🌎 $75M in climate funds for Blazer’s stadium?

$75M in Climate Funds for Blazers Stadium?

Mayor Keith Wilson is floating a proposal to take climate funds to pay for the Moda Center's renovation — with the aim of keeping the Portland Trail Blazers in town. The NBA has made clear that the team needs a new stadium to stay. But the proposal to use up to $75 million from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund is already being met with skepticism. [Oregonian]

• Related: The proposal has the support of new Council President Jamie Dunphy, but delays at the local level in coming up with $240 million (divided between the county and city) mean the Legislature hasn’t taken up the issue of the additional $360 million in bonds the state is expected to contribute to the keep-the-Blazers project. And Salem’s short session only lasts till March. 8. [Oregonian]

Warrants Required in Immigration Arrests

Immigration agents can no longer make arrests in Oregon without a warrant unless they have evidence the person is a flight risk. U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai issued a preliminary injunction in a class-action suit after instances like the arrest of 56-year-old plaintiff, Victor Cruz Gamez, who has been in the U.S. for more than 25 years — and has a valid work permit and a pending visa application. [OPB]

New Deadlines for Finding Defense Attorneys

The state now has two months to find defense attorneys for defendants facing misdemeanor charges — and three months in felony cases. If that deadline passes, cases will now be dismissed — under a unanimous Oregon Supreme Court ruling issued last week. While the state overall has made progress in addressing a public defender shortage, the ruling is most likely to impact Multnomah, Washington, Jackson, and Douglas counties. [Oregonian]