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(He/Him) councilor.dunphy@portlandoregon.gov

Bluesky @councilordunphy Instagram @councilorjamiedunphy

A Message from Councilor Dunphy:

Hi Friend,

This is the second installment of my monthly newsletter to community members and supporters, thank you for being part of our efforts to make Portland a better place to live, especially for our community in District 1. As the Council gets on our feet, and builds our processes of good governance, I am thinking holistically about goals, vision, and theory of change. 

I read Abundance, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson last week and have been thinking a lot about how its central premise—that we can and must build more of the things people need to thrive—applies directly to the moment we find ourselves in, here in Portland.

So I’m bringing this idea, that scarcity is not always natural— too often, it’s manufactured—by outdated systems, entrenched interests, or a lack of imagination, into my conversations at City Hall. Abundance IS a policy choice. It’s the result of political will, of choosing to build the infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and social supports that ensure everyone—not just the wealthiest—can live with dignity. It’s also making sure well intentioned but outdated systems are cleaned up, so perfection does not become the enemy of progress. 

Policy Preview:

Next Tuesday, April 8th at the Community and Public Safety Meeting 12:30–2:30pm, I am proud to announce my first lead author Ordinance: a proposal to Amend Code to consolidate noise enforcement and improve fairness and consistency in noise regulation— marking the first step in a broader effort to strengthen Portland’s Independent Music Economy and support local artists, venues, and cultural workers. 

Right now, Portland has two separate laws that are used to enforce noise complaints—one under the Police Bureau and one under the Noise Program. This has created confusion, inconsistency, and unfairness, especially when enforcement is based on subjective observations rather than measurable standards.

This new ordinance will eliminate one of those two laws to create one clear, consistent policy with measurable definitions of noise, so enforcement is fair, transparent, and less likely to be influenced by bias. It’s a step toward protecting our local music and nightlife while making sure everyone is treated equally.

Last week, in the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, I led a presentation on re-instating the Fair Wages Ordinance, which will come back to committee later this month to be referred to the full council. The original code was removed in November, and I am proud to champion its re-instatement. I’m passionate about this issue because no one working on a city contract should struggle to make ends meet, especially as the cost of living continues to rise. Reinstating this ordinance is about restoring dignity, fairness, and stability to the workers who keep our city running every day: our janitors, security guards, and parking attendants.

Dunphy in the Community:

Join me next Saturday, at our District 1 VIRTUAL Town Hall! Engage with your councilors about the issues that matter to you, from budget to programs and community concerns. 

Mark your calendar!

📅 Date: Saturday, April 12

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

💻 Where: Zoom - Link above!

If you want to invite a friend, share this page! 

Community Cleanup Initiative:

Let’s Uplift Our Neighborhoods Together

I am excited to announce a new project aimed at sparking community engagement and empowerment through a collaborative cleanup effort. This initiative will focus on areas in our neighborhoods that have often been overlooked due to capacity and budget constraints of city service providers.

By coming together, we believe we can not only restore these spaces but also strengthen the bonds within our community. It’s about more than just cleaning up—it’s about building a sense of pride, ownership, and connection that only true collaboration can bring.

Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved! For questions, please contact my Joint Chief Amani Kelekele.

Opportunities of the Month

I am  thrilled to share a fantastic opportunity from The Street Trust! They’re launching the Ride-2-Own e-bike pilot program, giving you the chance to “ride your way to e-bike ownership.” This innovative program makes sustainable transportation more accessible while promoting a healthier, greener way to get around.

Eligible participants reside in the bottom half of Portland City Council District 1, which is Portland city limits east of 82nd and south of Division this includes the neighborhoods of Lents, Pleasant Valley, Powellhurst-Gilbert, and part of Centennial (south of Division).  Only a few weeks left to register.

Next Up’s Youth in Philanthropy Program!