The Oregon jobs lost in the massive Intel layoffs

Intel Layoffs Hit Factory Jobs

Last week, in one of the largest layoffs in Oregon history, Intel let 1,300 workers go. New details show the largest number of those cuts were of people working factory jobs in the semiconductor manufacturing process — module engineers and technicians — but managers and even fellows, who are the company’s most senior researchers were cut too. [Oregonian 🔒]

New Troubles for Preschool for All

In a bad sign for Preschool for All — the Multnomah County program that publicly funds early childhood education — some large private providers are opting against participating. The preschools cite a range of problems with the county’s requirements — from wage increases including for administrative staff, to the county’s intellectual property claim on curriculum, and restrictions on charging parents for late pickups and around rejecting children who apply, without considering special needs. [Willamette Week]

Mayoral Candidate Mingus Mapps Tries to Break Through

City Commissioner Mingus Mapps has had a tough time breaking through in the mayors’ race, despite being the first candidate to declare last year. Still, there’s a good chunk of undecided voters and he’s made a pitch to voters that he’ll govern as a centrist. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

For the first time in two decades, Portland broke its streak of one-term mayors in 2020. But after two terms, Mayor Ted Wheeler is now stepping down — and with him will go the old version of the job. Portland will be not just electing a new mayor, but also a person with new responsibilities: instead of a seat on the City Council, the next mayor’s job will involve administering all the city agencies, first and foremost by hiring a professional city administrator.

Here are the leading candidates for Portland mayor. (They were the five who qualified for $100,000 in matching funds from the city’s Small Donor Elections program.) As with the county commission, it’s a nonpartisan race.

🗳️ Who’s on the Ballot?

• 🟢 Rene Gonzalez
• 🟢 Mingus Mapps
• 🟢 Liv Osthus
• 🟢 Carmen Rubio
• 🟢 Keith Wilson

🗞️ Further reading:

• Gonzalez has led the race for much of the summer, with a strong message about public safety. [Oregonian 🔒]
• Will traffic tickets upend the Portland mayor's race? Spoiler: The answer is maybe. [Hey Portland]
• This is the first time Portland will use ranked choice voting. And it could have a major impact on who wins: Wilson is currently leading in the polling. [Oregonian 🔒]

🎧 Further listening (from the City Cast Portland podcast):

• Mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez on his law-and-order pitch to voters

• Mayoral Mingus Mapps on his responsible governance pitch to voters

• Why Liv Osthus wants to be mayor
• Why Carmen Rubio wants to be mayor
• Why Keith Wilson wants to be mayor