There are a couple of interesting stories that could have some ongoing political implications, both in the state capitol and at City Hall.
Liquor Scandal Continued
In February, the Oregonian revealed that top officials with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission selected bottles of sought-after bourbon for themselves and their friends. Since then, top bureaucrats have been fired and the OLCC chair resigned.
That scandal involved appointees of past governors, but now there’s trouble for Gov. Tina Kotek. The new chair she picked is now implicated in seeking pricey bourbon for his own contacts, too. Marvin Révoal sought Elmer T. Lee, a rare bourbon, for a friend in 2016. It’s not clear yet what the governor was aware of before the Oregonian’s story. And it’s not clear what she’ll do about it.
Permitting Fight
City Commissioner Carmen Rubio floated a proposal for a consolidated permitting office so that developers need only get approval in one place. Her fellow commissioner Mingus Mapps, who is also running for mayor next year, opposed the proposal, in favor of simplifying the code. It’s a rather technical policy fight, but one that addresses the critical issue of reducing the time and cost of developing housing in Portland.
But now Willamette Week reports that Rubio has the backing of powerful groups, many with an interest in speeding up the permitting process. Notably, the Portland Metro Chamber (formerly the Portland Business Alliance), which has worked with Mapps in the past, is supporting Rubio.
If Rubio enters the race for mayor as well, it’ll be interesting to see how this policy debate shapes support for Mapps and for Rubio.
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