PDX Agenda Tracker: Hands Off the Portland Clean Energy Fund | April 21-24, 2025

PCEF... Business License Fees... Rental Price-Fixing Update... City & County Budgets... Rose Quarter I-5 Project... Fair Housing & Homelessness... Portland Street Response...

Dear Readers,

First, an apology. In a recent issue of Street Wonk, I briefly and uncritically mentioned Councilor Novick's proposal to add one-third of one percent to an existing tax on large retailers, aiming to protect vital city services. At the time, the proposal's summary did not mention the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), and I didn’t make the connection. Upon further examination, I now realize that this proposal would increase the Clean Energy surcharge and redirect the additional revenue from the voter-approved Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) into the city's general fund, potentially compromising the integrity of this community-led climate justice initiative. I regret this lapse in my due diligence.

As a city, we owe a debt of gratitude to Commissioner Steve Novick, who, after being trounced for his inequitable “street fee” proposal in 2014, bounced back and delivered Portland’s local gas tax in 2016. This measure introduced a 10-cent-per-gallon tax on motor vehicle fuels sold within Portland. Dubbed “Fixing Our Streets," the tax marked Portland's first dedicated local funding source for street maintenance and safety improvements. Since then, more than $150M has been collected and invested in our transportation infrastructure, and voters have renewed it twice. Novick also introduced and passed the Pay Ratio Surtax, making Portland the first city in the nation to impose a surcharge on companies with excessive CEO-to-median-worker pay ratios, generating between $2.5 million and $3.5 million annually for the general fund.

While Novick's past approaches to revenue generation demonstrate his commitment to innovative problem solving, I can’t support this one. Any potential negative impact to the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) must be avoided, especially when there are other viable alternatives, such as implementing more progressive tax rates, creating sector-specific thresholds, and utilizing alternative metrics for taxation. Here are a few examples of other U.S cities that take a more thoughtful approach to business license taxes:

• San Francisco’s Gross Receipts Tax applies different rates based on a business's gross receipts and industry, which ensures that larger businesses contribute a fairer share relative to their size and revenue.

• Seattle's Business & Occupation (B&O) Tax sets different tax rates and thresholds depending on the type of business activity, recognizing that industries like retail and services operate under different financial models.

• Philadelphia combines a Net Profits Tax and a Business Income and Receipts Tax, allowing for a more nuanced approach that considers both gross receipts and net income, thereby accommodating businesses with high revenues but slim profit margins.

In other news, the ordinance prohibiting anti-competitive rental practices was referred back to the Homelessness and Housing committee last week. According to the Portland Mercury, Councilor Angelita Morillo, who introduced the ordinance, cited new litigation in Berkeley, California, involving a similar ban. RealPage, a company that provides rent-setting algorithms, filed a lawsuit against Berkeley, arguing that the ban infringes on its First Amendment rights. Councilor Morillo has indicated that the ordinance will return to the council after further review and adjustments to address these legal and stakeholder concerns.​

Additionally, OPB reported that local property managers and landlords raised concerns about the ordinance's language, suggesting it was too vague and could deter investment in housing development. Some council members echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of crafting a policy that addresses housing affordability without unintended negative consequences.​

But where is their concern for Portland renters who collectively pay millions more annually due to these unethical and extractive practices? According to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, algorithmic rent-setting tools, such as those provided by RealPage, have led to renters paying an average of $70 more per month in affected buildings, amounting to an estimated $3.8 billion in additional rent nationwide in 2023. This strains household budgets and reduces disposable income, decreasing consumer spending. Consequently, local businesses experience lower revenues, translating into reduced business tax collections that fund essential city services. When landlords can extract ever-increasing, exorbitant rents, it hurts everyone, not just renters. This isn’t just a housing crisis—it’s an economic crisis; the sooner policymakers and the public recognize this, the better.

With Hope, Love & Solidarity,

Chloe

P.S. With all the changes to how City Council meets, deliberates, and engages with the public, I’m still determining how to best present this information to readers. This week, instead of listing out each agenda item for every committee, I decided to present the information in a more narrative form. I hope this will make the information easier to take in. As always, I welcome your feedback.

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🎉Help celebrate Street Wonk’s 3rd Anniversary!🎉

Three months from now, on July 22nd, Street Wonk will mark its third anniversary! I launched this project with a simple mission: to demystify local policymaking and inspire more Portlanders to actively engage in shaping the decisions that affect our lives.

Despite some fits and starts in the early years, I’m proud to say I’ve now published over 100 posts—and helped inspire more Portlanders to speak up and show up for public hearings, community events, elections, rallies, and protests. Along the way, I’ve deepened my own understanding of local issues and progressive policy-making and feel more committed than ever to continuing this work.

Since 2022, our community has grown to nearly 2,000 readers. As this anniversary approaches, I’m setting an ambitious goal: 3,000 total subscribers and 300 paid supporters. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about growing our collective voice and shared impact.

How You Can Support Street Wonk

• Become a Paid Subscriber: Support independent journalism for as little as $3/month!

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A Promise to You

Once we reach 300 paid subscribers, I’ll launch a new weekly feature—either an interview or a deep-dive article—and debut a dedicated Street Wonk website, where you’ll find a centralized hub for archives, resources, and updates. I hope to build toward in-person events and even a dedicated space in the long term. But I’m putting sustainability ahead of aspiration, so how big our shared dreams become is largely up to Street Wonk’s readers.

Regardless of whether you can pitch in, thanks for being here. Let’s keep loving and fighting together for a more just future.

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Portland City Council

Click the Committee titles to access each video. 

Monday, April 21st | 9:30am

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard from the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) about the potential impacts and tradeoffs related to the City Administrator’s preliminary budget recommendations and invited testimony from Albina Vision Trust and No More Freeways on Rose Quarter infrastructure improvement efforts. Committee members also discussed a proposal to develop a Citywide strategic asset management plan.

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Monday, April 21st | 12:00pm

The Finance Committee discussed a proposal from Councilor Steve Novick to protect vital services by adding one-third of one percent to Portland’s existing Clean Energy Surcharge on large retailers. My thoughts are in this week’s intro letter. You can read Councilor Avalos’ response here.

Full disclosure: I endorsed PCEF and was directly involved in developing the legislation, working with and supporting advocates to craft a community-led climate justice program that holds corporate polluters accountable.

Action Steps

Watch for Council hearings and opportunities to submit testimony. Contact your Council members and ask them to protect PCEF’s integrity and encourage them to pursue truly transparent, community-supported solutions to the budget crisis.

Further Reading:

• City Councilor Questions Legality of Proposed Climate Tax Increase (Willamette Week)

• 3 Portland councilors propose PCEF tax hike to backfill city budget (OPB)

• Clean Energy Surcharge Expansion: A Dangerous Precedent for PCEF (Climate, Resilience, and Land Use Committee/City of Portland)

• Overview of the PCEF Surcharge (City of Portland)

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Tuesday, April 22nd | 9:30am

The Arts and Economy Committee heard presentations from the Office of Arts and Culture and Parks and Recreation operations.

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Tuesday, April 22nd | 12pm

The Homelessness and Housing Committee heard a presentation from the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) and the Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) on the importance of Fair Housing. They also received an update on the work of the Homelessness Response System Steering and Oversight Committee and presentations on Mayor Wilson’s shelter plan update and Affordable Housing Production and Preservation.

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Tuesday, April 22nd | 2:30pm

The Community and Public Safety Committee received a presentation from the Portland Solutions hub, focusing on street services and the Public Environment Management Office. Portland Solutions is an interagency initiative uniting shelter services, environmental cleanup crews, and public safety coordinators to tackle chronic street-level challenges through coordination, not criminalization. The effort combines the work of City Shelter Services, the Impact Reduction Program, the Public Environment Management Office (PEMO), and the Street Services Coordination Center to provide voluntary services, site remediation, and long-term problem-solving in areas with persistent safety and livability concerns.

Rather than relying on punitive enforcement, the team engages encampments and other high-impact areas with unarmed outreach, strategic cleanups, and neighborhood-based “problem solver” meetings. A recent case study on NE 33rd Drive highlighted their impact: 57 unhoused individuals were connected to shelter, 64 abandoned vehicles were removed, and 16 trash dumpsters were cleared. While police support is available when needed, the emphasis remains on diversion and service over arrest and displacement.

Community leaders spoke in support of the program, describing PEMO staff as responsive, collaborative, and effective. Residents reported that the work has improved neighborhood safety and dignity, with many crediting Portland Solutions for restoring trust in local government.

The committee also discussed a resolution to support and expand Portland Street Response as a co-equal branch of the first responder system and establish the Portland Street Response Committee, aiming to establish it as a co-equal branch of the city’s first responder system, alongside police and fire. Backed by years of evaluation from Portland State University and overwhelming public support, the resolution seeks to stabilize and scale PSR while protecting its core mission as a non-police, trauma-informed crisis response team.

The measure calls for 24/7 citywide operation, shields PSR from being diverted to sweeps or enforcement, and proposes the creation of a Portland Street Response Committee to guide the program’s future. It also recommends hiring a permanent program manager, exploring first responder benefits for staff, and restoring community outreach capacity.

Further Reading

• Portland Street Response expands citywide with new answer for mental health, addiction-related 911 calls (OPB)

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Wednesday, April 23rd | 10am

City Council Special Meeting

1 Authorize revenue bonds in an amount sufficient to provide not more than $80 million to finance curb, ramp and street improvement projects (Ordinance). See Item 14 in last week’s Street Wonk.

2 Direct funding for the Workforce Pre-Apprenticeship Program and a SummerWorks Youth Employment Initiative (Resolution). See Item 15 in last week’s Street Wonk.

3 Direct Bureau of Transportation to construct and maintain sidewalks while addressing pavement maintenance deficiencies throughout Portland, improving safety and accessibility for all residents through the Sidewalk Improvement and Paving Program (Resolution). See Item 16 in last week’s Street Wonk.

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Thursday, April 24th | 9:30am

The Climate, Resilience, and Land Use Committee will hear a presentation on the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund Committee's input on preliminary budget recommendations, and they’re set to confirm appointments and alternates to the City Sustainability and Climate Commission, which is open to public testimony.

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Thursday, April 24th | 12:00pm

The Labor and Workforce Development will hear a presentation on a Fair Wage Policy Code for Certain City Service Contracts requiring minimum pay standards for janitorial, security, and other contracted workers historically excluded from city wage protections, followed by a Public hearing on labor workforce matters. They’ll wrap up with a presentation on labor and workforce aspects of the City budget.

You Don’t Have To Hate Your Job To Want A Union by Sam Wallman via Justseeds

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Multnomah County Board of Commissioners

Thursday, April 24th | ⏰ 9:30 AM

Regular Agenda

R.1: Release of Chair’s Executive FY 2026 Budget. This Thursday, the Board of County Commissioners will receive the Chair’s Executive Budget for FY 2026. Typically, this moment begins a predictable, if dry, budgeting process. Not this year.

Multnomah County is staring down a massive $104 million shortfall in its Homeless Services budget—nearly a quarter of what’s needed to maintain current programs. Chair Jessica Vega Pederson has proposed filling the gap with one-time state and Metro funding and shifting money from other departments. But regional leaders are balking. Governor Tina Kotek called the ask "dismaying." Metro Council President Lynn Peterson described it as "jarring." Some county commissioners openly question the Chair’s judgment and even propose stripping her of sole authority over board agendas.

All this comes as the County prepares to adopt a $3.5 billion budget that touches everything from jail staffing and behavioral health to bridge maintenance and elections. The public release of the Chair’s proposal will set the tone for what’s likely to be a bruising, high-profile process.

R.2 Acting as the Multnomah County Library District: Receiving the Multnomah County Library District’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Multnomah County Library is facing a $1.4 million shortfall in its upcoming budget, driven by slower-than-expected property tax growth and rising costs. To close the gap, the library will discontinue three longstanding youth programs—School Corps, Books2U, and Listos para el Kinder—by June 2025.

Despite these cuts, overall staffing remains stable. The library is also adjusting outreach, reallocating staff to branches and the community engagement team to better serve patrons with limited access to library buildings.

Further Reading

• Nearly 60% of Oregon counties face program cuts as budget crisis grows (OPB)

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Metro Council

Thursday, April 24th | ⏰ 10:30 AM

Nothing of interest for Street Wonk readers this week.

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This week’s Agenda Tracker was too long for a Wonk Out section!