Portland nonprofit Depave led the effort to transform a slab of blacktop behind a church into a thriving green space. The city's zoning code didn't make it easy.
With public transit and safety programs on the line, Democrats are under pressure to find more funding. Increasing the gas and payroll taxes could be part of the solution.
Since Portland pledged to eliminate traffic fatalities in 2015, deadly crashes have hit 30-year highs. Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane wants the city to reaffirm its commitment to addressing the crisis.