This November Portland voters will have an opportunity to vote on a complex measure that would amend the city charter in some drastic ways. The changes include rank voting, expanding the city council to 12 members who would each represent one of four districts, and shifting from a commission form of government, where the mayor and city commissioners directly manage the city's bureaus, to a city council that sets policy rather than managing bureaus, and a mayor elected citywide to run the city's day-to-day operations, with the help of a professional city administrator.
There is a lot to digest in this ballot measure so we will be focusing two Locus Focus episodes on explaining its pros and cons. On this episode Portland Charter Commission member Candace Avalos, who is the Executive Director of Verde, will talk about the proposed city charter changes and their rationale.
On August 22 we will talk with former Portland City Attorney Steven Moskowitz who has created a PAC to oppose the city charter changes.
Candace Avalos is a first-generation American “Blacktina”, daughter of Black Americans from the south and Guatemalan immigrants. She lives in NE Portland and is an active member of her community—a co-founder of the Black Millennial Movement, serving on the Citizen Review Committee and Charter Review Commission for the City of Portland, as well as on the boards of Portland: Neighbors Welcome, Street Roots, and the Oregon Kickball Club.
- KBOO