RoseCityReform.bsky.social
@rosecityreform.bsky.social
How do you reform a city? Let us count the ways! We analyze and cover Portland's historic reform effort. Nonprofit. Nonpartisan. No endorsements.
Thanks for reading! Ryan was the councilor most likely to cast the lone dissenting vote when the rest of the body agreed so that drives down his agreement not just with Peacock but others as well!
January 15, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Thanks for reading! Ryan was the councilor most likely to cast the lone dissenting vote when the rest of the body agreed so that drives down his agreement not just with Peacock but others as well!
Based on voting patterns during NON-unanimous votes, where at least one councilor dissented.
January 15, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Based on voting patterns during NON-unanimous votes, where at least one councilor dissented.
Our new council vice president, Olivia Clark, agreed with non-caucus colleagues 74% on average, and with Peacock colleagues 54% of the time.
January 15, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Our new council vice president, Olivia Clark, agreed with non-caucus colleagues 74% on average, and with Peacock colleagues 54% of the time.
Some fun facts about our new council president: In 2025, Jamie Dunphy agreed with Peacock colleagues 83% of the time on average and with non-Peacock colleagues 52% of the time. Alongside Kanal, he was the Peacock member most likely to join non-caucus members on votes that split along caucus lines.
January 15, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Some fun facts about our new council president: In 2025, Jamie Dunphy agreed with Peacock colleagues 83% of the time on average and with non-Peacock colleagues 52% of the time. Alongside Kanal, he was the Peacock member most likely to join non-caucus members on votes that split along caucus lines.
Our new research report analyzes Portland City Council’s voting record in 2025, the city’s first year under proportional representation. Diversity of opinion increased substantially in 2025—read the report to learn more. ⬇️
The New Normal
The council’s share of non-unanimous votes rose over 600% in 2025. Will it last in 2026?
open.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Our new research report analyzes Portland City Council’s voting record in 2025, the city’s first year under proportional representation. Diversity of opinion increased substantially in 2025—read the report to learn more. ⬇️
One fun fact is that historically, jurisdictions in the United States that used PRCV would often elect the candidate with the highest vote count as president. It was considered a referendum of sorts!
January 8, 2026 at 8:55 PM
One fun fact is that historically, jurisdictions in the United States that used PRCV would often elect the candidate with the highest vote count as president. It was considered a referendum of sorts!
I saw Avalos responded already but here’s a piece I wrote about the decision to give the mayor a tiebreaking vote. rosecityreform.substack.com/p/charter-co...
Charter Commission grants mayor tiebreaking vote.
Legislation needs a path to move forward, commissioners agree.
rosecityreform.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:48 PM
I saw Avalos responded already but here’s a piece I wrote about the decision to give the mayor a tiebreaking vote. rosecityreform.substack.com/p/charter-co...
Rose City Reform wishes City Administrator Michael Jordan a happy retirement. It was a treat to sit down for a final, frank conversation about his experience overseeing one of the largest government overhauls in modern city history.
“My Job is to Be the Calm One."
City Administrator Michael Jordan reflects on a career that saved its greatest challenge for last.
rosecityreform.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Rose City Reform wishes City Administrator Michael Jordan a happy retirement. It was a treat to sit down for a final, frank conversation about his experience overseeing one of the largest government overhauls in modern city history.
Our latest story takes a look at Portland city leaders’ social media use. Spoiler: One politician stands out for her large and devoted online following.
The Viral Politician
Angelita Morillo and the phenomenon of political fandom.
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Our latest story takes a look at Portland city leaders’ social media use. Spoiler: One politician stands out for her large and devoted online following.
Thanks for joining me!
October 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Thanks for joining me!
Is social housing coming to Portland? The debate is only just getting started. Mitch Green joins the podcast to explain why he thinks it could work in the City of Roses. @councilorgreen.bsky.social
“Social housing may be the only way to get the housing market started again."
Mitch Green joins the podcast to explain why he thinks Portland needs social housing.
rosecityreform.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Is social housing coming to Portland? The debate is only just getting started. Mitch Green joins the podcast to explain why he thinks it could work in the City of Roses. @councilorgreen.bsky.social
In the latest episode of Stump Talk, Mayor Wilson discusses his hallmark shelter plan, council pushback, and neighborhood opposition. With commentary from Lillian Mongeau Hughes of The Oregonian.
@mayorkwilson.bsky.social @lmonghughes.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/5asi...
@mayorkwilson.bsky.social @lmonghughes.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/5asi...
“That’s not who we are."
open.spotify.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
In the latest episode of Stump Talk, Mayor Wilson discusses his hallmark shelter plan, council pushback, and neighborhood opposition. With commentary from Lillian Mongeau Hughes of The Oregonian.
@mayorkwilson.bsky.social @lmonghughes.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/5asi...
@mayorkwilson.bsky.social @lmonghughes.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/5asi...
Thanks for sharing!
August 14, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Thanks for sharing!
Our latest research brief examines how alliances shaped Portland’s 2025–26 budget process—the first under the city’s new proportional representation system.
We analyzed 64 non-unanimous budget votes to measure councilor alignment, test bloc cohesion, and compare patterns across districts.
We analyzed 64 non-unanimous budget votes to measure councilor alignment, test bloc cohesion, and compare patterns across districts.
Building Blocs – ROSE CITY REFORM
rosecityreform.org
August 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Our latest research brief examines how alliances shaped Portland’s 2025–26 budget process—the first under the city’s new proportional representation system.
We analyzed 64 non-unanimous budget votes to measure councilor alignment, test bloc cohesion, and compare patterns across districts.
We analyzed 64 non-unanimous budget votes to measure councilor alignment, test bloc cohesion, and compare patterns across districts.
I had a blast breaking down Portland’s budget season with these smart City Hall reporters. @shanedkavanaugh.bsky.social @alexzee.bsky.social @sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social
"This is so wildly different."
Stump Talk Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
June 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I had a blast breaking down Portland’s budget season with these smart City Hall reporters. @shanedkavanaugh.bsky.social @alexzee.bsky.social @sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social
Thanks for reading! Moon Duchin's paper wasn't quite ready for publication when we recorded. I should have said! Glad you have it now!
June 3, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Thanks for reading! Moon Duchin's paper wasn't quite ready for publication when we recorded. I should have said! Glad you have it now!
When Portland adopted proportional representation in 2022, experts predicted that new political coalitions would form. They might have been on to something. ⬇️
The New Kids on the Bloc
How six councilors stuck together during Portland’s first budget vote—and shaped the outcome.
open.substack.com
June 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
When Portland adopted proportional representation in 2022, experts predicted that new political coalitions would form. They might have been on to something. ⬇️
Wednesday's budget vote is the first big test for Portland's fresh cohort of city leaders. Find out what to expect from Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Finance Committee Chair Eric Zimmerman. @elanapirtle-guiney.bsky.social
“Budgets are a negotiation, right?”
In this episode of Stump Talk, councilors Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Eric Zimmerman explain what to expect when the mayor's proposed budget hits the council floor on Wednesday.
open.substack.com
May 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Wednesday's budget vote is the first big test for Portland's fresh cohort of city leaders. Find out what to expect from Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Finance Committee Chair Eric Zimmerman. @elanapirtle-guiney.bsky.social
Hi Bulldog! Portland’s charter allows the mayor to cast the tie-breaking vote in a scenario where the council is deadlocked. Exactly how that is going to work remains somewhat unclear since the council has not yet established the procedure for inviting the mayor to vote.
May 1, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Hi Bulldog! Portland’s charter allows the mayor to cast the tie-breaking vote in a scenario where the council is deadlocked. Exactly how that is going to work remains somewhat unclear since the council has not yet established the procedure for inviting the mayor to vote.
In Episode 14 of Stump Talk, I chat with mathematician Moon Duchin and More Equitable Democracy’s George Cheung about the impact of electoral reform on Portland’s 2024 election. You don’t need to be a math nerd to find this convo fascinating: organizers and campaign managers should take notice.
"For good news, take a look at Portland, Oregon."
A mathematician and a national election reformer join the Stump Talk podcast to discuss why Portland's reforms matter outside city limits.
open.substack.com
April 30, 2025 at 4:32 PM
In Episode 14 of Stump Talk, I chat with mathematician Moon Duchin and More Equitable Democracy’s George Cheung about the impact of electoral reform on Portland’s 2024 election. You don’t need to be a math nerd to find this convo fascinating: organizers and campaign managers should take notice.
Portland's new government is 100 days old today. Here's our snapshot of what's happened so far—and what might be in store for the next 100.
100 Days of Racing Against Time
As Portland's new government reaches the 100-day milestone, city leaders are under intense pressure to make headway on decades-old problems.
open.substack.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Portland's new government is 100 days old today. Here's our snapshot of what's happened so far—and what might be in store for the next 100.
OPB reporter Alex Zielinski and the Oregonian's Lillian Mongeau Hughes join the Stump Talk podcast to discuss city leaders' scramble to address homelessness during a brutal budget cycle. As Zielinski predicts, "interesting conversations" are likely on the horizon. @alexzee.bsky.social
"The reality is harsh."
OPB reporter Alex Zielinski and the Oregonian's Lillian Mongeau Hughes join the podcast to discuss how city leaders are confronting homelessness during a budget crunch.
open.substack.com
March 22, 2025 at 6:54 PM
OPB reporter Alex Zielinski and the Oregonian's Lillian Mongeau Hughes join the Stump Talk podcast to discuss city leaders' scramble to address homelessness during a brutal budget cycle. As Zielinski predicts, "interesting conversations" are likely on the horizon. @alexzee.bsky.social
Agreed!
February 25, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Agreed!
Thanks, Andrew! It’s fascinating to learn about their outlooks and how they interpret their mandates. I’m pleasantly surprised by their willingness to be open up about the challenges they face.
February 25, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Thanks, Andrew! It’s fascinating to learn about their outlooks and how they interpret their mandates. I’m pleasantly surprised by their willingness to be open up about the challenges they face.
In the latest episode of Stump Talk, Councilor Sameer Kanal
@councilorkanal.bsky.social and his chief of staff Lisa Freeman—a former council candidate herself—chat about public safety, community engagement, and the occasional need for dissent. Many thanks to the guests for taking the time!
@councilorkanal.bsky.social and his chief of staff Lisa Freeman—a former council candidate herself—chat about public safety, community engagement, and the occasional need for dissent. Many thanks to the guests for taking the time!
"My boss is not in that building."
Councilor Sameer Kanal and his chief of staff, Lisa Freeman, join the podcast to talk about public safety, community engagement—and what it's like to cast a lone vote in opposition.
open.substack.com
February 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
In the latest episode of Stump Talk, Councilor Sameer Kanal
@councilorkanal.bsky.social and his chief of staff Lisa Freeman—a former council candidate herself—chat about public safety, community engagement, and the occasional need for dissent. Many thanks to the guests for taking the time!
@councilorkanal.bsky.social and his chief of staff Lisa Freeman—a former council candidate herself—chat about public safety, community engagement, and the occasional need for dissent. Many thanks to the guests for taking the time!