An expanding city council, recalling a top legislative Democrat, and private investigators want more money. Here’s a roundup of Portland politics this week.
Recalling One of The State’s Top Legislators
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555’s effort to recall Oregon Rep. Paul Holvey over worker complaints and the shelving of a cannabis bill took a step forward this week. Half of the nearly 4,000 signatures submitted will first need to be verified, as only a third of the signatures were deemed valid in another batch of petitions earlier this year. [Capital Chronicle]
Portland’s New District Map is Official
The Independent Districting Commission has formally adopted the new map that will split Portland into four districts, increasing the number of city council members. We’ll have to wait until November 2024 to see the changes in action. [KATU]
Speaking of the City Council
Four candidates have already thrown their hat in the ring for the expanded 12-member city council. Two of them have run — and lost — city council races before. [Willamette Week]
Private Investigators Asking for Raises
The Oregon Office of Public Defense Services temporarily bumped private investigator compensation to $75 hourly to combat a backlog of cases. Investigators say that salary should be permanent, or they’ll stop taking public defense cases. [Oregonian 🔒]
