Local Civics: April 10, 2023
Here’s a round-up of what’s happened this week in local and state politics:
Top Portland-Multnomah County Homelessness Job Picked
It’s one of the hardest high-profile local jobs. County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Mayor Ted Wheeler have picked a professional with massive political and administrative experience to lead the joint office on homeless services. Kaiser Permanente executive Dan Field previously worked for former Portland Mayor Vera Katz as well as Gov. John Kitzhaber (during his time in the legislature). [Oregonian]
Yes on Semiconductors
The Legislature passed a package to fund the semiconductor industry and give the governor extraordinary powers to convert some farmland into industrial space as needed. That may give the state a good shot at leveraging federal dollars from the Biden Administration’s program to build American semiconductor factories. Now the Legislature will move on to considering a tax break for chip companies that invest in research in the state too. [OPB]
Oregon Alcohol Tax Died
One of the bills that failed to get a hearing before the legislative deadline was a proposal to raise the taxes on beer, cider, and wine. Advocates pushed a tax as a public health measure to address Oregon’s drinking problems. Beer and wine taxes haven’t been raised since 1977 and 1983, respectively. [Willamette Week]
More about Local Civics
$106M in Unspent Funds at the Portland Housing Bureau
The Portland Housing Bureau has $106 million in unspent funds, the city administrator disclosed late last week. Some of it may be spoken for, but it leaves open the question of how City Council will spend the funds. When the pot of unspent funds was believed to be only $21 million, City Council was divided over whether to spend it on rent assistance or a Prosper Portland housing project. Maybe all of the above are possible now. [Portland Mercury]
City Cast Portland staffFeb 10, 2026
The Gas Tax and Oregon's Legislative Session
State lawmakers convene in Salem next week after a chaotic few weeks for Democratic state leaders as they scramble to address the issue of transportation funding. They have a key problem: Voters appear to oppose the gas tax passed last fall.
City Cast Portland staffJan 28, 2026
US Sen. Wyden Explains His Votes To Arm Israel
Oregon’s U.S. senators usually vote the same way (like for continuing the government shutdown until healthcare costs are addressed). But a key exception in recent months was Sen. Ron Wyden’s support for continued arms sales to Israel while Sen. Jeff Merkley voted to oppose them. Wyden’s support came up again last weekend — at a Portland Book Festival event featuring Omar Al Ekkad, author of “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” (a title you may recognize as “the one book every Portlander should read right now”).
City Cast Portland staffNov 12, 2025