Hello Neighbors,
As we close out another full week in City Hall, I want to take a moment to ground us in what matters most: listening, collaboration, and taking meaningful action together. Every conversation, every committee hearing, and every neighborhood gathering reminds me of the deep resilience and possibility that lives within East Portland.
This week brought important debates at Council, ongoing work to strengthen public safety and economic stability, and new opportunities to build partnerships across our district — from continued engagement on budget decisions to upcoming community safety conversations and site visits, including my tour of NuProject’s cannabis facility to learn more about equity-centered entrepreneurship.
Your participation, your advocacy, and your lived experience continue to guide my work. Thank you for showing up, speaking up, and helping shape a District 1 that reflects all of us.
Let’s keep moving forward, together.
In service,
– Councilor Loretta Smith
Portland City Council – District 1
 What Happened in Council Last Week?
Council Week Updates
Last week, City Council held an extensive and difficult discussion on the Fall Technical Adjustment Ordinance (TAO), including proposed cuts to the Impact Reduction Program (IRP).
During this hearing, I introduced Smith 1, my amendment to Councilor Morillo’s amendment (Morillo 1). My goal was simple and direct:
to protect the Impact Reduction Program, add critical guardrails to the TAO process, and bring more transparency and community accountability to midyear budget changes.
I want to be clear about two things:
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I did not support defunding or cutting the Impact Reduction Program.
My amendment explicitly maintained IRP funding so the City could continue essential livability, trash cleanup, and safety services—particularly in East Portland.
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My amendment—Smith 1—did not pass.
Although I believed strongly in the need for a more transparent and responsible TAO process, the Council ultimately voted it down.
As I stated in my press release:
“I proposed Smith 1 because I believe Portland deserves a TAO process rooted in clarity, responsibility, and respect for the communities most impacted by budget decisions.”
Even though the amendment failed, my vote and my work reflect the same priorities I hear from you every week:
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Protect public safety programs that matter.
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Maintain essential services in East Portland.
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Demand transparency and accountability in how the City spends public dollars.
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Ensure District 1’s lived experiences and needs are centered in decision-making.
What this means for District 1:
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My “No” vote was grounded in my belief that we must keep IRP robust so that our neighborhoods can thrive.
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This outcome sends a clear message that the status quo needs changing—the process, the communication, the accountability—especially for East Portland.
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I will continue to mobilize for a new ordinance developed in genuine partnership with the Mayor that safeguards the services our communities depend on.
Ultimately, the Morillo 1 amendment did not pass.
Stayed tuned on Thursday, the 20th 2:00 PM for the 2nd reading of the TAO, where I will propose amendment "Smith 2".
Pictured: Mikhala Armstrong with KPTV interviewing me, following the Council meeting.
Labor & Workforce Development Committee
Last week, I led a significant discussion in the Labor & Workforce Development Committee focused on wage theft, an issue that continues to harm workers across Portland—particularly those in low-wage, frontline, and marginalized industries.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every worker, advocate, and community member who testified. Your stories and expertise grounded our conversation in real-life experience and underscored the urgency of stronger protections, clearer accountability, and a more equitable worker support system.
As Chair, I remain committed to advancing policies that ensure every Portlander is paid fairly, treated with dignity, and supported by systems that honor the value of their labor.
Pictured: Tino Juarez, Western States Carpenters, testifying.
City Council Joint Work Session
In our joint session with Multnomah County, I emphasized the need for clearly measurable outcomes and stronger tools to prevent households from falling into homelessness, as we reviewed the Homelessness Response Action Plan (HRAP). While both city and county leaders noted progress in housing exits, we also acknowledged that inflow remains a significant challenge. This conversation reaffirmed my commitment to advancing a coordinated, transparent, and urgent response to homelessness for District 1 and the entire region.
Portland Parks Levy Renewal Passed
The Portland Parks Levy renewal has officially passed, securing vital funding that keeps our parks clean, safe, and accessible for all Portlanders.
For me, this levy is about more than maintaining green spaces. It’s about protecting the places where our families gather, our children play, and our communities stay connected. I’m especially grateful for what this renewal means for East Portland, where investments in parks have historically lagged behind the rest of the city. This renewed funding ensures continued improvements in maintenance, safety, staffing, and programming across District 1 and beyond.
I want to thank everyone who supported this effort and helped move our city one step closer to ensuring that every neighborhood has vibrant, welcoming public spaces.
Learn more about what the levy funds and what this renewal means for our community.
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