@sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social
City Hall reporter at Willamette Week. Holler: speel@wweek.com
Councilor Steve Novick, alongside Morillo and Dunphy, want to raise the climate tax on large retailers to fill the city's looming budget deficit.
Seeking to increase tax from 1% to 1.33%, bringing in, Novick says, an additional $66 million annually.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Seeking to increase tax from 1% to 1.33%, bringing in, Novick says, an additional $66 million annually.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Dunphy, Morillo and Novick Propose Increasing Retail Climate Tax to Plug City’s Budget Hole
www.wweek.com
April 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Councilor Steve Novick, alongside Morillo and Dunphy, want to raise the climate tax on large retailers to fill the city's looming budget deficit.
Seeking to increase tax from 1% to 1.33%, bringing in, Novick says, an additional $66 million annually.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Seeking to increase tax from 1% to 1.33%, bringing in, Novick says, an additional $66 million annually.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Councilors spar over the city's new policy process.
“I feel this committee is being ramrodded”.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
“I feel this committee is being ramrodded”.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
City Council Committee Spars Over Policy Process: “I Feel This Committee Is Being Ramrodded”
www.wweek.com
March 26, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Councilors spar over the city's new policy process.
“I feel this committee is being ramrodded”.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
“I feel this committee is being ramrodded”.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Reposted
@sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social breaks down her FANTASTIC reporting on #Portland's troubling tree code in today's City Cast Portland. As always, it's a must-listen when Sophie joins the show. portland.citycast.fm/podcasts/fil...
Filling the City Sidewalk Gap, Too Many PPS High Schools, and Nightmare Tree Codes - City Cast Portland
Our restrictive city tree code might be causing more harm than good. Our school district might have too many public high...
portland.citycast.fm
March 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
@sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social breaks down her FANTASTIC reporting on #Portland's troubling tree code in today's City Cast Portland. As always, it's a must-listen when Sophie joins the show. portland.citycast.fm/podcasts/fil...
Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney says she believes the Parks Bureau could use one-time development fees to bring defunct parks assets back online.
The Parks Bureau says that's not the case, and that they're bound by state law.
🤨
www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
The Parks Bureau says that's not the case, and that they're bound by state law.
🤨
www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
Portland Parks Are On This Year’s Budget Chopping Block
www.wweek.com
March 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney says she believes the Parks Bureau could use one-time development fees to bring defunct parks assets back online.
The Parks Bureau says that's not the case, and that they're bound by state law.
🤨
www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
The Parks Bureau says that's not the case, and that they're bound by state law.
🤨
www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
A little late in sharing this, but here's my most recent cover story on how the city of Portland's Tree Code—and the city's forester—has become deeply controversial in recent years.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
Rigid Enforcement of the City’s Tree Code Is a Nightmare for Portlanders
Title 11 has empowered a city program to police the trimming, pruning and planting of trees as if they were illicit activities.
www.wweek.com
March 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
A little late in sharing this, but here's my most recent cover story on how the city of Portland's Tree Code—and the city's forester—has become deeply controversial in recent years.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
www.wweek.com/news/2025/03...
Multnomah County: We have $104 million budget shortfall for homeless services.
Asking for $55 million from the state and $30 miliion from Metro to help close the gap.
Kotek is unhappy, says she only learned about this 24 hrs ago and needs "clear answers" from county.
www.wweek.com/news/county/...
Asking for $55 million from the state and $30 miliion from Metro to help close the gap.
Kotek is unhappy, says she only learned about this 24 hrs ago and needs "clear answers" from county.
www.wweek.com/news/county/...
Joint Office Warns of Upcoming Budget Shortfall of $104 Million
www.wweek.com
February 21, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Multnomah County: We have $104 million budget shortfall for homeless services.
Asking for $55 million from the state and $30 miliion from Metro to help close the gap.
Kotek is unhappy, says she only learned about this 24 hrs ago and needs "clear answers" from county.
www.wweek.com/news/county/...
Asking for $55 million from the state and $30 miliion from Metro to help close the gap.
Kotek is unhappy, says she only learned about this 24 hrs ago and needs "clear answers" from county.
www.wweek.com/news/county/...
Prosper Portland flouted all its own risk guidelines when it approved a $7 million loan to an ambitious footwear manufacturing hub last week.
Project so far is almost entirely funded with public dollars.
Gov. Kotek is unhappy.
Lots more I can't fit into this.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/02...
Project so far is almost entirely funded with public dollars.
Gov. Kotek is unhappy.
Lots more I can't fit into this.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/02...
A $7 Million Loan From Prosper Portland to an Athletic Wear Campus in Old Town Flouts the Agency’s Risk Guidelines
www.wweek.com
February 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Prosper Portland flouted all its own risk guidelines when it approved a $7 million loan to an ambitious footwear manufacturing hub last week.
Project so far is almost entirely funded with public dollars.
Gov. Kotek is unhappy.
Lots more I can't fit into this.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/02...
Project so far is almost entirely funded with public dollars.
Gov. Kotek is unhappy.
Lots more I can't fit into this.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/02...
Reposted
Longtime East Portland community leader Arlene Kimura, 79, was indicted on 10 felony charges & 4 misdemeanors, ranging from aggravated theft to falsifying business records.
Longtime East Portland community leader charged with defrauding neighborhood nonprofit
A longtime East Portland community leader has been accused of defrauding a neighborhood nonprofit of more than $10,000.
www.opb.org
February 13, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Longtime East Portland community leader Arlene Kimura, 79, was indicted on 10 felony charges & 4 misdemeanors, ranging from aggravated theft to falsifying business records.
Reposted
Ready for @pdxcityclub.bsky.social District 4 event with @sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social asking councilors the questions.
February 12, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Ready for @pdxcityclub.bsky.social District 4 event with @sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social asking councilors the questions.
Reposted
Thanks to @sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social for moderating our discussion tonight @pdxcityclub.bsky.social
It’s great to be here alongside my colleagues @councilorgreen.bsky.social and @councilorclark.bsky.social
It’s great to be here alongside my colleagues @councilorgreen.bsky.social and @councilorclark.bsky.social
February 12, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Thanks to @sophiegreenleaf.bsky.social for moderating our discussion tonight @pdxcityclub.bsky.social
It’s great to be here alongside my colleagues @councilorgreen.bsky.social and @councilorclark.bsky.social
It’s great to be here alongside my colleagues @councilorgreen.bsky.social and @councilorclark.bsky.social
City of Portland will join other sanctuary cities in lawsuit against Trump's executive orders that threaten to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Portland Will Join Other Sanctuary Cities In Lawsuit Against Trump Administration
www.wweek.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
City of Portland will join other sanctuary cities in lawsuit against Trump's executive orders that threaten to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
A botched city blueprint results in a minimum $30,000 repair to a just-completed Portland Parks and Recreation facility.
Not great for a bureau that has $600 million in deferred maintenance and wants to double an existing tax levy that helps fund parks operations.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/02...
Not great for a bureau that has $600 million in deferred maintenance and wants to double an existing tax levy that helps fund parks operations.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/02...
www.wweek.com
February 5, 2025 at 10:42 PM
A botched city blueprint results in a minimum $30,000 repair to a just-completed Portland Parks and Recreation facility.
Not great for a bureau that has $600 million in deferred maintenance and wants to double an existing tax levy that helps fund parks operations.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/02...
Not great for a bureau that has $600 million in deferred maintenance and wants to double an existing tax levy that helps fund parks operations.
www.wweek.com/news/2025/02...
Former City Council member Carmen Rubio is under consideration for a top role at Multnomah County. By Anthony Effinger. www.wweek.com/news/2025/01...
Carmen Rubio Under Consideration for Multnomah County COO Job
www.wweek.com
February 1, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Former City Council member Carmen Rubio is under consideration for a top role at Multnomah County. By Anthony Effinger. www.wweek.com/news/2025/01...
City administrator Michael Jordan tells bureau directors that the city will be analyzing the communications, equity and engagement shops across the city, and eyeing cuts in each.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
City’s Top Administrator Warns Bureaus of Likely Cuts Across Communications, Equity and Engagement Shops
www.wweek.com
January 14, 2025 at 9:12 PM
City administrator Michael Jordan tells bureau directors that the city will be analyzing the communications, equity and engagement shops across the city, and eyeing cuts in each.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
AFSCME holds practice picket on Thursday evening as city-union negotiations reach precipice.
Meanwhile, two Portland city councilors are hatching a proposal to lower the temperature between AFSCME and the city. www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Meanwhile, two Portland city councilors are hatching a proposal to lower the temperature between AFSCME and the city. www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
AFSCME Holds Practice Picket at Portland Building as Contract Negotiations Near Precipice
www.wweek.com
January 10, 2025 at 1:13 AM
AFSCME holds practice picket on Thursday evening as city-union negotiations reach precipice.
Meanwhile, two Portland city councilors are hatching a proposal to lower the temperature between AFSCME and the city. www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Meanwhile, two Portland city councilors are hatching a proposal to lower the temperature between AFSCME and the city. www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
After 10 rounds of voting, Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney snagged the coveted council president position with a 7-5 vote, beating out Councilor Candace Avalos.
The councilor to flip the vote: Mitch Green. He'd voted for Avalos in nine rounds, up until the tenth.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
The councilor to flip the vote: Mitch Green. He'd voted for Avalos in nine rounds, up until the tenth.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Elana Pirtle-Guiney Elected As Portland City Council President At New Body’s First Meeting
www.wweek.com
January 2, 2025 at 9:47 PM
After 10 rounds of voting, Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney snagged the coveted council president position with a 7-5 vote, beating out Councilor Candace Avalos.
The councilor to flip the vote: Mitch Green. He'd voted for Avalos in nine rounds, up until the tenth.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
The councilor to flip the vote: Mitch Green. He'd voted for Avalos in nine rounds, up until the tenth.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
The incoming City Council is eyeing a budget amendment to increase the amount of staff each councilor can hire.
That desire—to increase councilors' office budgets—comes when the city is staring down a $27 million budget shortfall. www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
That desire—to increase councilors' office budgets—comes when the city is staring down a $27 million budget shortfall. www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Incoming City Council Considers Amending Budget to Increase Council Staff
www.wweek.com
December 19, 2024 at 9:57 PM
The incoming City Council is eyeing a budget amendment to increase the amount of staff each councilor can hire.
That desire—to increase councilors' office budgets—comes when the city is staring down a $27 million budget shortfall. www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
That desire—to increase councilors' office budgets—comes when the city is staring down a $27 million budget shortfall. www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Reposted
Lots here for folks interested in local politics, including that Steve Novick’s one hired staffer worked for Sam Adams during his city council campaign & worked on the campaign to oppose charter reform
Here's who the 12 incoming city councilors-elect have hired as they prepare to enter office on Jan. 2.
Longtime City Hall staffers, union stalwarts, former legislative chiefs of staff and one East Portland man who went from being incarcerated to working for the state.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Longtime City Hall staffers, union stalwarts, former legislative chiefs of staff and one East Portland man who went from being incarcerated to working for the state.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Here’s Who the Portland City Councilors-Elect Have Hired As Top Staffers
www.wweek.com
December 18, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Lots here for folks interested in local politics, including that Steve Novick’s one hired staffer worked for Sam Adams during his city council campaign & worked on the campaign to oppose charter reform
Here's who the 12 incoming city councilors-elect have hired as they prepare to enter office on Jan. 2.
Longtime City Hall staffers, union stalwarts, former legislative chiefs of staff and one East Portland man who went from being incarcerated to working for the state.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Longtime City Hall staffers, union stalwarts, former legislative chiefs of staff and one East Portland man who went from being incarcerated to working for the state.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Here’s Who the Portland City Councilors-Elect Have Hired As Top Staffers
www.wweek.com
December 17, 2024 at 10:18 PM
Here's who the 12 incoming city councilors-elect have hired as they prepare to enter office on Jan. 2.
Longtime City Hall staffers, union stalwarts, former legislative chiefs of staff and one East Portland man who went from being incarcerated to working for the state.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Longtime City Hall staffers, union stalwarts, former legislative chiefs of staff and one East Portland man who went from being incarcerated to working for the state.
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
As the state pledges to increase its mental health resources, the Oregon Health Authority next year plans to change its rules to disallow associate therapists from billing Medicaid.
Most of those therapists see primarily Medicaid patients.
www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Most of those therapists see primarily Medicaid patients.
www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Oregon Health Authority Says It Will Make Rules to Disallow Associate Mental Health Clinicians From Billing Medicaid
www.wweek.com
December 16, 2024 at 8:39 PM
As the state pledges to increase its mental health resources, the Oregon Health Authority next year plans to change its rules to disallow associate therapists from billing Medicaid.
Most of those therapists see primarily Medicaid patients.
www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Most of those therapists see primarily Medicaid patients.
www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
A wild story by my colleague Lucas Manfield this morning in @willametteweek.bsky.social
www.wweek.com/news/2024/12...
www.wweek.com/news/2024/12...
Clients of an Upstart Health Clinic Are Stranded at an Interstate Avenue Motel
www.wweek.com
December 11, 2024 at 7:44 PM
A wild story by my colleague Lucas Manfield this morning in @willametteweek.bsky.social
www.wweek.com/news/2024/12...
www.wweek.com/news/2024/12...
Last week, we reported that longtime Street Roots executive director Kaia Sand quietly went on leave in October.
On Friday, she resigned.
Sand and Street Roots have remained mum about what led to the separation.
www.wweek.com/news/2024/12...
On Friday, she resigned.
Sand and Street Roots have remained mum about what led to the separation.
www.wweek.com/news/2024/12...
Kaia Sand Resigns From Street Roots After Going on Leave
www.wweek.com
December 11, 2024 at 12:38 AM
Last week, we reported that longtime Street Roots executive director Kaia Sand quietly went on leave in October.
On Friday, she resigned.
Sand and Street Roots have remained mum about what led to the separation.
www.wweek.com/news/2024/12...
On Friday, she resigned.
Sand and Street Roots have remained mum about what led to the separation.
www.wweek.com/news/2024/12...
CareOregon quietly announced a huge reimbursement policy change in a Dec. 5 letter to Oregon therapists. Mental health professionals say it will rock the industry. www.wweek.com/news/health/...
Upcoming Change in CareOregon’s Reimbursement Policy Causes Uproar Among Mental Health Professionals
www.wweek.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:23 PM
CareOregon quietly announced a huge reimbursement policy change in a Dec. 5 letter to Oregon therapists. Mental health professionals say it will rock the industry. www.wweek.com/news/health/...