Here are the 13 Portlanders who will draw our new council district boundaries
The city council will formalize the appointments on January 25th.
charter reform
Committee that will draw new council districts announced (and new tool lets you try it yourself)
A new tool lets you compose districts by selecting neighborhoods from a map and helpfully keeps a running tally of the population count so you don’t go overboard.
Commissioner Hardesty reflects on PBOT, City Hall at final visit to bicycle advisory committee
She plans to remain involved in transportation policy, and might show up to meetings on an electric trike.
Podcast: What charter reform means for bike advocacy in Portland
On November 8th, Portland voters set into motion a massive shift in local politics when we voted overwhelmingly to support the charter reform measures. Simply put, our politics will never be the same. And that means the way we do advocacy won’t either. If you want to be a changemaker in Portland, and be a … Read more
Affordable housing advocates endorse Portland charter reform measure
Last week, a coalition of Portland’s leading affordable housing advocates endorsed the charter reform proposal.
Metro Councilor-elect Ashton Simpson: Why I’m voting ‘yes’ on charter reform
Anyone who wants to see safer streets, more bike lanes, and a government more responsive to the campaigns of active transportation advocates should vote to adopt a new charter for Portland’s city government.
Endorsements, money and strategy: A look at the charter reform horse race
Aaaaaannnnnnnd…they’re off! Endorsements takes the lead out of the gate, one length, two lengths. Here’s come Money! Money breaks out of the pack. It’s Endorsements, Money, Endorsements, Money, neck-and-neck heading into the final curve. What’s this? It’s Strategy! Strategy is closing the distance … There’s nothing like a good horse race, and Measure 26-228 (the … Read more
How Ranked Choice Voting works (and how it could give bicycling a bigger voice in City Hall)
Its aim is to make sure every voter has some influence, in proportion to the popularity of their choices. You know an issue is hot when you go to a Labor Day weekend party and people are talking about it. The issue is Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), and it will be on the ballot this … Read more
Judge rules against Business Alliance challenge to charter reform
The Multnomah County Circuit Court has ruled against the Portland Business Alliance (PBA) challenge to a voting and governance measure slated for November’s ballot. The PBA had argued that the broad package of changes referred to the ballot by the Charter Review Commission violated the state constitution’s single-subject requirement. In today’s ruling, Judge Stephen K. … Read more
Mapps will work on his own charter reform proposal
Mingus Mapps drew the charter reform battle lines more clearly yesterday when the city commissioner announced he would craft an alternative to the proposal put forward last month by the city appointed Charter Review Commission. In an email to supporters Tuesday, Mapps laid out a path to challenging the commission’s plan. It is a deft … Read more
Ride with me on a path to Portland charter reform enlightenment
Our city hamstrings itself by putting city commissioners — who possibly have no management experience, background or interest in a bureau — in charge of running them. Portland took another step toward good governance with the recent Charter Commission vote to advance their reforms to the November ballot. This City Council appointed, 20-member group of … Read more