🚑 New push to fix Portland’s ambulance problem

A Push for Faster Ambulances

Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran is offering a fix for Portland ambulances’ slow response times. She is formally proposing to temporarily change staffing requirements to one paramedic and one EMT (a classification of emergency responder with less training). Currently, two paramedics go out on each ambulance, but there’s a nationwide staffing shortage. [KOIN]

Chief Justice Is Concerned About Measure 110 Reform

There may be unforeseen costs and unintended consequences to Democratic legislators’ plan to make drug possession a crime again, Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan Flynn writes in a letter to top Democratic leaders. Those top leaders say they’ll address the issues. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]

• Notably: The judge points out that determining which cases are eligible for drug-treatment-related programs (instead of jail) will be a heavy bureaucratic lift — and means new expenses for the Oregon Judicial Department.
• Also: Plus, the current shortage of public defenders may be a simple logistical hurdle for guiding defendants going through court toward the deflection programs. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]

Portland Public Schools’ Budget Cuts

The district will need to cut costs by $30 million for the 2024-25 school year, Portland Public Schools officials say. Half the cuts will come from central administration, under a plan from outgoing superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero. The 86 schools will face cuts of approximately 2% to their budgets, though the superintendent is pledging to retain arts class, PE, and libraries. [OPB]

Local Hip Hop Controversy

There’s a controversy over a hip-hop showcase severing ties with its longtime home (Kelly’s Olympian) — on this Friday’s news roundup. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Portland Boosts Traffic Tickets, Less Money for Students, and No More Hip-Hop at Kelly's Olympian

On the Friday new roundup, the Portland Bureau of Transportation plans to boost parking and registration enforcement. There’s a controversy over a hip-hop showcase severing ties with its longtime home. And Portland Public Schools is gearing up for $30 million in budget cuts. Willamette Week’s “Potlander” column author Brianna Wheeler is on with Portland City Cast host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni.