When voters overwhelmingly passed a new city charter in 2022, optimism abounded that the new form of government would more truly represent all of Portland, not just the business elite who had been running things pretty much for over 150 years. The city was supposed to be run by a twelve member city council representing all of Portland's neighborhoods. However, as Portland City Council takes up a resolution seeking to provide oversight over Zenith Energy's land use process, some new power dynamics have emerged over who makes decisions that impact the public.
Today we talk with Street Roots investigative journalist Jeremiah Hayden about this concerning dynamic and what he has uncovered through public document requests that the reveal the cozy relationship between members of the city's administrative branch and the Portland Metro Council (formally the Portland Business Alliance).