 Bar Chart of Top 10 District 3 Priorities from Councilor Koyama Lane’s Budget Survey
Wrapping Up Budget Season
First, I want to thank all my constituents who showed up to advocate for our community through emails, phone calls, attending town halls and meetings, commenting on social media, and completing my budget survey. I am proud to say that my budget amendments and the amendments I voted for (or against) were aligned with your voices!
City Council passed three of my budget amendments.
- We restored $3.2 million to protect Portland’s tree canopy, using Climate Investment Plan contingency funds to prevent cuts to Urban Forestry and the Tree Permitting Program.
- We secured a 7–5 vote to rebuild the Montavilla Park picnic shelter, affirming the City’s commitment to keeping promises and investing in communities east of 82nd Ave.
- We preserved funding for our personal trainers, who provide essential support for older adults, neighbors with disabilities, people recovering from injuries or illness, and anyone who relies on accessible, affordable wellness services.
I also want to say: We’re not done. I’m not giving up on finding funding for essential city workers and front line services! Along with my colleagues Councilors Morillo, Green, Avalos, and Kanal, I am co-sponsoring an ordinance to amend the FY 2026-27 Budget to restore and protect public safety, senior centers, parks maintenance, fire rescue, high-risk environmental positions such as water and transportation, civilian responders for property and vehicle crimes reports, emergency response, and more. These are CRITICAL positions for making our city work and keeping us safe. Portlanders deserve to have basic, essential services! Check out this social media post for a good summary, or click HERE for the detailed explanation of the ordinance.
Moda Center Update
A quick update about what’s been on my mind about the Moda Center negotiations. I was happy to read a recent piece from the Oregonian editorial board, in which they said that the City should charge market rent and acquire naming rights for the arena. They also added that “Dundon and the Trail Blazers must be open to changes in revenue streams and rent, as well as labor and other community benefit type agreements.” They acknowledged that “Dundon did little to show he’s bringing much of a commitment to Oregon of his own.” Read the whole piece HERE.
There have also been some distorted accusations about City Councilors pushing back on the negotiations as a campaign tactic. I disagree with any assertion that elected officials raising good-faith questions about the deal are doing so in order to boost their election chances. Pushing for a transparent process grounded in detailed information is not a political ploy — it’s essential good governance. I share the commitment of advocates and members of our community to securing a good deal for Portland.
I want to be loud and clear: as a publicly-elected government official, what I have been fighting for up until now has been process-focused. I have been fighting for a democratic process, transparency and accountability, ways to inform and engage the public, and the simple idea that Portland should benefit from this deal. I have been educating folks on things like Community Benefit Agreements, Labor Peace / Harmony Agreements and what other cities have negotiated in similar deals. I have NOT been fighting for specific benefits or terms. Yet. It has been critical for me to talk to constituents and learn what the public wants before I advocate for anything specific.
Stay tuned as I share the data from my Moda Survey. We had about ~2,040 respondents, which is a huge success. Respondents answered questions about community benefits, labor, and more! Thank you for staying engaged!
 Left: Tour image of replica of incarceration camp room. Right: TKL and Marleen Wallingford in front of TKL and Watanabe exhibit.
The Standing for Justice Exhibit at JAMO
I still cannot get over the fact that I am included in the Japanese American Museum of Oregon’s exhibit Standing for Justice: The Japanese Americans Shaping Oregon, which runs through October 25 as part of Oregon’s America 250 commemoration. The exhibit highlights more than a century of Japanese Americans shaping history, including some of my personal heroes such as Minoru Yasui, who was the first Japanese American lawyer admitted to the Bar in Oregon. His fight against the unjust curfew for Japanese Americans went to the Supreme Court. The exhibit also includes my friend Peggy Nagae, who has spent her life fighting for civil and human rights, and they included me, as the first Asian American woman and first Japanese American elected to Portland City Council. This is such an incredible honor! You can read an Oregon Artswatch article about the exhibit, or better yet – visit the Japanese American Museum of Oregon!
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Earlier this week, I told my colleagues that I love working in City Hall in part because I get to see up close the labor that makes possible the public services that I have grown up utilizing. So far, I’ve even had the opportunity to advocate for programs that are of particular importance to me.
In anticipation of the 2027 state legislative session, I’ve been helping compose issue sheets based on Councilor Koyama Lane’s priorities to inform the City’s lobbying efforts in Salem. As someone who regularly rides TriMet, I’ve especially enjoyed writing about the need for the state to backfill multimodal transportation funds and tee up a broader effort to bolster Oregon’s public transit, biking, and walking infrastructure. I’m excited to continue learning about how the City advocates for these important issues at different levels of government.
I’ve also connected with local organizations that are championing causes and meeting immediate needs on a daily basis. Earlier this week, it was inspiring to sit in on a meeting with transportation advocates who are preparing legislative agendas of their own. On Tuesday, meeting with the leaders of nonprofits that serve our unhoused neighbors was informative and thought-provoking. In addition to seeing the public sector up close, I’m also grateful to gain insight into the ways that communities meet their needs on their own.
I look forward to sharing more reflections with you next week. Thank you for reading!
 Flyer in trans flag colors reads "We’ve always been here! Trans rights rally. July 11 at noon, North Park Blocks". Images of historic trans leaders
Sunrise PDX Trans Rights Rally
Bans on life saving, gender affirming care. Sports bans. An administration bent on classifying our trans siblings as terrorists for simply using their First Amendment right to speak out. What do we do when our trans siblings are under attack? Stand up, fight back!
Join Sunrise PDX to resist anti-trans laws, stand with our trans community, and give back to orgs fighting on the front lines for trans equality. Their “We’ve Always Been Here” rally starts at noon this Saturday, July 11 in the North Park Blocks.
Beaumont Crossing Grand Opening
The Beaumont Business Association and Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association are hosting a Grand Opening of the new community plaza, from 4 to 7 pm Saturday, July 11. Beaumont Crossing, at NE 44th Ave and NE Fremont St, is one of four PBOT-selected new plazas this summer, and was just painted by volunteers in June. The grand opening event will feature musical entertainment, family-friendly activities, and some fun nods to 7/11 traditions!
 Flyer BBQ In the Yard Free food and drinks, live music, yard games, kids activities, local organizations, makers and vendors 247 SE 82nd Ave
PDX Saints Love Co-Host Annual “BBQ in the Yard" July 18
PDX Saints Love is co-hosting their annual “BBQ in the Yard" event from 3 to 6 p.m. on July 18 at 247 SE 82nd Ave. The free event celebrates the community and the organizations doing great work along the 82nd Ave corridor and surrounding areas. Free tacos and drinks, live music from Norman Sylvester of Boo Cat Productions, makers and artists, and activities will be featured.
Pride Parade and Festival
Happy Pride! I can hardly wait to march in Portland’s Pride Parade again this year! The parade starts at 11 am Sunday, July 19, in the North Park Blocks and ends on Naito Parkway at the Pride Festival. The Pride Waterfront Festival will be held noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 18 and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19. I hope to see you there!
Guinness Record Breaking Attempt
Before the parade, I’ll be participating in Portland’s attempt to break the Guinness world record for the largest e-bike ride. Celebrating BIKETOWN’s 10th anniversary, I’ll be joining the 2-mile ride starting at Salmon Springs Fountain at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, July 19. For more information or to register visit their website.
Sunnyside Cat Walk
Cats of Sunnyside will hold a Sunnyside Cat Walk “Prrrrrrrride Edition” 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 19 starting at Sunnyside Piazza, SE 33rd Ave and Yamhill St. Participants walk at an easy pace around the neighborhood, greeting neighborhood cats. It’s free and there’s no need to register. Cats in backpacks or strollers or on leashes are welcome. You can sign up to add your cat to the tour map here.
Bike Happy Hour
Bike Happy Hour is now hosted by BikeLoud! and takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday this summer at Rainbow Road Plaza, 2720 SE Ankeny St. Each event will feature guest speakers and organizations and a chance to socialize with other bike-minded individuals.
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