Terry J. Harris
@trryjhrrs.bsky.social
Portland, Baltimore, Oregon, Idaho, green, blue, law, government, cats, kittens.
Pinned
Not picking on Shawn here, because he's absolutely right. But part of the problem is that we (the voters!) have segregated our dollars into different types of dollars, in sometimes the wrong amounts, and into different jurisdictions that control them. It makes governing that much more difficult.
The City of Portland / Multnomah County have a duty to better steward housing, economic development, childcare and climate dollars than they’ve proven capable. It is the ultimate crime against progress. We need government to act and they’ve eroded public faith in their closest governments to do so.
February 7, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Not picking on Shawn here, because he's absolutely right. But part of the problem is that we (the voters!) have segregated our dollars into different types of dollars, in sometimes the wrong amounts, and into different jurisdictions that control them. It makes governing that much more difficult.
Accountability post: My hypothesis from November turned out to be both hilariously wrong and hilariously almost correct. 🧵 1/x
Nobody asked but (and for entertainment purposes only!) I'm going to post my completely uneducated hypothesis on this: I think the rental registration money was simply deposited in the wrong account.
Based on what little we have to go by, here's why I think that: 🧵1/
Based on what little we have to go by, here's why I think that: 🧵1/
Portland sitting on $21M that could have paid for rent aid, other services, review reveals
The tranche of dollars could have gone to emergency rent assistance, eviction defense or other housing aid, according to documents reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
www.oregonlive.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Accountability post: My hypothesis from November turned out to be both hilariously wrong and hilariously almost correct. 🧵 1/x
Letter of Recommendation: a nice 24-hour vacation in Astoria.
February 7, 2026 at 6:48 AM
Letter of Recommendation: a nice 24-hour vacation in Astoria.
Reposted by Terry J. Harris
I think the memo is careful to avoid the word “unspent.” You can budget to not spend money (typically because you intend to spend it in the future). Unbudgeted money is a problem because you didn’t know it existed. The act of budgeting is just deciding what to do with money, whether spending or not.
February 7, 2026 at 12:34 AM
I think the memo is careful to avoid the word “unspent.” You can budget to not spend money (typically because you intend to spend it in the future). Unbudgeted money is a problem because you didn’t know it existed. The act of budgeting is just deciding what to do with money, whether spending or not.
FWIW, I think there are very precise definitions that'll need to be established for a common understanding of this Housing Bureau fiasco.
Like, it seems like there are BALANCES in FUNDS that are RESTRICTED (and maybe even EARMARKED) but NOT BUDGETED and therefore UNSPENT. Did I get that right?
Like, it seems like there are BALANCES in FUNDS that are RESTRICTED (and maybe even EARMARKED) but NOT BUDGETED and therefore UNSPENT. Did I get that right?
February 7, 2026 at 12:26 AM
FWIW, I think there are very precise definitions that'll need to be established for a common understanding of this Housing Bureau fiasco.
Like, it seems like there are BALANCES in FUNDS that are RESTRICTED (and maybe even EARMARKED) but NOT BUDGETED and therefore UNSPENT. Did I get that right?
Like, it seems like there are BALANCES in FUNDS that are RESTRICTED (and maybe even EARMARKED) but NOT BUDGETED and therefore UNSPENT. Did I get that right?
The weird Guthrie’s mom kidnapping reminded me of the weird Ripkin’s mom kidnapping
Cal Ripken's mom abducted, now safe
Police say the man who abducted Hall of Fame infielder Cal Ripken Jr.'s 74-year-old mother drove around the area after the kidnapping and should be considered armed and dangerous.
www.espn.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:28 PM
The weird Guthrie’s mom kidnapping reminded me of the weird Ripkin’s mom kidnapping
Reposted by Terry J. Harris
Alleged transparency.
Here is the Scope of Work for the outside counsel hired by the City of Portland to negotiate the Portland Police Association contract.
(Public Records Request appeal is underway.)
Here is the Scope of Work for the outside counsel hired by the City of Portland to negotiate the Portland Police Association contract.
(Public Records Request appeal is underway.)
February 5, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Alleged transparency.
Here is the Scope of Work for the outside counsel hired by the City of Portland to negotiate the Portland Police Association contract.
(Public Records Request appeal is underway.)
Here is the Scope of Work for the outside counsel hired by the City of Portland to negotiate the Portland Police Association contract.
(Public Records Request appeal is underway.)
In Multnomah Village yesterday I was solicited for my signature on an initiative that would "set aside a portion of the city budget to fill potholes and make our streets safer." Where do I sign, right?
Wrong. It was the participatory budget petition. #declinetosign
Wrong. It was the participatory budget petition. #declinetosign
February 5, 2026 at 6:16 PM
In Multnomah Village yesterday I was solicited for my signature on an initiative that would "set aside a portion of the city budget to fill potholes and make our streets safer." Where do I sign, right?
Wrong. It was the participatory budget petition. #declinetosign
Wrong. It was the participatory budget petition. #declinetosign
Marty Weil was a lovely presence on twitter. (Still is, actually. I just checked.)
I've been a subscriber to the Post for a VERY long time and was willing to ignore the ups-and-downs on the opinion side for the breadth and quality of the writing and reporting. Looks like those days are over.
I've been a subscriber to the Post for a VERY long time and was willing to ignore the ups-and-downs on the opinion side for the breadth and quality of the writing and reporting. Looks like those days are over.
He Was Laid Off at The Washington Post After Working There 60 Years
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Marty Weil was a lovely presence on twitter. (Still is, actually. I just checked.)
I've been a subscriber to the Post for a VERY long time and was willing to ignore the ups-and-downs on the opinion side for the breadth and quality of the writing and reporting. Looks like those days are over.
I've been a subscriber to the Post for a VERY long time and was willing to ignore the ups-and-downs on the opinion side for the breadth and quality of the writing and reporting. Looks like those days are over.
This is good news and the correct result, but it's only the first baby step. This is a resolution ONLY to gather some documents and hold a hearing on a very specific topic. The oversight hasn't happened yet.
Some quick reflections from today's Council session. 🧵 1/
Some quick reflections from today's Council session. 🧵 1/
The oversight resolution from me, Councilor Green, and Councilor Avalos passes!
Aye - Avalos, Smith, Pirtle Guiney, Kanal, Green, Morillo, Koyama Lane, Dunphy
Nay - Ryan, Clark, Novick, Zimmerman
Portlanders deserve transparency about public dollars, I hope this is the beginning.
Aye - Avalos, Smith, Pirtle Guiney, Kanal, Green, Morillo, Koyama Lane, Dunphy
Nay - Ryan, Clark, Novick, Zimmerman
Portlanders deserve transparency about public dollars, I hope this is the beginning.
If City Council does not have an accurate an reliable accounting of funds to make decisions for what services we save and cut, we cannot do our jobs.
Council must exercise our oversight powers to prevent this from happening again, and I will strongly support Councilor Green’s oversight resolution.
Council must exercise our oversight powers to prevent this from happening again, and I will strongly support Councilor Green’s oversight resolution.
February 4, 2026 at 11:02 PM
This is good news and the correct result, but it's only the first baby step. This is a resolution ONLY to gather some documents and hold a hearing on a very specific topic. The oversight hasn't happened yet.
Some quick reflections from today's Council session. 🧵 1/
Some quick reflections from today's Council session. 🧵 1/
Explains the rare PPB appearance in Hillsdale this afternoon, doing stops on (presumably) white people on the most hated Rose Lane in the city?
Today, the Portland Police Bureau released its quarterly report on the number and racial profile of traffic stops.
In 2025 Q4, Portland police stopped 5,028 drivers, the fewest of any quarter this year.
47% were drivers of color.
In 2025 Q4, Portland police stopped 5,028 drivers, the fewest of any quarter this year.
47% were drivers of color.
February 4, 2026 at 4:33 AM
Explains the rare PPB appearance in Hillsdale this afternoon, doing stops on (presumably) white people on the most hated Rose Lane in the city?
Anyway. Speaking of budgets. Multnomah County has a tough one this year too. Here's an early chance to provide input.
Hope to see you this Saturday! Don't forget to RSVP at bit.ly/JVPtownhall
On Saturday, February 7th, I'm holding a virtual budget town hall to hear directly from you about which MultCo services and investments are most important to the people we serve.
Hearing from you will be critical to the difficult decisions ahead. I hope to see you there!
RSVP: bit.ly/JVPtownhall
Hearing from you will be critical to the difficult decisions ahead. I hope to see you there!
RSVP: bit.ly/JVPtownhall
February 4, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Anyway. Speaking of budgets. Multnomah County has a tough one this year too. Here's an early chance to provide input.
Matt's thread here is excellent. And it's why the oversight resolution tomorrow is so timely and so important. There are a lot of truly basic questions that still need answers. Accountability in this instance requires, at a minimum, a thorough explanation and a detailed plan of corrective action.
Respectfully, @councilordunphy.bsky.social, we can't excuse this just because it wasn't malicious. The system of accounting was chosen and managed by City leadership who are still there. If they're incapable of effectively managing government funds, they're not qualified for their positions.
“While the timing of this information is difficult, I do not believe these were hidden maliciously, but are instead a relic of the old government system of accounting," Council President Jamie Dunphy said.
February 4, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Matt's thread here is excellent. And it's why the oversight resolution tomorrow is so timely and so important. There are a lot of truly basic questions that still need answers. Accountability in this instance requires, at a minimum, a thorough explanation and a detailed plan of corrective action.
Via OPB reporting, here's a much simpler theory than mine, but only barely less disturbing.
Letting the fee money pile up on purpose like this kinda sounds like a capital mini-budget without a capital plan. BUT ALSO nobody knew about it?
www.opb.org/article/2026...
Letting the fee money pile up on purpose like this kinda sounds like a capital mini-budget without a capital plan. BUT ALSO nobody knew about it?
www.opb.org/article/2026...
February 3, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Via OPB reporting, here's a much simpler theory than mine, but only barely less disturbing.
Letting the fee money pile up on purpose like this kinda sounds like a capital mini-budget without a capital plan. BUT ALSO nobody knew about it?
www.opb.org/article/2026...
Letting the fee money pile up on purpose like this kinda sounds like a capital mini-budget without a capital plan. BUT ALSO nobody knew about it?
www.opb.org/article/2026...
Reposted by Terry J. Harris
Judge Simon here in Portland just granted the TRO in the ICE use of force case. The first three sentences are pretty haunting.
February 3, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Judge Simon here in Portland just granted the TRO in the ICE use of force case. The first three sentences are pretty haunting.
Welcome to the resistance DOJ attorney Julie Le
February 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Welcome to the resistance DOJ attorney Julie Le
Reposted by Terry J. Harris
Exclusive: DOJ is requiring all 93 US attorneys to designate prosecutors for "emergency jump teams" supporting surge districts dealing with assaults & obstruction of federal officers, per internal memo. Comes as more Minn. prosecutors resign. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
DOJ Demands Emergency Surge Prosecutors From All US Attorneys
The Justice Department is requiring all US attorneys to rapidly assign prosecutors for “emergency jump teams” supporting districts handling alleged assaults or obstruction of law enforcement, accordin...
news.bloomberglaw.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Exclusive: DOJ is requiring all 93 US attorneys to designate prosecutors for "emergency jump teams" supporting surge districts dealing with assaults & obstruction of federal officers, per internal memo. Comes as more Minn. prosecutors resign. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Alito, doing a Melania
February 3, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Alito, doing a Melania
Same. But whiskey.
I swear if you sit me down and give me some German Pilsner and access to the stare constitution and the Oregon Revised Statutes, over a three hour period I will give you *at least* 25 very clear strategies to exercise state power over the enemies of democracy
February 3, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Same. But whiskey.
My high school in Northern Virginia was recently renamed for C. G. Woodson.
(It was originally named for W.T. Woodson who was a longtime local school superintendent who slow-walked integration in the district back in the 50s and 60s. They barely had to change the letterhead.)
(It was originally named for W.T. Woodson who was a longtime local school superintendent who slow-walked integration in the district back in the 50s and 60s. They barely had to change the letterhead.)
The inaugural Black History commemoration was a week-long observance planned by Dr. Carter G. Woodson of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. 100 years later, the impact of the Black community on expanding rights for all Americans is as timely and important as it ever was.
1/3
1/3
February 3, 2026 at 3:49 AM
My high school in Northern Virginia was recently renamed for C. G. Woodson.
(It was originally named for W.T. Woodson who was a longtime local school superintendent who slow-walked integration in the district back in the 50s and 60s. They barely had to change the letterhead.)
(It was originally named for W.T. Woodson who was a longtime local school superintendent who slow-walked integration in the district back in the 50s and 60s. They barely had to change the letterhead.)
At this point, I think I'd want to know a lot more. Like, I would not be surprised if this "additional" $20M was supposed to pay for some Housing Bureau expenses that were paid out of other funds.
The Portland Housing Bureau has found roughly $20 million in additional unspent funds, two city councilors say, on top of another pot of $21 million that the housing bureau found late last year.
Housing Bureau Finds Extra $20 Million in Unspent Funds, Bringing Total to Around $40 Million
Sophie Peel
www.wweek.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:20 AM
At this point, I think I'd want to know a lot more. Like, I would not be surprised if this "additional" $20M was supposed to pay for some Housing Bureau expenses that were paid out of other funds.
Reposted by Terry J. Harris
Can be hard to know that "NAVSUP RFP Seeks New Contractors for $55B WEXMAC 2.2 TITUS" means "the military is looking for companies to build concentration camps all over the United States"
NAVSUP RFP Seeks New Contractors for $55B WEXMAC 2.2 TITUS
The WEXMAC 2.2 TITUS IDIQ increases the Region 27 ceiling from $10B to $55B.
www.govconwire.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Can be hard to know that "NAVSUP RFP Seeks New Contractors for $55B WEXMAC 2.2 TITUS" means "the military is looking for companies to build concentration camps all over the United States"
Reposted by Terry J. Harris
Is this another example of the hazards of using restrictions on the use of specific revenue streams as a means of exacting "accountability" rather than creating effective administrative, accounting, and oversight mechanisms?
February 3, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Is this another example of the hazards of using restrictions on the use of specific revenue streams as a means of exacting "accountability" rather than creating effective administrative, accounting, and oversight mechanisms?
Based on today's news about more dollars floating around unaccounted for - this time "a mix of transient lodging taxes and fees collected on short-term rental properties" - I'll go ahead and double down on my uneducated hypothesis: restricted revenues landing in differently restricted funds.
Nobody asked but (and for entertainment purposes only!) I'm going to post my completely uneducated hypothesis on this: I think the rental registration money was simply deposited in the wrong account.
Based on what little we have to go by, here's why I think that: 🧵1/
Based on what little we have to go by, here's why I think that: 🧵1/
Portland sitting on $21M that could have paid for rent aid, other services, review reveals
The tranche of dollars could have gone to emergency rent assistance, eviction defense or other housing aid, according to documents reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
www.oregonlive.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Based on today's news about more dollars floating around unaccounted for - this time "a mix of transient lodging taxes and fees collected on short-term rental properties" - I'll go ahead and double down on my uneducated hypothesis: restricted revenues landing in differently restricted funds.
The oversight resolution on the Council's agenda Wednesday morning seems that much more essential right about now
What on earth is going on at the Portland Housing Bureau? www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
‘No way to run a city’: Officials learn Portland has millions more in unspent housing funds
The revelation comes months after policymakers learned of a different $21 million in unspent money.
www.oregonlive.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:59 PM
The oversight resolution on the Council's agenda Wednesday morning seems that much more essential right about now