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Portland City Council Votes To Reshape Its Committee Structure

Councilors determined eight was too many when it comes to their policy committee load. Come the end of March, they’ll be saddled with just five.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland’s transition to a new form of government last January brought new practices and procedures for the City Council. Among the largest changes, impacting both the Council and members of the public, was the introduction of eight policy committees. The committees, which considered topics including transportation, climate, finance, homelessness, and public safety, were intended to […]

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Former City Hall Staffer Files Discrimination Complaints Against Councilor’s Office

The complaints, which have yet to be investigated by the city and state, allege Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane and her chief of staff retaliated against and fired a staffer after she requested ADA accommodations.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

The Mercury’s Jeremiah Hayden contributed to this story.  A former staffer in Portland City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane’s office filed complaints with the city and state, alleging the councilor and her chief of staff, Mary Li, retaliated against her after she requested reasonable accommodations for a disability.  The former employee, Sprout Chinn, believes she was punished and […]

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Council Workers’ Union Complaint Alleges Loretta Smith Fired Staffer in Retaliation for Union Organizing

The newly-formed Council Alliance of Workers union is calling on city councilors to uphold their commitment to labor rights in their own workplaces.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

A new union representing Portland City Council aides and operations staff filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) complaint against the city for alleged anti-union conduct from Councilor Loretta Smith’s office. The complaint, filed January 13, alleges Smith retaliated against and fired a former aide due to his role in organizing the Council staff union.  The […]

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Portland City Council Votes to Adopt AI Rental Price-Fixing Software Ban

The proposal to ban algorithmic rental pricing software underwent several revisions to protect the city from lawsuits. City Council approved the ordinance, despite resistance from a few holdouts.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Updated: November 20: Portland City Council voted Wednesday night to adopt Councilor Angelita Morillo’s proposed AI rental price-fixing ban, with eight councilors in support. In addition to co-sponsors Green, and Koyama Lane, the ordinance was approved by Councilors Dunphy, Avalos, Kanal, Loretta Smith, and Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney. Clark and Ryan voted no, and Councilors […]

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With a Tenuous Ceasefire in Gaza, Portland Councilors Pledge to Investigate the City’s Links to Israel

Councilors say that a lack of action from US Congress has forced them to think locally to stop the flow of weapons and military aid to Israel. 
Avatar photo Abe Asher

Last month, the progressive block of the Portland City Council signed onto a pledge to investigate the city’s financial ties to Israel and its military. They’re calling on city councils across the country to do the same.  The pledge, which was launched by the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and its […]

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“Not a Rubber Stamp”: Portland City Council Questions Settlement in Bike Bill Lawsuit

The plaintiffs and city attorney expected quick agreement over a $6 million settlement. It appears City Council had other ideas.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

In a move lawyers called “highly unusual,” Portland City Council declined to accept the terms of a legal settlement over the city’s adherence to the Oregon Bike Bill, which had been negotiated by the city attorney. Now, the $6 million settlement—which would be used for bike infrastructure projects around the city—is in jeopardy.  News of […]

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Councilor Dan Ryan Breaks From Colleagues, Says “No” to Parks Levy

Ryan, who previously served as the commissioner in charge of Portland’s parks bureau, voted in July to refer the parks levy measure to voters. He now says he can’t support it. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

In an email newsletter last week, Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan came out against the ballot measure that would create a new, increased levy to help fund the city’s parks system. In the newsletter, Ryan—who oversaw Portland’s parks bureau for a period of time prior to the city’s government transition—said he supports the city’s parks. […]

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November’s Special Election Will Determine the Future of Portland Parks

Portlanders are being asked to approve a new, increased parks levy to fund the city’s parks system. If the measure doesn’t pass, the city will be forced to make major cuts.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland’s parks and natural areas are integral to the city’s identity, but the city’s parks system faces major financial challenges, including a massive maintenance backlog and generally unsustainable funding mechanisms.   In a special election this fall, voters will be asked to approve a new, five-year levy to stop the bleeding at Portland Parks & Recreation […]

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Portland City Council is Using City Codes to Fight Back Against Trump

A new ordinance will bolster local sanctuary law while a resolution aims to strengthen protections for immigrants and protesters.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

An ordinance and a resolution approved by Portland City Council on Wednesday aim to strengthen the city’s sanctuary status and use all available legal resources to resist deployment of any federal military presence. What was approved Councilors unanimously approved a Protect Portland Initiative, which prevents local police from being federalized, and creates a framework to […]

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Portland’s Most Effective Channel For Addressing Community Concerns is a Back Door

The city’s Public Environment Management Office runs frequent community meetings and gets quick results. You just might not know about it. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland’s new form of government, which went into effect this year, was designed to make it more accessible for all residents to participate in city policy discussions. Still, most Portlanders struggle to figure out how to cut through layers of local bureaucracy to make their voices heard, with limited time and opportunities available to speak […]

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Amended Budget Approval Underscores Rifts Among Portland City Councilors

Councilor Steve Novick says community centers are off the chopping block after Council agreed to divert $2M from police to parks. 
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Taylor Griggs

With more than 120 proposed budget amendments and nearly 12 hours of deliberations, Portland City Council worked until midnight Wednesday to pass an $8.5 billion 2025-26 budget.  The budget, which is scheduled for final adoption on June 18, includes additional funding for homeless shelter beds and public safety, but it also relies on deep cuts […]

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With Vision Zero Resolution, City Councilor Wants Portland to Renew Traffic Safety Vows

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. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Just about 10 years have passed since Portland City Council first adopted a Vision Zero resolution in June 2015, setting the goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on the city’s streets. At the time, city leaders said that even though it didn’t set target dates to accomplish its goals or dedicate funding to […]

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