💰 Portland now faces a $169M budget shortfall

Republicans Boycotted a Vote, Then Returned

On Wednesday, Republicans boycotted a vote on Senate Bill 1599, which would move the gas tax referendum from November to May. Democrats hold the majority, so the bill will pass if a vote is held. But their temporary boycott raised questions about whether Republicans would stage a longer walkout to block the bill’s passage (by trying to deny the necessary quorum with their absences). It’s not clear whether Democrats cut some kind of deal, because Republican senators returned to work yesterday, with the vote on SB 1599 postponed till today. [OPB]

Portland Has $169M Budget Gap

City Hall needs to come up with $169 million to keep current programs running when the next fiscal year begins on July 1. That’s up from $67 million the budget office already identified in December. The new estimates include $54 million to keep city-run homeless shelters open and $30 million for public safety costs such as gun-violence prevention, self-defense programs, and police overtime. [OPB]

Appeal on Federal Troops Finally Dismissed

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the federal government’s appeal of a lower court order that blocked President Trump from sending the National Guard to Portland. While the President has backed off his plan, it was not clear till this week whether the appeals court would rule, setting potential precedents for next time the issue might come up. The federal government had asked to withdraw their appeal, and the judges granted it. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Last week’s scavenger hunt was really two in one: A building on Northeast 24th Avenue at the corner of Broadway features a vintage photo mounted in a doorway. The photo looks a bit like a reflection, but it’s not the exact street or the present time. The 1958 photo looks west along Northeast Broadway from 15th Avenue.

A shoutout to Karen S., who identified the location of the present-day building, and to Barbs, Jules, Chris Hagler, and Randy Coates for identifying the Broadway location of the historic photo.

This week’s scavenger hunt comes from reader Mark Hill:

Do you know this mural?

Please click here to submit the location — and, for unofficial bonus points, anything you know about it.

If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt on Fridays. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll shout out the first 10 readers who respond correctly and reveal the answer.

📸 Want to submit a photo? Please email me a snapshot of somewhere in the Portland metro area, and we’ll consider it for an upcoming “Where Is It?” segment!

Each week, we include favorite local spots and organizations picked by City Cast Portland Neighbors. It’s a member benefit, but it’s also a great way to get to know our city:

• 🫶 Kinship House | “Their mission is to provide therapy and advocacy for children experiencing foster care and adoption. They are the only nonprofit in the Portland Metro Area dedicated to meeting the unique mental health needs of children in foster care. They support 300 to 400 children each year as they work through trauma, connect safe adults, and build stable futures.” — Abagail C.
• 🍴 P’s & Q’s Market | Woodlawn | “They have a killer brunch and lunch menu in the winter, and an equally good dinner menu in summer hours. Come for the food, service, and drinks, and stay for the hidden garden patio that’s heated in the winter and shaded in the summer!” — Dayna H.
• ☕ Case Study Coffee | Southwest 10th and Yamhill | “Dope baristas, cozy vibes with views of the MAX and Streetcar :)” — Damon J.

Become a City Cast Portland Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast!