How to stay cool in a Portland heatwave ☀️

The Lone Vote “No” on Criminalizing Fentanyl

Politicians are like herd animals; they usually try to stick together, so it’s notable when one goes it alone. Rep. Farrah Chaichi (D-Beaverton) cast the one vote in the State Legislature against criminalizing possession of small amounts of fentanyl. Chaichi, who also works as a Portland lawyer, explained she was “really trying to get to yes,” but could not continue the failed war on drugs. [Willamette Week]

• Related: A local journalist’s ranking of best and worst Portland-area state lawmakers dishes dirt and shouts out some stars. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

The Oregon-New Jersey Divide on Self-Service Gas

Lawmakers in Oregon passed a bill allowing self-service gas stations across the state, ending a ban put in place in 1951. But New Jersey is unlikely to join Oregon in ending the requirement that all gas be full-service. It looks like gas stations will be obsolete first, because in New Jersey, polling shows 73% of residents favor the full-service requirement. [🔒 New York Times]

Oregon Measure on Ranked-Choice Voting

Oregonians will have a chance next year to vote on how they vote — specifically, whether to implement ranked-choice voting statewide. Portland and Multnomah County have already approved this kind of voting, allowing people to pick their first choice and rank the remaining ones. If no candidate wins a majority, there’s effectively an instant runoff. Maine and Alaska currently use ranked-choice voting in federal and statewide elections. [NBC]

I put out a call for what’s right and what’s wrong in our city, and here’s one gripe:

“Portland lacks vision, it has a head in the sand mentality. The roads, for instance, couldn’t be more outdated, and the powers that be want to pretend growth is not happening even though some have started what will be known as a mass exodus with major brands vowing never to do business here.

“The roads need widening in dozens of areas as people are spending on average 20 - 30 mins more in traffic on a short commute. Get your sh*t together Portland.” — Jim

And I got some delightful observations, of a different nature, about Portland cars after I asked about bumper stickers:

"Perhaps this is a different conversation, but my favorite Portland license plate is the hearse with the vanity plate CU SOON. Often spotted in SE/NE." — Bri B.

“I saw this one last weekend: More Condoms / Fewer Condos.” — David Hicks

🎥 ‘Asteroid City’ With Open Captions | Wednesday | 6:30 p.m.

Watch the new Wes Anderson movie and keep cool. [$11, Hollywood]

💧 Ida B. Wells Outdoor Pool Open Swim | Wednesday | 1 - 3:35 p.m. & 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Get in the water. It’s first come, first served. And there’s often a line on hot days. Find the one in your local neighborhood. Or visit another day. [$4.75, Hillsdale]

• Related: If it’s too crowded, you could always try swimming in the Willamette. But stay safe; wear a life jacket. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

⛸️ Lloyd Center Ice Rink | Wednesday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Get on the ice inside an air-conditioned mall. Open other days, too, of course. [$22, including skate rentals, Lloyd District]

• Related: The Lloyd Center has gone through a revival. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Will Portland Street Response Survive?

Willamette Week reporter Sophie Peel talks to the City Cast Portland podcast about the future of Portland Street Response. The roughly two-year-old program has been successful in not only assisting people experiencing mental and behavioral health crises but also reducing police and hospital intervention. But still funding for the program’s future is uncertain.