The mayoral candidates weigh in on transportation funding

“The Bureau of Transportation has been facing budget challenges for several years; how will you as mayor create a sustainable source of revenue or otherwise ensure that the bureau has the resources it needs over the long haul?”—Question for mayoral candidates at recent Women’s Transportation Seminar luncheon With the election just over a month away, … Read more


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Business coalition asks candidates about transportation

Top: Fritz (L), Nolan. Bottom: Hales (L), Smith. “The Value of Jobs“, a coalition of Portland-area business groups that includes the Portland Business Alliance, has published its http://www.valueofjobs.com/candidate_ques/index.html for the City Council race between incumbent Amanda Fritz and her challenger Mary Nolan; and the mayoral race between Charlie Hales and Jefferson Smith.


My opinion on Charlie Hales’ ‘approach to active transportation’

(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) Last month, a who’s-who from local active transportation planning and advocacy circles gathered around a table at the Charlie Hales for Mayor campaign headquarters on the central eastside. Hales called the meeting to have a “lively discussion” about walking, bicycling and transit. He asked questions. He took notes. Last night, Hales … Read more


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Still undecided? Join us for a ‘Mayoral Inquisition’ next week

Event poster detail. See full version below. The Portland Mercury is putting on what should be a fun and informative Portland mayoral candidate debate next week. It’s their “Mayoral Inquisition!” — an even that, according to Mercury reporter Sarah Mirk, will look to, “get away from the stiff, soundbite-inducing structure of a formal debate and … Read more


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Does Jefferson Smith’s driving record, license suspensions matter to you?

(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) The Oregonian’s City Hall reporter Beth Slovic just published a new story about mayoral candidate Jefferson Smith’s driving record. According to Slovic, who peered into Smith’s personal driving records with his permission, Smith’s license has been suspended a total of four times since 2004: “State Rep. Jefferson Smith, a candidate for … Read more


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Salem Watch: School transportation bill could impact biking/walking

A bill introduced in Salem this morning, HB 3622 (PDF), is being watched by biking and walking advocates for its possible impact on school transportation funding. Authored by Rep. Betty Komp of Woodburn, the bill seeks to revise the method of calculating transportation block grants from the State School Fund distributions by allowing “district school … Read more


Mica presses for specifics at House Transportation Committee field hearing

Rep. John Mica is Chairman of the Committee.(Photos © J. Maus) At the outset of the “listening session” in Vancouver yesterday, Congressman John Mica tried to make it clear that he wanted specifics. Unfortunately not everyone got the message. Mica, a Republican from Florida, is Chairman of the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure … Read more


Notes from outside the House T&I ‘listening session’ in Vancouver

The view of today’s hearing for many.(Photo: Patrick Croasdaile) At the House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure listening session held this morning in Vancouver, WA, many would-be participants never got the chance to be heard. I happened to arrive at the committee meeting 35 minutes early, yet was eight people shy from getting … Read more