What Happened in Portland Government This Week?
Last week, there were high-profile controversies over City Commissioner Rene Gonalez’s plans to amend the Portland charter change approved by voters last year. He has scrapped two and delayed the remaining proposal. But here’s some added updates: How to Fund Portland Street Response. Record Number of Traffic Deaths. $630K for 82nd Avenue Transit. $84 for Pipes, Foil.
Last week, there were high-profile controversies over City Commissioner Rene Gonalez’s plans to amend the Portland charter change approved by voters last year. He has scrapped two and delayed the remaining proposal.
But here are some additional updates on policy and politics from the region:
How to Fund Portland Street Response
City Commissioner Carmen Rubio has asked city lawyers if the funding for a police oversight board can be put toward Portland Street Response, the program to respond to mental health crises on the streets. A 2020 ballot measure specified that 5% of the Portland Police Bureau budget (or what currently amounts to $12.8 million) would be set aside for police oversight. [Willamette Week]
Record Number of Traffic Deaths
As of Friday, there had been 11 traffic deaths this month, more than in any month since Bike Portland began tracking them (and still with 10 days left in the month). Portland Bureau of Transportation officials blamed budget woes (in part), but advocates aren’t having that. [Bike Portland]
$630K for 82nd Avenue Transit
The federal congressional delegation secured another $630,000 for the overhaul of 82nd Avenue. This grant is for upgrading TriMet’s Line 72 bus. [Bike Portland]
$84K for Pipes, Foil, and More
Before county leaders put the harm-reduction effort on hold, the Multnomah County Health Department spent $84,000 on drug paraphernalia for meth use, including 55,404 pipes of various kinds ($43,000), as well as a giant Amazon order ($9,498) for 31,000 boba-tea straws and 90,000 sheets of foil. [KATU]
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