Digest: Friday, February 4, 2022

Report on traffic deaths provides opportunity to criminalize homelessness The Portland Bureau of Transportation released a report earlier this week on traffic deaths in Portland in the last year. Key numbers include: In 2021, 63 people died in traffic crashes — the highest number in Portland since 1990 (though actual numbers are likely closer to… Continue reading Digest: Friday, February 4, 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: 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: 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

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

Election Mixtape: December 13, 2021

Governor Kate Brown called a special session of the Oregon legislature with the goal of preventing a coming wave of evictions which started this morning. In order to conduct any business, two-thirds of both the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate must be present. There’s some concern, however, that Republicans may refuse to… Continue reading Election Mixtape: December 13, 2021

Election Mixtape: December 10, 2021

Sunrise Movement PDX sent an open letter to Governor Kate Brown last week, detailing the environmental group’s demands for the Oregon Department of Transportation to move the state towards decarbonizing our transportation system: Youth Vs. ODOT and Sunrise hubs around Oregon worked on a letter this week to Governor Brown. We discussed her leadership, our… Continue reading Election Mixtape: December 10, 2021