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Portland’s Government – An Analysis

Video of LWV Panel Discussion

Could Portland’s Government be more effective with a new structure?

Click below to watch the video of our panel discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of Portland’s form of government.

If you prefer to watch the video on your Tv, here is the cablecast schedule:

You can also read the study report here.

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New Study of Portland’s Government!

Just Released: Restudy of City government

In September 2019, the League of Women Voters of Portland completed our city government study, “The City that Works: Preparing Portland for the Future.”

Portland League members voted to conduct this two-year restudy of city government in May 2017. Members realized that Portland’s voters needed more up-to-date and complete information to decide on possible changes to the City Charter.

The restudy looks closely at many parts of our current government. It examines strengths and weaknesses of the government’s structure and then explores different options for changing it. The goal is to provide useful ideas for how to improve the government so it serves the people of Portland as well as possible.

Read the study

You can read full text of the study report here.

View the panel Discussion

The video of a panel discussion about Portland’s government is now available here.

The panel included these speakers:

Mike Gleason, speaking on Why Do Cities Matter? What Does It Mean to Be a Successful City? Gleason served for 18 years as Eugene’s city manager.
Chris Tobkin, addressing the strengths of Portland’s commission form of government. Tobkin worked for Bud Clark during his two terms as Portland Mayor.
Julia DeGraw, looking at the weaknesses of the commission form, why it needs to change, and what should be changed. DeGraw is an activist and community organizer.
Betsy Pratt concluded the panel presentation with additional information on Portland’s government. Pratt was the chair of the League of Women Voters of Portland city government study committee.

The Multnomah Bar Foundation and the Carol & Velma Saling Foundation donated funding for the recording.

Thorough Public Process – Key to Code Change

On November 12, 2019, the League submitted comments to the City Council about the process for changing City Code Chapter 3.96. This part of the City Code governs the way the Office of Community and Civic Life engages with people in Portland. Action Chair Debbie Aiona also testified at the Council’s November 14 hearing.

The City Council resolution calls for a multi-bureau work group to carry out the next phase of this process. The League urges opening the work group’s meetings to the public for observation. We also recommend following up the work group’s proposals with a thorough public process that includes a broad group of Portlanders.

You can read our testimony here.

Should we change Portland’s Government?

Come to panel discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of Portland’s city government.

Tuesday, November 12, 7-8:30 pm
Multnomah County Boardroom, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. (map)

The panel will include these speakers:

Mike Gleason, speaking on Why Do Cities Matter? What Does It Mean to Be a Successful City? Gleason was a city manager in multiple communities in Washington, California and Oregon. He served for 18 years as Eugene’s city manager.
Chris Tobkin, addressing the strengths of Portland’s commission form of government and why it has been a success. Tobkin served as Executive Director of City Club for 7 years and then worked for Bud Clark during his two terms as Portland Mayor.
Julia DeGraw, looking at the weaknesses of the commission form, why it needs to change, and what should be changed. DeGraw has been an environmental activist and community organizer, and now is part of Portland Forward. In 2018, she was a candidate for Portland City Council.
Betsy Pratt will conclude the panel presentation with additional information on Portland’s government structure and the Charter Review Process. Pratt was the chair of the League of Women Voters of Portland city government study committee.

This panel discussion will present information that supplements the LWV of Portland study of Portland’s city government. MetroEast Community Media will record the event, and you can watch it online from a link on this website a few days later. The Multnomah Bar Foundation and the Carol & Velma Saling Foundation donated funding for the recording.

Special Election Ballot Measures!

Multnomah Co. Measures on Nov. 5 ballots

Read our carefully researched, detailed reports about the November Special Election ballot measures by clicking here.

The same info is also on our personalized voter information website, vote411.org.

Videos from Our Election Info event

Videos from the League’s informational program about these measures are now posted with each of the measures here. These videos provide additional information about the measures. They will also be broadcast on the following cable channels. See schedule below.