The personal cost of being Portland mayor

Oregon, Washington Still Invested in Russia

After Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, Oregon and Washington pension funds promised to sell off their Russian investments. But neither has done so. Oregon state treasury officials say they won’t make further investments, but the collapse of the Russian financial market makes divesting a challenge. Treasurer Tobias Read declined KGW’s request to explain why he couldn’t live up to his high-profile divestment pledge. [KGW]

Legislature Passes Gov. Kotek’s Housing Bills

Gov. Tina Kotek went into the legislative session with one priority: housing. And now both chambers of the Legislature, with bipartisan votes, passed a $376 million investment in homebuilding, infrastructure upgrades, homeless shelters, and rent assistance. The Legislature also changed state land use law to allow cities to build homes in areas where development was previously prohibited. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]

• Plus, the governor explains her push for more housing with help from some Lego apartment buildings, duplexes, and townhomes.

Portland to Consider Leaf Blower Ban

City Council will consider a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers today. The ban wouldn’t go into effect until 2026 and would still allow gas-powered blowers from Sept. 30 to Jan. 1 for the first two years. (That’s because gas-powered technology is, for now, still better at blowing wet leaves.) [KOIN]

Mayor Ted Wheeler’s Last 9 Months

Mayor Ted Wheeler has nine months left in his second term — and this time he’s not running again. What’s on his mind? For one, what it’s like to be one of Portland’s most criticized politicians. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Last week’s scavenger hunt was for the bathroom at the Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, which has been “keeping it creepy” since 1980. Named for a Russian composer, it’s an evening coffee and dessert spot tucked inside an old Portland house.

This one felt like a lot of readers were spotting an old favorite — tasty and fun and full of memories:

A shoutout to our readers who identified the spot: Anne Castleton, Brittani Wolfe, Crystal McCafferty, David Coffey, David Sloan, Kate Romanaggi, Kathy Stevenson, Lauren Cannata, Louise Lague, Lukas Westphal, Lynn Tobias, Marissa, Mark McClure, Mikki Lipsey, Rachael Doyle, and Priscila Rubio.

Here’s another indoor spot:

My pick for today’s photo is a subtle way to get another restaurant recommendation in the newsletter. That’s the hint too. Do you know it? What’s your review? (Or stay tuned for next week when I reveal the location.)

Mayor Ted Wheeler’s Agenda Before Leaving City Hall

Given the pandemic and the fentanyl crisis, maybe it’s no wonder that Mayor Ted Wheeler is one of our most criticized local politicians. Wheeler explains what it’s like to be one of Portland’s least popular politicians and what his priorities are before he leaves office at the end of the year.