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The Portland Townsman Posts

Opinion: Reform Betrayed – Portland’s Strategy to Dodge LD2003 Will Prolong Our Housing Crisis

Has the city of Portland’s planning staff betrayed the statewide progressive movement to promote housing growth? Amy Oberlin and Todd Morse, of the Urbanist Coalition of Portland, argue that they have, and that in doing so they may have put the future of thousands of Portlanders at risk.

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“No One Should Have Power Over Anyone Else” – Dylan Pugh’s Policy Matters Interview

The Portland Townsman presents Policy Matters, a series of audio interviews with each of the mayoral candidates running this November, focused on their policies, platforms, and proposals. In this episode host Ashley Keenan interviews candidate Dylan Pugh.

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Shelter Beds Revisited, Marijuana Delivery, and Ocean Ave Outcry – City Council Review 10/16/2023

: After killing the plan to use a limited state of emergency at the Homeless Services Center at the last meeting, Councilor Phillips had a change of heart and asked the Council to reconsider the plan for adding capacity to the shelter at this Monday’s meeting. A parade of neighbors from the Ocean Ave area turned out to oppose new housing construction there, and updates to Portland’s rules around parking, crosswalks, and marijuana delivery were considered and passed.

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“If You Want Better Outcomes, You Need to Do Better” – George Rheault’s Policy Matters Interview

The Portland Townsman presents Policy Matters, a series of audio interviews with each of the mayoral candidates running this November, focused on their policies, platforms, and proposals. In this episode host Ashley Keenan interviews write-in candidate and citizen watchdog George Rheault.

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“I Will Lead Collaboratively” – Pious Ali’s Policy Matters Interview

The Portland Townsman presents Policy Matters, a series of audio interviews with each of the mayoral candidates running this November, focused on their policies, platforms, and proposals. In this episode host Ashley Keenan interviews candidate Pious Ali, City Councilor.

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A Wasted Opportunity – Portland’s LD2003 Response

Data analyst and urban policy advocate Todd Morse explains the crucial opportunity being squandered by an opaque staff process, using interactive maps and detailed breakdowns of the data. Planning staff are using a convoluted tactic to undermine LD2003 and change as little as possible in complying with the state’s housing law. Make your voice heard to push for more before it is too late.

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Rent Control in Portland Today

Before one can consider the merits of this November’s Question A, once again asking Portland voters to amend the rent control ordinance, voters must have a firm grasp on the current rent control ordinance. Ashley Keenan, in what shouldn’t be anything new to long-time Townsman readers, updates our guide to the ordinance for autumn. If you’ve ever wondered about our rent control – but been too afraid to ask – wait no longer.

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“People Want a Vision” – Andrew Zarro’s Policy Matters Interview

The Portland Townsman presents Policy Matters, a series of audio interviews with each of the mayoral candidates running this November, focused on their policies, platforms, and proposals. In this episode host Ashley Keenan interviews candidate Andrew Zarro, City Councilor.

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State of the City Address, Psilocybin Deprioritization, and Shelter Beds Rejected – City Council Review 10/02/2023

City Council meetings have reverted to in-person only as the norm, and still this meeting brought out heated debate. Following a State of the City address, a years-in-the-making impact study on the effects of Historic Preservation was presented to the Council, with unexpected results. A controversial but non-binding resolution on the “deprioritization” of psychedelic drugs inspired debate, and after a long grappling with the subject, the Council rejects adding more capacity to the Homelessness Services Center. Ashley Keenan fills in for Erica Snyder-Drummond on this week’s City Council Review.

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