Oregon's labor-friendly Republican grilled by Congress

Rollback of Federal Layoffs in Pacific NW

Portland-based Bonneville Power Administration, which is a major owner of transmission and power in the Pacific Northwest, has called back 30 of the more than 100 new employees who were fired over the weekend. Cuts there have experts worried about power outages across the Pacific Northwest. [KGW]

Questions for the Oregonian Nominated as Labor Secretary

At a Senate hearing for her confirmation, former Oregon congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer pledged to create “a level playing field for businesses, unions, and, most importantly, the American worker.” As a labor-friendly Republican, she faced skeptical questions from both sides of the aisle. [Associated Press via OPB]

Should Portland Get Rid of Tipping?

Tipping used to be confined to a few select service industries, but now it seems like every transaction wraps up with a tip screen. What’s the current etiquette in Portland? And is the trend actually helpful for workers? [City Cast Portland 🎧]

I solicited your gripes about Portland after I ran comedian Jay Flewelling’s list of what’s annoying about Portland right now.

Here’s what your fellow readers had to say:

Trash and Potholes

“I just moved here about six months ago, and some of my biggest gripes are the amount of trash around the city and the tagging everywhere. I came from Arizona, where our prisoners clean up that kind of thing. I think that’s something that the city should take a look at implementing.

“Potholes and streets are in disrepair. We have a terrible highway system and an extremely low speed limit, which are also issues for me.” — reader Alana Bender

Crosswalks and Ramps

“Why is PBOT re-doing crosswalks that already have ramps and are ADA compliant when there are so many crosswalks that do not have ramps?

“On top of that, isn’t there a giant budget shortfall? I don’t want to hear that — insert whiny voice: ‘The money has been allocated to PBOT for crosswalks and has to be used for crosswalks.’ I want the people handling our tax dollars to be smart and sensible about how they’re spent! Reallocate the funds when necessary. Oy.” — reader Anna N

Parking Garage Across From the Schnitzer

“The Oregon Symphony is a state treasure. However, retrieving my car after the performance is like herding cattle through a corral chute. The line to get into the lobby is long and slow, and makes patrons stand outside in the rain.

“Once in the lobby you have to wait in another line to use the ticket machine to pay for parking, and this same small lobby houses access to the elevators for all 8 floors.

“Either have the option to pay as you enter the garage, go back to paying attendants as you leave, or install the ticket payment machines on each floor as you exit the elevator.” — reader MJ Steele

Dangerous Pedestrians

“Pedestrians crossing the street wherever they like....& rarely looking up to see if any traffic is on the road. It's just stupid & lazy, not to mention dangerous. I don't want to see anyone get hit by a car or be a driver who hits a pedestrian. Suck it up, walkers! Walk yourself to the nearest crosswalk, look both ways & cross when it is safe to do so. Thanks.” — reader Joy M.

Your turn: What’s bugging you about Portland right now?

But Portland is also an incredible place. What do you love about our city right now?