 Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for staying connected and engaged with the work happening in District 1 and across Portland.
Over the past several weeks, my focus has remained clear: strengthening accountability at City Hall, investing in safer and more connected neighborhoods, and continuing to show up in community spaces where real conversations are happening. From advancing infrastructure improvements and workforce protections to engaging directly with youth, residents, and regional partners, this work is grounded in one goal, delivering results that Portlanders can trust and feel.
– Councilor Loretta Smith
Portland City Council – District 1
Resolution on Public Safety Staffing Passes Council
On February 12, 2026, City Council voted 7–5 to pass a resolution introduced by Councilor Loretta Smith and Councilor Olivia Clark directing the Deputy City Administrator for Public Safety to deliver a comprehensive review of Portland Police Bureau staffing.
The report, due April 30, 2026, will provide Council with clear data on recruitment, retention, training costs, and long-term staffing needs, ensuring future public safety decisions are grounded in transparency and facts.
Public safety is one of the City’s core responsibilities, Portlanders deserve a clear understanding of the full financial and operational picture before long-term commitments are made.
Testifying Before the Oregon Legislature in Support of SB 1501
Pictured: At the Oregon State Capitol following testimony.
Last Wednesday, I testified before the Senate Rules Committee in support of Senate Bill 1501, advocating for a joint ownership agreement to renovate the MODA Center and preserve a key economic anchor for our region.
Keeping the Blazers in Portland is crucial for our economic future. As the Mayor emphasized, this investment is vital for jobs, economic stability, and ensuring Oregon's long-term competitiveness.
Center for Black Excellence, Urban League of Portland, Gordly Burch Center, Black Parent Initiative, and Portland Branch of the NAACP Black Unity Breakfast
Pictured: Senator James Manning, District 7
Pictured: Listening to young leaders at the Unity Breakfast.
I was honored to attend the Unity Breakfast hosted by the Center for Black Excellence, Urban League of Portland, the Gordly Burch Center, Black Parent Initiative, and the Portland Branch of the NAACP.
Spaces like this matter. They bring together leaders committed to advancing equity, strengthening community voice, and ensuring our policies reflect the needs of the people we serve.
It was a powerful reminder that lasting progress requires unified leadership and sustained advocacy across Oregon.
Labor & Workforce Development Committee – Wage Theft Discussion
Pictured: Councilor Loretta Smith and Councilor Sameer Kanal with North Coast State Regional Council of Carpenters representatives
As Chair of the Labor & Workforce Development Committee, I convened a public hearing on wage theft in Portland.
Two months ago, Councilor Kanal and I toured job sites with the Carpenters Council. What we saw and what we continue to hear, is deeply troubling: workers on City-supported projects being underpaid or not paid at all.
When workers are told, “finish this job and we’ll pay you later,” that is not confusion, it is exploitation. During the hearing, I pressed for stronger enforcement, contractor accountability, and real worker protections.
If public dollars are building Portland, workers must be paid fairly.
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