Alex Zielinski

Oregon National Guard troops in limbo following appeals court ruling, amid demobilization Earlier on Wednesday, Gov. Tina Kotek announced the Oregon guard troops would be demobilized. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals put that on pause just over an hour later.

Who's On First, Oregon nat'l guard edition:

A fun thing buried in this story: This comes the same day that AG Rayfield announced a settlement deal in a lawsuit against a major property mgmt company for "price fixing" by relying on RealPage.

Portland councilors will mull policy that would target property owners who lease to detention centers Portland City Council will consider new sanctions against a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, which has been the focus of monthslong demonstrations, recent land use debates and severa...

The second is the first hearing on new fees for people who lease buildings to detention centers in Portland. (That one may bring some unexpected criticism from anti-ICE protesters, who say it isn't going far enough.) Background: www.opb.org/article/2025...

Portland City Council to vote on proposal to ban rent-setting software The city will again consider a policy prohibiting landlords from using certain software to set rental prices.

Two items coming to council tonight (both intro'd by Councilor Morillo) worth following: The first is a resurrection of the algorithmic rent-pricing tech ban. www.opb.org/article/2025...

‘Detain first and ask questions later’: Oregon ICE arrests shot up in October The Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition reported 329 arrests in Oregon last month.

In October, ICE arrests in OR jumped at least 550% from previous months. Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition says that's likely an undercount. Arrests have included people with citizenship or other legal status. "It's detain first, ask questions later."
From @troywb.bsky.social @hbarth.bsky.social:

Went down a rabbit hole and have returned to lobby for the return of the Portland mayor's citizen's hotline. We used to be a city.

I'm sorry for yelling

THEY WERE WHEN DENIS WAS ON PATERNITY LEAVE

*And former news editor at the Mercury!

Aaand to round it out, police union President Aaron Schmautz:

"This initiative is critical to give Portlanders the number of police they need and the safety they deserve. More officers isn’t the only solution for a safer Portland, but it’s a long overdue ingredient.”

Marcus Mundy, director of Coalition of Communities of Color, a group that campaigned for the original climate tax:

“We firmly oppose any effort to divert funds away from PCEF’s intended purpose and must stay committed to delivering its promise to serve & center the populations it was designed for.”

Mayor Keith Wilson on the proposal:

“We’re asking two separate questions. What is the future of our clean energy ambitions? What will it take to reach our public safety goals? We have to be successful at both, and I’m concerned about pitting these issues against each other.”

Portland ballot proposal would divert climate tax funds to hire police The idea is the latest suggestion involving the Portland Clean Energy Fund, which has raked in more money than expected.

The latest attempt to use climate tax dollars for something... else.

Portland city councilors reject plan to cut millions from homeless camp removal program Portland city councilors rejected a plan Wednesday to cut millions from the city program that removes homeless camps, after a lengthy and contentious council meeting.

This is as much about how councilors and the mayor/exec branch are interacting in this new form of gov't than about homeless camps.

Newport officials raise alarm about possible new ICE facility Rumors have spread since last week that the Trump administration is planning an outpost on Oregon's central coast.

I've been hearing all day about rumors that ICE wants to set up a new outpost on the Oregon coast. Newport officials say their airport is in the agency's sites. #orpol

www.opb.org/article/2025...

Proposed cuts to Portland’s homeless camp removal program puts mayor on defense Budget talks in Portland City Hall have exposed a political chasm between how some city councilors and Mayor Keith Wilson want to address homelessness.

Budget talks in Portland City Hall have exposed a political chasm between how some city councilors and Mayor Keith Wilson want to address homelessness.

Federal judge prohibits Trump from deploying National Guard to Portland In her ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut found President Trump “did not have a lawful basis to federalize the National Guard.”

It’s official (for now): Trump can’t deploy the National Gaurd to Portland.

Staff are picketing in front of City Hall, where their office is located.

It’s already made an impact. According to the Council President, enough councilors have refused to cross the picket line (including her) that today’s council meeting has been cancelled due to lack of quorum.

Portland police oversight staff on strike Eleven employees of Portland’s Independent Police Review began a three-day strike on Wednesday.

Eleven employees in Portland’s police oversight office are on strike after a breakdown in negotiations.

These number are closer to 54% yes and 46% no after the 10 pm ballot drop.

Portland’s parks levy passage favored in early returns Tuesday night In partial returns, the measure had 53% support on Tuesday shortly after 8 p.m. About 47% of votes counted oppose the measure.

In partial returns, Portland's parks levy has about 53% support. About 47% of votes counted oppose the measure.

Portland police arrest suspect in Councilor Avalos’ house fire Portland police have arrested a man suspected of starting a fire near Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos’ house on Oct. 26.

It appears the fire at Councilor Avalos' house may have been started by a man trying to keep warm.

“We are learning of this new development and are eager to learn more as this investigation continues,” says Avalos' chief of staff.

Owner of Portland ICE building accuses city of ‘retaliatory’ land use ruling The owner of the South Portland building that houses the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office says city leaders are unconstitutionally penalizing him for his choice in tenants.

Update for those following Portland's ICE land use appeal: The city has given the property owner two more weeks to submit info before meeting/deciding on the appeal.

That means a mtg won't happen until after Nov. 14.

Background here:

Portland will begin enforcing its camping ban today. What does that mean? What to know about the new criminal citation.

You've got questions, I've got... limited answers.

Portland councilor questions police investigation into house fire A threatening email was sent to Councilor Candace Avalos’ office before the fire, raising suspicions about whether the blaze was politically motivated, but she said she doesn’t know if that was the ca...

“I am concerned that police leadership may be jumping to conclusions before the investigation is complete,” Councilor Avalos said in a statement emailed to OPB on Friday.

Worth noting: News of a director going “on leave” is often the first sign they’re on their way out the door.

Last year, frmr Water Bureau director was told she was being fired w/out cause.

She was given 21 days of paid leave to decide whether to accept the firing or resign (& collect severance).

Portland’s housing director placed on leave The city administrator gave vague reasoning for Helmi Hisserich’s abrupt exit, but staff close to her pointed to a strained relationship with Mayor Keith Wilson.

It’s not clear why Portland's housing director ways placed on leave.

But, four city staff who are close with Hisserich and her office told OPB that she and Wilson have often disagreed over her pace and priorities.

*11 council colleagues! ack

Here's his (lengthy) reasoning: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORP...

Interesting, 11th hour update: Councilor Dan Ryan has come out in opposition to the Parks Levy renewal, splitting from the mayor and his 10 city council colleagues.