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My week started with the inauguration of Donald Trump’s second term. Like most Portlanders I am sickened by it and feel the burden of knowing that our institutions have failed us. But, I am grateful to be a Portlander in this moment where we have a tradition of standing up and fighting back against injustice. I joined a three-mile march led by Don’t Shoot PDX to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with “Reclaim MLK Day” where they reminded me that the moral arc of the universe bends towards justice, but only if we guide it there. That happens through collective action and organizing work. That’s how I find my strength, focus and resolve.
I am grateful for Mayor Wilson’s leadership affirming Portland as a Sanctuary City and urging all members of City Council to show up for our communities as a beacon of support for those most at risk. I have also communicated to our Office of Government Relations that I do not support a State lobbying agenda that weakens Portland’s sanctuary status.
On Tuesday, City Council hosted a first-of-its-kind work session and community listening session on Zenith Energy. I want to thank Council President Pirtle-Guiney for scheduling this session so early in the year, and for being responsive to an issue of great urgency to my constituents in District 4. Portlanders asked for a public process to give clarity on Zenith’s land use application, so we gave them back-to-back events. This is not a substitute for substantive community engagement, but it shows we can shift Council agendas and whose expertise is welcomed here.
In response to the presentations, panelists and the public testimonies on Zenith, I will be working on a resolution to direct an investigation and exploring Council’s options on this matter.
On Fiscal Stewardship
I brought the fiscal stewardship lens and comments to our latest discussion about public works. With a tentative $100 million deficit facing City Council and the Mayor as we develop the FY 2025-26 budget, I want to communicate how I think about my own fiduciary lens. You’ll notice my use of the phrase “fiscal stewardship” instead of “fiscal responsibility” because I think it helps us better adopt a long-term view. For example, heavy reliance on user fees and system development charges for recovering the marginal cost of a public investment may be viewed as fiscally responsible in the short-run, but if they result in poor delivery of service and cost structure that makes new housing production unfeasible then it’s hard to say that it’s good stewardship for the long-run. Good fiscal stewardship requires that we take a holistic approach to budgeting, investment and public finance to consider whether our communities will be a place people of all incomes may thrive for generations to come.
In Solidarity,
Mitch Green
Meet at Sellwood Community House on Friday
You’re invited to office hours outside of City Hall. We’ve enjoyed meeting our community members at City Hall and downtown every Friday, and it’s time to bring our office to the southeastern part of District 4. Sellwood Community House is hosting with us on January 31st. No reservations needed. Come on in. We look forward to seeing you. If you have questions and accommodations requests, or want to let us know you’ll be there, contact Maria Sipin, Chief of Staff, maria.sipin2@portlandoregon.gov.
Address: 1436 SE Spokane St, Portland, OR 97202
Transit: TriMet routes 40 and 70
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