’s meeting is online and includes a discussion on a settlement for a lawsuit against the city and Portland Police Bureau for injuring and harassing a protestor (as well as ramming his car… Continue reading Calendar: January 4 to January 11, 2022

Friday Digest: December 31, 2021

Warming shelters closed yesterday despite continuing cold weather Multnomah County announced yesterday that severe weather shelters were closing within hours even as snow remained on the ground in many parts of Portland. The decision was made in coordination with the City of Portland through the Joint Office on Homeless Services. While the decision follows the… Continue reading Friday Digest: December 31, 2021

Monday Digest: December 27, 2021

We may get a ruling on Kristof’s eligibility for governor soon Gubernatorial candidate Nicholas Kristof finally formally registered as a candidate for the 2022 Democratic primary. That means the Elections Division of the Oregon Secretary of State’s office gets to review his paperwork to determine whether Kristof actually qualifies as a candidate for governor. Lydia… Continue reading Monday Digest: December 27, 2021

Friday Digest: December 24, 2021

Local governments scramble to meet severe winter weather needs The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Greater Portland Metro Area and the I-5 Corridor through Monday morning. In response, the city of Portland, Multnomah County, the state of Oregon, and other local governments have announced states of emergency extending until… Continue reading Friday Digest: December 24, 2021